Louisiana’s 2026 high school football season opens Thursday, Sept. 3, with many of the state’s classifications and divisions appearing as wide-open as ever.
As we have attempted on several occasions in years past, at fans’ requests, Louisiana vs. All Y’all has taken a stab at trying to rank the top 50 programs regardless of classification.
Before we unveil the list, a couple of important notes to know or remember:
- All-classifications lists are inherently going to feature far more larger-school programs than smaller-school programs. This lean is not at all to diminish the talent or achievements of Class 1A or Class 2A teams — it’s the nature of the exercise. There’s a reason classifications exist in the first place, and only a few elite smaller-school programs can typically compete with the better Class 4A and particularly Class 5A competition.
- The further the list goes, the more tightly packed the teams get. Part of the beauty of high school football is parity and the high potential for an upset on any given Thursday, Friday or Saturday. A few elite teams may stand out for their combinations of talent, depth and relatively consistent execution, then another tier or two may not be far off that pace. But past that (usually somewhere between about 10 and 25 teams down the list, depending on year), the tiers start to widen out to larger groups of teams that could easily split 10 head-to-head matchups down the middle or whose outcomes could vary heavily as a matter of stylistic matchups.
All that out of the way, and without any further adieu, let’s take a look at Louisiana’s top teams entering the 2026 season.
1. RUSTON
The Bearcats have been one of the clearest standards for consistency at an elite level the past several seasons with now four straight Division-I Non-Select championship appearances, including a title in 2023. This past season’s run to Caesars Superdome ended in heartbreaking fashion, and Ruston returns a load of experience, talent and hunger from that team headlined by LSU commitments on each side of the ball in tight end Ahmad Hudson and Jayden Anding. Louisiana Tech-bound senior quarterback Sam Hartwell is now in his season season as the starter, and the weapons at his disposal are as promising as any group the program has had in recent memory. Running back Dalen Powell is back in the mix after his electric, breakout sophomore season ended with a Week 10 injury. Baylor-committed senior wide receiver Josiah Morgan had a breakout 2025 of his own and is one of the top prospects in the state’s 2027 class, and basketball star KeShun Malcolm adds another hyper-athletic weapon on the outside. A once-again stout defense with Anding, Northwestern State-committed linebacker/safety Keilan Davis and junior linebacker Aidan Adams, a fast-rising 2028 prospect, among the biggest returning names and highly touted 2028 linebacker Shamar Evans moving back home to Lincoln Parish after some time in Mississippi.
2. EDNA KARR
Sept. 19 in Caesars Superdome will mark the state’s most highly anticipated regular-season arguably in decades as Ruston travels to New Orleans to face Edna Karr in what, in our rankings, in an early 1-vs-2 showdown. The two-time defending Division-I Select champion Cougars have to replace a legendary 2026 class that sent two dozen players to college after dominating for two years straight. But some key holdovers return, particularly in the trenches, such as offensive lineman Zyion Wesley (Mississippi State), defensive tackle Nigel Marshall (Lamar) and defensive end Juelz Batiste (Ole Miss); some other solid upperclassmen such as linebackers Ian Gray and Anthony White Jr. and defensive backs Eldric Cambrice Jr. and Kaiden Lucas more than capable of running with more prominent roles; and as talented a sophomore class as any group in the state poised to make its presence felt early and often. Among those 2029 names to know right now: defensive lineman Edward “Hulk” Dailey, offensive tackle Lance Felix, wide receiver Brenin “Bee” Reed and edge rusher Leonard Darensbourg (and that list can go on and on).
3. ST. AUGUSTINE
The Purple Knights reached a state title game this past December for the first time since 1979 and return lots from that team. Junior quarterback Jaelle Noble, a highly ranked prospect in the 2028 class, will be among the most pivotal players in the state this fall as he fills big shoes at the helm of an offense that should once again be among Louisiana’s most explosive. A well-coached and talented offensive line that includes Southern-committed senior center Elijah Menville and LSU-offered junior tackle Jayden Taylor sets the table. The wide receiver corps led by Ole Miss commit Miguel Whitley, Tulane commit Ray’Quan Williams and Nicholls State target Derrick Bennett Jr. is as good as any in the state. A banged-up 2025 that forced different running backs to step up at different times — including sometimes sooner than anticipated — now provides a range of talent and experience at the position, and throw in a dangerous tight end crew for good measure. The defense should be strong as well, highlighted by a good mix of veteran and young talent, including a highly ranked tandem of rushers/linebackers in Southern Miss-committed senior Jacques Robichaux III and junior Darren Coates Jr.
4. JOHN CURTIS
The Patriots won their first seven games last season before some seemingly contagious turnovers hurt them against eventual finalists Edna Karr and St. Augustine. They got another shot at the latter in the Division-I Select semifinals and led in the final seconds before the Purple Knights scored in dramatic fashion. John Curtis should have one of the state’s top defenses this fall, including an absolutely loaded secondary with six players already with Division-I offers — including seniors Craig Connor III, Prentice Mackyeon Jr. and Jewellz Tapp and some impressive talent in the trenches as well, such as LSU-offered 2030 edge rusher Broderick Sanders III, who is among the headliners of a great wave of young talent rolling through River Ridge. Junior quarterback London Padgett returns with a year of starting experience now under his belt, which could go a long way in the Patriots executing at a high level in 2026, and the return of highly ranked, LSU-offered wide receiver Jarvis Stevenson from an injury that cost him last fall should represent another big boost.
5. CATHOLIC-BATON ROUGE
The Bears remain a top-tier contender in our book entering this season. In fact, starting them at No. 6 was a painful decision that feels destined to look foolish by November. Catholic has more to replace than most of the other programs atop this list, including a pair of graduated quarterbacks, key offensive linemen and leaders at every level of the defense. But it has also been as consistent a machine as any in the state going back multiple coaches now, and coach Hudson Fuller and his staff are certain to have this group ready to compete at the same high standard once again. Florida State commit Jayden Miles headlines a loaded running back group, and Stanford-committed tight end Jude Chamberlain is one of the top mismatch weapons in the state with his size and athleticism. Tulane commit Jackson Shaw anchors what should be another good offensive line. Oklahoma State-committed senior Jayden Vessell and Vanderbilt-offered sophomore Jack Stokes are potentially as disruptive a duo on the other side of the ball as any in Louisiana. The Bears will have some big shoes to fill in spots, but appear to have the talent to do so well, including at quarterback where junior Camden Estep looks capable of leading an explosive attack all-around.
6. ALEXANDRIA
We’re probably as high on the Trojans heading into this season as anyone is — outside of Rapides Parish, at least — but they are squarely in our top tier of programs. Alexandria returns a ton of talent and experience — probably the top senior class in school history from a college prospect standpoint — and had a really encouraging offseason that included battling toe-to-toe with St. Augustine in the spring despite having only had a week of practice under their belt, then a dominant run through summer 7-on-7 action. Lamar commit Karsen Sellers and Maryland commit Alex Fontenot are arguably the state’s top returning quarterback-receiver tandem, and juniors Kason Williams and Noble Williams have a case as Louisiana’s best running back duo. And this year’s roster appears to have more complements to Fontenot in the receiving corps that should the Trojans all the more difficult to contain than in 2025. Jaden Bayonne (Mississippi State) and Peter Lofton help lead the trench group on each side of the ball, and Jakyrin Griffin (Old Dominion), Letravious Williams, Jaytun Terry and Raymond Harris III an increasingly deep secondary that has the potential to be another strength.
7. ARCHBISHOP RUMMEL
The Raiders entered August as an anticipated top-10 team in our preseason rankings and solidified No. 7 with this month’s news that Georgia-committed quarterback Colton Nussmeier had joined the program. Rummel seems to field some of the state’s soundest, strongest offensive lines and defenses year in and year out, and this year is no different with a team that returns much of its 2025 lineup, including defensive stars at every level such as Russ Lewis Jr. (Nicholls State), Kingsley Barconey Jr., Gavin Cooper Jr. (Ragin’ Cajuns) and Mitchell Harris Jr. (Nicholls State) and talented junior offensive tackles Raymond Hughes and Michael Smith. The weapons are there as well with the thunder-and-lightning duo of Coryan Hawkins and Jaden Terrance (Tulane), intriguing junior tight end Ja’Marcus Jones and some speedy, shifty wide receivers. Add in Nussmeier, and the Raiders may be able to unlock some dimensions they haven’t typically possessed and be as dangerous as anyone in seemingly the most open Division-I Select contender race in recent years.
8. SOUTHSIDE
This season, the third under coach Jess Curtis, feels like one the Sharks and their fans have eyed with high expectations for quite some time given the multiple years of foundation of the program under the current staff and of experience for a big, talented senior class, many of whom cracked into roles as underclassmen and have grown up through some major battles. A third-year starting quarterback in Parker Dies and slew of weapons such as Justin Williams, Coby Broussard and Kollen Francois have a big, nasty offensive line paving the way. And the defense, while replacing some key playmakers from the 2026 class, has the potential to be a fittingly stout and hard-nosed complement to enable Southside to grind and wear on opponents in a way few teams around the state may be able to match this fall.
9. NEVILLE
The Tigers are the lone non-Class 5A program in the top 10, an ideal spot as they return to their traditional Class 4A district — and Division-II Non-Select bracket — after battling well, but not quite being able to get over the title humps in four seasons as a small Class 5A and D-I member. Neville has one of the best and most experienced starting quarterbacks in the state back as a third-year starter in Parker Robinson (ULM) and good weapons at his disposal such as Emaude Sledge and Deuntra “Reaper” Scheanette on the outside, Jarvis Blackston in the backfield and West Ouachita transfer Dillon Robb (Tulsa) at tight end. The defense returns a lot of key pieces such as Jaylen Watkins and Jakobe Collins in the box and has the pieces such as the young, but experienced Danny Evans Jr. and spring arrivals Trae Dade and Dexter “Buck” Major to be well-positioned to succeed its big graduations in the secondary.
10. ZACHARY
The Broncos have stumbled through rare late-season rough patches each of the past two years that have left them seemingly a bit more under-the-radar than has been the case most of the past decade. But, by last November, they were rolling right to another Division-I Non-Select semifinal, and they return a wealth of standouts from that team including the productive running back duo of Tylek Lewis (Syracuse) and Jeremey Patton and one of the state’s top wide receiver prospects in Ethan Kimmie. New quarterback JaCori Platt, who arrived from Central in the winter, has the big arm to stretch the field vertically and the depth of receivers to help him do so. The schedule has the potential to test Zachary early and often, so we won’t have to wait long for some good measuring sticks. But, as often before, coach David Brewerton and company have the potential to be among the last teams standing when the calendar hits December and are among the biggest threats to Ruston in the division.
THE NEXT 10: Not only really strong, but title-favorite teams continue the rankings. Archbishop Shaw and St. Charles Catholic enter this fall as our top contenders in Divisions-II Select and Division-III Select, respectively, with everything they each returned from a slugfest and thriller of a D-II championship game last December. Westgate should be among the top contenders in Division-II Non-Select with its loaded 2028 class — including defensive end Chance Archangel and wide receiver Cayden Lancelin — we’ve talked about since before their high school careers even began now upperclassmen and eager to turn all of that potential into consistency and a deep run. A retooled University Lab — with quarterback Knox Kiffin, running back Caiden Bellard and tackle Derrick “D.J.” Hooker Jr. now in Baton Rouge — is in the mix with St. Charles as another top-tier Division-III Select team to watch. Those four teams crash a still 5A-heavy top of the list with Acadiana, St. Thomas More, Destrehan, Central, Brother Martin and West Monroe, all of whom are true programs that should be factors in the top 25-to-35 teams year in and year out.
11. Acadiana
12. Archbishop Shaw
13. St. Charles Catholic
14. Westgate
15. St. Thomas More
16. University Lab
17. Destrehan
18. Central
19. Brother Martin
20. West Monroe
THE NEXT 10: The middle segment of the list is the first group in which Class 5A makes up less than half with Parkway, Evangel Christian and Jesuit joined by an even mix of Class 4A, 3A and 2A members. Back-to-back Division-III Non-Select champion Sterlington and first-time Division-II Non-Select champion Iowa have become some of the state’s most consistent contenders among mid-size schools and should both be deep-run teams again this fall in D-II, along with a North DeSoto where freshman quarterback Mason Smith should be able to successfully take the baton from program-legend Luke Delafield and lead another prolific Griffins offense. Carencro and Madison Prep are among the top group of Division-II Select contenders. And Dunham and Calvary Baptist fit that bill in Division-III Select as two of the small, elite set of Class 2A teams capable of competing against many Class 5A opponents. Notably, a few of the state’s top quarterback prospects with Evangel Christian senior Peyton “Pop” Houston (LSU), Dunham senior Elijah Haven (Alabama), Carencro junior Carson Gurzi, Calvary Baptist junior Hudson Price, Smith as North DeSoto and Southern-offered Madison Prep freshman Jacobe Shannon Jr.
21. Sterlington
22. Parkway
23. Evangel Christian
24. Jesuit
25. Dunham
26. Iowa
27. Carencro
28. North DeSoto
29. Calvary Baptist
30. Madison Prep
THE NEXT 10: A particularly interesting stretch of Lafayette-area teams headlines the next group of 10. The pecking order among Lafayette Christian, Lafayette Renaissance, Notre Dame and Teurlings Catholic was tough to call. The Knights have a lot to replace, while just around the corner LRCA has surged into a Class 4A school with Division-I talent on both sides of the ball. We gave the benefit of the doubt to LCA heading into the season because of its track record of consistent success and a defense this year that should be nasty once again. But this feels like a big, pivotal year from a perception and momentum standpoint for a few of these 337 schools — including spanning out to Lake Charles where LCCP has the makings of one of the state’s most electric offenses with some good defensive playmakers as well. Meanwhile in this 10-team group, Plaquemine has reached back-to-back Division-II Non-Select semifinals and has become one of the more underrated programs in the state, St. Paul’s and Mandeville lead the north shore contingent, St. James should remain more of a factor than it’s being credited despite some notable shakeup and turnover, and Holy Cross marks a seventh Catholic League team in the top 40.
31. Plaquemine
32. St. Paul’s
33. Mandeville
34. Lafayette Christian
35. Lafayette Renaissance Charter
36. Notre Dame
37. St. James
38. Teurlings Catholic
39. Holy Cross
40. Lake Charles College Prep
THE NEXT 10: Contenders continue throughout the top 50 with E.D. White and John F. Kennedy in Division-II Select and Jena in Division-III Non-Select of particular note. Solid Division-I Non-Select playoff teams make up more than half of this group of 10, including a defending champion in Ouachita Parish that will have to reload after graduating a legendary senior class. The styles are all over the map from bruising, grinding squads like E.D. White and Jena to Barbe and Airline teams than hung a combined 184 points on their scoreboards in their head-to-head non-district meetings the past two years. A slew of Division-I running back prospects help lead the highlights from a prospect standpoint with Franklin Parish’s duo of Trey Martin (LSU) and D.J. Neal, electric Barbe star Jordin Griffin (LSU Baseball) and bruising Jena athlete Daniel Hatcher to name a few.
41. E.D. White
42. East Ascension
43. Thibodaux
44. Ouachita Parish
45. Franklin Parish
46. Airline
47. Barbe
48. Covington
49. John F. Kennedy
50. Jena
