The names and faces may have changed from Edna Karr’s recent Caesars Superdome visits, but the outcome proved much the same as the clocks expired Saturday.
The Cougars (3-0) opened the highly anticipated 1-vs-2 showdown against Ruston (2-1) in emphatic fashion, weathered the Bearcats response and held on late, 21-14, for a statement win that should put to bed any questions of a step-back or rebuild.
“It shows not that we lost 43 seniors,” said senior running back Jermond Macklin, whose three touchdowns highlighted the offense. “It shows that Karr’s just always gonna recharge and have dominant people.”
The Cougars have now won 30 straight games, a streak tied for 10th-most in Louisiana history, including four games on hallowed turf on Poydras Street between back-to-back 2024 and 2025 Division-I Select state championships and now back-to-back Inspire The City Invitational matchups.
The program graduated dozens of college signees from this past year’s roster, though, and passed the torch to a still-talented and well-coached group, but in many spots less well-known and proven.
Meanwhile, Ruston, as consistent as any other program in recent years with four straight Division-I Non-Select title appearances, entered this season with sky-high expectations with its combination of talent and experience.
But early and often Saturday, Edna Karr looked more the part of the team that had been there before.
“They got after us,” Ruston coach Jerrod Baugh said. “Their kids play hard. They’re used to winning football games. Thirty in a row now, they ain’t won that many ball games by not being used to playing hard. And there were times during the ball game I felt like they were playing harder than us. And so we’ve got to be able to match other people’s intensity, especially when we’re playing a football team like that that is as well-coached as what they are. We’ve just got to do a better job of being consistent.”
Edna Karr marched 78 yards down the field to open the game, largely on the ground, for the first touchdown of Macklin’s hat trick.
Fellow senior Anthony White Jr. intercepted Ruston’s subsequent third-down play, and Macklin was right back into the end zone three plays later for the 14-0 lead on Brayan Castellon‘s second extra point.
“Basically my O-line just stepping up and getting to the next level, and discipline, and basically that’s it,” Macklin said of his and the team’s success on the ground.
Ruston found its spark with its run game and defense as well.
Junior running back Dalen Powell popped a 71-yard breakaway to put the Bearcats on the scoreboard and, after a stop by his teammates, broke through tackles for a 15-yard dive into the end zone to cap the next drive.
“I think we slept-walked through the first two or three possessions in the first quarter,” Baugh said. “You can’t spot a team like that 14 points early in the game, because I thought defensively we kinda hung in there. I mean, they scored seven points after those first couple possessions there. We gave ’em short grass with the interception. So we’ll look back at it, and there’s all kinds of things all over the game that ‘if this goes differently, then the game goes differently,’ but that’s football.”
Edna Karr would shut out Ruston the remaining two and a half quarters, including surviving a final shot to end zone gifted to the Bearcats by a punt-snap mishap with 12 seconds remaining.
The Cougars flew around and received timely, standout plays from players both veteran and young at every level.
Senior linebacker Ronell Kindell was a productive and sure tackler all over the field, senior defensive tackle Nigel Marshall was stout in the middle and senior defensive end Juelz Batiste was able to supply some pressure off the edge at times.
Junior cornerback Juan Jasmin helped highlight a secondary effort that made LSU-committed tight end Ahmad Hudson, Baylor-committed Josiah Morgan and the Bearcats’ passing game finding success down the field challenging.
And sophomore defensive lineman Edward “Hulk” Dailey may have flashed as much as anyone in the second half with three sacks and at least one more assisted tackle for loss and quarterback hurry.
“The don’t call him ‘The Hulk’ for nothing, but today I think he earned his first name, ‘Incredible,'” Brown quipped. “And I think that needs to be pointed out. But (defensive coordinator Taurus) Howard did a great job as usual. We’ve been together 21 years, and I don’t expect nothing but the best from him.”
Edna Karr defensive linemen Edward Dailey and Juelz Batiste run off the field Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, after a stop in the Cougars’ 21-14 defeat of Ruston. (Photo: Bret H. McCormick, One T Photography)
Ruston held Edna Karr out of the end zone — narrowly — in the third quarter.
The Cougars sliced their first possession of the half all the way down to the goal line, but came up just shy as junior linebacker Aidan Adams managed to trip Macklin up just in time on fourth down.
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Edna Karr’s defense kept the Bearcats backed up, forced a quick punt and set up a short, 33-yard field for Macklin and company early in the fourth quarter.
And, this time, the senior running back would not be denied near the goal line.
“I’m glad how we responded,” Brown said. “We scored a quick two, then they came back and scored an unanswered two. We went back into halftime, adjusted, put (quarterback) Marlon (Jones) more in and relied on his legs. He was out last week with an injury. But, man, I’m proud of that kid. He ran the offense well in the second half.
“Especially the defense, I thought we tackled well. They have a lot of Division-I players over there. Sometimes people get back at you. Last year signing all those guys and going against a team that has the same amount of talent that we always have is refreshing.”
This article will be further updated…
