985 Preps

The LHSAA soccer season (both boys and girls) wrapped up this week with eight state championships at Southeastern Louisiana’s Strawberry Stadium.

Teams from up and down Interstates 10 and 12 claimed the crowns over the course of a series of tight matchups Wednesday through Saturday: none decided by more than two goals, four by a single goal and two on penalty kicks.

Here’s a look at the final contests and eight state champions.

——— BOYS ———

DIVISION I

Jesuit 2, Brother Martin 1
Saturday, Feb. 28)

NOTE: Junior forward Casey Parker-Karst scored game-tying and -winning goals in the second half to lift the Blue Jays to their second title in three years and 14th all-time.

DIVISION II

Teurlings Catholic 2, Prairieville 1
(Friday, Feb. 27)

NOTE: An extra-time goal by senior Luke Brown lifted the Rebels, last year’s runners-up, to their first title since 2009 and third all-time.

DIVISION III

St. Louis Catholic 1, University Lab 0
(Thursday, Feb. 26)

NOTE: The Saints shut out one of Louisiana’s most consistent powers — the Cubs having won four of the past seven years (2025, 2022, 2020, 2019) — to win their first championship since 2017, their most recent title appearance.

DIVISION IV

Northlake Christian 2, Ascension Episcopal 0
(Wednesday, Feb. 25)

NOTE: The Wolverines scored twice in the second half to claim their first crown since 2019.

——— GIRLS ———

DIVISION I

Dominican 1, Mount Carmel 1 (PKs: 4-2)
(Saturday, Feb. 28)

NOTE: Dominican topped district rival Mount Carmel on penalty kicks for the second time this season, upsetting the top-seeded and reigning-champion Cubs to win its first title since 2022 and fifth time overall.

DIVISION II

St. Scholastica 2, Teurlings Catholic 0
(Friday, Feb. 27)

NOTE: The Doves continued their dominant recent run with a third straight championship, including 2024 in Division I.

DIVISION III

Archbishop Hannan 2, Parkview Baptist 1
(Thursday, Feb. 26)

NOTE: The Hawks weathered an equalizer from the three-time defending champion Eagles and answered right back to claim their first title in program history.

DIVISION IV

Pope John Paul II 1, Isidore Newman 1  (PKs: 5-4)
(Wednesday, Feb. 25)

NOTE: Senior goalie Lilly Juneau stopped Isidore Newman’s final two penalty kicks to lift PJPII to its first championship since 2014 and end the Greenies’ bid for a fourth straight title.

Nearly 250 boys basketball teams around the state learned their paths Monday to this year’s Marsh Madness state tournament at McNeese State.

The LHSAA released its 10 playoff brackets: Divisions I, II, III and IV both Select and NonSelect as well as Classes B and C.

Zachary, John Curtis, Wossman, Madison Prep, Marksville, Calvary Baptist, Ferriday, Lincoln Prep, Anacoco and Gibsland-Coleman earned the No. 1 seeds in their respective tournaments.

But only three top seeds won titles in 2025, along with three No. 2 seeds, a No. 3 and three No. 4’s.

———— DIVISION-I NONSELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Zachary, No. 2 Ruston, No. 3 Natchitoches Central, No. 4 Denham Springs

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 1 Zachary, No. 6 Central

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 9 Northshore vs. No. 24 Salmen

———— DIVISION-I SELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 John Curtis, No. 2 Alexandria, No. 3 St. Augustine, No. 4 St. Thomas More

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 3 St. Augustine, No. 4 St. Thomas More

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 15 Carencro vs. No. 18 Bonnabel

———— DIVISION-II NONSELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Wossman, No. 2 Northwest, No. 3 Brusly, No. 4 Bossier

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 1 Wossman, No. 4 Bossier

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 13 Assumption vs. No. 20 St. Martinville

———— DIVISION-II SELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Madison Prep, No. 2 Peabody Magnet, No. 3 Washington-Marion, No. 4 Parkview Baptist

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 8 Archbishop Hannan, No. 11 Archbishop Shaw

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 14 The Willow School vs. No. 19 G.W. Carver

———— DIVISION-III NONSELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Marksville, No. 2 Madison Parish, No. 3 Donaldsonville, No. 4 Doyle

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 12 Richwood, No. 1 Marksville

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 15 Port Allen vs. No. 18 Church Point

———— DIVISION-III SELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Calvary Baptist, No. 2 Dunham, No. 3 Country Day, No. 4 De La Salle

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 3 Country Day, No. 1 Calvary Baptist

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 11 Independence vs No. 22 Isidore Newman

———— DIVISION-IV NONSELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Ferriday, No. 2 Lakeview, No. 3 East Iberville, No. 4 West St. Mary

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 16 Franklin, No. 8 Vinton

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 11 Jeanerette vs. No. 22 White Castle

———— DIVISION-IV SELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Lincoln Prep, No. 2 St. Martin’s Episcopal, No. 3 St. Frederick, No. 4 Central Catholic

Last year’s champion, runner-up: N/A Hamilton Christian, No. 6 Southern Lab

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 15 Opelousas Catholic vs. No. 18 Sacred Heart

———— CLASS B SELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Anacoco, No. 2 Zwolle, No. 3 Quitman, No. 4 Lacassine

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 4 Lacassine, N/A Avoyelles Public Charter

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 15 Oak Hill vs. No. 18 Doyline

———— CLASS C SELECT ————

Top seeds: No. 1 Gibsland-Coleman, No. 2 Pleasant Hill, No. 3 Plainview, No. 4 Saline

Last year’s champion, runner-up: No. 3 Plainview, No. 2 Pleasant Hill

Most intriguing first-round matchup: No. 16 Maurepas vs. No. 17 Family Christian

Louisiana’s 2025 high school football season was loaded with impressive and memorable performances — both by teams and individual standouts — reaching even historic proportions.

Louisiana vs. All Y’all has identified 100 of the best of the best to recognize for their performances with the state’s most selective postseason team awards: large schools (5A and 4A) and small schools (3A, 2A and 1A) teams recognizing 31 first-team selections (14 offense, 14 defense and three special teams) and 19 honorable mentions.

Twice as many athletes could easily have been selected from a tremendous field of candidates around The Boot, with several particularly difficult cuts from each first team and honorable mentions list.

But we have decided the limit the selection process to the 100 total players to maintain the elite nature of these rosters, even as challenging as that restriction can be in talent-rich Louisiana.

[Looking back: Preseason Large Schools Team | Preseason Small Schools Team]

Note: College-signed and -committed student-athletes’ destinations at the next level are included in parentheses for reference. But these teams were selected based on players’ performances this season, not perceived future potential.

Check out the large schools team below, and click here for the small schools edition.

And stay tuned throughout the next week for stories on our superlative award-winners.

2025 ALL-LOUISIANA VS. ALL Y’ALL
LARGE SCHOOLS

OL — Nathan Dubroc, North DeSoto, Sr.
OL — Tylan George, West Monroe, Sr. (Tulane)
OL — O’Ryan Mosley, Terrebonne, Sr. (Oklahoma State)
OL — Leon Noil Jr., Edna Karr, Sr. (Mississippi State)
OL — Blaise Thomassie, Catholic-B.R., Sr. (Stanford)
WR — Kenny Darby, Airline, Sr. (Kentucky)
WR — Easton Royal, Brother Martin, Jr. (Texas)
WR/TE — Ahmad Hudson, Ruston, Jr.
RB — Malachi Dabney, Destrehan, Jr.
RB — Tre Garrison, Edna Karr, Sr.
RB — Jordin Griffin, Barbe, Jr.
QB — Peyton “Pop” Houston, Evangel Christian, Jr.
ATH/FLEX — Chantz Babineaux, Carencro, Sr. (Nicholls State)
ATH/FLEX — John Johnson III, Edna Karr, Sr. (West Virginia)

DL — Chris Addison, Franklin Parish, Sr. (Mississippi State)
DL — Richard Anderson, Edna Karr, Sr. (LSU)
DL — Dylan Berymon, Ouachita Parish, Sr.
DL — Darryus McKinley, Acadiana, Sr. (Ohio State)
LB — Jeffrey Curtis, John Curtis, Sr.
LB — Damari Drake, Evangel Christian, Sr. (Nicholls State)
LB — Brooks Monica, St. Charles Catholic, Sr.
LB — Xzavier White, Alexandria, Sr.
DB — Roderick Bingham, Plaquemine, Sr. (Ragin’ Cajuns)
DB — Blaine Bradford, Catholic-B.R., Sr. (Ohio State)
DB — Aiden Hall, Edna Karr, Sr. (LSU)
DB — Hayward Howard Jr., Edna Karr, Sr. (Texas)
ATH/FLEX — Rontrae Carter, Archbishop Shaw, Jr.
ATH/FLEX — Kaston Lewis, Iowa, Jr.

K — Tyler Milioto, St. Charles Catholic, Sr.
P — Owen Oliver, Terrebonne, Sr.
RS — Braylon Calais, Cecilia, Jr.

Honorable Mention:

Quincy “Bear” Adams, Terrebonne, Sr.; Julian “JuJu” Burns, Neville, Sr. (North Carolina); Jeremiah Bushnell, Iowa, Sr. (Houston); Wydell Clark Jr., Ouachita Parish, Sr.; Montrell Conner Jr., Ouachita Parish, Sr.; Vashaun “Tig” Coulon, St. Augustine, Sr.; Macario “M.J.” Dade Jr., Ouachita Parish, Sr; Luke Delafield, North DeSoto, Sr. (Northwestern State); Charlie Diedrich, E.D. White, Sr. (Nicholls State); Dezyrian “Pook” Ellis, Franklin Parish, Sr. (LSU); Zaiden Foster, Liberty Magnet, Sr.; Kervin Johnson Jr., Tioga, Sr. (Ole Miss); Jabari Mack, Destrehan, Sr. (LSU); Brysten Martinez, East Ascension, Sr. (LSU); Jayden Miles, Catholic-Baton Rouge, Jr.; Alex Munoz, Teurlings Catholic, Sr.; Jamarcea Plater, Captain Shreve, Sr. (Tulsa); Ra’Keem Potts, Ruston, Sr.; Bryce Restovich, Loyola Prep, Jr.

Louisiana’s 2025 high school football season was loaded with impressive and memorable performances — both by teams and individual standouts — reaching even historic proportions.

Louisiana vs. All Y’all has identified 100 of the best of the best to recognize for their performances with the state’s most selective postseason team awards: large schools (5A and 4A) and small schools (3A, 2A and 1A) teams recognizing 31 first-team selections (14 offense, 14 defense and three special teams) and 19 honorable mentions.

Twice as many athletes could easily have been selected from a tremendous field of candidates around The Boot, with several particularly difficult cuts from each first team and honorable mentions list.

But we have decided the limit the selection process to the 100 total players to maintain the elite nature of these rosters, even as challenging as that restriction can be in talent-rich Louisiana.

[Looking back: Preseason Small Schools Team | Preseason Large Schools Team]

Note: College-signed and -committed student-athletes’ destinations at the next level are included in parentheses for reference. But these teams were selected based on players’ performances this season, not perceived future potential.

Check out the small schools team below, and click here for the large schools edition.

And stay tuned throughout the next week for stories on our superlative award-winners.

2025 ALL-LOUISIANA VS. ALL Y’ALL
SMALL SCHOOLS

OL — Lamar Brown, University Lab, Sr. (LSU)
OL — Micah Mosher, Ouachita Christian, Sr.
OL — Carnell Smith, Madison Prep, Sr.
OL — Kabren Thomas, Covenant Christian, Sr.
OL — Drew Whitlock, Sterlington, Sr.
WR — Braylun Huglon, Calvary Baptist, Jr.
WR — Jakias Villanueva, St. James, Sr.
WR/TE — Jarvis Washington Jr., Dunham, Sr. (South Alabama)
RB — Jaidon Briggs, Vinton, Sr.
RB — Makelin Lemoine, Elton, Jr.
RB — Trevin Simon, Ascension Catholic, Sr.
QB — Elijah Haven, Dunham, Jr.
ATH/FLEX — Ayden Carter, Lake Charles College Prep, Jr.
ATH/FLEX — Braylon Walker, Lafayette Christian, Sr. (Ragin’ Cajuns)

DL — Jayden Arceneaux, Lafayette Christian, Sr.
DL — Ahmad Cage, Riverside Academy, Jr.
DL — DeCaleb Green, Donaldsonville, Jr.
DL — Dominick Ruth, John F. Kennedy, Sr.
LB — Tomarion “Tre” Burch, Sterlington, Sr.
LB — Jamohn Dyson, Jewel Sumner, Sr.
LB — Kyle Horde, Westminster-Opelousas, Jr.
LB — Hunter Martin, Logansport, Sr. (McMurry)
DB — Kristerphor Griffin, L.B. Landry, Sr.
DB — Luke Miller, Calvary Baptist, Sr.
DB — Ryan Moore Jr., East Feliciana, Jr.
DB — Isaiah Washington, Haynesville, Sr. (LSU)
ATH/FLEX — Landon Johnson, Madison Prep, Jr.
ATH/FLEX — Terrell Pegues, Mansfield, Sr.

K — Elijah Bray, Haynesville, Sr.
P — Gavin Polk, Ouachita Christian, Sr.
RS — Javon Vital Jr., Hamilton Christian, Jr.

Honorable Mention:

Brayden Allen, Lafayette Christian, Sr. (LSU); Joachim Bourgeois, Notre Dame, Sr.; L’Travious Brooks, Haynesville, Jr.; Jahlil Charles, Erath, Sr.; Luke Green, Lafayette Christian, Sr. (Ragin’ Cajuns); Javen Holmes, Madison Prep, Sr. (Houston); Raymond Jack, Jeanerette; Kenric “Boogie” Johnson Jr., Riverside Academy, So.; JerZyion Levingston, Homer, Jr.; Zion Lee, Bunkie, Sr. (Navy); Dashun Lightfoot, Franklin, Jr.; Jayden Obiekwe, Riverside Academy, Sr.; Jake Randle, Isidore Newman, Sr. (Tulane); Jarrison Reese, Church Point, Sr.; Eliot Trahan, Dunham, Sr.; Owen Trosclair, Covenant Christian; Peyton Trosclair, Covenant Christian; Sedrick Wilson, Jena, Sr.; Nolan Zenon, St. James, Sr.

As we continue to close the book on a memorable 2025 Louisiana high school football season, Louisiana vs. All Y’all wanted to (as promised) circle back to our overall team rankings.

We have attempted on several occasions in recent years, at fans’ requests, to take stabs at listing the top 50 programs regardless of classification.

And releasing lists both before and after the season (and, when possible, when turning the page from regular season to playoffs) provides a nice opportunity to gauge where we were spot on and where we missed and where teams around the state lived up to or exceeded expectations.

As we mentioned prior to the season, a couple of important notes to know or remember:

1. All-classifications lists are inherently going to feature far more larger-school programs than smaller-school programs. This lean is not at all to diminish the talent or achievements of Class 1A or Class 2A teams — it’s the nature of the exercise. There’s a reason classifications exist in the first place, and only a few elite smaller-school programs can typically compete with the better Class 4A and particularly Class 5A competition.
2. The further the list goes, the more tightly packed the teams get. Part of the beauty of high school football is parity and the high potential for an upset on any given Thursday, Friday or Saturday. A few elite teams may stand out for their combinations of talent, depth and relatively consistent execution, then another tier or two may not be far off that pace. But past that (usually somewhere between about 10 and 25 teams down the list, depending on year), the tiers start to widen out to larger groups of teams that could easily split 10 head-to-head matchups down the middle or whose outcomes could vary heavily as a matter of stylistic matchups.

All that out of the way, and without any further adieu, let’s take a look at our final team rankings to wrap up Louisiana’s 2025 season.

1. Edna Karr — preseason No. 1

All-classifications rankings can be difficult, but the top of this list couldn’t be easier. There’s not other realistic place to start this list. Edna Karr won its second straight championship in Louisiana’s highest division and now boasts a 27-game winning streak that is starting to knock on the door of the best runs in the state’s history. The Cougars were loaded with NCAA Division-I talent all over the field in every position group and lived up to — if not exceeded — sky-high expectations. LSU signees Richard Anderson and Aiden Hall were headliners, but their list of college-bound standouts is staggering. Few teams even managed to challenge this Edna Karr group on the field this year, and few in recent history would even be in the same conversation.

2. Catholic (Baton Rouge) — preseason No. 2

The Bears were our No. 2 team in the preseason and our bet as the biggest threat to Edna Karr, and that’s exactly where they finish as well. Catholic gave the Cougars a semifinal battle — the most closely any in-state opponent managed to play them — and, despite missing key pieces because of injury, had the ball late for a potential game-winning opportunity before a turnover sealed its fate. The Bears boasted another of the best defenses in the state headlined by Ohio State safety signee Blaine Bradford, arguably its best running back group, a good offensive line and a pair of senior quarterbacks who consistently held their own and provided efficiency and balance.

3. St. Augustine — preseason No. 5

The Purple Knights finished the season with an impressive 12-2 record against a challenging schedule with the only two losses coming to Edna Karr. Senior quarterback Vashuan “Tig” Coulon led one of Louisiana’s most explosive offenses with a deep and talented receiving corps, and St. Augustine weathered injuries early, late and throughout the season to make its way back to a title game for the first time since 1979. Notably, the Purple Knights may return as much talent — and experienced talent — on both sides of the ball as anyone in the state in 2026.

4. John Curtis — preseason No. 6

The perennial-power Patriots suffered three losses this season — once to Edna Karr and twice to St. Augustine — and held a lead on the Purple Knights late in their semifinal rematch before falling on a walk-off touchdown by their Catholic League rival. Strings of costly turnovers let the two regular-season games get out of hand, and the third loss was a coin-flip down to the wire. Sophomore quarterback London Padgett led an offense that showed explosive flashes during the season, and a field general and tackle machine Jeffery Curtis at linebacker and an athletic, hard-hitting secondary helped headline another stout John Curtis defense.

5. Ouachita Parish — preseason No. 21

The Lions are the big party-crashers in the postseason top-10 after going on a historic run from four straight losses in district and a No. 14 seed to their first state championship since 1989. We were probably higher on Ouachita Parish in the preseason than most around the state with a No. 21 ranking regardless of classification — recognizing both their talent and their brutal District 2-5A. The Lions weathered that gauntlet, became a better team for their handling of that adversity and a storybook revenge tour through the playoffs behind one of the state’s best defenses and key playmakers on offense. Though Ouachita lost its first four against Ruston, West Monroe, Neville and Alexandria in the regular season, it won a pair of playoff rematches to finish the best of the group.

6. Ruston — preseason No. 3

The Bearcats were within a couple minutes of holding off Ouachita for the second time this season and had another late at a potential answer that could have claimed a second title in three years and shaken up this order. Ruston was good as always defensively, this time with a smaller, quicker front and an athletic and physical cast of linebackers and defensive backs flying around. Junior tight end Ahmad Hudson continued progressing into a more complete and consistent star, junior quarterback Sam Hartwell had a solid first season as the starter and sophomore running back Dalen Powell was among the state’s biggest breakout stars before his injury in Week 10.

7. Neville — preseason No. 4

Neville narrowly trailed Ruston at Nos. 3 and 4 on our preseason list and wraps up the season similarly as Nos. 6 and 7. The Tigers were among the most balanced teams in the glut of District 2-5A contenders with second-year starting quarterback Parker Robinson at the helm and a cast of weapons around his that continued to develop depth around him. The schedule also showed as much balance as any between dominant wins, a lopsided loss and tight finishes and comebacks that went both for and against Neville. In addition to a good core returning, the Tigers also return down to Class 4A and Division II in 2026.

8. Alexandria — preseason No. 7

The only different between the Trojans’ preseason and postseason rankings ends up being the postseason surge by Ouachita Parish knocking them down a spot. As we expected heading into 2025, Alexandria remained far more in the thick of its district and division than many around the state seemed to expect after their notable graduations from last year’s runner-up run. Major breakout stars such as edge rusher Bryson Phoenix and running backs Kason Williams and Noble Williams joined the solid returning core, and the Trojans — though the finish wasn’t ideal — appear to send a message of some staying power as contenders.

9. Zachary — preseason No. 11

The Broncos battled tragedy off the field and adversity on it, but managed to still be one of the final four Division-I Non-Select teams standing in December. Zachary suffered three stumbles in the final four weeks of a tough District 4-5A stretch, but — not unlike another highly ranked team or two — responded for a strong playoff run that included some revenge along the way. This year’s Broncos were highlighted by a strong offensive line and running back duo, Jeremey Patton and Tylek Lewis, and a defense that was stout much of the season. Zachary avenged it Halloween district loss to Central with a quarterfinal win and battled top-seeded Ruston in a tight semifinal.

10. Central — preseason No. 10

Zachary and Central felt like a toss-up heading into the season and proved to be exactly that on the field with two matchups split and each decided by four points or less on plays in the final minute. The Wildcats were an explosive offense with a pair of effective quarterbacks distributing the ball to their good weapons up and down the field. The defense had some growing pains after graduating most of last year’s title-winning unit and then additionally battling key injuries, but the new group also had its moments and its own college-bound talent.

THE NEXT 10: The top eight of this list felt pretty cleanly our top three mini-tiers, but the full messiness of the process really explodes from there with a wide range of teams who split real-life head-to-head matchups in circular fashions (see examples such as: St. Charles Catholic beat Archbishop Shaw beat St. James beat St. Charles Catholic, or Archbishop Shaw beat Lafayette Christian beat Archbishop Rummel beat Archbishop Shaw) or likely would if they had played.

Five teams in our postseason No. 11-20 range were top-20 teams in our preseason rankings (so a total of 14-for-20 to this point. Division-II and -III Select champions St. Charles Catholic and Dunham were the biggest risers from just outside the preseason top 50 to inside the top 20 after memorable seasons with marquee victories against higher-classification opponents and ultimately titles in December. The Comets looked like their old selves with a stout defense, offensive line and running game and the ability to win games on special teams. And the Tigers and star quarterback Elijah Haven hit another gear during a record-setting season in which St. Charles Catholic was their only blemish.

Perhaps no team saw a bigger rankings rollercoaster than Acadiana, which would’ve slid considerably after starting 0-3. But, similarly to Ouachita Parish, credit to the Wreckin’ Rams for the way they handled, responded to and improved from adversity. Acadiana made some personnel adjustments early in the season, stuck together and looked like an entirely different team by the playoffs and actually finish a couple spots higher than it started.

Teurlings Catholic made the next-largest leap here behind St. Charles Catholic and Dunham. The Rebels started the season a bit higher up at No. 37,  but exceeded those expectations with 11 straight wins under first-year coach Michael Courville before falling to John Curtis in the quarterfinals by a respectable 21-7 margin. Archbishop Shaw was another notable climber (from No. 34) and rankings rollercoaster after a new-look team endured some growing pains during the course of its regular-season schedule, but then came within seconds of avenging one of those losses and potentially winning back-to-back titles. Division-III Non-Select champion Sterlington also climbs a few spots into the top 20.

11. Acadiana — preseason No. 13
12. Destrehan — preseason No. 9
13. Teurlings Catholic — preseason No. 37
14. St. Charles Catholic — just outside preseason 50
15. Archbishop Shaw — preseason No. 34
16. Dunham — just outside preseason 50
17. Lafayette Christian — preseason No. 20
18. Archbishop Rummel — preseason No. 12
19. Evangel Christian — preseason No. 17
20. Sterlington — preseason No. 27

THE NEXT 10: The circular and transitive messiness doesn’t clean up as we move farther down the list. A sixth state champion, Division-II Non-Select winner Iowa, joins the list and with a big leap forward after finally breaking through to the Superdome and converting its first trip into its first title. A few of our top tier of Class 4A and Class 3A teams from the preseason rankings finish in solid (and in many cases nearly identical) footing. And Jena makes a big leap from outside our preseason top 50 into the top 30 on the final list. The Giants proved more effective moving the ball in the air than we’d anticipated, were more dominant in several marquee wins than anticipated and gave Sterlington a battle deep into the teams’ title bout.

21. Southside — preseason No. 19
22. St. Thomas More — preseason No. 8
23. University Lab — preseason No. 25
24. Madison Prep — preseason No. 24
25. Iowa — preseason No. 50
26. North DeSoto — preseason No. 38
27. Jena — not in preseason 50
28. St. James — preseason No. 26
29. Brother Martin — preseason No. 14
30. Jesuit — preseason No. 16

THE NEXT 10: This range sees the biggest influx of teams from outside of our preseason top 50 into the final list, whether those like Calvary Baptist, Notre Dame and Belle Chasse who fell just on the wrong side of the bubble in final cuts in August or like Barbe who had been further down the list and earned a ranking with a series of eye-catching statement wins in November.

Barbe’s second-round stunning of West Monroe made the Rebels one of the most complicated teams to handle in these entire rankings after their marquee win against Catholic (Baton Rouge) early and strong work in the District 2-5A race had them looking like a potential top-10 team and title contender. The final note was a tough one, though, and pulled West Monroe back behind not only the ascendent Barbe, but another crew of teams by proxy.

31. Calvary Baptist — just outside preseason 50
32. Notre Dame — just outside preseason 50
33. Carencro — preseason No. 36
34. Belle Chasse — just outside preseason 50
35. Barbe — not in preseason 50
36. West Monroe — preseason No. 18
37. Westgate — preseason No. 22
38. E.D. White — preseason No. 32
39. Parkway — preseason No. 30
40. St. Paul’s — preseason No. 15

THE NEXT 10: Several teams ranked in the preseason No. 31-50 fill the final segment of the postseason top 50 — good teams that had good seasons fairly in line with expectations, or perhaps slipping a few spots after earlier playoff exits than anticipated. But two newly ranked teams, Vandebilt Catholic and Lake Charles College Prep, lead the way after meeting in an overtime quarterfinal thriller in the Division-II Select bracket. And Denham Springs breaks into the top 50 after a particularly strong second half of its District 5-5A run that featured a few program records, including a No. 4 seed and a bye in the Division-I Non-Select bracket.

41. Vandebilt Catholic — not in preseason 50
42. Lake Charles College Prep — not in preseason 50
43. Holy Cross — preseason No. 44
44. Lutcher — preseason No. 31
45. Franklin Parish — preseason No. 29
46. Terrebonne — preseason No. 33
47. East Ascension — preseason No. 39
48. Denham Springs — not in preseason 50
49 Captain Shreve — preseason No. 49
50. Plaquemine — preseason No. 35

(By Jake Martin, Written for the LSWA)

An irresistible force, an electrifying showman and defiant underdog highlighted a memorable season of high school football at the Class 5A level.

Karr’s dominant defender inside, Richard Anderson, collected Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year honors on the Class 5A All-State team which was released today by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound LSU signee had 53 tackles, 10 sacks, 22 hurries, two fumble recoveries and a pick-6.

Perhaps Anderson will one day share the field with LSU commit Peyton “Pop” Houston, who received the Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year award after a dazzling show of speed, elusiveness and live arm.

Evangel’s quarterback passed for 3,836 yards and 42 touchdowns with nine interceptions, while rushing for 942 yards and 12 touchdowns. With Houston pulling the strings, the Eagles averaged 48 points per game and scored 50 or more points in seven different contests.

Ouachita head coach Benjy Lewis earned Coach of the Year honors after the Lions finished fifth in District 2-5A and were seeded 14th in the playoffs.

That didn’t prevent Lewis from leading his squad to victories over the top three seeds en route to capturing the non-select Division I state championship.

Ouachita (11-4) became the first team in Class 5A history to win a state championship after finishing fifth in its district in the regular season. The Lions edged top-seeded Ruston, 21-20, in a state championship showdown amongst District 2-5A rivals in the Superdome in New Orleans.

It was Ouachita’s second state championship in school history and its first since 1989.

Class 5A All-State

Offense

Pos, player, school, ht., wt., cl.

WR Chantz Babineaux, Carencro, 5-11, 200, Sr.

WR Easton Royal, Brother Martin, 5-11, 190, Jr.

TE Ahmad Hudson, Ruston, 6-8, 242, Jr.

OL Brooks Brown, Ruston, 6-4, 216, Sr.

OL Ty George, West Monroe, 6-3, 330, Sr.

OL O’Ryan Mosley, Terrebonne, 6-3, 305, Sr.

OL Leon Noil, Karr, 6-4, 270, Sr.

OL Blaise Thomassie Catholic-BR, 6-5, 290, Sr.

QB Peyton Houston, Evangel Christian, 5-10, 200, Jr.

RB Malachi Dabney, Destrehan, 5-9, 185, Jr.

RB M.J. Dade, Ouachita, 5-5, 161, Sr.                           

RB Tre Garrison, Karr, 5-11, 190, Sr.

ATH John Johnson, Karr, 5-11, 190, Sr.

PK Asher Murray, Byrd, 5-10, 176, Sr.

Defense

Pos, player, school, ht., wt., cl.

DL Richard Anderson, Karr, 6-4, 330, Sr.

DL Dylan Berymon, Ouachita, 6-2, 320, Sr.

DL Darryus McKinley, Acadiana, 6-3, 275, Sr.

DL Ra’Keem Potts, Ruston, 5-10, 224, Sr.

LB Jeffrey Curtis, John Curtis, 5-9, 200, Sr.

LB Damari Drake, Evangel Christian, 6-0, 215, Sr.

LB Dylan Shelmire, Zachary, 6-0, 215, Sr.

LB Xzavier White, Alexandria, 6-1, 240, Sr.

DB Blaine Bradford, Catholic-BR, 6-1, 207 Sr.

DB Julian Burns, Neville, 6-3, 196, Sr.

DB Aiden Hall, Karr, 6-2, 200 Sr.

DB Hayward Howard, Karr, 6-2, 185, Sr.

P Owen Oliver, Terrebonne, 5-10, 185, Sr.

ATH Wydell Clark, Ouachita, 5-9, 155, Sr.

RS Kenny Darby, Airline, 6-0, 175, Sr.

OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Peyton Houston, Evangel Christian

OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Richard Anderson, Karr

COACH OF THE YEAR: Benjy Lewis, Ouachita

Honorable mention

Charley Abraham, Evangel Christian; Quincy Adams, Terrebonne; Cameron Allen, Southside; Jayden Anding, Ruston; Brayden Arceneaux, Thibodaux; Bo Armstrong, Barbe; Isaias Avalos, Acadiana; Cooper Babin, St. Amant; Tadan Bingham, Terrebonne; Jamieon Brown, Lafayette; Romeo Brown, Karr; Tyree Bruer, Bonnabel; Gary Burney, Parkway; Ethan Cabos, Jesuit; Jake Cain, Natchitoches Central; Andre Campbell, Captain Shreve; Geo Carter, Thibodaux; Marvin Causey, Bonnabel; Alvin Celestin, Terrebonne; Mason Coleman, Terrebonne; Emanual Collins, Southside; Montrell Conner Jr., Ouachita; Cody Corales, St. Paul’s; Vashaun Coulon, St. Augustine; Brandon Craig, Haughton; Tyray Darensburg, Chalmette; Trez Davis, West Monroe; Ashton Dawson, Evangel Christian; John Russel Demoss, Catholic-BR; Shawn Devers, Captain Shreve; Colin DiBetta, Acadiana; Ty Dominique, St. Augustine; Derrick Dunbar, Covington; Jeremiah Epps, Airline; Mister Finney, Carencro; Carlos Flemings Jr., Slidell; Cameron Florent, Destrehan; Alex Fontenot, Alexandria; Gabe Ford, Prairieville; Zaiden Foster, Liberty; Eli Fung, Alexandria; Travis Gallien, Acadiana; Tony Gladney, Parkway; Syre Gilmore, St. Augustine; Da’Jean Golmond, Denham Springs; Da’Sean Golmond, Denham Springs; Ian Gray, Byrd; Jelandon Gray, Barbe; Malik Grayson, Neville; Chris Green, Parkway; JaKyrin Griffin, Alexandria; Jordin Griffin, Barbe; Savoy Guidry, Holy Cross; E.J. Hanney, Sam Houston; Graham Harris, Central; Mitch Harris, Archbishop Rummel; Dylan Henry, Mandeville; Da’John Howard, Salmen; Carlin Kinchen, Archbishop Rummel; Braylen Jackson, Airline; Royaun Jackson, Huntington; Quincy Jackson, Bonnabel; Connor Jarreau, Thibodaux; Jake Jarreau, Central; Ethan Johnson, Haughton; Roderick Johnson, Parkway; Jermiah Jones, Thibodaux; Harrison Kidder, Catholic-BR; Ethan Kimmie, Zachary; Micah Levy, East Ascension; Jeremy Lowe, Natchitoches Central; Prentice Mackyeon, John Curtis; Brady McCluskey, Brother Martin; Jabari Mack, Destrehan; DeAndre Mansfield, Ouachita; Kevin Martin, Karr; Brysten Martinez, East Ascension; Van Martinez, Neville; Christian Maxie, Byrd; Brandon Mays, Captain Shreve; Tyrone Morgan, Woodlawn-BR; Jayden Miles, Catholic-BR; Josiah Morgan, Ruston; Damiere Mouton, Southside; Brenton Paul, Denham Springs; Bryon Perrilliat, Riverdale; Jaedon Phillips, Warren Easton; Jamarcea Plater, Captain Shreve; Christian Ponti, West Monroe; Dylan Post, St. Paul’s; Dalen Powell, Ruston; Jayden Reed, Neville; Parker Robinson, Neville; Karsen Sellers, Alexandria; Andrew Shofstahl, St. Paul’s; Albert Simien, Sam Houston; Ke’Rynn Smith, Holy Cross; Owen Smith, Natchitoches Central; Bennett Speer, Evangel Christian; Jackson Speer, Evangel Christian; Jaden Terrance, Archbishop Rummel; Xavier Villamor, Benton; A.J. Washington, Ouachita; Miguel Whitley, St. Augustine; Greg Wilfred, Karr; Justin Williams, Southside; Kason Williams, Alexandria; Ray’Quan Williams, St. Augustine; Mason Willis, West Monroe; Keithon Womack, Central; Eric Veal, McDonogh 35; J.D. Yates, Airline; Ze’Land Young, Neville; Marques Zenon, Mandeville.

(By Roy Lang III, Written for the LSWA)

Iowa High School debuted its football program in the 1950s and for the five decades, fans in the tiny Calcasieu Parish town may have wondered why.

The Yellow Jackets’ first playoff appearance didn’t arrive until 2000. Twenty-five years later, Iowa arrived in the Caesars Superdome with a shot at its first football state championship.

Just like the prior 13 games of the 2025 season, head coach Tommy Johns and the Yellow Jackets delivered.

Likely an underdog to many in New Orleans, Iowa emerged from a see-saw game against No. 1 – and fellow undefeated – North DeSoto with a 50-43 victory in the LHSAA Non-Select Division II title game.

The win was the first in three postseason tries against the Griffins since 2022 and punctuated the momentum the Yellow Jackets have gained under Johns, who is 75-27 in nine years at Iowa and 56-10 in last five seasons – the past four have reached at least the quarterfinals.

The long-awaited crown that capped a 14-0 campaign earned Johns the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 4A Coach of the Year which was released today.

Although the Yellow Jackets’ victory ruined the Hollywood finish for Luke Delafield, North DeSoto’s senior quarterback, the Northwestern State signee and his magnificent career won’t leave for Natchitoches empty handed.

After a season that included 2,419 passing yards, 38 total touchdowns (31 passing) and a No. 1 ranking for the Griffins at the end of the regular season, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound senior was named Class 4A’s Outstanding Offensive Player.

Delafield, one of the most experienced quarterbacks in state history, started every game over four years and finished with a 46-8 record. He earned the quarterback honor on the 2025 Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate’s All-318preps Football Team.

A few hours after Iowa and North DeSoto battled in New Orleans, St. Charles Catholic (13-1) escaped the building with one of the most improbable state title wins in recent memory.

At the center of the Comets’ 23-21 victory against Archbishop Shaw in the Division II select state championship game was linebacker Brooks Monica.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior earned District 9-4A Defensive MVP honors after a season that included 142 tackles (9.5 for loss; two sacks), one interception.

Monica has been named Class 4A’s Outstanding Defensive Player.

2025 LSWA Class 4A All-State Football Team

Offense

Pos, player, school, ht., wt., cl.

WR Jeremiah Bushnell, Iowa, 6-3, 190, Sr.

WR Kervin Johnson, Tioga, 6-3, 195, Sr.

WR Terrance Pitre, South Lafourche, 5-11, 170, Sr.

OL Nathan Dubroc, North DeSoto, 6-1, 265, Sr.

OL Kohl Fulton, Iowa, 6-3, 310, Sr.

OL Jayden Micheal, Lutcher, 6-4, 300, Sr.

OL Drake Perry, Teurlings Catholic, 6-1, 305, Sr.

OL Sawyer Wells, South Lafourche, 6-3, 290, Sr.

QB Luke Delafield, North DeSoto, 6-1, 175, Sr.

RB J’vien Adams, Iowa, 5-9, 170, Sr.

RB Trey Martin, Franklin Parish, 5-11, 190, Jr.

RB Aymaud Sykes, Grant, 6-3, 195, Jr.

PK Tyler Milioto, St. Charles Catholic, 5-7, 140, Sr.

ATH Dez Ellis, Franklin Parish, 6-2, 170, Sr.

Defense

Pos, player, school, ht., wt., cl.

DL Chris Addison, Franklin Parish, 6-4, 245, Sr.

DL Savion Barthelemy, Belle Chasse, 6-3, 280, Sr.

DL Landon Joseph, Iowa, 6-1, 215, Jr.

DL Caden Parquette, Lutcher, 6-0, 250, Sr.

LB Charlie Diedrich, E.D. White, 6-1, 220, Sr.

LB Jaheim Diggs, South Terrebonne, 6-0, 205, Sr.

LB Hayden Horton, Loyola, 5-11, 188, Sr.

LB Brooks Monica, St. Charles Catholic, 5-11, 190, Sr.

DB Trandin Benjamin, Westgate, 5-9, 180, Sr.

DB Roderick Bingham, Plaquemine, 6-1, 170, Sr.

DB Rontrae Carter, Archbishop Shaw, 6-1, 190, Jr.

DB Kaston Lewis, Iowa, 6-2, 182, Jr.

P Caden Reeser, Comeaux, 5-9, 145, Sr.                                                     

ATH Dax Pregeant, St. Charles Catholic, 6-0, 185, Sr.

RS Braylon Calais, Cecilia, 6-2, 196, Jr.

OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Luke Delafield, North DeSoto

OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Brooks Monica, St. Charles Catholic

COACH OF THE YEAR: Tommy Johns, Iowa

Honorable mention

Chance Archangel, Westgate; Grant Barbera, E.D. White; Freddie Barra, George Washington Carver; Hayden Bell, North DeSoto; Tavon Bell, Franklin Parish; Cole Bergeron, St. Thomas More; Logan Boudreaux, Teurlings Catholic; Corey Bourgeois, Vandebilt Catholic; Christian Breaux, St. Thomas More; Trel Broom, Leesville; Gaven Brown, Iowa; Jayden Brown, St. Thomas More; Javon Calloway, Minden; Adonis Cannon, Washington-Marion; Jaden Celestine, Comeaux; S’Javien Champion, Tioga; Jacob Crane, Franklinton; Malique Credit, Franklin Parish; Michael Davis Jr., Leesville; Mason Drake, Loyola; Jacob Dunn, Wossman; Skyler Edwards, St. Charles Catholic; Andrew Fruge, Teurlings Catholic; Ronald Gardet, Frederick A. Douglass; Jonathan Hargrove, Peabody; Ethan Heney, Vandebilt Catholic; Rayheinz Henry, George Washington Carver; Logan Himel, Vandebilt Catholic; Lenord Howard, Westgate; Bryceson Fontenot, Iowa; Patrick Gales, Brusly; Ryan Jenkins, Plaquemine; Avery Johnson, Franklin Parish; Jerimiah Johnson, Northwood-Shreve; Kyran Johnson, Northwood-Shreve; Ben Jones, St. Michael; Braylon Jones, Cecilia; Jerimiah Jones, Minden; Tucker Landry, Tioga; Montrevell Lewis, Bossier; Conner McAtee, St. Thomas More; ChrisDon McClain, St. Charles Catholic; Charlie McKenzie, Loyola; Krash Menard, Vandebilt Catholic; Brennan Miles, Plaquemine; Parker Millet, St. Charles Catholic; Dakerrion Mitchell, Booker T. Washington-Shreve; Vontravious Moore, Booker T. Washington-Shreve; Alex Munoz, Teurlings Catholic; Chase Naquin, E.D. White; Landon Ortte, St. Thomas More; Jacob Pajinag, Leesville; Kenny Ponthier, Tioga; Jonathan Perry Jr., North DeSoto; Bryce Restovich, Loyola; Trenajh Smith, South Terrebonne; Jack Snyder, Teurlings Catholic; Cade Stevens, Lakeshore; Bryce Stigler, Lakeshore; Kenny Thomas, North DeSoto; Justin Thomas, Northwood-Shreve; Reggie Trusclair, Plaquemine; Andrew Viator, Teurlings Catholic; Drake Vincent, Brusly; John Walker, Plaquemine; Ian Wallace, Loyola; Ty Walsworth, Loyola; Miller Warren, North DeSoto; Makai Wells, Westgate; Daniel Whitlock, Wossman; Champ Williams, St. Michael; Amari Willis, DeRidder.

(By Lamar Gafford, Written for the LSWA)

Consistency.

Lake Charles College Prep, Sterlington and Jena have been constants in Class 3A in recent years.

This year was no different as all three teams earned top three seeds in their respective brackets.

They were also represented well with the major awards on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 3A All-State football team.

LCCP junior Ayden Carter was named as the Class 3A Most Outstanding Offensive Player after leading the Trailblazers to the state quarterfinals for the fourth time in eight years.

Carter had 3,360 all-purpose yards and 35 touchdowns as a rusher, receiver and a returner. As one of the fastest athletes in Louisiana, he rushed for over 200 yards seven times this season.

For leading Sterlington to a successful defense of its Division III non-select state title, senior Tre Burch earned Class 3A Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the second consecutive season.

Burch racked up 118 tackles and four interceptions – one of those going for a touchdown to clinch a state championship victory for Jena. He scored three touchdowns on defense this season.

Jena coach Jay Roark was voted as the Class 3A Coach of the Year for leading his team to its first state title appearance.

Roark guided the Giants to a 12-2 mark and the No. 1 seed in Division III non-select for the second time in three seasons. As the Giants’ all-time leader in career wins, Roark has taken the program to new heights with the schools’ first two appearances in the state semifinals over the last three years.

Class 3A All-State

Offense

Pos, player, school, ht., wt., cl.

WR Jarrison Reese, Church Point, 5-8, 155, Sr.

WR Keyon Robinson, Madison Prep, 6-1, 190, Sr.

WR Jakias Villanueva, St. James, 5-7, 155, Sr.

OL Jayden Bagley, Erath, 5-10, 250, Sr.

OL Myles Joseph, Lake Charles College Prep, 6-5, 315, Sr.

OL Dominic Palermo, Bunkie, 5-11, 220, Sr.

OL Carnell Smith, Madison Prep, 6-2, 322, Sr

OL Drew Whitlock, Sterlington, 5-11, 250, Sr.

QB JaJuan Jackson, St. James, 6-1, 205, So.

RB T.J. Burch, Sterlington, 5-9, 195, Jr.

RB Zion Lee, Bunkie, 5-11, 215, Sr.

RB Sedrick Wilson, Jena, 5-9, 190, Sr.

PK Will Flavin, St. Louis, 6-3, 170, Jr.

ATH Ayden Carter, Lake Charles College Prep, 5-8, 170, Jr.

Defense

Pos, player, school, ht., wt., cl.

DL Cam Bagwell, Sterlington, 6-2, 205, Jr.

DL Lamar Brown, University, 6-4, 290, Sr.

DL DeCaleb Green, Donaldsonville, 6-5, 185, Jr.

DL Dominick Ruth, John F. Kennedy, 5-10, 210, Sr.

LB Tre Burch, Sterlington, 6-2, 240, Sr.

LB Ty Curtis, Buckeye, 5-11, 195, Sr.

LB Brenden Malveaux, Lake Charles College Prep, 6-2, 215, Sr.

LB Nolan Zenon, St. James, 6-0, 190, Sr.

DB Jye Blain, St. James, 5-11, 170, Jr.

DB Kristerphor Griffin, L.B. Landry, 5-11, 170, Sr.

DB Brennen Guidroz, De La Salle, 6-1, 165, Sr.

DB Javen Holmes, Madison Prep, 6-2, 200, Sr.

DB Lucas Mose, Bunkie, 6-0, 175, Sr.

P Brody Anderson, Westlake, 6-3, 200, Jr.

ATH Jahlil Charles, Erath, 5-11, 165, Sr.

RS Landon Johnson, Madison Prep, 6-1, 180, Jr.

OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Ayden Carter, Lake Charles College Prep

OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Tre Burch, Sterlington

COACH OF THE YEAR: Jay Roark, Jena

Honorable mention

Gage Belgard, Buckeye; Armonii Benjamin, Marksville; Aidan Bourque, Erath; Nate Broussard, Jaylon Cain, Richwood; Jennings; Kohen Clues, St. Martinville; Lorenzo Cooper, University; Zadrien Cooper, Jena; Jylon Dade, Richwood; Lawson Dixon, University; Brady Duplechin, Westlake; Jamohn Dyson, Jewel Sumner; Dawson Ferguson, Sterlington; Gavin Fontenot, Northwest; Kellen Ford, Lake Charles College Prep; Marquise Franklin, Parkview Baptist; Sam Frazier, Sterlington; Daniel Hatcher, Jena; Kaloe Henderson, Carroll; Sage Ingram, University; Kevon Johnson, Northwest; Xavier Johnson, St. James;  Connor Justice, Sterlington; Mason Lantz, Iota; Devin Lavalais, Marksville; Kyle Lebato, St. Louis; Devin LeJeune, Church Point; De’monte Lemar, St. James; Caleb Lemieux, South Beauregard; Elmari Lewis, Vidalia; Collin Mack, Jewel Sumner; Andrew May, Caldwell Parish; Trace Moreau, St. Louis; Lane Mixon, University; Andrew McKee, Caldwell Parish, Chris Ned, Jennings; Humphrey Ned, Jennings; Luke Normand, Bunkie; Jei’vionne Owens, Northwest; Clay Parker, Jena; Ron Patterson, Bunkie; J’On Profit, Madison Prep; Logan Rogers, Patrick Taylor; Cameron Samuels, Abbeville; Jordan Thomas, Carroll, Marcus VanBuren, Richwood; Cannon Walker, Madison Prep, Willie Williams, Parkview Baptist.