Louisiana’s high school football season kicks off this week and looks as wide-open as it has been in several years.
The LSWA preseason polls featured 18 different teams receiving first-place votes in the five classifications and just one unanimous No. 1.
So, as much as predicting state champions prior to the season always is, this year may be even more of a crapshoot than usual.
To spotlight some of the likeliest candidates, Jerit Roser and Bret H. McCormick dusted off their “LHSAA State Champions Draft” format for the second straight year, making a competition out of who could correctly identify more eventual title teams.
The concept is fairly simple at its core: a 15-round snake draft of several of Louisiana’s top football teams with each champion earning five points, each runner-up earning three points and each other semifinalist earning one point.
But note: The order teams are selected doesn’t necessarily correspond to the likeliest champions in Jerit’s and Bret’s minds, as other factors of each bracket’s overall field and which other teams have come off the board can adjust lists as part of the game-play.
And (at least in a shorter, 12-round format in the inaugural 2024 format), the guys didn’t do so hot last year as they failed to forecast storybook runs by Central and South Plaquemines or the in-season progression by Sterlington and prioritized other teams over Cecilia, Catholic-N.I. and Vermilion Catholic.
So, take the game for what it’s worth and enjoy. And, more importantly, enjoy the three-plus months of Louisiana high school football ahead!
And visit the Louisiana vs. All Y’all channel on YouTube for more video shows and interviews.