225 Preps

The top classification has a new No. 1 team in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s latest statewide polls following a memorable Week 9 slate.

St. Augustine (9-0) overtook the Edna Karr (8-1) atop the Class 5A list this week after its 52-14 rout of the Cougars, who slipped to No. 3.

Alexandria (8-1) moved up a spot as well to No. 2, and Ruston (7-2), Mandeville (9-0) and Jesuit (7-2) moved up a spot each to No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

Previous No. 4 Archbishop Rummel (7-2) slipped to No. 7 after a 37-33 loss to Jesuit.

St. Charles Catholic, in Class 3A, is the lone unanimous No. 1 with Westgate, Notre Dame and Ouachita Christian topping Class 4A, Class 2A and Class 1A, respectively.

East Feliciana (8-1) made the biggest leap in any classification with its entry into the Class 1A top 10 at No. 7 after a 22-6 defeat of previous No. 5 Kentwood (7-2), which slid to No. 9.

In Class 2A, Catholic-New Iberia (6-3) pulled into a tie for No. 10.

Class 5A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. St. Augustine (10)                           9-0                                   131                2
2. Alexandria (1)                                 8-1                                   117                3
3. Edna Karr                                         8-1                                   113                1
4. Ruston                                             7-2                                     94                5
5. Mandeville                                      9-0                                      78               6
6. Jesuit                                                7-2                                     71               7
7. Archbishop Rummel                       7-2                                      67               4
8. Catholic-Baton Rouge                     6-3                                      53               8
9. Barbe                                                8-1                                     44               9
10. Brother Martin                               6-3                                     36              10

Others receiving votes: St. Thomas More 32, Northshore 7, John Curtis 5, West Monroe 5, Destrehan 2, Zachary 2, Acadiana 1.

Class 4A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Westgate (8)                                     8-0                         128                        1
2. Neville (2)                                        7-1                         122                       2
3. North DeSoto (1)                              9-0                        110                       3
4. Archbishop Shaw                              8-1                           90                      4
5. Madison Prep                                    7-2                           85                      5
6. Lake Charles College Prep               8-1                           77                      6
7. John F. Kennedy                               8-1                            67                      7
8. Leesville                                           8-1                            44                      9
9. Franklin Parish                                 6-3                             42                   10
10. Lafayette Renaissance                   6-3                              40                    8

Others receiving votes: Salmen 23, Opelousas 17, Carencro 4, Cecilia 1.

Class 3A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. St. Charles Catholic (11)                8-1                                 132                1
2. University Lab                                  7-2                                  121                2
3. Eunice                                               9-0                                 100                 4
4. Sterlington                                         6-3                                   89                5
5. St. James                                            7-2                                   82                7
6. Marksville                                          8-1                                  76                 8
7. Jena                                                    6-3                                   62                3
8. Lutcher                                               6-3                                    53               6
9. West Feliciana                                    8-1                                   51                9
10. Jennings                                            7-2                                   31                10

Others receiving votes: Loyola Prep 24, Iowa 22, Jewel Sumner 7, Vandebilt Catholic 3, Northwest 1.

Class 2A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Notre Dame (9)                                  9-0                       129                 1
2. Calvary Baptist (1)                             8-1                       121                2
3. Mangham                                            8-1                       109                3
4. Isidore Newman                                8-1                         94                4
5. Dunham (1)                                         6-3                         88                5
6. Lafayette Christian                           7-2                         80                6
7. Mansfield                                            8-1                         57                7
8. Amite                                                  7-2                         45                8
9. Vinton                                                 9-0                         42                9
10. Lake Arthur                                       8-1                         29               10
(tie) Catholic-New Iberia                        6-3                         29              NR

Others receiving votes: Pine 18, Loreauville 14, Caldwell Parish 3, Country Day 1, Rosepine 2.

Class 1A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Ouachita Christian (9)                        9-0                     130                   1
2. Riverside Academy (2)                       8-1                     119                   2
3. Haynesville                                         8-1                     103                   3
4. Southern Lab                                      8-0                        90                  4
5. Ascension Catholic                             8-1                        81                  6
6. Jeanerette                                            8-1                        69                  8
7. East Feliciana                                     8-1                         56                NR
8. Logansport                                         8-1                         55                10
9. Kentwood                                           8-1                         51                  5
10. Westminster-Lafayette                      8-1                         37                  7

Others receiving votes: Cedar Creek 28, St. Mary’s 9, Jonesboro-Hodge 5, Ascension Episcopal 4, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 4, South Plaquemines 1,

As anticipation builds for the upcoming LHSAA football playoffs, the final weeks of the regular season are providing plenty of memorable excitement and drama in their own right.

Week 9 was full of eye-popping outcomes that included a range of dominant messages being sent, upsets and other surprises.

Louisiana vs. All Y’all, as always, took some time as the dust settled to unpack and weigh some of the most notable results, attempting to better contextualize the week through the lens of some of those impactful contests.

A reminder that the “Statement Wins” list does not signify the most surprising results, though surprise can be among the factors in the overall conversation.

1. ST. AUGUSTINE 52, EDNA KARR 14

Was there any doubt where this list would start? Make no mistake: Anyone shocked that St. Augustine won this game just hadn’t been paying attention. The Purple Knights have excellent all year with a great combination of talent and coaching that has made them disruptive and explosive while also executing consistently and rarely making costly mistakes. But all of that was on display on a huge scale Saturday as the marquee football matchup in the state not just on the high school schedule, but at any level. And St. Augustine didn’t just beat Edna Karr and halt its 35-game winning streak. It dismantled its Catholic League foe in a fashion few others ever have. The Cougars shot themselves in the foot at times. But burying them too hard would be a mistake. Saturday was more a declaration of St. Augustine as the state’s best team heading into November — and, hand-in-hand, an escalation of junior quarterback Jaelle Noble from budding star known around the city to someone who should be a household name around the state.

2. EAST FELICIANA 22, KENTWOOD 6

Few teams around the state have had as stark a contrast as East Feliciana in on-field success while still remaining largely under-the-radar. Part of that dynamic is being a rural small school who hasn’t been one o the typical perennial powers like a Haynesville, Oak Grove, Ouachita Christian, or, say, a Kentwood. And part was a dynamic of a largely hit-or-miss strength of schedule that only featured two opponents with winning records. Friday marked the Tigers’ announcement to the rest of the state that they are very much for real this season, though, handling the aforementioned Kentwood, which had been rolling this season with one of the state’s best point differentials in any classification. East Feliciana’s latest victory definitely opened some eyes, finally, and, more importantly, likely secured the No. 1 overall seed in the Division-I Non-Select playoffs.

3. JESUIT 37, ARCHBISHOP RUMMEL 33

The perspective around the state had seemed to be St. Augustine and Edna Karr atop the Catholic League with Archbishop Rummel a clear and close third and then, with a losing skid by John Curtis, a gap before the battle for fourth, fifth and beyond. But Jesuit has now beaten Curtis and Rummel in back-to-back weeks and climbed to No. 3 in the Division-I Select power ratings. The Blue Jays have won four of their past five, and the lone loss in that span came to St. Augustine by a smaller margin of defeat than Edna Karr’s. This week’s games could shake up the playoff picture a bit, but Jesuit may be positioning itself to not have to leave the city all postseason and to have a résumé that shows it must be taken seriously in any matchup that arises.

4. LEESVILLE 55, JENA 40

The Wampus Cats have been another of those teams not being discussed nearly as much as they probably should considering the level of success they’ve had on the field. But that dynamic could change some with arguably their marquee win thus far this season — or certainly one of their their top couple. Leesville went to Division-III Non-Select title favorite Jena in a battle of ranked teams and won by two scores, earning their seventh straight victory and moving up to No. 5 in the Division-II Non-Select power ratings. The Wampus Cats have another tough matchup in Week 10, but another win would likely earn their highest playoff seed since 2020.

5. JOHN EHRET 35, WARREN EASTON 19

The magnitude of the Friday and Saturday action — including specifically in New Orleans, but also around the state — overshadowed a solid Thursday slate’s good team, games and “Statement Wins” candidates. But the Patriots’ rally on the West Bank deserves some flowers for a variety of reasons and messages sent. John Ehret’s players showed no quit, even when falling behind 12 points, and instead battled back to outscore the Eagles, 35-7, the rest of the way. The schools haven’t played each other often in recent years, but Warren Easton had swept the two meetings in 2022 and 2023 by an average margin of 27.5 points. The Patriots now have meanwhile won their most games in a season (5) since 2023 and are aiming to win their most since 2020 and secure a home playoff game in the upcoming Division-I Select bracket. A lot of positive takeaways for coach Wallace Foster III’s bunch, thanks to a lot of resilience and belief.

One-third of Louisiana’s previously undefeated high school football teams suffered their first loss in Week 9, the largest percentage to do so in several weeks.

Stumbles by Edna Karr, Haughton, Northshore, Cedar Creek, Kentwood and Westminster Christian-Lafayette dropped the group of 18 unbeaten squads entering this past weekend, more than typical at that juncture in recent years, to a final dandy dozen entering Week 10, fewer than last season.

[ VIEW COMPLETE, SORTABLE STANDINGS FOR THE STATE ]

Even taking a sizable hit, Class 1A continues to be the most heavily represented with four programs: Ascension Christian, Ouachita Christian, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte and Southern Lab.

Class 5A, which also lost three undefeated teams this week, now has two remaining: Mandeville and St. Augustine.

That total matches Class 4A (North DeSoto and Westgate), Class 3A (Eunice and Patrick Taylor) and Class 2A (Notre Dame and Vinton).

Because of Westminster’s loss to Ascension Catholic, the Week 10 schedule will no longer feature any head-to-head battles of unbeaten teams.

Mandeville and St. Augustine won the final such games of the regular season this Friday and Saturday in wildly different fashion.

The Skippers edged Northshore, 20-17, by grinding out a touchdown-less second half and hitting a winning field goal in the final minutes, while the Purple Knights pounced on Edna Karr for a two-score lead in the first quarter and only continuing gaining steam in a 52-14 onslaught.

Another meeting between undefeated teams, if one were to even occur, would be unlikely until at least the quarterfinals.

[ VIEW COMPLETE, UP-TO-DATE POWER RATINGS FOR ALL DIVISIONS ]

Mandeville (Division-I Non-Select), St. Augustine (Division-I Select), Patrick Taylor (Division-II Select), Notre Dame (Division-III Select) and Vinton (Division-IV Non-Select) boast the final unblemished records in their respective divisions.

Ascension Christian will not participate in the postseason because of a decision to leave the LHSAA districting system for an independent schedule.

No. 2 Westgate, No. 3 North DeSoto and No. 4 Eunice can all clinch first-round byes in the upcoming Division-II Non-Select bracket if they win their Week 10 games.

And Sacred Heart, Ouachita Christian and Southern Lab are currently No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 in the Division-IV Select power ratings.

Check out the map above and list below of remaining undefeated teams and continue to monitor the group with Louisiana vs. All Y’all’s updates each week.

———— CLASS 5A ————
(Two teams)

Mandeville Skippers (D-I Non-Select)
St. Augustine Purple Knights (D-I Select)

———— CLASS 4A ————
(Two teams)

North DeSoto Griffins (D-II Non-Select)
Westgate Tigers (D-II Non-Select)

———— CLASS 3A ————
(Two teams)

Eunice Bobcats (D-II Non-Select)
Patrick F. Taylor Tigers (D-II Select)

———— CLASS 2A ————
(Two teams)

Notre Dame Pioneers (D-III Select)
Vinton Lions (D-IV Non-Select)

———— CLASS 1A ————
(Four teams)

Ascension Christian Lions (D-IV Select)
Ouachita Christian Eagles (D-IV Select)
Sacred Heart-Ville Platte Trojans (D-IV Select)
Southern Lab Kittens (D-IV Select)

A few games remain on Saturday’s docket, including a marquee matchup of national attention, but the bulk of the LHSAA’s Week 9 action is in the books.

And several memorable outcomes, including thrillers, dominations and surprises — even among some of Louisiana’s highest-ranked teams — have already rolled in from around the state.

Three top-five teams in their respective classifications in this week’s Louisiana Sports Writers Association statewide polls and another four top-10 teams all suffered losses, including four to lower-ranked competition.

The next edition of the polls, to be released Monday morning, should see some shakeup as a result.

Class 2A is the only group to have no losses by top-10 teams. In fact, the top 13 vote-getters in Class 2A all won their contests.

Here’s the complete rundown heading into Saturday.

Class 5A

1. Edna Karr (8-0) vs. St. Augustine, Saturday
2. St. Augustine (8-0) vs. Edna Karr, Saturday
3. Alexandria (8-1) def. Ouachita Parish, 61-21
4. Archbishop Rummel  (7-2) lost to Jesuit, 37-33
5. Ruston (7-2) def. Pineville, 49-14
6. Mandeville (9-0) def. Northshore, 20-17
7. Jesuit (7-2) def. Archbishop Rummel, 37-33
8. Catholic-Baton Rouge (6-3) def. Woodlawn-Baton Rouge, 49-12
9. Barbe (8-1) def. New Iberia, 62-14
10. Brother Martin  (6-3) def. Chalmette, 27-21

Others: St. Thomas More (7-2) def. Sam Houston, 49-24, Destrehan (7-2) lost to Zachary, 31-21, Northshore (8-1) lost to Mandeville, 20-17, Haughton (8-1) lost to Natchitoches Central, 27-14, John Curtis (2-6) vs. Holy Cross, Saturday, Southside (5-4) lost to Acadiana, 42-34, West Monroe (6-3) def. Peabody, 48-0.

Class 4A

1. Westgate (8-0) def. Lafayette Renaissance, 21-0
2. Neville (7-1) def. Tioga, 45-14
3. North DeSoto (9-0) def. Booker T. Washington-Shreve, 35-20
4. Archbishop Shaw (8-1) def. Kenner Discovery, 48-0
5. Madison Prep (7-2) def. Plaquemine, 34-7
6. Lake Charles Prep (8-1) def. Rayne, 49-30
7. John F. Kennedy (8-1) def. Carver, 60-0
8. Lafayette Renaissance (6-3) lost to Westgate, 21-0
9. Leesville (8-1) def. Jena, 55-40
10. Franklin Parish (6-3) def. West Ouachita, 55-13

Others: Salmen (6-3) def. Franklinton, 42-26, Opelousas (7-2) def. Breaux Bridge, 54-13, Plaquemine (5-4) lost to Madison Prep, 34-7, Tioga (6-3) lost to Neville, 45-14, Carencro (5-4) def. Beau Chene, 57-15, Cecilia (6-3) def. Livonia, forfeit.

Class 3A

1. St. Charles Catholic (8-1) def. Lutcher, 48-24
2. University Lab (7-2) def. Port Allen, 63-12
3. Jena (6-3) lost to Leesville, 55-40
4. Eunice (9-0) def. Crowley, 56-14
5. Sterlington  (6-3) def. Carroll, forfeit
6. Lutcher (6-3) lost to St. Charles Catholic, 48-24
7. St. James (7-2) def. Vandebilt Catholic, 35-14
8. Marksville (8-1) def. Buckeye, 40-34
9. West Feliciana (8-1) def. Belaire, 49-6
10. Jennings (7-2) def. Winnfield, 42-8

Others: Loyola Prep (6-3) def. North Webster, 47-0, Iowa (5-3) def. Washington-Marion, 57-27, Vandebilt Catholic (5-4) lost to St. James, 35-14, Jewel Sumner (6-3) def. Loranger, 41-14, Northwest (6-3) def. Church Point, 35-7.

Class 2A

1. Notre Dame (9-0) def. Kinder, 43-0
2. Calvary Baptist (8-1) def. Magnolia School, 56-6
3. Mangham (8-1) def. Delhi Charter, 55-0
4. Newman (8-1) def. Country Day, 45-35
5. Dunham (6-3) def. Slaughter Charter, 63-13
6. Lafayette Christian (7-2) def. Delcambre, 49-0
7. Mansfield (8-1) def. Many, 50-21
8. Amite (7-2) def. Northlake Christian, forfeit
9. Vinton (9-0) def. Pickering, 47-0
10. Lake Arthur (8-1) def. Welsh, 38-26

Others: Catholic-New Iberia (6-3) def. Franklin, 40-33, Pine (7-2) def. St. Thomas Aquinas, 20-0, Loreauville (6-3) def. West St. Mary, 28-0, Welsh (7-2) lost to Lake Arthur, 38-26, Caldwell Parish (7-2) def. Richwood, 21-0, Country Day (5-4) lost to Newman, 45-35, Rosepine (8-1) def. East Beauregard, 26-14.

Class 1A

1. Ouachita Christian (9-0) def. General Trass, 58-8
2. Riverside Academy (8-1) def. Catholic-PC, 54-6
3. Haynesville (8-1) def. Cedar Creek, 29-20
4. Southern Lab (9-0) def. St. John-Plaquemine, 40-0
5. Kentwood (8-1) lost to East Feliciana, 22-6
6. Ascension Catholic (8-1) def. South Plaquemines, 42-0
7. Westminster-Lafayette (8-1) lost to Jeanerette, 26-19
8. Jeanerette (8-1) def. Westminster-Lafayette, 26-19
9. Cedar Creek (8-1) lost to Haynesville, 29-20
10. Logansport (8-1) def. Montgomery, 65-22

Others: East Feliciana (8-1) def. Kentwood, 22-6, St. Mary’s (8-1) def. Ringgold, 67-28, South Plaquemines (4-4) lost to Ascension Catholic, 42-0, Ascension Episcopal (5-3) def. Vermilion Catholic, 42-0, Jonesboro-Hodge (6-2) vs. Lakeview, n, Sacred Heart-VP (9-0) def. DeQuincy, 28-0, Grand Lake (6-2) Open.

Brice Brown, Robert Valdez and their staffs have kept their teams locked in week after week, training to play to standards of excellence rather than to any specific opponent and knowing that any Catholic League opponent represented a threat.

But Saturday — finally — brings a highly anticipated matchup between Edna Karr and St. Augustine that many fans and media have been eying for months and that, with both LSU and the New Orleans Saints on byes, is (maybe not even arguably) the highest-profile football game in Louisiana this weekend at any level.

The Cougars come across the river from Algiers with a 35-game winning that is tied for the eighth-longest in the state’s history and has a case as impressive as any other given the quality of competition along the way.

The Purple Knights are, too, among Louisiana’s final 18 remaining undefeated teams this season and have lost just twice in the past two years: both times to Edna Karr, on the road in district and in the Division-I Select championship in Caesars Superdome two months later.

Both teams are well-coached and loaded with talent — even with uncertainty entering this season whether Edna Karr might see any early growing pains or a stumble or two as new faces succeeded a legendary 2026 class that saw two dozen players sign collegiately.

The top seed in this year’s playoff bracket likely hangs in the balance, along with so much more, including citywide bragging rights… at least until the teams potentially meet again.

MANDEVILLE (8-0, 5-0) at NORTHSHORE (8-0, 5-0) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Northshore 

The Saturday showdown on the south shore isn’t the state’s only battle of unbeaten teams in Week 9. A short drive across Lake Pontchartain on Friday, the lead in District 6-5A and a likely first-round bye in the upcoming Division-I Non-Select playoffs will be determined in Slidell. Mandeville is 8-0 for the second time in three years and is chasing its first 9-0 start in decades and the 10-0 regular season in 2000. Northshore secured its best start in program history weeks ago and has continued to extend that uncharted territory from there. Both teams have shown the ability to win games in a number of ways, grinding out low-scoring rock fights and finding the last punches in high-scoring shootouts. Friday could play out any number of a wide range of ways.

ARCHBISHOP RUMMEL (7-1, 4-1) at JESUIT (6-2, 3-2) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Tad Gormley

For all the eyes on Edna Karr and St. Augustine, it isn’t even the Catholic League’s only top-five matchup in the Division-I Select power ratings. Current No. 3 team Archbishop Rummel, whose only loss came two weeks ago to the Cougars, could still claim the No. 1 seed in the bracket and a share of the district title, while current No. 5 Jesuit could climb as high as No. 2. in the playoff picture. The Blue Jays join St. Augustine and Edna Karr as the district’s only teams and three of only seven Class 5A teams statewide to average more than 28 points per game and allow fewer than 16. The Raiders only missed that cut by a small margin offensively, but boast as strong a defense as any in the state with Russ Lewis Jr., Gavin Cooper Jr., Mitchell Harris Jr. and company allowing just 11.3 points per contest, the fewest of any Class 5A team and No. 6 overall in all classes.

KENTWOOD (8-0, 3-0) at EAST FELICIANA (7-1, 2-0) — Friday, 7 p.m., at East Feliciana

The top small-schools matchup in the state this week, which features a particularly solid Class 1A slate, pits a pair of teams vying for potential top-four seeds in their respective playoff groups amid largely dominant seasons. East Feliciana is No. 1 in the Division-I Non-Select power ratings and is working to close out its first-ever top seed. The Tigers, with versatile senior star Ryan “Bug” Moore Jr. among the faces of a talented roster all-around, are averaging 38.5 points per game and allowing just 17.0 — the No. 10 and No. 12 marks, respectively, in Class 1A in those categories. The Kangaroos, Ahmade Bickham Jr. and company meanwhile roll into town at No. 5 in the Division-I Select power ratings and with even more dominant scoring metrics at 46.8 points per game and 8.9 points allowed, the No. 3 and No. 2 averages among Class 1A programs.

LUTCHER (6-2, 3-0) at ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC (7-1, 3-0) — Friday, 7 p.m., at St. Charles Catholic

The perennial River Parish powers will meet Friday in a de facto District 9-3A title game. The winner will clinch at least a share of the league’s crown, if not more likely the sole honor, as well as potentially solidify itself key positioning in the upcoming playoff brackets. Lutcher enters the week at No. 3 in the Division-II Non-Select power ratings, where the top four teams will ultimately earn first-round byes. Winning out should secure the Bulldogs at least the No. 4 seed, if not higher, while North DeSoto and others are waiting to leapfrog over any slip-up. St. Charles Catholic sit at No. 4 in Division-III Select, where the top eight teams earn first-round byes. The Comets likely already have a bye earned, barring a completely disastrous final two weeks, but hope to win out and secure home-field advantage through at least the quarterfinals.

LAFAYETTE RENAISSANCE (6-2, 3-0) at WESTGATE (7-0, 2-0) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Westgate

The dueling Tigers mark the first of a couple first-time meetings on this list that will determine a district championship. The trip to Westgate will mark the final District 4-4A hurdle for Lafayette Renaissance, which grew to Class 4A in the latest reclassification this offseason, before closing the regular season against non-district Thibodaux. Westgate meanwhile hosts Acadiana Renaissance next week to wrap up district and the regular season. Both teams boast future college talent, including a couple of committed defensive standouts in LRCA edge rusher Ansinneo Charles Jr. (Louisiana) and Westgate defensive end Chance Archangel (Texas A&M) and talented 2028 wide receivers Zion Batiste and Cayden Lancelin, respectively. And in addition to the district title, the winner will likely wrap up a first-round bye in its respective playoff bracket, while the loser may open the door for chasing teams to sneak ahead.

LEESVILLE (7-1) at JENA (6-2) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Jena

The first of a couple late-season, non-district matchups on this list most heavily populated with league matchups. The Wampus Cats and Giants may provide the best mascot matchup of the weekend, but also a high-stakes and likely hardnosed battle between the sidelines. Leesville feels more under-the-radar on a statewide level than should be the case with its No. 6 power rating in Division-II Non-Select at the moment, 7-1 record and five-game winning streak with increasingly explosive numbers with senior quarterback Antrel “Trel” Broom and junior running back Grant Braxton leading the charge. Jena sits atop the Division-III Non-Select power ratings, navigating a tough pre-district schedule with a 3-2 mark before now rattling off three straight wins in district with Jonas Jenkins, Daniel Hatcher and Kaeden Kittlin toting the rock.

SOUTHSIDE (5-3, 4-1) at ACADIANA (5-3, 2-3) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Acadiana

The dynamics of this matchup have been somewhat of a rollercoaster from being circled preseason as a particularly notable game to watch among potentially two of the state’s top 10-15 teams, through rough patches on each side that lightened the bandwagons and now ultimately two teams that meet with some momentum regained and potential top-10 playoff seeds still attainable. Southside earned one of the state’s clearest “Statement Wins” in Week 8 with a tough, 17-14 defeat of district leader St. Thomas More, while Acadiana got back on track with a monster, 58-25 rout of Sulphur despite missing its four top ball-carriers and several other key pieces. This week’s matchup will be pivotal not only in continuing some in-season momentum and improving some playoff positioning, but also for local bragging rights as families of younger students in the area make school decisions. Acadiana has controlled the series — and mostly in lopsided fashion — with six wins in seven games against the newer Southside program. But the Sharks have continued their progression overall, including a win in 2022 win and three-point loss in 2025 against the Rams and back-to-back quarterfinal runs.

DESTREHAN (7-1) at ZACHARY (5-3) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Zachary

Another late-season non-district matchup of particular note, the Wildcats and Broncos fit the even rarer distinction of late-season non-district opponents that could meet again in their joint playoff division. Most recently, Zachary took a 2021 semifinal meeting, and Destrehan answered with a 2023 quarterfinal win. Plenty of dust remains to be settled before brackets are finalized, but various viable combinations could align the programs for this year’s second round or quarters as well. Both teams enjoy leaning on their rushing attacks with bellcows Malachi Dabney (Nicholls State) of Destrehan and Jeremy Patton of Zachary, but have talented weapons on the outside as well, including Jaylan Ash (Nicholls State) and Ethan Kimmie, respectively. And while the Broncos have had to navigate a couple more bumps in the road this season than has typically been the case, they remain — right in line with the one-loss, now-rolling Wildcats — among the most notable teams to watch in the Division-I Non-Select bracket.

MADISON PREP (6-2, 5-0) at PLAQUEMINE (5-3, 4-1) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Plaquemine

The first-ever meeting between the Chargers and Green Devils arrives with major stakes and what should be a strong atmosphere. Madison Prep, a perennial contender in Class 3A and Division-III Select, grew into Class 4A and Division-II Select this year for the first time. And after a 1-2 start with both losses coming in close fashion to highly regarded Class 5A opponents, the Chargers have rolled off five straight district wins by a combined margin of 243-23. Now, TCU commit Landon “Manu” Johnson, Nicholls State commit Jamyris Allen and company will cross the river for a battle with Plaquemine, which hasn’t lost a district game in now more than three calendar years. Plaquemine, headlined by Louisiana (Lafayette) commit John Walker V, has similarly started 1-2 against a tough pre-district slate, but found its momentum during league play — though with a 28-27 at St. Michael during that time.

SOUTH PLAQUEMINES (4-3, 1-1) at ASCENSION CATHOLIC (7-1, 2-1) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Floyd Boutte Stadium

Another of the weekend’s great Class 1A games making the cut, the new District 10-1A matchup pits a pair of top-six teams in their respective power ratings with recent Caesars Superdome experience against one another. South Plaquemines, the 2024 Division-IV Non-Select champion, is currently No. 6 in that group and working to solidify valuable home-field advantage for as much of the bracket as possible. Ascension Catholic, the 2025 Division-IV Select runner-up, slipped to No. 2 in the power ratings this past week with its first loss, but would retake the the top spot with a win this weekend. Most importantly, the Bulldogs want to bounce back, play well and regain their rhythm heading into the playoffs.

EDNA KARR (8-0, 5-0) at ST. AUGUSTINE (8-0, 5-0) — Saturday, 7 p.m., at Tad Gormley

As explained above, the stage and stakes are set for arguably Louisiana’s top two teams, talented and well-coached editions of programs with rich traditions. In addition to Edna Karr’s impressive overall streak, the Cougars have also won all five previous meetings against the Purple Knights since joining Class 5A and the Catholic League. St. Augustine last won, 27-26, in a 2020 non-district game. College-bound prospect for each team include St. Augustine wide receivers Miguel Whitley (Ole Miss) and Ray’Quan Williams (Tulane), center Elijah Menville (Southern), junior quarterback Jaelle Noble, junior left tackle Jayden Taylor and junior linebacker Darren Coates Jr. and Edna Karr edge rusher Juelz Batiste (Ole Miss), offensive lineman Zyion Wesley (Mississippi State), defensive tackle Nigel Marshall (Lamar), running back Jermond Macklin, junior defensive back Juan Jasmin and sophomore defensive tackle Edward “Hulk” Dailey — just to name a few, because those lists on each side will be long by the time ink dries.

The LHSAA’s Week 8 action arguably brought the strongest cast of “Statement Wins” yet this high school football season.

A couple dozen great options made the short list for deeper discussion, but four were clear, no-doubter selections for the top five with at least another handful that probably would have made that cut almost any other week this season.

The chart-toppers were Class 5A-heavy, as has increasingly been the case the back half of the schedule thus far, but a high-profile Class 1A showdown rose above the cast of largely big schools.

And the handful that made this week’s cut hit most areas of the state, including three different area codes and five different local regions — River Parishes, North Shore, Acadiana, CenLA and Northwest Louisiana — when zeroing in more closely.

1. RIVERSIDE ACADEMY 34, ASCENSION CATHOLIC 0

Even in a week that provided a few top-tier, no-brainer selections for “Statement Wins,” the Runnin’ Rebels’ absolute roll past their 2025 runner-up opponent and one of their top challengers again this fall would have been difficult to top. Last year’s Division-IV Select finalists met Friday in Reserve with visiting Ascension Catholic the top team in the power ratings through seven weeks and one of just 25 teams in the state at any level still without a loss on its record. And Riverside Academy proceeded to blank the Bulldogs for a five-score victory that nudged its ahead to No. 1 in the power ratings at the moment, kept it well-positioned for home-field throughout the playoffs and ultimately sent a strong message to an opponent it could very well see again in December.

2. ALEXANDRIA 27, RUSTON 21

District 2-5A no longer runs through northeast Louisiana the way it had for so many years. Alexandria beat Ruston for the third straight year Friday, the first opponent to do so against the Division-I Non-Select standard-bearer since Destrehan in the 2020-2022 playoffs and first to do so in the regular season since West Monroe in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The Bearcats have played on the final Saturday of each of the past four seasons in Louisiana’s highest level of competition and entered this season considered by many to be the No. 1 team in the state. But the Trojans sent a clear message to the state Friday on both their caliber this year and as a consistent contender. For the third straight year, District 2-5A is Alexandria’s to lose heading into the final weeks of the regular season. And unlike a chaotic 2025 in which the Trojans slipped up in Week 10 and missed their opportunity, coach Thomas Bachman’s squad is a clear favorite to win its remaining games and secure a second title in three years.

3. SOUTHSIDE 17, ST. THOMAS MORE 14

The Southside bandwagon was losing some company by midseason with a 2-3 start and early-district stumble against Sam Houston. Meanwhile St. Thomas More had taken sole possession of the top of the District 3-5A standings with wins against Acadiana and Barbe. But the Sharks sent an eye-catching message Friday that things may have only just begun — both in terms of their own trajectory and the league race. Southside grinded out a confidence-building that can serve as a nice building block for the stretch ahead this season and the years ahead. And now with two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Sharks have knotted St. Thomas More and Barbe atop the standings and control their own destiny with a trip to Acadiana and home game against Barbe remaining. Southside now sits at No. 13 in the Division-I Non-Select power ratings, well-positioned to earn a first-round home game and still in realistic range to even still climb back into the top 10.

4. MANDEVILLE 36, ST. PAUL’S 29

Football season on the north shore has been marked by some of the most parity of any region of the state for several years, but with St. Paul’s typically managing the clutch plays to scratch out tight wins and lead the pack — including 21 straight league wins, with nine decided by 10 or fewer points, entering this season. But Mandeville ended a five-game losing streak to the Wolves to remain one of the 18 still-undefeated teams around the state and set up a battle of unbeatens and de facto district title game at Northshore in Week 9. The victory was a nice local hurdle for the Skippers to overcome and also has them at No. 1 in the Division-I Non-Select power ratings with two weeks remaining and in control of their own destiny for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs — a potentially hugely beneficial factor should they run into a Ruston, Destrehan, Barbe or other tough matchup in the quarters or semis.

5. HAUGHTON 42, AIRLINE 28

Haughton topped the “Statement Wins” lists in Week 4 by topping Parkway handily and seemingly starting to open eyes around the state that this would be a much different season for the Buccaneers than the past few. Now, a month later, they are 8-0 for just the third time in program history and have notched their most impressive victory to date, going on the road and beating the District 1-5A team that had won more games and had more postseason success in recent years than any other member of the league. Aided across the river by a C.E. Byrd upset of Evangel Christian, Haughton now holds sole possession of the league lead heading into the final two weeks of the season with a road trip to Natchitoches Central and then home game against the Eagles to wrap up the regular season. The Buccaneers are in great position to secure home-field advantage for at least a couple rounds and could realistically still even sneak into one of the four coveted first-round byes.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s latest statewide high school football polls released Monday featured just one new No. 1 team in five classifications, but razor-thin margins atop the lists collectively.

Notre Dame overtook the lead spot in Class 2A following its win in a battle of unbeatens with Lake Arthur and a road loss by previous No. 1 Calvary Baptist at Archbishop Shaw.

[ CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOOTBALL POWER RATINGS ]

St. Charles Catholic in Class 3A was the only unanimous No. 1 in this week’s poll, edging unanimous No. 2 University Lab by 10 points in the largest margin between No. 1 and No. 2 in any classification.

No. 1 Edna Karr edged No. 2 St. Augustine — two New Orleans Catholic League rivals set for a highly anticipated Saturday showdown — in Class 5A by just four votes, matching No. 1 Westgate over No. 2 Neville for the thinnest margin.

No. 1 Ouachita Christian continues to hold off No. 2 Riverside Academy by eight votes in Class 1A, though (as in Class 5A and Class 4A) both received multiple first-place votes.

And Calvary Baptist didn’t go far following its first loss, trailing Notre Dame by nine points in the Class 2A voting.

Barbe reentered the Class 5A top 10 at No. 9, and Jennings and Vinton cracked the Class 3A and Class 2A lists, respectively, at No. 10 and No. 9 in those groups.

Class 3A No. 6 Lutcher made the biggest jump, three spots, among previously ranked teams, with Class 5A No. 6 Mandeville and No. 8 Catholic-Baton Rouge moving up two spots each this week.

Class 5A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Edna Karr (7)                               8-0                                   117                1
2. St. Augustine (3)                         8-0                                   113                3
3. Alexandria                                    7-1                                    99                4
4. Archbishop Rummel                  7-1                                     86                5
5. Ruston                                         6-2                                    82                 2
6. Mandeville                                  8-0                                     55                8
7. Jesuit                                           6-2                                     51                9
8. Catholic-Baton Rouge             5-3                                     45               10
9. Barbe                                           7-1                                     39               NR
10. Brother Martin                          5-3                                   37                7

Others receiving votes: St. Thomas More 28, Destrehan 18, Northshore 11, Haughton 7, John Curtis 4, Southside 1, West Monroe 1.

Class 4A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Westgate (7)                                7-0                                116                 1
2. Neville (2)                                   6-1                                 112                 2
3. North DeSoto (1)                       8-0                                   99                 3
4. Archbishop Shaw                       7-1                                  92                  4
5. Madison Prep                              6-2                                   75                5
6. Lake Charles College Prep        7-1                                   69                6
7. John F. Kennedy                         7-1                                      60               7
8. Lafayette Renaissance               6-2                                    53               9
9. Leesville                                      7-1                                      36            10
10. Franklin Parish                         5-3                                      26             8

Others receiving votes: Salmen 16, Opelousas 8, Plaquemine 4, Tioga 4, Carencro 2, Cecilia 1.

Class 3A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. St. Charles Catholic (10)            7-1                                 120                1
2. University Lab                              6-2                                  110            2
3. Jena                                              6-2                                   95                3
4. Eunice                                          8-0                                  85                4
5. Sterlington                                     5-3                                   74                5
6. Lutcher                                         6-2                                    61           9
7. St. James                                     6-2                                   59                6
8. Marksville                                    7-1                                  50                8
9. West Feliciana                             7-1                                   39                7
10. Jennings                                    6-2                                   29                NR

Others receiving votes: Loyola Prep 14, Iowa 12, Vandebilt Catholic 9, Jewel Sumner 6, Northwest 1.

Class 2A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Notre Dame (9)                                  8-0                       118                2
2. Calvary Baptist                                   7-1                       109                1
3. Mangham                                            7-1                       100                3
4. Isidore Newman                                  7-1                         86                5
5. Dunham (1)                                         5-3                         78                6
6. Lafayette Christian                            6-2                         72                7
7. Mansfield                                            7-1                         48                9
8. Amite                                                  6-2                         44                4
9. Vinton                                                 8-0                         36               NR
10. Lake Arthur                                       7-1                         32               8

Others receiving votes: Catholic-New Iberia 20, Pine 17, Loreauville 14, Welsh 3, Caldwell Parish 1, Country Day 1, Rosepine 1.

Class 1A

School, 1^st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Ouachita Christian (8)                        8-0                     118                1
2. Riverside Academy (2)                       7-1                     110                3
3. Haynesville                                         7-1                        97                4
4. Southern Lab                                     7-0                        83                5
5. Kentwood                                           8-0                        76                6
6. Ascension Catholic                             7-1                        74                2
7. Westminster-Lafayette                        8-0                        66                7
8. Jeanerette                                            7-1                        43                8
9. Cedar Creek                                          8-0                        41                9
10. Logansport                                        7-1                        31                10

Others receiving votes: East Feliciana 23, St. Mary’s 8, South Plaquemines 8, Ascension Episcopal 4, Jonesboro-Hodge 3, Sacred Heart-VP 2, Grand Lake 1.

LHSAA Week 8 action took a sizable bite — 28% — out of Louisiana’s remaining group of undefeated high school football teams.

Seven teams suffered their first losses Thursday or Friday, dropping the state’s contingent of unbeatens to 18.

Seven undefeated Class 1A and Division-IV Select teams continue to lead that number in terms of both regular-season and postseason categorizations.

[ VIEW COMPLETE, SORTABLE STANDINGS FOR THE STATE ]

But much of the spotlight this week will shine on Class 5A where a pair of battles of unbeatens — Mandeville at Northshore on Friday and Edna Karr at St. Augustine on Saturday — will headline the Week 9 schedule.

Edna Karr and St. Augustine look increasingly likely to be battling for the No. 1 seed in the Division-I Select bracket. The Purple Knights overtook the Cougars this week after a big strength-factor boost from beating five-win Brother Martin.

Mandeville’s latest win, paired with losses the past two weeks by Barbe and Ruston, has moved the Skippers to the top of the Division-I Non-Select power ratings.

[ VIEW COMPLETE, UP-TO-DATE POWER RATINGS FOR ALL DIVISIONS ]

Their trip to Northshore on Friday may also determine the top seed in that bracket as well as which District 6-5A team earns a first-round bye — with the loser needing help elsewhere to back-door into that opportunity.

Notre Dame survived its battle of unbeatens this past Friday against Lake Arthur to maintain its No. 1 position in Division-III Select

Check out the map above and list below of remaining undefeated teams and continue to monitor the group with Louisiana vs. All Y’all’s updates each week.

———— CLASS 5A ————
(Five teams)

Edna Karr Cougars (D-I Select)
Haughton Buccaneers (D-I Non-Select)
Mandeville Skippers (D-I Non-Select)
Northshore Panthers (D-I Non-Select)
St. Augustine Purple Knights (D-I Select)

———— CLASS 4A ————
(Two teams)

North DeSoto Griffins (D-II Non-Select)
Westgate Tigers (D-II Non-Select)

———— CLASS 3A ————
(Two teams)

Eunice Bobcats (D-II Non-Select)
Patrick F. Taylor Tigers (D-II Select)

———— CLASS 2A ————
(Two teams)

Notre Dame Pioneers (D-III Select)
Vinton Lions (D-IV Non-Select)

———— CLASS 1A ————
(Seven teams)

Ascension Christian Lions (D-IV Select)
Cedar Creek Cougars (D-IV Select)
Kentwood Kangaroos (D-IV Select)
Ouachita Christian Eagles (D-IV Select)
Sacred Heart-Ville Platte Trojans (D-IV Select)
Southern Lab Kittens (D-IV Select)
Westminster Christian-Lafayette Chargers (D-IV Select)