South Plaquemines will face a Haynesville program that runs a split-back option offense that is nearly identical to the one coach Lyle Fitte and his teammates faced in a state semifinal South Plaquemines won in 2008.

The game this time will be for the LHSAA Division IV nonselect state championship set for 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Caesars Superdome.

Top-seeded Haynesville (13-0) is back in the Dome after a runner-up finish last season, seeking its first state title since the school won its 17th in 2014.

Haynesville, averaging 46 points per game, has won three state championships with David Franklin as head coach after he took over the program from his father, Red, who won 11 titles.

"It's a well-oiled machine," said Fitte, whose No. 2-seeded team practiced Wednesday at the New Orleans Saints' facility in Metairie in advance of the school's first state finals appearance since 2009. "What they do, they do very well. ... They run a lot of sweeps and dives."

South Plaquemines (10-3) won state championships with Fitte contributing on offense and special teams in 2007 and 2008. Fitte is now in his eighth season as head coach.

In the two state finals with Fitte on the team, South Plaquemines beat West St. John 48-8 in 2007 and Christian Life 62-16 in 2008.

In 2009, after Fitte graduated, Haynesville topped South Plaquemines 19-12 in the state final.

The state final in the Dome will be the first meeting between the schools since then.