There aren’t many teams – if any - entering the high school football playoffs this week with more confidence and pep in their step than the Lafayette High Mighty Lions.

Friday's 7 p.m. home game against Higgins put he Lions in the postseason for a third consecutive year and entering the playoffs with their best regular season record – in terms of winning percentage – since the 2020 season.

In addition, the Lions are in the midst of a three-game winning streak, seeded in the Top 10 in Division I select, and are fresh off their first win since 2006 against rival Acadiana High.

“The kids are excited about the playoffs. They feel like they can out and play with anybody,” Lions coach Stephen Hearen said. “Since I’ve gotten here all I’ve asked of them is to out and compete. Nothing is guaranteed and we are going to have to go out and play well. But I think the guys feel pretty good about what we are doing.”

There’s a lot Hearen likes about the Lions, but arguably the biggest is how well they closed out the season. After going 3-2 in the first half, the Lions went 4-1 in the second half of the season.

“We were able to have kind of a positive split in the second half of the season,” Hearen said. “I’m really excited with how we finished. Really, I was really excited with how we competed nine out of the 10 weeks.

"The only week that was a disappointment for me as far as how we went out and competed was the St. Thomas More week. So, I was pleased with how we competed throughout the season.”

The Lions have been quite explosive offensively and that’s a credit to their offensive line and skill players such as running back Jaden Celestine, quarterback Richmond Saunier and receiver Brendan Shullaw.

Celestine has rushed for 1,012 yards and 18 touchdowns on 115 carries, while Shullaw has 26 receptions for 405 yards and four touchdowns. Saunier, a Dartmouth commit, has completed 78-of-136 passes for 1,040 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions, while rushing for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns on 92 carries.

“I really like how we are playing right now going into the playoffs,” Hearen said. “We’re as healthy as we’re going to be. I feel like we run the football well and we play defense, so I feel like that’s a good recipe once playoff time rolls around. If we go out and play good football, we can compete with anybody.”

The No. 10-seeded Lions are hosting a playoff game for the first time since that 2020 season which was also the last time they won a playoff game.

“They have plenty of pieces to be able to give you trouble offensively,” Hearen said. “They’re really athletic."

L.W. Higgins, who ended the season with back-to-back losses, are led offensively by quarterback Tyler Holden and receivers Justin Whitley and Dekail Evans.

"They have an athletic quarterback and athletic receivers," Hearen said. "They have the ability to go vertical in their passing game and get some easy offense. So, we have to make sure that we are disciplined.”

Hearen also spoke highly of the Hurricanes' defense.

“They play good defense,” Hearen said. “I think they’ve only given up 15 or 16 points per game over the course of 10 games. I’m really impressed by their team speed and their linebackers run well. Watching them on film, their linebackers sit well and they making a lot of plays.”

Despite their big win over the Rams in the regular season finale, Hearen isn’t concern about a potential hangover on Friday.

“I felt we came out this week and had really good practices,” Hearen said. “Monday, I told them during P.E. that I wanted them to be able to enjoy the moment because we don’t get to live in the moment very often in life. We either look back or we look forward.

"I think we have been pretty focused, and I feel pretty pleased with what we’ve done the last three days of practice. So, I don’t really feel like we’re caught up or hung up on last week.”