Football

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)

High-flying offensive fireworks filled the cool night air around Louisiana during LHSAA’s Week 8 action Thursday and Friday.

Ten matchups of 70-plus combined points decided by less than 10 points or fewer — the bar for our weekly “Shootouts” list — marked the most in any week this season and nearly double the past two weeks’ totals combined.

Week 8 topped that distinction even without counting other high-scoring affairs such as North DeSoto topping Franklin Parish, 78-64, in a Division-II Non-Select showdown that feature a week-best 142 points.

Baker and Leesville topped the week’s 24 shutouts with 62 points each in their rolls past Morris Jeff and LaGrange, respectively, and John F. Kennedy joined them in a win of 60-plus points with its 61-0 rout of Eleanor McMain.

Here are the full “Shootouts & Shutouts” lists for Week 8.

—— WEEK 8 SHOOTOUTS ——

Opelousas beat Cecilia, 50-48
Brusly beat Scotlandville, 48-46
Lutcher beat Vandebilt Catholic, 42-40
Avoyelles beat Oakdale, 42-40
Delta Charter beat LaSalle, 42-36
Bogalusa beat Loranger, 40-38
Prairieville beat St. Amant, 42-35
St. Louis Catholic beat Washington-Marion, 42-35
Benton beat Natchitoches Central, 41-35
Caldwell Parish beat Oak Grove, 38-34

—— WEEK 7 SHUTOUTS ——

Baker beat Morris Jeff, 62-0
Leesville beat LaGrange, 62-0
John F. Kennedy beat Eleanor McMain, 61-0
Westminster Christian-Opelousas beat Collegiate-BR, 57-0
St. Charles Catholic beat Berwick, 55-0
Iota beat Ville Platte, 55-0
Westminster Christian-Lafayette beat Hanson Memorial, 55-0
Zachary beat Woodlawn-BR, 54-0
Haynesville beat Lincoln Prep, 53-0
West Monroe beat Pineville, 51-0
Logansport beat Ringgold, 50-0
Destrehan beat Terrebonne, 49-0
St. Helena beat Northlake Christian, 48-0
Union Parish beat D’Arbonne Woods Charter, 47-0
Carencro beat Livonia, 44-0
Warren Easton beat West Jefferson, 44-0
Booker T. Washington-Shr beat Woodlawn-Shr, 44-0
Welsh beat Basile, 43-0
Lake Charles College Prep beat North Vermilion, 42-0
Central Lafourche beat Riverdale, 41-0
DeQuincy beat Pickering, 41-0
Franklin beat Delcambre, 35-0
Grand Lake beat Elton, 35-0
Riverside Academy beat Ascension Catholic, 34-0

The LSWA polls will feature their most shake-up in more than a month after a Week 8 packed with eye-catching results.

Several top-10 teams were guaranteed to lose because of the slew of marquee matchups. And Alexandria got the best of Ruston, St. Augustine of Brother Martin, Archbishop Shaw of Calvary Baptist, North DeSoto of Franklin Parish, University Lab of West Feliciana, Notre Dame of Lake Arthur, Lafayette Christian of Loreauville and Riverside Academy of Ascension Catholic.

And a couple of unranked teams notched notable upsets.

[ VIEW THE COMPLETE LHSAA SCOREBOARD ]

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. Edna Karr  (8-0) def. Chalmette, 48-14
2. Ruston  (6-2) lost to Alexandria, 27-21
3. St. Augustine (8-0) def. Brother Martin, 49-35
4. Alexandria (7-1) def. Ruston, 27-21
5. Archbishop Rummel (6-1) vs. Holy Cross, Saturday
6. St. Thomas More (6-2) lost to Southside, 17-14
7. Brother Martin (5-3) lost to St. Augustine, 49-35
8. Mandeville (8-0) def. St. Paul’s, 36-29
9. Jesuit (6-2) def. John Curtis, 24-8
10. Catholic-Baton Rouge (5-3) def. Central, 41-14

Others: Barbe (7-1) def. Sam Houston, 59-29, Destrehan (7-1) def. Terrebonne, 49-0, John Curtis (2-6) lost to Jesuit, 24-8, Northshore (8-0) def. Fontainebleau, 28-3, Acadiana (5-3) def, Sulphur, 58-25, West Monroe (5-3) def. Pineville, 51-0, Haughton (8-0) def. Airline, 42-28, Thibodaux (7-1) def. H.L. Bourgeois, 27-14.

Class 4A

1. Westgate  (7-0) def. Teurlings Catholic, 44-32
2. Neville (6-1) def. West Ouachita, 57-6
3. North DeSoto (8-0) def. Franklin Parish, 78-64
4. Archbishop Shaw (7-1) def. Calvary Baptist, 24-7
5. Madison Prep (6-2) def. St. Michael, 32-3
6. Lake Charles College Prep (7-1) def. North Vermilion, 42-0
7. John F. Kennedy (6-1) def. McMain, 61-0
8. Franklin Parish (5-3) lost to North DeSoto, 78-64
9. Lafayette Renaissance (6-2) def. Acadiana Renaissance Charter, 54-6
10. Leesville (7-1) def. LaGrange, 62-0

Others: Cecilia (5-3) lost to Opelousas, 50-48, Salmen (5-3) def. Jewel Sumner, 47-6, St. Michael (6-2) lost to Madison Prep, 32-3, Plaquemine (5-3) def. Broadmoor, 58-19, Tioga (6-2) def. Wossman, 55-22.

Class 3A

1. St. Charles Catholic (7-1) def. Berwick, 55-0
2. University (6-2) def. West Feliciana, 58-30
3. Jena (6-2) def. Bunkie, 44-34
4. Eunice (8-0) def. Mamou, 40-13
5. Sterlington (5-3) def. North Webster, 48-15
6. St. James (6-2) def. Patterson, 43-6
7. West Feliciana (7-1) lost to University, 58-30
8. Marksville  (7-1) def. Grant, 30-14
9. Lutcher (6-2) def. Vandebilt Catholic, 42-40
10. Jewel Sumner (5-3) lost to Salmen,  47-6

Others: Vandebilt Catholic (5-3) lost to Lutcher, 42-40, Iowa (4-3) def. Westlake, 53-22, Loyola Prep (5-3) def. Bastrop, 50-16, Jennings (6-2) def. South Beauregard, 41-14, Northwest (5-3) def. Rayne, 35-14.

Class 2A

1. Calvary Baptist (7-1) lost to Archbishop Shaw, 24-7
2. Notre Dame  (8-0) def. Lake Arthur, 41-21
3. Mangham (7-1) def. Rayville, 55-18
4. Amite  (6-2) lost to Pine, 20-14
5. Newman (7-1) def. Fisher, 49-7
6. Dunham (5-3) def. Episcopal, 55-6
7. Lafayette Christian (6-2) def. Loreauville, 23-6
8. Lake Arthur (7-1) lost to Notre Dame, 41-21
9. Mansfield    (7-1) def. Red River, 48-12
10. Loreauville (5-3) lost to Lafayette Christian Academy, 23-6

Others: Catholic-New Iberia (5-3) def. West St. Mary, 52-12, Vinton (8-0) def. Rosepine, 43-26, Oak Grove (3-5) lost to Caldwell Parish, 38-34, Welsh (7-1) def. Basile, 43-0, Green Oaks (6-1) lost to Homer, 40-8, West St. Mary (4-4) lost to Catholic-New Iberia, 52-12, Country Day (5-3) def. Covenant Christian, 56-7, Rosepine (7-1) lost to Vinton, 43-26.

Class 1A

1. Ouachita Christian (8-0) def. St. Frederick, 51-7
2. Ascension Catholic (7-1) lost to Riverside Academy, 34-0
3. Riverside Academy (7-1) def. Ascension Catholic, 34-0
4. Haynesville (7-1) def. Lincoln Prep, 53-0
5. Southern Lab (7-0) Forfeit win
6. Kentwood (8-0) def. Catholic-PC, 36-6
7. Westminster-Lafayette (8-0) def. Hanson, 55-0
8. Jeanerette (7-1) def. Central Catholic, 34-20
9. Cedar Creek (8-0) def. Arcadia, 62-6
10. Logansport (7-1) def. Ringgold, 50-0

Others: East Feliciana (7-1) def. Central Private, 50-6, Ascension Episcopal (4-3) Open, South Plaquemines (4-3) def. West St. John, 24-16, Jonesboro-Hodge (6-2) def. Montgomery, 36-6, Elton (5-3) def. Grand Lake, 35-0, Sacred Heart-VP (8-0) def. J.S, Clark, 28-24, St. Mary’s (7-1) def. Lakeview, 58-6.

The LHSAA’s Week 8 football schedule is packed with marquee and high-leverage matchups as playoff picture continues to come into focus.

Highly ranked teams in both the LSWA statewide polls and bracket-determining power ratings are set to square off all over Louisiana with pivotal opportunities to secure or bolster their chances for No. 1 overall seeds, first-round byes or multiple rounds of home-field advantage.

[ PREDICT THE PLAYOFF PICTURE WITH THE LVAY POWERBOARD TOOL ]

Two contests in the 337 area code even pit pairs of the state’s final 25 remaining undefeated teams head-to-head with those unblemished records on the line.

But no matchup in the state appears to carry more weight and fanfare than a District 2-5A showdown between Ruston and Alexandria, a pair of title-hopefuls in their respective Division-I groups and two teams that have looked among the best handful or so in The Boot all season long.

RUSTON (6-1, 2-0) at ALEXANDRIA (6-1, 2-0) — Friday, 7 p.m.

Alexandria’s clutch win against Ruston in 2024 felt like a notable statement moment in its ascent as a program in recent years. As the Trojans have continued to solidify themselves among the top programs in the state, the matchup with the Bearcats has continued to grow into one of the most prominent statewide in each year’s schedule. Alexandria won bigger in 2025 to go back-to-back against the Bearcats and now have home-field advantage Friday as it seeks a third straight. But Ruston has been absolutely rolling since a Week 3 stumble against Edna Karr and has likely had this matchup circled on its calendar as much as any other. Both sides include major college-bound seniors such as Ruston tight end Ahmad Hudson (LSU), safety Jayden Anding (LSU) and wide receiver Josiah Morgan (Baylor) and Alexandria defensive tackle Jaden Bayonne (Mississippi State) and wide receiver Alex Fontenot (Maryland), but the three highly touted junior running backs in Dalen Powell for the Bearcats and Noble Williams and Kason Williams for the Trojans may be as intriguing of a positional spotlight as any.

CALVARY BAPTIST (7-0) at ARCHBISHOP SHAW (6-1) — Friday, 7 p.m.

No matchup in the state pits less familiar foes or teams from farther apart, and the intrigue of the first meeting between the Cavaliers and Eagles, two state runners-up in 2025, extends well past the novelty factor. Calvary Baptist has been the unanimous No. 1 team in the LSWA Class 2A polls for weeks and is positioned as a likely top-four seed in the Division-III Select bracket. Archbishop Shaw meanwhile has been No. 3 in the LSWA Class 4A poll, the highest-ranked Select program in that classification, and is in pole position to earn its second No. 1 seed in Division-II Select. The defenses are among the best in the state and have allowed 12.1 points and 6.3 points per contest, respectively. And while they each would love to control the ball on the ground with good rushing attacks, they also boast big-play, future-college receivers such as Braylun Huglon for the Cavs and Nasir Parker and Baylon Jackson for the Eagles.

ASCENSION CATHOLIC (7-0, 2-0) at RIVERSIDE ACADEMY (6-1, 2-0) — Friday, 7 p.m.

Week 8 features a wealth of prominent options with easy-to-sell cases for their respective magnitudes. But the only 1-vs-2 showdown in the power ratings will take place in Reserve and in District 10-1A. Undefeated Ascension Catholic will visit one-loss Riverside Academy, whose only stumble came to St. Charles Catholic, in a rematch of last year’s District-IV Select state championship and a potential preview of another December matchup on the horizon. As much intrigue as each week brings with its great games all over the state, the Bulldogs’ and Rebels’ rematch is truly singular in Week 8.

ST. AUGUSTINE (7-0, 4-0) at BROTHER MARTIN (5-2, 2-2) — Friday, 7 p.m., at Tad Gormley Stadium

Every. Single. Week. is loaded with multiple Catholic League matchups between highly ranked teams to a point that three or four of our top 10 games to watch each week could live in District 9-5A. But, as we try to pick spots and not overlook some of the pivotal contests all over the state, the tilt between the Purple Knights and Crusaders has to top the scales as the league’s representative in Week 8.  The teams are No. 3 and No. 6 in the latest Division-I Select power ratings. And while, from a position and recruiting standpoint, arguably the state’s top receiver corps for St. Augustine and its highest-ranked receiver for Brother Martin may garner much of the buzz, both programs have shown a level of balance and complementary football that has been key to their overall success.

NORTH DESOTO (7-0) at FRANKLIN PARISH (5-2) — Friday, 7 p.m.

Not many potential playoff rematches, especially this late in the season, come in non-district affairs. But the Griffins and Patriots happened to cycle byes from their respective leagues on the same week and opted for a high-leverage, highly competitive showdown rather than sit home a week. The result is an intriguing, talent-packed matchup the winner of which will position itself well for a potential first-round bye with any slip-up by any current top-four seed. The headline prospect at the moment is LSU-committed running back Trey Martin, who is putting together a prolific senior season for Franklin Parish. And North DeSoto freshman quarterback Mason Smith is consistently showcasing why Ole Miss, LSU and other programs have identified him so early as a key target for the 2030 recruiting class. But the game will feature several other underrated prospects all over as well, including Franklin Parish senior receiver Kaiden Seals (McNeese State) and junior running back D.J. Neal.

HAUGHTON (7-0, 3-0) at AIRLINE (6-1, 4-0) — Friday, 7 p.m.

Two of the three remaining District 1-5A teams without a league loss — along with Evangel Christian — will kick off a three-week run of games to sort out the top of the standings. Haughton is off to its best start since 2014 with prolific senior running back Brandon Craig Jr., sack artist Luke Hensley and versatile safety Kyron Turner (Cincinnati) among a long list of leaders in the effort. The Bucs — the district’s leaders in both most points scored and fewest allowed — feel for real, but they’ll have maybe their best opportunity yet to test themselves Friday with a trip to Airline, the program in the district with the best record and most playoff success over the past few seasons. The Vikings have had to replace huge pieces of that puzzle each of the past few years, but senior the senior quarterback-receiver duo of Chase Deon Williams and Terrance Hays is leading a once-again explosive offense.

LAKE ARTHUR (7-0, 2-0) at NOTRE DAME (7-0, 1-0) — Friday, 7 p.m.

Lake Arthur is off to its best start in decades and, after having a strong 2025 start in its own right slip into a season-ending losing streak, has a chance Friday to make some history and match itself against a prime measuring stick. Few programs around the state have been as consistently competitive and title-contending as long as Notre Dame, a mainstay in not only the postseason, but in high seeds within its brackets. While the Tigers aim to match a program-best 8-0 start last accomplished in 1994, the Pios are seeking their first since an undefeated 2018 title team, their most recent. Senior running back Jaydon Prudhomme is a name more fans around the state need to know — if they didn’t already learn it during his LHSAA Network Game of the Week showing last Thursday with 269 yards and four scores. Notre Dame has been among the best stories of resiliency this season, battling heavy injuries and continuing to stack wins, and is now situated as a potential No. 1 seed in Division-III Select with key pieces potentially starting to rejoin the lineup.

WEST FELICIANA (7-0, 2-0) at UNIVERSITY LAB (5-2, 1-0) — Friday, 7 p.m.

This District 7-3A matchup is sneakily one of our favorites anywhere in the state this week. A talented and well-coached West Feliciana will make the short trip down to Baton Rouge still relatively under-the-radar for most fans and media despite a 7-0 start with some particularly notable wins already on the résumé. A star-studded and surging University Lab squad awaits with a five-game winning streak and appears to have found a rhythm since its 0-2 start against tough opening opponents. But the Saints may be its toughest challenge since then. Fans are familiar with many Cubs’ names, such as quarterback Knox Kiffin, running back Caiden Bellard and wide receiver Kevin Smith Jr., but counterparts such as quarterback Brooks Hebert, running back Ean Hills and wide receiver Dustin “Petey” Davis are more than capable of holding their own.

LOREAUVILLE (5-2, 2-0) at LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN (5-2, 2-0) — Friday, 7 p.m.

The likely District 8-2A title and potentially also some key postseason positioning runs through Knight Stadium on Friday as the only two teams still without a loss in the league’s action meet for the first time since 2018. Loreauville won 2015 and 2016 meetings by margins of 44-14 and 22-20, respectively, before Lafayette Christian exploded into another gear as a program, including a combined 111-13 rout of two matchups with the Tigers in 2017 and 2018. The home team and its particularly stout defense will certainly be the favorite heading into the rekindling of the series, but a new-look Knights bunch — particularly on offense — have had a couple growing pains and midseason slip-ups, while Loreauville is fresh off a nice rivalry win against Catholic-New Iberia, 12-10.

ROSEPINE (7-0, 1-0) at VINTON (7-0, 1-0) — Friday, 7 p.m.

Another pivotal district matchup between a pair of undefeated teams battling to hold onto first-round byes in their respective postseason brackets. And the quality of this contest commanding inclusion on the list is a notable testament in and of itself to the progression of the programs in recent years. Rosepine is authoring the biggest turnarounds in the state this year from an 0-9 start and 1-9 record in 2025 to now undefeated through seven weeks. Vinton was 1-9 just three years ago and is working for a third straight year improving its win total. Among the players to know for each team are workhorse senior running backs Brynnum Chaney for the Eagles and Traylen Carrier for the Lions. But each take pride in their trench work and also possesses a respective level of balance. Junior quarterback and multisport standout Creek Smith and Rosepine’s passing attack, in which Chaney is also an effective weapon, are putting up good numbers, while Carrier is one of four Vinton rushers already over 500 yards for the season according to KPLC.