Louisiana Football Magazine 2026 Class 1A Football Preview (Written by Lee Brecheen)

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District 10

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Ascension Catholic Bulldogs

Head Coach:Taylor James(2^nd year)

2025 Record:12-2

2025 Playoffs: Runner Up in State Title Game in Class 1A Select.

Players Signed Colleges: TE Chris Anthons

Team Outlook: “We have 8 big time starters to replace from the 2025 season," said coach James. “Out of the 8 starters graduating, 4 of those started both sides of the football in 2025. Hungry to get back, 2025 was great but no time to linger about last year's time to move on ahead and turn the page for the 2026 season. The 2025 season was a big season of growth with players learning the new staff and jelling in 2025 proud of our guys.”

The Offense will not see much drop off with capable, talented RBs back in Caden Mayes 5'7" 160 pounds with 4.45 speed, and senior RB/SS Jacob Julien 6'0" 182 pounds, a 4-year starter with 4.5 speed and 8 interceptions in 2025 in only 8 games.

The Offense will return some really good players to block for the run game: Cole Cassard 5'9" 270 pounds, 3-year starter, OG Dayveon Geason 6'1" 225 pounds, 2nd-year starter, OT/DL Hayden Turner 6'5" 255 pounds, 2nd-year starter, OG Dax Hebert 5'9" 215 pounds, TE Kole Folse 5'11" 190 pounds, and new starter OL Peyton Ledet 6'0" 200 pounds, who lettered in 2025.

In the passing game, there's some depth led by WR Cy Landry 5'9" 175 pounds, 4.59 speed in the forty, 3-year starter, WR Johnny Viallon 5'7" 155 pounds, 3-year starter, 4.6 speed, WR Harrison LeBoeuf 6'1" 185 pounds, new starter, and WR/CB Jahkari Jenkins 6'3" 155 pounds, 2nd-year starter.

The Offense gets a big boost with QB Greg Fernandez returning from a really good season in 2025. He passed for over 1,000 yards and ran for over 1,000 yards.

The Defense returns one of the best players in all of Class 1A Select, Linebacker John Rob Daigle 5'9" 195 pounds, All-State in 2025 with 160 tackles on the season, who will be a 3-year starter.

More key players on Defense are SS/OLB Karson Folse 5'10" 185 pounds, 2nd-year starter, DB Michael Blanchard 5'10" 170 pounds, 3-year starter, LB Raif Melancon 5'5" 175 pounds, 2nd-year starter, CB Sheldon Smith 5'10" 160 pounds, 2nd-year starter, SS Kohen Folse 5'10" 165 pounds, new starter, and DT/OL Noah Ortiz 5'9" 215 pounds.

Special Teams: Starting Kicker Michael Blanchard returns after making 32/35 extra points during the season and 26/30 extra points in the playoffs. Johnny Viallon can also kick and handle kickoffs for the team and has a good leg, too. Punter will be All-State LB John Rob Daigle.

Ascension Christian Lions

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

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| Head Coach Conrad Gayle

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:Conrad Gayle(2^nd year)

2025 Record:6-5

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to Opelousas Catholic HS.

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 Ben Franklin HS (Away), Week 2 Central Private HS (Home), Week 3 Thrive Academy HS (Home), Week 4 Berchmans Academy HS (Home), Week 5 Houma Christian HS (Away), Week 6 East Iberville HS (Home), Week 7 White Castle HS (Away), Week 8 Highland Baptist HS (Home), Week 9 Fisher HS (Home), Week 10 St.John HS (Away).

Team Outlook: “The kids and staff are committed to the program. Our motto is: The Program is greater than your individual feelings," said coach Gayle.” “The Seniors in 2025 set the tone and did a great job  for the building blocks of our motto for this program to grow even more in 2026.” “We will have young Lineman and experienced Skill players across the board.” “I am excited for our community moving forward.”

The Lions will not play for District but play as a Independent Class 1A school in 2026 with an All Non District Schedule just in Football for the school.

The Lions return some really good depth with experience. Like coach mentioned above, players to watch are 3-year starter FS/WR Kason Tanner, RB/Safety Luke Denton, 3-year starter, CB/WR Preston Leblanc, 3-year starter, RB/SS Leroy McDowell, 2nd-year starter, RB/LB leader Cade Buratt, Team Captain of the Defense, 3-year starter, MLB/RB Jayse Leblanc, 2nd-year starter, leader, returning starting QB/DB/WR Leron McDowell, CB/QB Taylor Painter, 3-year starter on Defense, WR/RB/OLB Noah Broad, 2nd-year starter, WR/DB Trey Tyson, new starter, and rotating at WR Nathan DeBenedetto.

The young Linemen to watch are LT/DE Ian Alexander, 2nd-year starter, DE/TE Lane Buffalo, tough player, Team Captain, RT/OL Hiram Paille, OG Dorian Davis, who returns after missing the 2025 season, Center Fritz Gayle, OL Cooper Ray, and rotating in at OL Boaz Walker.

Special Teams will return Kicker Preston Leblanc. In the return game, Kason Tanner is very good and experienced as a playmaker.

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Riverside Academy Rebels

Head Coach:Lee Roussell(5^th year)

2025 Record:13-1. District 3-0

2025 Playoffs: State Champions.2^nd Round beat Delta Charter HS, Quarterfinals beat Ouachita Christian HS, Semifinals beat Ascension Episcopal HS, and State Title game beat Ascension Catholic HS.

Signees Colleges: RB Jayden Obiekwe (Nicholls State), QB Brock Bourgeois (Baseball College), and DE/LB Jakobe King (Louisiana Christian).

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 John F.Kennedy HS (Away), Week 2 Covenant Christian HS (Home), Week 3 Ponchatoula HS (Away), Week 5 St. Charles Catholic HS (Home), and Week 9 Catholic Pointe Coupee HS(Home)

Team Outlook: “Once you win one a Title it’s the 2025 team which I am proud of, but turning the page for 2206 it’s a new team and those wins in 2025 don’t carry over to 2026,” said coach Roussell. “I am excited, we do return some leadership and experience.” “I am also happy we have over 60 players in the program for the Fall compared to 38 players when I took over the program 5 years ago.”

The Offense will still have a few playmakers and a chance to be pretty good again in 2026, led this year by new starting Quarterback Kenric Johnson 5'10" 180 pounds, All-State Athlete with a good arm who can run really well, 4.5 in the forty.

At the Offense skill spots, you also have WR Chris Becknel 5'11" 190 pounds, WR Cayden Francois 6'2" 170 pounds, RB Caleb Williams 5'9" 165 pounds, TE/FB Jake Bell 6'0" 200 pounds, TE/FB Cannon Mistretta 5'10" 190 pounds, and some young players at RB/WR coming in.

The Offensive Line will be a strong point for the team, led by OL Brodie Troxclair 6'2" 315 pounds, Center Cole Keller 5'10" 225 pounds, OL Nathaniel Nicholson 6'2" 270 pounds, OL Gabe Galvez 6'2" 280 pounds, and a battle for the 5th spot.

The Defense is led by one of the biggest leaders on the team, senior DE/OLB Justin Hall 6'2" 225 pounds, bigger and stronger in 2026 with 4.7 speed in the forty and all out every play for this team.

More players to watch are OLB Cameron Matt 5'10" 175 pounds, a 3-year starter, LB Brody Vicknair 5'11" 215 pounds, LB Cruz Cambre 5'11" 185 pounds, DE Camryn Green 6'1" 245 pounds, DE Ennis McCormick 5'11" 230 pounds, DT Ahmad Cage 5'10" 270 pounds, a 4-year starter, leader, DT Ryan Felton 6'2" 275 pounds, CB Brayden Robertson 5'8" 160 pounds, SS Cole Jacob 5'9" 170 pounds, and DB Janeal Rachal 5'9" 170 pounds, who started as an 8th grader in 2025. Also rotating in at Defensive Back you have Brady Bourgeois and DB Za'Mauri Williams 5'11" 175 pounds.

Special Teams returns 3-year starter Kicker/Punter Will Rauch 6'0" 170 pounds, who does a great job also with extra points and kickoffs.

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South Plaquemines Hurricanes

Head Coach:Lyle Fitt(10^th year)

2025 Record:9-3

2025 Playoffs:2^nd Round beat West St.Mary,Quarterfinals beat North Iberville HS, and Semifinals lost to Mangham HS

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Higgins(Home), Week 2 Bogalusa HS(Away Thursday Night), Week 3 Belle Chasse HS(Home), Week 4 McMain HS(Away), Week 6 Sarah Reed HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “Very young team in 2026,” said coach Fitt. “I would say 95% of our team that won the State Title in 2024 have graduated now. We will start 4 Freshman lineman in 2026.” “Half the team will be Freshman starters.” “With that being said we do have talented young kids. If we can get through the bumps and tough patches we will go through during the season and make it into the playoffs we will have a shot to hopefully become a team peak at the right time and make a run for the next 3 years.”

The starting Quarterback and leader of this young team will be Eyan Taylor 5'10" 165 pounds, a talented young player leading this team.

More key players to watch are CB/WR Sharonski Prout 5'9" 150 pounds, 4.45 speed in the forty, a 3-year starter, leader, CB/WR Ahmad Lewis 6'0" 190 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader, TE/DE Terrance Raphila 6'5" 220 pounds, WR/CB Kamon Perkins 5'11" 160 pounds, LB Kylon Turner 6'0" 210 pounds, a really good Athlete, SS/FS Sabryn Bartholomew 5'11" 160 pounds, 4.45 speed in the forty, RB/WR/CB Raymontae Jackson 5'9" 170 pounds, 4.5 speed, LB Juan St. Ann 6'0" 190 pounds, 4.6 speed, and newcomer rotating in at RB/DB Idris Trufant 5'9" 150 pounds.

Special Teams: Kicking and Punting will be decided later this Summer or early Fall.

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St. Martin’s Episcopal Saints

Head Coach:Kevin Dizer(4^th year)

2025 Record:6-5

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to Delta Charter HS

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 North Vermillion HS (Home), Week 2 White Castle HS(Away), Week 3 Glen Oaks HS(Away), Week 4 Sophie B Wright HS(Home), Week 5 Thomas Jefferson HS(Home).

Team Outlook: “Large senior class back, played a lot of football with many players coming back with 3 or 4 years experience. We also return many players with no experience, " said coach Dizer. “We hope to get settled in and put it all together in 2026 as a team.”

The Offense will start a new Quarterback, Terrill Green Jr., a RB in 2025 and Defensive Back. Green will be a dual-threat Quarterback with legit 4.6 speed in the forty to lead this team.

The Offensive Line will return a lot of experience to protect the young QB, led by OG Destin Brooks 6'1" 255 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader, OG Caleb Heytens 5'9" 225 pounds, a 2nd-year starter, Center/DE Will Ruffin 6'2" 220 pounds, OG/DT Alex Diaz 6'2" 245 pounds, a 2nd-year starter, OT Conner Bordelon 6'4" 225 pounds, and 2-way starter Brennan Raines 6'4" 198 pounds.

The run game will be led by 2 really good players with experience, starting RB Gabe Richards 5'9" 195 pounds, also a Linebacker on Defense, and RB Gabe Savarese 5'11" 215 pounds, a powerful runner, 4-year starter, leader, and big-time Linebacker for the Defense.

More key players to watch in 2026 are WR Kade Vinju 5'10" 160 pounds, a 3-year starter with 4.5 speed in the forty, FB/LB Ethan Williams 5'10" 215 pounds, a 3-year starter, LB Carter Furman 5'9" 215 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader, WR/SS Koby Delatte 5'8" 160 pounds, returning starter, WR/Safety Cooper Wakefield 5'11" 185 pounds, great player for the program on both sides of the football, and DB Beaux Gibbs 5'11" 155 pounds.

Special Teams: Kicker will be Christian LaCoste 5'6" 145 pounds.

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West St. John Rams

Head Coach:Derron Thomas(4^th year)

2025 Record:6-6

2025 Playoffs: 1^st Round beat General Trass HS and 2^nd Round loss to Mangham HS.

Signees Colleges: OL/DL Ke’Juan Fobb(Trinity Valley Texas JC), DB/WR Chance Bovie (Trinity Valley Texas JC), Athlete Karnell Narcisse(Millsaps), and RB/WR Jakari Milton(Arkansas Baptist).

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 St. Edmund HS (Home), Week 2 St. James HS (Away), Week 3 Capitol HS (Away), Week 4 St.Thomas Aquinas HS (Away), Week 5 Baker HS (Home), Week 7 Covenant Christian HS (Home).

Team Outlook: “We have a young group of kids that are hungry and have been together a long time and local kids,” said coach Thomas. “Big young Lineman tough team trending in the right direction.” “Our goal is to play for a State Title.” “We will have a small senior group in 2026.”

The Offense will be led by returning starting Quarterback Action Barnes 6'0" 205 pounds, a really good passer who runs the Offense really well now with experience from the 2025 season.

There are skill players returning: WR/DB/RB Kalon Gardner, 3-year starter, 5'9" 160 pounds, big-time playmaker, 4.45 speed in the forty, CB D'Avion Davis 5'9" 150 pounds, 4.5 speed, WR De'Avoni Bartholomew 5'8" 145 pounds, RB Kayson Weber 5'8" 155 pounds, 4.5 speed, also will play some Defensive Back, WR Ja'Kwon Warner 5'11" 160 pounds, CB Kadyn Smith 5'10" 155 pounds, and WR playmaker J'Kyren Morris 6'0" 162 pounds.

Key Linemen and Linebackers returning are DT Kenjon Weber 6'0" 228 pounds, OL/DL Jordan August 6'3" 300 pounds, OG Da'Myren Davis 5'11" 290 pounds, OT Cameron Clark 6'2" 265 pounds, DE/OLB Zion Guilbeau 6'4" 205 pounds, 4.6 in the forty, DE Gala Holden Jr. 5'11" 200 pounds, 4.6 speed, Center Romell Howard Jr. 5'11" 260 pounds, LB Jeff Lawrence 5'10" 165 pounds, LB/Safety Da'Shaad Waxter 6'0" 180 pounds, DT Prince Harper 5'10" 250 pounds, OL Pierre Barre 6'2" 275 pounds, and DE Naychan Clayton 5'11" 215 pounds, who recovered from an injury in 2025, and his return will help a lot in 2026.

Special Teams will mostly be decided in Summer/early Fall at Kicker and Punter in 2026.

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