Byes (Tulane), injuries (Jayden Daniels) and down weeks (Dak Prescott) for some of the brightest spots in Louisiana’s overall tough college and professional football seasons made for an interesting last weekend of October.
But high school football is always a reliable highlight in the fall, and so much Louisiana talent earns its way to the next levels that even interesting or seemingly down college and NFL weeks are not without their standouts.
As always, Louisiana vs. All Y’all identified nine of the best efforts from all three phases and all three levels. Congratulations to the latest Player of the Week winners — including both some familiar faces and some new names.
HIGH SCHOOL
Offense — Brett Bell (2027), Cedar Creek QB: The Cougars’ junior quarterback accounted for more than 350 total yards and seven touchdowns in a 65-32 rout of nearby foe Lincoln Prep, including a career-high 278 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. The win maintained some local bragging rights and kept Cedar Creek in solid playoff position and just shy of potentially hosting a first-round game if dominoes fall well the next two weeks.
Defense — Makialley Robbins (2026), Jewel Sumner LB: The Cowboys’ senior linebacker was a major difference-maker in helping keep them among the state’s few remain undefeated teams. Robbins flew around for 11 tackles, including three for loss, and a pair of interceptions to help Jewel Sumner blow open its most lopsided victory in at least a decade against nearby Pine, 41-14.
Special Teams — Blake Delcambre (2026), Loreauville: The senior quarterback and all-around athlete returned the opening kickoff Friday for a touchdown to provide an early spark to one of the state’s bigger upsets. And the special-teams highlight was just the start of a strong night overall with nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns rushing and another passing to beat rival Catholic-New Iberia, 40-28
COLLEGE
Offense — Arch Manning, Texas QB: Saturday was a rollercoaster in Starkville, Miss. But when the dust settled, Texas had survived Mississippi State, 45-38, with a wild comeback victory in overtime on the road, and their first-year starting quarterback was pivotal in the rally. The former Isidore Newman star finished 29-for-46 (63.0%) for a career-high 346 yards and three touchdowns to one interception, along with an early rushing score.
Defense — Rayshawn Pleasant, Auburn DB: Auburn was trailing Arkansas on the road early in the fourth quarter and in danger of a costly loss to one of the bottom teams in the SEC this season when Pleasant swung the game with a 49-yard interception return for a go-ahead touchdown. The former West Monroe star, who transferred from Tulane to the Tigers this spring, snatched a pair of interceptions in the 33-24 comeback against the Razorbacks.
Special Teams — Brandon Hayes, Southeastern Louisiana WR/RET: The senior wide receiver returned three kickoffs for 155 yards, a 31.7-yard average and an 85-yard touchdown to open a big second half as the Lions stretched a seven-point lead at the break to a 38-14 victory against Houston Christian.
PROFESSIONAL
Offense — DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles WR: The former Amite star didn’t exactly match his career-high from last week, but was again one of the Louisiana standouts of the NFL weekend with his six catches for 84 yards in a 38-20 win against the New York Giants. Smith earns LVAY’s NFL Offensive Player of the Week for the third time thus far just midway through the 2025 schedule.
Defense — Chase Young, New Orleans Saints DE: The Saints took another loss, their third straight and seventh in eight games, in a challenging overall season. But the veteran defensive end was among the bright spots with his four tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, plus another hurry. The New Orleans defense held Tampa Bay to its second-lowest scoring total of the season in a 23-3 loss to the Buccaneers, and Young was among the week’s highest-graded defenders and particularly pass-rushers, according to PFF.
Special Teams — Ryan Wright, Minnesota Vikings P: The former Tulane specialist was one of the league’s top punters in Week 8 with four kicks for a combined 184 yards and a 46.0-yard average with a 51-yard long, three downed inside the 20-yard line and no return yardage allowed. The Vikings lost to the Los Angeles Chargers, 37-10, but Wright was, as he often is, a standout in his role.
