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

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District 8  

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Capitol Lions

Head Coach:Reggie Ware(1^st year)

2025 Record:0-10

2026 Interesting Non District Games: Week 1 McKinley HS(Away), Week 2 Tara HS (Away), Week 3 West St. John HS(Home), Week 5 Northeast HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “Our motto because of the history and respect of former players and the great late coach Roman Bates (225 Career wins at Capitol High School), is: Restore The Roar as a program.” “I got the job in March of 2026 and plan to teach and build like we did at Tara High School when I was the head coach there for 3 years. And in 2025 I was at Park Forest Middle School.” “I hired some great coaches with experience at other schools Offensive Coordinator Justin Joseph coached Istrouma/East Iberville HS, Brett Love Collegiate BR, Brandon Williams Liberty HS, Offensive Line coach Vante Sample, Isiah Cole, Donte Jackson and Ty Jackson who I coached in middle school.”

There is a small group of experienced leaders that will help get more players out for coach in the fall and lead this team: WR/DB Deon Dixon 5'11" 165 pounds, great player, 4.5 speed in the forty, 3-year starter, QB Camren Wilson 5'9" 170 pounds, 2nd-year starter, RB/DB Paxton Peters 5'9" 170 pounds, 2nd-year starter, OL/DL Kevin Henderson 6'1" 330 pounds, new starter, and LB/OL Corey King 5'11" 205 pounds, 2nd-year starter.

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East Iberville Tigers

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:Peter Villa(3^rd year)

2025 Record:2-8

Signees Colleges:LB/FB Gabe Johnson(Centenary)

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Beau Chene HS (Home), Week 2 J.S Clark HS (Away), Week 3 Central Catholic HS (Home), and Week 7 Ascension Christian (Home).

Team Outlook: “Motto this year as a program: Rebuild and Restore,” said coach Villa. “Trying to rebuild, restore and become a complete team and hold everyone accountable.” “The strongest position on the team to start off will be our Secondary on Defense returning most of the starters with speed and experience.”

The Secondary will be talented with all players returning with experience, led by DB/WR D'Von Ausbon 6'0" 150 pounds, CB/WR/QB Tyreon Palmer 5'10" 160 pounds, also the new starting QB on Offense, CB/WR/TE Alton Rivers 6'2" 175 pounds, FS/RB Adrian Stewart 5'10" 150 pounds, DB Ayden Phillips 5'9" 135 pounds, and FS/CB/WR/RB Lyrick Travis 5'9" 150 pounds.

Key Linemen, Linebackers, and Tight Ends back will be DE/DT Darren Jones 6'1" 240 pounds, DT/OL Mykai Bradley 6'0" 235 pounds, MLB/FB/OL Jaki Houston 5'10" 220 pounds, DE/OL/FB Glentrell McShane 5'10" 215 pounds, LB/TE/DE/WR Isiaha Johnson 6'1" 185 pounds, TE/WR Jonathan Selbage 6'3" 210 pounds, OL/DL Kendra Abrams 5'10" 205 pounds, DE Jared Smith 6'0" 185 pounds, OL/DL Robert Spears 5'9" 255 pounds, OL/OLB Cordie Gailes 6'1" 190 pounds, TE/OLB Taylor Larvadain 5'10" 170 pounds, DE/TE Kade Brown 6'3" 220 pounds, newcomer, and possibly a newcomer at Quarterback, Elijah Porter 5'10" 225 pounds. If he gets eligible as a transfer, he would become the starter and allow Tyreon Palmer to go back to CB/WR.

Special Teams: The program returns a really good Long Snapper in Mykai Bradley. The Kicking and Punting positions are open going into the Summer.

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North Iberville Bears

Head Coach:Steven Thomas(1^st year)

2025 Record:10-3

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round beat Arcadia HS, 2^nd Round beat Elton HS, and Quarterfinals lost to South Plaquemines HS

Signees Colleges: OL/LSP Jordell Blaise

Team Outlook: New Head Coach Steven Thomas comes from Zachary High School where he spent a few years coaching as an assistant playing for many Titles and District championships. I was able to get a quote from former Head Coach Josh Gast right before he left to take the St. Paul’s High School job about the future of North Iberville in 2026. “I think the best players are returning for the Bears with a few really highly skilled players.” “The key for the Bears in 2026 will be replacing so many good Linemen that graduated(6 starters total) on both sides of the football. If they can get strong in those areas they have a chance with the new coach to continue the success we built there,” said former coach Josh Gast.

The program does return 2 special players that can keep this program deep in the playoffs in RB Jeremy Favorite 5'9" 185 pounds, who led the team in rushing in 2024 with 1,245 yards and 16 touchdowns, and in 2025 with 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns.

The other big-time skill player is WR/CB Brajon Melancon 6'2" 175 pounds. This kid is a big-time player on either side of the football. I saw him take an interception back for a touchdown in 2025 against St. John High School, and he can take over a game along with Favorite as a runner.

More players to watch in 2026 are new starting Quarterback Javontae Thomas 5'10" 170 pounds, started one game in 2025, WR Clarence Walls 5'10" 155 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty, LB/DT Landen Carter 5'11" 200 pounds, 4.6 speed, leader on Defense, OLB Troyce Whitfield 6'0" 165 pounds, DT Ethan Gaudet 6'4" 205 pounds, Center Brinton Harris 6'2" 210 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader, OG/OC Joseph Mire 5'10" 225 pounds, tough kid in the trenches, CB/WR Braylon Christmas 6'1" 170 pounds, a 3-year starter, big playmaker, WR/RB Aiden Melancon 5'8" 160 pounds, and Safety Dekai Butler 5'10" 190 pounds, a 3-year starter and leader on Defense. Butler led the team in tackles in 2024 with 120 and in 2025 with over 100 tackles, giving him over 220 tackles in the last 2 years combined.

Special Teams: In the return game, I would not kick or punt the ball to Brajon Melancon with his legit 4.45 speed in the forty. Melancon can take it to the house any time he touches the ball.

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Southern Lab Kittens

Head Coach:Darrell Asberry(10^th year)

2025 Record:7-6

2026 Playoffs: 1^st Round beat Thrive Academy HS, 2^nd Round beat Central Catholic HS, and Quarterfinals loss to Ouachita Christian HS.

Signees Colleges: OL Sami Abdelhak (McNeese State) Jr, QB Jerry Bottley IV, DT Creston Hawkins, OT/DT Jayden Thomas, WR Anthony Weatherspoon.

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 Belaire HS (Home), Week 2 Carroll HS (Away), Week 3 Ferriday HS (Home), Week 4 East Iberville HS (Away).

Team Outlook: “2025 was one of my toughest seasons in my 9 years as Head Football coach at Southern Lab High School, the most disappointing season,” said coach Asberry. “After going through Spring practice I feel better seeing more leadership from the team. “Our motto this year is: One Team one Heart Beat.” “We need to develop some more depth for the 2026 compared to the 2026 and it starts up front in the Offensive and Defensive Lines where we have quality lineman but need to get more depth there for Fall.”

After Spring, the Quarterback job is Dexter Richard Jr.'s to lose. Richard 5'9" 175 pounds started 6 games in 2025 because of an injury to the starter and got valuable experience behind center.

Skill players to watch on Offense are WR/RB Jayden Hatch 6'1" 198 pounds, one of the best players in all of Class 1A with great talent, WR Jayce Wright 5'9" 165 pounds, 2nd-year starter, 4.5 speed in the forty, RB Terrance Hunter 5'9" 175 pounds, 4.5 speed, WR Ramaj Flowers 6'2" 180 pounds, new starter, WR Jamar Gardner, 2nd-year starter, tons of upside, and FB/RB Anthony Johnson 5'10" 205 pounds, new player who brings power and depth at RB.

The Offensive Line has 3-year starter, leader Johnny Herman 6'1" 265 pounds, senior, OL/DL Eneas Davis 6'1" 245 pounds, 4-year starter, leader, OL/DL Julien Richard 6'1" 275 pounds, 2nd-year starter, and new starter Graylin Hammond 6'0" 235 pounds.

The Defense returns one of the best Secondaries and Defensive Backs in the State in 2nd-year starter Tyler Williams 6'1" 180 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty, SS Aiden Sam 5'10" 170 pounds, CB/Safety Gerald Seaton 5'9" 165 pounds, 2nd-year starter, CB Melvin Vernell 6'1" 170 pounds, 2nd-year starter, and CB Mason Boyd 6'1" 170 pounds, 2nd-year starter.

The front seven has DE/LB/DT Efrem Peters 6'1" 240 pounds, a 4-year starter, DE August Roy 5'10" 195 pounds, LB/TE Jaiden Fletcher 5'11" 185 pounds, OLB Amari Morgan 5'11" 205 pounds (averaged 12 tackles a game in 2025), leader of the Defense, DT/DE Trey Collier 6'3" 240 pounds, talented new player, and newcomer Evan Davis 6'2" 215 pounds, DE/OLB.

Special Teams: Kicker Elliott Woodard will return as the starter and did a good job. Punter Jaiden Fletcher is the leading candidate coming out of Spring and can kick too.

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St. John Eagles

Head Coach:Bryan Trosclair(4^th year)

2025 Record:7-4

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to St. Mary’s HS

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 South Beauregard HS(Away), Week 2 Walter Cohen HS(Home), Week 3 Central Private HS(Away), Week 10 Ascension Christian HS(Home)

Team Outlook: “Large senior class of 15 players coming back for 2026 which is a big class for us,” said coach Trosclair. “This is the 1^st group of kids when I took the job 4 years ago that will be seniors.” “We will rely heavily on leadership from the senior class.” “Our seniors know you practice like you play.” “We just need to play Eagles football in 2026 and turn the tide in the 4^th year.”

The Eagles program hosted their 1st playoff game in 10 years, a big milestone for the program. They also started the season in 2025 with a record of 4-0.

The Eagles will have a new starting Quarterback, and it could be 2 players during the season. Ahmad Wilson, RB/DB, in 2025 ran for 950 yards on 115 attempts, a senior, 3-year starter, and young Freshman Cruz Romero 5'7" 160 pounds has already impressed the coaches and could see some time at QB or become the guy in time.

More skill players in the program to keep an eye on are WR Daniel Braud 5'9" 175 pounds, 4.59 speed in the forty, leader, good blocker, FS/CB/RB Brian Romero 5'10" 170 pounds, led the team in interceptions with 5 in 2025, WR/FS Cy Crowson 5'10" 165 pounds, RB Royal Robinson 5'8" 185 pounds, DB Russell Marbury 5'7" 145 pounds, CB Jessie Taylor 6'0" 155 pounds, WR Carson Doyal 5'8" 155 pounds, TE/FB Logan Ockmand 5'10" 185 pounds, and rotating in WR Carter Moore 5'7" 135 pounds.

The Offensive Line will have a chance to be a strong position for the team, led by OT/DL Chett Bickham 6'1" 250 pounds, OG/DT Reese Boudreaux 6'0" 248 pounds, OG/OC Braylon Roussel 6'0" 275 pounds, OG/DE Ian Avants 6'0" 240 pounds, big-time pancaker as a blocker, leader, OT/OG Trip Gaudet 6'0" 235 pounds, OL/OG/DE Andrew Hanks 6'0" 210 pounds, and rotating in Owen Newman 6'3" 270 pounds.

The Defense returns the team's leader and leading tackler, Landen Daigle 6'0" 175 pounds, OLB, a senior, who led the team with 90 tackles in 2025, OLB/FB Patrick Bueche 5'10" 180 pounds, another big-time leader who returns after recording 78 tackles in 2025, OLB Kaine Daigle 5'9" 175 pounds, leader, 85 tackles in 2025, LB Andrew Leblanc 5'7" 165 pounds, DT Logan Parker 5'10" 205 pounds, LB Madden Bennett 5'9" 165 pounds, DT Brady Legrange 5'10" 210 pounds, big-time, all-out player, and some of the skill players we mentioned above in the Secondary.

Special Teams: Christian Dean returns for his 3rd year as the starting Kicker/Punter. Dean does a great job as a confident Kicker on extra points as well.

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Thrive Academy Bulldogs

Head Coach: Devon Breaux(5^th year)

2025 Record: 2-8

Signees Colleges: Athlete Keiron Ross(Millsaps)

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Northeast HS (Away), Week 2 Highland Baptist HS (Away), Week 3 Ascension Catholic HS (Home), Week 4 Acadiana Christian HS (Away).

Team Outlook: “Our slogan I tell the coaches and team all the time.” “How you do anything is how you do everything," said coach Breaux. “Treat everything the same,go all out in everything you do.” “Basically have a whole new team of 20 new players.” “ Offense we will run a Spread/Pistol and Defense a 4-2-5.

Here are key players to watch: RB/WR/LB Detavious Williams 5'10" 186 pounds, a senior, can run a 4.35 in the forty, QB Tyran Green 5'10" 175 pounds, OL Aaron Owens 6'7" 370 pounds, DT/OG Ashton Hills 5'10" 180 pounds, WR Jaden Commenia 5'8" 170 pounds, Safety Javion Thomas 5'9" 175 pounds, Safety Colston Grant 5'9" 188 pounds, Safety Ledarrian Walker 6'2" 190 pounds, and Center/DL Mason Sonnier 6'0" 200 pounds.

Special Teams will be decided in the Summer/Early Fall.

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White Castle Bulldogs

Head Coach:Guy Morgan(2^nd year)

2025 Record:0-10

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Istrouma HS (Away), Week 2 St.Martin’s (Home), Week 3 Donaldsonville HS (Away), Week 7 Ascension Christian HS (Home).

Team Outlook: “We will be a very young team in 2026 on both sides of the football," said coach Morgan. “I am personally looking forward to those young guys stepping up and becoming key starters this year.”

The team does return 4 big-time players as leaders for the young program in WR/DB/RB Bryce Bell, RB Da'Kyrin Edwards 5'11" 185 pounds, RB/LB Jaden McCoy 6'1" 210 pounds, and OL/DL Chris Williams Jr.

More players to watch will be QB Javon Woods 5'11" 175 pounds, a 4-year starter with a strong arm, FS/Athlete Keilan Taylor 5'10" 170 pounds, FS Michael Cooke Jr. 6'0" 185 pounds, CB Jammy Batiste 5'9" 160 pounds, WR/DB Jeremy Taylor 5'8" 165 pounds, DE/LB Troy Vicks Jr., DT Brayden Dunn 5'11" 235 pounds, DT/OT Jayden Breaux, DT Malik Williams, and OG Ryan Bishop 5'11" 340 pounds.

Special Teams: A strength for the team in the kick and punt return game will be Da'Kyrin Edwards and Bryce Bell, back to handle most of the returns with legit 4.45 speed in the forty.

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