Want to know who’s the favorite heading into the LHSAA Class 2A semifinals this week?

Can’t tell you. Because we just don’t know.

But even if we did, we aren’t going to say. Proclaiming any of the three teams not named Vidalia would land as many voice mail messages on my phone that it would allow, and tabbing the Vikings favorite would likely get one long, detailed message left on the voice mail.

Hey, that’s why they play the games.

The Vikings &045; who, coincidentally, are the only public school in the final four &045; comes in with a shiny 27-0 record after disposing of a tough Riverside club Thursday, 3-2. And here’s another coincidence &045; the Vikings are making their second straight trip to the state tournament by way of three home playoff games.

Last year’s run included wins at home over Springhill, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte and Loyola &045; two lopsided affairs and one close one, which was the same results this year in wins over Jonesboro-Hodge, St. Thomas Aquinas and Riverside.

&uot;I thank our fans,&uot; said Vidalia head coach Johnny Lee Hoffpauir, who is sitting on career win No. 349 after Thursday’s win. &uot;Our fans played a big part in (the win). We were lucky to have all three of our games at home. I’ve had some great teams, but I can’t compliment this team enough. They’ll have a special place in my heart no matter what happens.&uot;

&uot;We’re going to the dance again. I don’t know if we’re going to dance with the pretty one or the ugly one, but we’re going.&uot;

The Vikings come into the tournament having been ranked No. 1 in the coaches’ poll all season. Episcopal spent much of the season a notch below them or tied for first, but the Knights were clobbered in the second round by Riverside.

The Vikings will face St. Frederick Tuesday in the nightcap with Newman and Ouachita Christian playing in the first game. The Vikings beat St. Fred earlier in the season, so at least they’re familiar with their opponent.

&uot;Win the last game,&uot; outfielder Jeffery Anderson said. &uot;We’re happy to get here and happy to win. All I’ve got to say is we’ll show up, play ball and play our game.&uot;

PIVOTAL RUN &045; It was Anderson who scored the most important run up to this point in the postseason Thursday when he touched home for what turned out to be the game-winning run in the 3-2 win over Riverside.

Anderson, the Vikings’ No. 9 hitter, reached base in the fifth on an infield single that didn’t leave the grass, stole second for the team’s only stolen base attempt of the game and went to third on the overthrow.

&uot;We had a one-run lead coming into that inning,&uot; Hoffpauir said. &uot;My deal was we hadn’t run all day, and we don’t have much speed. Their pitchers were starting us with curveballs every batter. We decided to take a chance, and it ended up being huge.&uot;

Gutsy move going to third, though, considering two innings earlier the Rebels tagged out a Vidalia runner on the old hidden-ball trick. Then he scored when Reid Simpson’s grounder to third got by Jordan Remondet.

&uot;That was a heads-up decision on his part,&uot; said Hoffpauir, who serves as third base coach. &uot;I take no credit on that one. That was an instinct play.&uot;

PROUD PAPA &045; Pine Prairie head coach Quint West was busting buttons after his son Elliot had the key two-out hit in the top of the fifth inning to put the Panthers out in front of the quarterfinal game against Monterey Saturday.

After leadoff hitter Josh Fontenot walked and Brody Ardoin followed with a bunt single, Wolves’ pitcher Phillip Bryan retired the next two hitters and it appeared as though Bryan might get out of the inning unscathed.

But the Pine Prairie shortstop West had other ideas and delivered a sharp single into left field to score both runs and break the scoreless tie.

&uot;Between innings I worked with him on the side to widening his stance and choke up on the bat,&uot; said coach West, who brought a state title to Pine Prairie in 2001 after defeating Monterey in the quarters. &uot;I wanted him to throw his hands at the ball with the bat and he did and was able to come up big for us.

LEADERSHIP PERSONIFIED &045; It would have been easy for Monterey catcher A.J. Smith to slam his glove down, grab a seat on the dugout pine and pout after the ending of his high school career wasn’t a Disney finish.

But showing age beyond his years, Smith was the first one to talk to his dejected teammates during a postgame gathering on the pitcher’s mound.

&uot;You got to keep the same positive spirit out there or else you’re going to get run over,&uot; Smith said. &uot;I told all the players that didn’t hit well they’ll have their day before it’s all said and done.

UNTOUCHABLE &045; Panther pitcher Ben Rodriguez was worth the price of admission Saturday. The big right-hander was still throwing his heater in the mid-80s when he fanned Monterey’s last hope Ben Brallier to end the game.

But the Rodriguez pitch that drove all Wolf batters batty was his wicked slider. He started it outside the right-hander hitter’s batting box and everyone in the ball park watched in awe as hit crossed over the plate and into the catcher’s mitt, usually for a strike.

&uot;The last few games Ben had kind of been struggling with his fastball and he came up to me and said, ‘Coach I feel great throwing the slider,’&uot; West said. &uot;Even the umpire told me the slider was awesome.&uot;

Sportswriter

Chuck Corder

contributed to this report.