The high school football playoffs begin this week throughout the state of Louisiana, and there are several intriguing opening round matchups involving New Orleans area teams. Previewed below are five area matchups worth keeping an eye on.

Dutch Fork, Westwood and Oceanside Collegiate Academy are chasing repeat state championships as the South Carolina high school football state playoffs begin on Friday. Because of realignment, Westwood is the only team truly defending a state championship – in Class AAAA.

The playoffs are officially underway in Southeast Texas, and teams around the region were in action on Thursday night. Which local teams emerged victories? Check out all the local scores from Thursday's games.