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Louisiana Players of the Week: Sept. 15 – Sept. 21, 2026

by Louisiana vs. All Y'all
written by Louisiana vs. All Y'all

The Week 3 action of high school and college football seasons and Week 2 of the NFL was a rollercoaster of mixed emotions with marquee victories and heartbreaking losses.

And, all over the state, there were memorable, even prolific individual performances, to critical in helping their teams fall into that first aforementioned category and avoid stumbling into the latter.

As always, Louisiana vs. All Y’all is excited to recognize top efforts in all three phases and at all three levels.

Here’s the rundown of this week’s nine winners, including more details on each performance.

HIGH SCHOOL

Offense — Dorrien Dunham (2027), John F. Kennedy QB: The Cougars have now won back-to-backs games against Class 5A competition with every bit of their senior quarterback’s prolific performance necessary this week to earn a big road win against a solid St. Amant. Dunham reportedly tallied 561 yards of total offense (411 passing and 150 rushing) and had a hand in all five touchdowns (three rushing and two passing) in the 35-28 win at The Pit.

Defense — Edward “Hulk” Dailey (2029), Edna Karr DT: We don’t have official final numbers on the Cougars’ sophomore budding star, but he tallied at least three sacks and another tackle for loss in the shutout second half alone of a 21-14 defeat of highly touted Ruston. The performance was game-changingly disruptive at the front of a lights-out effort by the entire Edna Karr defense in easily the state’s most highly anticipated matchup of the week, if not of several regular seasons, against another of Louisiana’s top teams and programs.

Special Teams — Brice Fisher (2028), Zachary RB: The Broncos’ rally to top Madison Prep late, 39-36, and avoid slipping to a rare 0-3 start for the program was full of critical performances and plays from all over the roster and in all three phases. One of the first among them was an explosive return of the second-half kickoff by the junior running back all the way inside the Chargers’ 10-yard line to set up Zachary’s first score of the game. The play provided a badly needed spark, and the Broncos kept building from there.

COLLEGE

Offense — Trey Holly, Southern RB: The record-breaking former Union Parish star was one of five players nationally to surpass the 200-yard rushing mark this weekend with his 22-carry, 200-yard, two-touchdown performance in his Jaguars’ 50-31 cruise past Louisiana Christian. Holly, who began his college career across town at LSU, punched in a 2-yard score to cap Southern’s balanced first possession and then broke a 69-yarder to the house on his next touch to help keep the home team playing from ahead.

Defense — Richard McKneely, Southeastern Louisiana DB: The Lions’ pulled off a historic road win at ULM, their first upset of an FBS program since reinstating football in 2003, due in no small part to their successes snatching takeaways and scoring touchdowns in all three phases. McKneely, the former Liberty Magnet standout, had a hand in both of those categories with an 11-yard pick-six early in the fourth quarter that stretched Southeastern’s lead to 38-20, just enough to hang on for the 38-35 win.

Special Teams — DKhai Joseph, Southeastern Louisiana WR: The former East St. John star earns his second straight LVAY College Special Teams Player of the Week selection, this time with an even more explosive performance in that phase with his three punt returns for 106 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown in the third quarter to help blow open the Lions’ historic victory. Joseph was also a leader on offense once again with six catches for 47 yards.

PROFESSIONAL

Offense — DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles WR: The former Amite star and Heisman winner at Alabama was among the league’s highest-graded receivers this weekend with his 10 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, a clear go-to in his Eagles’ 24-20 road win in Tennessee. Smith’s 22-yard touchdown late in the second quarter pushed Philadelphia ahead at halftime, and he continued to supply timely critical plays throughout, including a 19-yard reception for a third-and-long conversion to set up the go-ahead score in the final seconds.

Defense — Chase Young, New Orleans Saints EDGE: The Saints’ defense has been a most-consistent strong suit during the first couple weeks of the season, including this weekend’s win at Baltimore. New Orleans contained the Ravens and their star-studded backfield duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry well enough to keep to have a chance to win, even as the offense took some time to get clicking, and shut out its hosts in the fourth quarter to help secure the comeback. Young wrapped up 1.5 sacks and brought additional pressure during the contest and was PFF’s highest-graded player for the team.

Special Teams — Daniel Carlson, New Orleans Saints K: The Saints’ placekicker earns his second straight LVAY Professional Special Teams Player of the Week honors with an even better performance this time around. Carlson’s three field goals of 23 yards, 47 yards and 51 yards were critical in helping New Orleans get on the scoreboard and stay within a reasonable striking distance, down 17-9 heading into the fourth quarter, to pull of their comeback. He added a 10th point to the total on the final extra-point kick late.

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LSWA Statewide Football Polls | Week 4

by Louisiana vs. All Y'all
written by Louisiana vs. All Y'all

The early-season shakeups in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s statewide football polls continued with Monday mornings latest votes following an eye-catching Week 3 slate.

New teams earned the No. 1 spots in the Class 5A and 3A lists — at least new for this season. Both are traditionally familiar faces near the top of the rankings and in annual title-contentions.

Edna Karr overtook Ruston in Class 5A after winning a head-to-head battle, 21-14, at Caesars Superdome where both programs hope to be again in December.

Also notably in Class 5A, a four-spot slip for Catholic-Baton Rouge outside of the top five to No. 9 and Jesuit cracking the top 10.

St. James is the new No. 1 in Class 3A after a third straight overtime game to open the season got the best of River Parishes rival St. Charles Catholic, which suffered its first loss, 10-7, to Holy Cross.

Eunice,  Isidore Newman and Cedar Creek cracked the top 10 in Class 3A, Class 2A and Class 1A, respectively, all at No. 10 in their respective groups, as did No. 8 John F. Kennedy and No. 9 Belle Chasse in Class 4A.

Class 5A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Edna Karr (10)                           3-0                                   131                2
2. Ruston                                         2-1                                   115                1
3. Alexandria                                   3-0                                  109                3
4. St. Augustine (1)                         3-0                                   104                4
5. John Curtis                                  2-1                                     82                6
6. Archbishop Rummel                   3-0                                    80          7
7. Acadiana                                     3-0                                     63                8
8. Brother Martin                            3-0                                     47                9
9. Catholic-Baton Rouge                1-2                                    45                5
10. Jesuit                                         3-0                                     22       NR

Others receiving votes: St. Thomas More 15, Central 13, West Monroe 8, Ouachita 7, Mandeville 5, Barbe 3, Thibodaux 3.

Class 4A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Westgate (9)                                3-0                                   129                1
2. North DeSoto (1)                        3-0                                   114           3
3. Neville (1)                                   2-1                                  111              4
4. Archbishop Shaw                        2-1                                     99                2
5. Lake Charles Prep                      3-0                                     91                5
6. Franklin Parish                           2-1                                    76                7
7. Madison Prep                              1-2                                    62                6
8. John F. Kennedy                         2-1                                     46                NR
9. Belle Chasse                               3-0                                     36                NR
10. Cecilia                                       2-1                                     29                8

Others receiving votes: Plaquemine 27, Salmen 19, Lafayette Renaissance 7, Franklinton 3, Opelousas 3, Carencro 2, Teurlings Catholic 2, E.D. White 1.

Class 3A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. St. James (9)                               3-0                                 130                2
2. St. Charles Catholic (2)             2-1                                118                1
3. Sterlington                                     2-1                                 104                4
4. Jena                                              2-1                                   96                3
5. University Lab                             1-2                                    83            6
6. Iowa                                             1-2                                   81                5
7. Jewel Sumner                               2-1                                    64           7
8. Loyola Prep                                 2-1                                    55           8
9. Marksville                                    3-0                                  52                9
10. Eunice                                       3-0                                  30                NR

Others receiving votes: Vandebilt Catholic 23, Carroll 13, Iota 4, Northwest 3, De La Salle 2, West Feliciana 1.

Class 2A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Calvary Baptist (9)                             3-0                       130                1
2. Dunham (2)                                         2-1                       120                2
3. Notre Dame                                        3-0                       113                3
4. Mangham                                            2-1                         96                4
5. Amite                                                  3-0                         67                7
6. Lafayette Christian.                       2-1                         55                5
7. Oak Grove                                          1-2                         53                6
8. Catholic-New Iberia                           2-1                         51                9
9. Mansfield                                            3-0                         48              10
10. Isidore Newman                              2-1                         27              NR

Others receiving votes: Kinder 25, Loreauville 19, West St. Mary 7, Covenant Christian 7, Country Day 4, Lake Arthur 2.

Class 1A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank

1. Ouachita Christian (6)                        3-0                     127                1
2. Riverside Academy (4)                       3-0                     125                2
3. Ascension Catholic                             3-0                      110                3
4. Jeanerette                                            3-0                       96                4
5. Haynesville                                         2-1                        84                5
6. Logansport                                          3-0                        72                6
7. Southern Lab                                     2-0                        65                7
8. Kentwood                                           3-0                        63                8
9. Westminster-Lafayette                        3-0                        40                9
10. Cedar Creek                                        3-0                        35                NR

Others receiving votes: East Feliciana 20, South Plaquemines 13, Lincoln Prep 11, Westminster-Opelousas 3, Catholic-Pointe Coupee 1, St. Edmund 1.

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LHSAA Statement Wins of Week 3 (2026)

by Louisiana vs. All Y'all
written by Louisiana vs. All Y'all

The third week of Louisiana’s high school football season featured some of the most eye-catching and message-sending results yet.

Some of the state’s highest profile matchups featured surprises, impressive rallies, reassertions or reminders of power and dominant, lopsided margins against fellow contenders.

Fans around the state who have followed Louisiana vs. All Y’all through the years are familiar with the weekly feature during each football season to spotlight some of these notable victories that carry some big-picture storyline.

But it’s often important to remind folks that the “Statement Wins” moniker does not exclusively mean the most surprising outcomes of the week. The “statement” may vary between each game, but each game included said something of note that caught our eye. Sometimes there’s a surprise element, but that’s not always the primary factor.

Here’s a look at the five that topped our list this week, including some real marquee matchups and memorable results.

1. ST. THOMAS MORE 43, CATHOLIC-BR 42

A 30-10 loss to Jesuit in Week 2 raised some early doubts about the ceiling of this year’s St. Thomas More team in the stacked Division-I Select pecking order. But the Cougars quickly rebounded and re-asserted themselves with a road defeat of a Catholic-Baton Rouge squad that has widely been considered one of the top handful or half-dozen teams in the state this season. St. Thomas More showed incredible fight for both the night and the season with a pair of touchdowns in the final 1:02 to swing a 42-28 deficit into a 43-42 victory and stun the Bears’ faithful on hand for the latest edition of the typically hard-fought series. As much of a message as St. Thomas More sent relative to its own team and status this year, the outcome also further emphasizes the overall strength of the Division-I Select picture — and, for that matter, only further strengthens the quality of Jesuit’s win the previous week.

2. EDNA KARR 21, RUSTON 14

Anyone particularly surprised to see Edna Karr win a big game — or any game — hasn’t been around very long. But the feel around the state seemed to be that the highly anticipated Inspire the City showdown with Ruston marked a rare instance and maybe the first time in a few years in which the Cougars were considered a big of an underdog. The perennial power, even with so many newer faces in bigger roles after huge 2026 graduations, quickly looked its typically strong self, though, with a 14-0 lead and went on to finish with a shutout second half and, most importantly, the victory. Coach Brice Brown downplayed the significance some — and understandably so for a program that expects to win games on that Caesars Superdome turf in December and knows more than two months of gauntlet still remain before that conversation. But Saturday certainly served as a reminder that the Cougars remain as much the standard in the state as any program — “Second to None,” as the mantra states — and have another cast of players more than capable of carrying the torch of championship expectations in 2026.

3. ST. JAMES 43, TERREBONNE 14

St. James entered this season oddly under-the-radar and under-discussed for a program that has reached the semifinals each of the past four years, including two title games. Whether the apparent doubts were the result of a disappointing final impression in last year’s semifinals or some behind-the-scenes roster availability dynamics, the Wildcats did not appear to garner their typical respect in preseason conversations. Fast-forward three weeks, and they’re the only team in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s preseason top 10 in Class 3A to still be undefeated with all three wins coming by at least 28 points. And, even despite battling key injuries, this weekend marked the most notable victory thus far with a roll past Terrebonne, a Class 5A program to whom St. James had suffered two of its six losses the past two years.

4. MANGHAM 52, OAK GROVE 24

The Dragons and Tigers have provided one of the state’s top small-schools matchups every year since 2021. And regardless of which team has won or by how much, the programs have combined for nine out of a possible 10 quarterfinal trips and five semifinals. But more than doubling up another of the top contenders in your playoff division is always attention-grabbing. And Mangham’s two deepest playoff runs in that span, a 2022 semifinal and a 2025 title game, have come the years of their biggest wins in the series. And the impact for potential playoff seeding may be as notable as anything, whether the teams run into one another again or just for any other deep-bracket showdowns. Mangham and Oak Grove have been a combined 16-1 at home during the past five postseasons, compared to 6-6 on the road, including a 2023 quarterfinal in which the Tigers won the regular-season matchup in Mangham, 28-12, and then edged the Dragons, 31-30, in Oak Grove two months later.

5. EUNICE 27, KINDER 12

This matchup might not have grabbed the statewide headlines the same way other games on this list did, but the significance is easily identifiable upon closer look. The Bobcats had dropped the meetings with Kinder the past two years, 22-16 on the road and 22-20 at home, and hadn’t started 3-0 since doing so back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019. Those two seasons were also the two most recent times Eunice has earned single-digit playoff seeds, including the 2018 run to a state championship as a No. 2 seed. In the past eight postseasons, the Bobcats are 6-2 at home, 2-4 on the road, 8-1 as the higher seed and 0-5 as the lower seed. The playoff picture is still less than one-third of the way developed with seven more games for the Bobcats and countless twists and turns around the state. But Eunice has laid as strong a foundation as possible thus far with its best start in several years with a notable early-season road victory among three good wins overall.

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Edna Karr running back Jermond Macklin
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New-look Edna Karr remains standard in 21-14 defeat of Ruston in 1-vs-2 battle

by Jerit Roser
written by Jerit Roser

The names and faces may have changed from Edna Karr’s recent Caesars Superdome visits, but the outcome proved much the same as the clocks expired Saturday.

The Cougars (3-0) opened the highly anticipated 1-vs-2 showdown against Ruston (2-1) in emphatic fashion, weathered the Bearcats response and held on late, 21-14, for a statement win that should put to bed any questions of a step-back or rebuild.

“It shows not that we lost 43 seniors,” said senior running back Jermond Macklin, whose three touchdowns highlighted the offense. “It shows that Karr’s just always gonna recharge and have dominant people.”

The Cougars have now won 30 straight games, a streak tied  for 10th-most in Louisiana history, including four games on hallowed turf on Poydras Street between back-to-back 2024 and 2025 Division-I Select state championships and now back-to-back Inspire The City Invitational matchups.

The program graduated dozens of college signees from this past year’s roster, though, and passed the torch to a still-talented and well-coached group, but in many spots less well-known and proven.

Meanwhile, Ruston, as consistent as any other program in recent years with four straight Division-I Non-Select title appearances, entered this season with sky-high expectations with its combination of talent and experience.

But early and often Saturday, Edna Karr looked more the part of the team that had been there before.

“They got after us,” Ruston coach Jerrod Baugh said. “Their kids play hard. They’re used to winning football games. Thirty in a row now, they ain’t won that many ball games by not being used to playing hard. And there were times during the ball game I felt like they were playing harder than us. And so we’ve got to be able to match other people’s intensity, especially when we’re playing a football team like that that is as well-coached as what they are. We’ve just got to do a better job of being consistent.”

Edna Karr marched 78 yards down the field to open the game, largely on the ground, for the first touchdown of Macklin’s hat trick.

Fellow senior Anthony White Jr. intercepted Ruston’s subsequent third-down play, and Macklin was right back into the end zone three plays later for the 14-0 lead on Brayan Castellon‘s second extra point.

“Basically my O-line just stepping up and getting to the next level, and discipline, and basically that’s it,” Macklin said of his and the team’s success on the ground.

Ruston found its spark with its run game and defense as well.

Junior running back Dalen Powell popped a 71-yard breakaway to put the Bearcats on the scoreboard and, after a stop by his teammates, broke through tackles for a 15-yard dive into the end zone to cap the next drive.

“I think we slept-walked through the first two or three possessions in the first quarter,” Baugh said. “You can’t spot a team like that 14 points early in the game, because I thought defensively we kinda hung in there. I mean, they scored seven points after those first couple possessions there. We gave ’em short grass with the interception. So we’ll look back at it, and there’s all kinds of things all over the game that ‘if this goes differently, then the game goes differently,’ but that’s football.”

Edna Karr would shut out Ruston the remaining two and a half quarters, including surviving a final shot to end zone gifted to the Bearcats by a punt-snap mishap with 12 seconds remaining.

The Cougars flew around and received timely, standout plays from players both veteran and young at every level.

Senior linebacker Ronell Kindell was a productive and sure tackler all over the field, senior defensive tackle Nigel Marshall was stout in the middle and senior defensive end Juelz Batiste was able to supply some pressure off the edge at times.

Junior cornerback Juan Jasmin helped highlight a secondary effort that made LSU-committed tight end Ahmad Hudson, Baylor-committed Josiah Morgan and the Bearcats’ passing game finding success down the field challenging.

And sophomore defensive lineman Edward “Hulk” Dailey may have flashed as much as anyone in the second half with three sacks and at least one more assisted tackle for loss and quarterback hurry.

“The don’t call him ‘The Hulk’ for nothing, but today I think he earned his first name, ‘Incredible,'” Brown quipped. “And I think that needs to be pointed out. But (defensive coordinator Taurus) Howard did a great job as usual. We’ve been together 21 years, and I don’t expect nothing but the best from him.”

Edna Karr, Edward Dailey, Juelz Batiste

Edna Karr defensive linemen Edward Dailey and Juelz Batiste run off the field Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, after a stop in the Cougars’ 21-14 defeat of Ruston. (Photo: Bret H. McCormick, One T Photography)

Ruston held Edna Karr out of the end zone — narrowly — in the third quarter.

The Cougars sliced their first possession of the half all the way down to the goal line, but came up just shy as junior linebacker Aidan Adams managed to trip Macklin up just in time on fourth down.

”

Edna Karr’s defense kept the Bearcats backed up, forced a quick punt and set up a short, 33-yard field for Macklin and company early in the fourth quarter.

And, this time, the senior running back would not be denied near the goal line.

“I’m glad how we responded,” Brown said. “We scored a quick two, then they came back and scored an unanswered two. We went back into halftime, adjusted, put (quarterback) Marlon (Jones) more in and relied on his legs. He was out last week with an injury. But, man, I’m proud of that kid. He ran the offense well in the second half.

“Especially the defense, I thought we tackled well. They have a lot of Division-I players over there. Sometimes people get back at you. Last year signing all those guys and going against a team that has the same amount of talent that we always have is refreshing.”

This article will be further updated… 

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Alexandria, Letravious Williams, Amarian Simon
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Dominant defense leads Alexandria to shutout over Lafayette Christian

by Bret H. McCormick
written by Bret H. McCormick

ALEXANDRIA – Don’t tell Josh Mercer that the Alexandria Trojans didn’t play well on Friday night.

The Trojans’ defensive coordinator was extremely pleased with how his unit performed in a dominating 45-0 victory over Lafayette Christian Friday night.

Alexandria allowed just 25 passing yards, gave up only three first downs in the first half, and made two key takeaways that helped overcome some sloppy offensive play by the Trojans, who rolled to their third straight victory and set up a key road trip next week against former District 2-5A rival Neville.

Junior tailback Noble Williams turned in his second straight 20o-yard rushing performance, while senior quarterback Karsen Sellers passed for multiple touchdowns for the third straight game as the Trojans shook off some shaky first-half possessions to roll up 434 yards of offense.

But the story of the game was written by the Trojan defense, which pitched its first shutout of the season. The Trojans forced three first-half turnovers, including a fumble recovery by junior defensive end Carter Rivet and an acrobatic, one-handed interception by senior free safety Ja’Kyrin Griffin.

The biggest play of the game, however, was made by junior nickel back Raymond Harris III.

With the Trojan offense stymied, coming off a third straight possession that ended in either a turnover or three-and-out, Lafayette Christian (2-1) looked poised for its first offensive breakthrough.

Junior running back Kyzer White broke two tackles and was headed toward the end zone with just over two minutes left in the first half, but Harris tracked him down from behind and forced a fumble near the 10-yard line. Griffin recovered the ball in the end zone, keeping the Knights off the scoreboard and sparking the Trojans’ stagnant offense.

Alexandria, Lafayette Christian, LCA, Raymond Harris III, Kyzer White

Alexandria’s Raymond Harris III (17) chases down Lafayette Christian running back Kyzer White (0) during the second quarter of the Trojans’ 45-0 win on Friday. Harris’s forced fumble on the play sparked the Trojans to victory. (Photo: Bret H. McCormick, One T Photography)

“We had a chance to go 2-for-1, which is what we always try to do right before half,” LCA coach Matt Standiford said, “and unfortunately for us, their kid made a heck of a play chasing him down instead of quitting on the play. That’s what championship teams do.”

Instead of a 17-7 game, Alexandria scored on its final two possessions of the half to take a commanding 31-0 lead into the halftime break.

“When Ray punched the ball out, that changed everything,” junior linebacker Amarian Simon said. “That changed the flow of the game.”
“It was beautiful,” Williams said of the Trojans’ defensive performance. “They played almost perfect. They had some mistakes, but the effort (was there). When Raymond punched out the ball, that got me really fired up. Coach Mercer has done a very good job, and I’ve got to give them the credit.”

The Trojans scored on each of their first three drives with Williams finding the end zone from 11 yards out for the first of his three touchdowns and Sellers connecting with senior Reginald “Donut” Monroe for 46 yards. Senior kicker Eli Fung’s 23-yard field goal gave the Trojans a 17-0 lead, and they looked ready to run away with the game.

But LCA’s defense stiffened, even as the Knights’ offense struggled to move the chains and sustain drives. LCA used three different quarterbacks who combined to go 6-for-25 for just 25 passing yards in the game.

White, who started the game at running back for the Knights and played most of the second half at quarterback, was the lone bright spot for the LCA offense, rushing 24 times for 128 yards.

After Harris and Griffin combined for Alexandria’s third takeaway of the first half, Williams found the end zone for a second time on an 8-yard run before Sellers hit senior tight end Gaines McKenzie for an 11-yard touchdown and the 31-0 lead.

Alexandria, Ja'Kyrin Griffin, Jayden Minor

Alexandria defensive backs Ja’Kyrin Griffin (5) and Jayden Minor (21) celebrate after Griffin recovered a fumble in the end zone during the second quarter of the Trojans’ 45-0 win over Lafayette Christian on Friday. Griffin had two turnovers in the game. (Photo: Bret H. McCormick, One T Photography

The Trojans added two more rushing touchdowns in the second half. Junior Kason Williams, who has been battling a leg injury and played limited snaps the past two weeks, took his only touch of the game for a 25-yard TD before Noble Williams finished the scoring with the offensive play of the night.

Facing 1st-and-35 after multiple penalties, Noble Williams took a handoff from Sellers and accelerated off the right side of the line. He ran through two tackles 20 yards downfield and then raced untouched the rest of the way for a 65-yard TD on his final carry of the game, finishing with a season-high 208 yards on 22 carries.

But the story of the night was the play of the Trojans’ defense, which was led by Simon’s 10 tackles and a sack along with Griffin’s two forced turnovers. Senior Mississippi State commitment Jaden Bayonne finished with eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and Harris added eight stops.

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Week 3 high school results for the LSWA’s ranked teams

by Louisiana vs. All Y'all
written by Louisiana vs. All Y'all

A couple marquee Class 5A matchups, including a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown, remain on deck for Saturday, but a slew of eye-catching and poll-changing outcomes have already rolling in Friday from around Louisiana.

Top-five teams in four of the state’s five classifications have already suffered Week 3 losses, including in Class 3A where both No. 1 St. Charles Catholic and No. 3 Jena fell to higher-classification competition.

Class 4A No. 2 Archbishop Shaw and Class 2A No. 5 Lafayette Christian also did so, and the loser of No. 1 Ruston and No. 2 Edna Karr on Saturday will join No. 5 Catholic-Baton Rouge as highly ranked Class 5A teams to suffer losses this weekend.

[ VIEW THE COMPLETE LHSAA SCOREBOARD ]

Class 5A No. 4 St. Augustine (2-0) will face East Ascension (2-0) after the Bearcats and Cougars’ clear the Caesars Superdome field.

The LSWA compiles “How They Fared” lists each week, which Louisiana vs. All Y’all will share to provide a big-picture rundown of the biggest stories each week of high school action.

Here’s this week’s look.

Class 5A
1.Ruston 2-0 vs. Edna Karr, (Saturday)
2. Karr 2-0 vs. Ruston, (Saturday)
3. Alexandria 3-0 def. Lafayette Christian, 45-0
4. St. Augustine 2-0 vs. East Ascension, (Saturday)
5. Catholic-BR 1-2 lost to St. Thomas More, 43-42
6. John Curtis  2-1 def. Lafayette Renaissance, 41-12
7. Archbishop Rummel 3-0 def. Archbishop Shaw, 24-7
8. Acadiana 3-0 def. Carencro, 41-27
9. Brother Martin 3-0 def. Warren Easton, 56-6
10. Ouachita Parish 2-1 lost to Neville, 49-0

Others: West Monroe (2-1) lost to Brandon, Miss., 40-23, Jesuit (3-0) def. Bonnabel, 48-7, Mandeville (3-0) def. Carver, 49-6, Central (2-1) def. John Ehret, 55-0, Barbe (3-0) def. Cecilia, 48-19, St. Thomas More (2-1) def. Catholic-BR, 43-42, Destrehan (2-1) def. West Jefferson, 56-12, Southside (1-2) def. Union Parish, 49-7, Thibodaux (2-0) vs. E.D. White.

Class 4A
1. Westgate 3-0 def. Jena, 28-12
2. Archbishop Shaw 2-1 lost to Archbishop Rummel, 24-7
3. North DeSoto 3-0 def. Byrd, 38-20
4. Neville 2-1 def. Ouachita, 49-0
5. Lake Charles Prep 3-0 def. Sam Houston, 45-31
6. Madison Prep 1-2 lost to Zachary, 39-36
7. Franklin Parish 2-1 def. Madison, 62-0
8. Cecilia 2-1 lost to Barbe, 48-19
9. Plaquemine 1-2 lost to University, 31-21
10. Salmen 1-2 lost to Chalmette, 24-6

Others: Lafayette Renaissance (1-2) lost to John Curtis, 41-12, John F. Kennedy (2-1) def. St. Amant, 35-28, E.D. White (0-3) lost to Hahnville, 42-31, Belle Chasse (3-0) def. South Plaquemines, 35-12, Teurlings Catholic (0-3) lost to Notre Dame, 41-13, Carencro (1-2) lost to Acadiana, 41-27.

Class 3A
1. St. Charles Catholic 2-1 lost to Holy Cross, 10-7 (OT)
2. St. James 3-0 def. Terrebonne, 43-14
3. Jena 2-1 lost to Westgate, 28-12
4. Sterlington 2-1 def. Natchitoches Central, 42-7
5. Iowa 1-2 def. Vidor, Tex., 45-42
6. University Lab 1-2 def. Plaquemine, 31-21
7. Jewel Sumner 2-1 def. H.L. Bourgeois, 24-23
8. Loyola Prep 2-1 def. St. Edmund, 48-12
9. Marksville 3-0 def. Peabody, 50-14
10. Vandebilt Catholic 1-2 lost to Thibodaux, 38-17

Others: Iota (1-2) lost to Lake Arthur, 21-19, Northwest (1-2) lost to Eunice, 44-7, Erath (1-2) lost to Lafayette, 38-3, De La Salle (0-3) lost to St. Paul’s, 42-30, Carroll (2-1) def. Morgan City, 57-0, Eunice (3-0) def. Kinder, 27-12.

Class 2A
1. Calvary Baptist 3-0 def. Grant, 57-13
2. Dunham 2-1 def. Collegiate-BR, 58-0
3. Notre Dame 3-0 def. Teurlings Catholic, 41-13
4. Mangham 2-1 def. Oak Grove, 52-24
5. Lafayette Christian 2-1 lost to Alexandria, 45-0
6. Oak Grove 1-1 lost to Mangham, 52-24
7. Amite 3-0 def. Parkview Baptist, 21-14
8. Kinder 1-2 lost to Eunice, 27-12
9. Catholic-New Iberia 2-1 def. Kaplan, 34-29
10. Mansfield  3-0 def. Magnolia, Ark., 33-28

Others: Newman (2-1) def. East Jefferson, 48-19, Loreauville (2-1) def. Vermilion Catholic, 35-0, West St. Mary (2-1) def. Patterson, 14-0, Covenant Christian (2-1) def. Opelousas Catholic, 21-12, Country Day (1-2) lost to Sacred Heart-VP, 48-35, Union Parish (0-3) lost to Southside, 49-7.

Class 1A
1. Ouachita Christian 3-0 def. Richwood, 38-6
2. Riverside Academy 3-0 def. Ponchatoula, 35-28
3. Ascension Catholic 3-0 def. South Terrebonne, 49-7
4. Jeanerette 2-0 (Open)
5. Haynesville 2-1 def. Homer, 28-26
6. Logansport  3-0 def. Bossier, 50-8
7. Southern Lab 2-0 (Open)
8. Kentwood 3-0 def. St. Helena, 50-14
9. Westminster-Lafayette 3-0 def. Houma Christian, 55-14
10. South Plaquemines 1-2 lost to Belle Chasse, 35-12

Others: Cedar Creek (3-0) def. Beekman Charter, 44-12, East Feliciana (2-1) def. Slaughter Charter, 40-0, Lincoln Prep (2-1) lost to Bastrop, 24-8, St. Edmund (2-1) lost to Loyola, 48-12, Westminster-Opelousas (0-3) lost to Live Oak, 16-7.

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Zachary wide receiver Ethan Kimmie
225 PrepsFeatured (Home)Featured (Prep)Prep

Zachary charges back in 2nd half, holds off Madison Prep for 1st win

by Jerit Roser
written by Jerit Roser

Zachary’s tough start to the season only appeared to be getting tougher Friday with a 15-point deficit at home to Madison Prep and trouble sustaining drives in the first half.

But the Broncos (1-2) roared back after the break with a combination of enough explosive plays and timely stops to rally and hold off the Chargers, 39-36, for their first win of the season.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first half of the third quarter.

A big return by junior running back Brice Fisher set up Zachary’s first score on short strike from senior quarterback JaCori Platt to junior receiver Kylin Jones, and Madison Prep answered with freshman quarterback Jacobe Shannon getting the ball to senior receiver A’Donnice Skinner over a busted coverage 18 yards into the end zone.

Senior running back Jeremey Patton broke a touchdown 60-plus yards to pull the Broncos to within 22-14.

And a fumble forced by senior safety Kevin Johnson and recovered by junior Ivory Johnson on the subsequent kickoff set up a 22-yard field goal for sophomore Evan Lopez to trim the deficit further to 22-17 heading into the fourth.

Platt hit star senior receiver Ethan Kimmie, who came alive in the second half, for a 52-yard bomb into the red zone to open the final period, then found him again for the 14-yard touchdown two plays later and two-point conversion to take their first lead, 25-22.

Madison Prep and Zachary traded quick scores and leads midway through the fourth as senior running back J’on Profit put the Chargers back ahead, 28-25, only for Platt and Jones to answer 21 seconds later and go back up, 32-28.

Junior edge rusher Brendon Hawkins hunted down Shannon for a fourth-down sack and fumble that junior defensive end Josh Morgan scooped and scored to extend the lead to 39-28.

TCU commit Landon “Manu” Johnson launched a deep pass that fellow senior Traven Hayes managed to corral off a deflection and help set up eventual Profit strolls across the goal line for the touchdown and two-point conversion to pull within 39-36.

But the Chargers were less successful hauling in a pooch kickoff along the sideline, and Zachary moved the chains and clock enough to ice away a badly needed first win.

The Broncos had stumbled out of the gates this season with losses to Plaquemine at home, 21-16, and Acadiana on the road, 36-28, and quickly appeared in danger of what would have been their worst start since 2009.

Backed up on its first possession, Zachary’s punter stepped on the back line of the end zone to spot Madison Prep an early safety.

Senior running back Harlem Turner helped further build on that momentum with 60-yard kick return and then second-down touchdown to claim a 9-0 lead in the opening minutes.

The Broncos continued to struggle to find their rhythm, and the Chargers pushed their edge to 15-0 on a fourth-and-13 conversion from Shannon to Landon Johnson.

But Zachary showed no quit, finally found a spark and began piecing together enough key plays in all three phases to provide its home crowd a second half to remember and to build upon.

This article will be updated further…

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Acadiana running back Syrian Joseph
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Syrian Joseph’s four-TD return helps boost Acadiana past Carencro, 41-27

by Jerit Roser
written by Jerit Roser

Syrian Joseph wasted little time providing Acadiana a major spark Friday in his regular-season debut.

The senior running back found the end zone four times to help the Wreckin’ Rams (3-0) top rival Carencro, 41-27, for their sixth straight victory in the series and second-largest in the nine meetings the past six years.

Joseph’s two first-half runs, 37- and 48-yard explosions on Acadiana’s first and third possessions, set up his team up to play from ahead.

And when the Golden Bears (1-2) battled back and took a lead in the third quarter, he capped the Rams’ next drive with a 3-yard slice up the middle and then provided some distance with another 37-yard breakaway midway through the fourth quarter.

Joseph led the headlines with the game-breaking threat his return to health added to Acadiana’s already strong start to the season.

But he was far from alone — both in terms of the credit the offensive line deserves for paving huge running lanes and the critical plays by Rams in all three phases as Carencro continued to fight down to the wire.

Acadiana managed to hold the Bears’ promising first possession to just a 28-yard Matthew Latham field goal thanks to a combination of a defensive plays and a couple offensive miscues.

And junior quarterback Cohen DiBetta helped march his Rams right back down the field to stretch the early lead to 13-3 on a fourth-and-1 he kept 9 yards up the middle for the first rushing touchdown of his varsity career.

Senior kicker Joshua Marquez and senior linebacker Beckham Guidry handed the ball right back to the offense will a well-executed onside kick, and Joseph popped his 48-yarder to extend the margin to 19-3.

Acadiana would need every bit of that cushion as Carencro got going before half and into the third quarter.

The Golden Bears’ own junior quarterback, Carson Gurzi, halved the deficit with some fourth-down magic of his own on a pass to junior tight end Derace James Jr., followed by a two-point run by junior receiver Malachi Menard.

And Gurzi and James linked up again and again on the first possession after the break for an explosive play down the field and eventual touchdown to pull within 19-17.

An Acadiana option pitch got loose and was recovered by a whole sleuth of Bears pouncing on the fumble to set up the 33-yard go-ahead kick by Latham, 20-19.

The Rams answered with their march to Joseph’s 3-yard touchdown, followed by a two-point dive by fellow senior Dashun Lightfoot, the transfer from Franklin.

Senior three-phase speedster Gabriel Decuir made deep-ranging interception over his shoulder at the 8-yard line to snatch a Carencro shot downfield and return it back all the way to the 50 in the opening moments of the fourth quarter.

A couple plays later, Lightfoot broke a few tackles and a 45-yard touchdown to push the margin to 33-20.

Gurzi snuck a tight-window slant into senior multisport standout Dentrell Morrison in the end zone three minutes later to pull the Bears back within one-possession.

But an ensuing onside kick attempt was ruled to not have gone far enough before Latham’s recovery, and Joseph and Lightfoot got right back to work on their way to another touchdown and two-point conversion, respectively, to help seal the victory.

This article will be further updated…

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Neville, Parker Robinson, Emaude Sledge
318 PrepsFeatured (Home)Featured (Prep)FootballPrepSports

Neville cruises past Ouachita Parish, 49-0, with near-perfect first half

by Jerit Roser
written by Jerit Roser

Neville quickly assured its home crowd and visiting Ouachita Parish that Friday’s latest edition of the Monroe rivalry would look much different from the pair of thrillers at Bill Ruple Stadium in 2025.

The Tigers (2-1), the No. 4 team in the latest Class 4A poll, shut out the defending Division-I Non-Select champions and cruised to six straight scores out the gate to have the game in a stranglehold well before halftime of the eventual 49-0 victory.

“I thought our kids did a great job on both sides of the football,” Neville coach Mike Collins told the Neville Tiger Network at halftime. “We’re making the plays when we’re supposed to make the plays, just stormed to the ball on defense and did a great job offensively moving the ball around the field and couldn’t be more pleased with what we’re doing right now. Now, the trick to this thing is let’s win the fourth quarter. If we win the fourth quarter, we’re gonna be in pretty good shape.”

Senior safety Dexter “Buck” Major snatched an interception from the Lions (2-1), the No. 10 team in the Class 5A poll, on the third play from scrimmage.

And ULM-committed quarterback Parker Robinson hit fellow senior Emaude Sledge streaking 33 yards to the end zone on the very next play.

The quick strike was just the beginning of a lethally efficient half by the Tigers’ offense.

Robinson and company scored on every possession before the break.

“I think the thing we set our mind to is coming out here and being as efficient as we can on both sides of the ball, and we’ve done a great job of that so far,” Collins said at halftime.

A 13-yard slant to Sledge, and a direct-snap run-in for junior running back Jarvis Blackston pushed the lead to 21-0 after the first quarter.

Neville added another three touchdowns in the second quarter with 34- and 12-yard passes from Robinson to sophomore Deuntra “Reaper” Scheanette and a Robinson goal-line keeper just before the half.

The Tigers’ defense meanwhile smothered the Lions throughout, forcing one punt after another the bulk of the night and adding Trae Dade interception in the second quarter and a fourth-down stop in the third to hold their guests’ most encouraging drive just as scoreless as the rest.

Senior Kayden Jones bounced outside and scorched his way 38 yards up the sideline midway through the fourth quarter to tie the final bow on the lopsided victory.

“We didn’t do a very good job of taking care of the ball in the second half,” Collins said after the game. “I thought our defense kept playing … I’m proud of that just for the fact they kept playing. You can’t have a let down. You’ve gotta win every quarter, and I felt like we didn’t do that.

Robinson completed 14 of his 24 passes for 237 yards, four scores and an interception and rushed seven times for 46 yards and another score.

Sledge led the receivers with four catches for 101 yards and the two scores, plus a highlight-reel catch through contact of a 52-yard bomb before the break.

Scheanette caught three passes for 52 yards and a score, and Blackston and Jones led the ground game with 13 carries for 78 yards and six carries for 50 yards, respectively.

Much of that damage came before halftime, though, with Collins emphasizing postgame the importance of a more complete performance next week as Class 5A No. 3 Alexandria (3-0) visits.

“It doesn’t (get any easier),” Collins said. “We’re gonna have to be ready to go. They’ve got a really good football team, and they’ve got a lot of good players, so we’ll have to be ready for the challenge.”

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University Lab, Knox Kiffin, Kevin Smith Jr.
225 PrepsCollegeFeatured (Home)Featured (Prep)FootballLSUPrepSports

U-High tops Plaquemine, 31-21, with 4 TDs from Knox Kiffin to Kevin Smith Jr.

by Jerit Roser
written by Jerit Roser

University Lab rode a big, four-score night Thursday between friends Knox Kiffin and Kevin Smith Jr. to break through some early stumbles in both the game and the season.

The junior duo, who moved to Baton Rouge earlier this year when their fathers were hired by LSU, helped put the Cubs (1-2) play from ahead and hold off a tough Plaquemine (1-2) for the team’s first win of the season, 31-21.

“We had a lot of guys play really well tonight,” coach Andy Martin told the LHSAA Network broadcast after the game. “Think we still left some points on the board, but it’s a hard-fought win for us… (Kiffin and Smith) were in a rhythm tonight, and I think I told y’all early on it was gonna take us a while. It was gonna take us a while to start gelling. And I think our offense is starting to get them and our defense has got a ways to go, but I’m starting to see good things from ’em.”

Clinging to a three-point lead late with the Green Devils driving into the red zone, another pair of juniors combined for a critical play on the other side of the ball as safety Maher Heinse popped a fumble loose that lineman Cole Cammon pounced on for his second recovery of the night.

A pair of Plaquemine penalties, among the issues with which each team struggled in stretches during the contest, helped U-High improve its field position.

And Kiffin and Smith eventually linked up for their fourth score of the night and third of the second half to stretch the advantage to 10 points and all but slam the door shut on the Green Devils’ rally.

“It was almost like their corner just pressed on Kevin, and me and Kevin kinda just looked at each other,” Kiffin told the LHSAA Network broadcast. “It wasn’t the play call — some of ’em, we kinda just audibled it and from there it was a touchdown. He used his speed and his hands to catch it.”

UNLV-committed senior safety Emmanuel “ManMan” Moses snatched a late interception to extinguish Plaquemine’s final possession, and the Cubs run out the remaining minutes to head back across the Mississippi River victorious.

Each team struggled with miscues early with traded fumbles, penalties costly at times for both —particularly the Green Devils — and U-High dropping prime opportunities for big plays down the field.

Cammon corralled an early Plaquemine miscue on a punt snap to set up a 25-yard field goal by Kai Joo to allow the Cubs to play from ahead, 3-0, despite their slow offensive start.

And U-High put together an 83-yard drive on its next possession — a combination of Green Devils flags and Kiffin and company starting to find their rhythm and tempo — for the eventual quick fade to Smith in the red zone.

“We started off slow in the first half, but we adjusted to how physical they were and how aggressive they were being,” Smith said. “And we put it in the air, and it seemed to work out pretty good for us.”

The teams traded defensive stops in the second quarter, including a fourth-down run stuff by the Cubs and a Green Devils takeaway on a fumble forced by junior Hagan Collins and recovered by sophomore Kendrick Williams.

Plaquemine pulled within 10-8 on the opening drive of the second half as sophomore quarterback Jermaine Robinson bounced a red-zone run out to the sideline and to the end zone and senior running back Spencer Collins followed the same direction on the ensuing conversion.

But each time the Green Devils climbed firmly back onto the Cubs’ heels, Kiffin and Smith had an answer.

“It’s perfect,” Kiffin said. “I have a guy to go to. Whenever I need it, he’s there for me always. You know, we’ve been throwing since we were little kids, so all that chemistry builds up to when we’re out on the football field together it’s almost like a little bit unstoppable at some point.”

A nice kick return by Moses set up the next U-High possession with good starting field position, and Lafayette Christian transfer Caiden Bellard powered his way through contact for a critical fourth-down conversion to help set up the next Kiffin-Smith strike and the 17-8 lead.

Robinson hit Louisiana (Lafayette) commitment John Walker V, who started at quarterback, for an explosive play that set up a Spencer Collins run near the goal line back to within 17-14.

“That was a good job by them,” Martin said of the adjustment to bring in Robinson and move Walker around. “I think we were doing a good job kinda handling 14 in there, and he’s a weapon. They put him at wide receiver, and we kinda had to worry about him out there a little bit. He’s a really good player. But our guys started to settle in and see once we kinda figured out what they were trying to do and did a good job towards the end.”

But a Kiffin run of about 26 yards and then a 43-yard bomb to Smith for the dynamic duo’s longest connection of the game pushed the lead back to 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

Robinson found paydirt for the second time early in the final period, and Williams forced a fumble than Hagan Collins would recover to give the Green Devils a prime opportunity down just 24-21 with the ball at their own 43.

The Cubs secured the final necessary stops, though, and Kiffin and Smith continued their career night.

“We’ve gotta take it week by week, but this is a good start for us,” Martin said. “And that’s what I told our guys: We’ve played four really good opponents before this one with scrimmage and jamboree and the first two games, and then Plaquemine’s another really good opponent. And then we’ve got Livonia and Teurlings, so it doesn’t get any easier, but you know what: We’re gonna take it week by week, and it’s gonna make us better by the time we get to the playoffs.”

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