Louisiana Football Magazine 2026 Class 3A Football Preview (Written by Lee Brecheen)

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District 8

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Catholic New Iberia Panthers

| John Parker Robinson 

| Photo by: Alex Viator

| Head Coach Matt Desormeaux

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:Matt Desormeaux(4^th year)

2025 Record:10-3

2025 Playoffs: 1^st Round beat Glen Oaks HS, 2^nd Round beat Bunkie HS, and Quarterfinals lost to Lafayette Christian HS.

Signees Colleges: DE/TE/QB Xander LaBauve(Louisiana Christian), RB Owen Morris(Louisiana Christian), and Athlete Xavier Ledet(Louisiana Christian)

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Vermillion Catholic HS(Home), Week 2 Lafayette Renaissance HS(Home), Week 3 Kaplan HS(Away), Week 4 Notre Dame HS(Away), Week 6 Catholic of Pointe Coupee HS(Home)

Team Outlook: “Seeing who is ready to step up in the open spots we have in 2026.” “ We have players who need to step up as leaders .” “ We have some position battles at both Offensive Line and Quarterback and other positions Summer all the way to Fall.”

The Quarterback position in the lead right now to start is John Parker Robison 6'0" 185 pounds, showing some leadership and has a chance to be a good player. More key skill players to watch in the program are WR/DB Maddox Nacoi 6'1" 170 pounds, WR/FS Gavin Kading 6'1" 170 pounds, CB/SS Kylen Batiste 5'11" 170 pounds, FB/MLB Michael Haik 5'10" 205 pounds, WR/SS/OLB Kylan Baptiste 5'11" 170 pounds, WR Gavin Smith 6'1" 165 pounds, WR Xaiden Hebert 5'5" 145 pounds, RB Cooper Parish 5'9" 160 pounds, RB Collin Kading 5'10" 155 pounds, CB Noah Cavagnaro 5'8" 150 pounds, and CB Brennan Huval 5'8" 155 pounds.

Key Linemen and Linebackers competing to start or already starting are DT Holden Cormier 6'1" 285 pounds, returning starter, OG/OC Luke Hewitt 6'3" 265 pounds, returning starter, DE/LB Jagger LaBauve 6'3" 215 pounds, Athlete, returning starter, LB Jack Bigler 5'10" 190 pounds, tough leader, returning starter, OT Avery Delcambre 6'1" 250 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader, and DT Tucker Carpenter 6'1" 280 pounds, starter. Here are a few players competing for starting spots: LB Ashton Benintende 5'11" 170 pounds, LB Charlie Viator 5'9" 170 pounds, LB Zach Desormeaux 5'10" 180 pounds, LB Blaze Pourciau 5'7" 175 pounds, OL Cullen Judice 5'9" 275 pounds, OL Wesley Broussard 5'11" 250 pounds, OL Malik Broussard 5'11" 225 pounds, OL Peyton Clement 5'10" 220 pounds, Ian Valteau 5'10" 185 pounds, and OL Bennett Minvielle 6'1" 225 pounds.

Special Teams: Starting Kicker will be James Chauvin 5'9" 145 pounds, and Punter will be Maddox Nacoi.

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Delcambre Panthers

Head Coach:Cory Brodie(2^nd year)

2025 Record:5-5

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to East Feliciana HS

Team Outlook: “Graduated 12 seniors from the 2025 team,” said coach Brodie.” “We had an injury bug in 2025 with 5 of our seniors hurt.” “We played a lot of younger players because of injuries and I think that will pay off for us in the 2026 season.” “We could have the strongest Offensive Line in the history of the school this upcoming season.” 

The 2026 season could be back-to-back for the program to the playoffs because a key player returns in 4-year starting All-District Quarterback Rix Robin 5'10" 178 pounds with the leadership you look for in a QB to lead your program. Robin has a really good arm, and he’s tough in the pocket, and when he needs to run, he can do that too.

More players to watch in 2026 are OL/DL Kason Menard 5'9" 230 pounds, a 4-year starter (benches 315 pounds), OL/DL Carson Creighton 5'10" 265 pounds, All-District in 2025, leader and 3-year starter, OL Avery Rogers 5'8" 263 pounds (squats 530 pounds), DT/OL Tallon Maureon 5'9" 250 pounds (squats 545 pounds), RB/LB Nave Nguyen 5'10" 205 pounds, DB/WR/RB/QB Lynkon Delcambre 5'11" 160 pounds, can play anywhere for the team and allow at times Robin to go to WR if needed, LB Kaleb Duplantis 5'10" 170 pounds, leading tackler in 2025 with 74 total tackles, RB/WR/DB Adrian Godette 5'10" 155 pounds, has 4.6 speed in the forty and scored 5 Touchdowns in one game in 2025, and DE/TE Kayton Maureon 5'9" 230 pounds, has really good feet and starts both sides of the football for the Panthers.

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Franklin Hornets

Head Coach:Tremayne Johnson(9^th year)

2025 Record:4-6

Team Outlook: “We have a lot of experience returning in 2026 on both sides of the football team," said coach Johnson.” “If we stay healthy we have a chance to have a really good year in 2026.”

I was able to watch the Hornets in 2025 and saw a few of the younger players play and was super impressed with what’s returning. This Hornet team will go into 2026 as one of the most talented Class 2A programs in the state as far as skill talent and Linemen. I like their chances to go deep in the playoffs. I think this team can still reach deep in the playoffs even though one of their best players transferred to Acadiana High School, RB Deshawn Lightfoot, in Spring of 2026.

The Hornets return some really good skill talent and multiple playmakers: RB/LB Bridrick Joseph 6'0" 225 pounds, a 3-year starter, CB/WR Jamiyah Perry 5'9" 160 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty, a 3-year starter, WR/SS Zhakhi Brown 6'1" 170 pounds, WR/FS/QB Jahiri Perry 6'3" 185 pounds, a big-time Athlete, 3-year starter, leader, WR Quincy Freeman 6'1" 170 pounds, 4.5 speed, WR/RB Tre Edmonds 5'7" 170 pounds, WR Dylan Hawkins 6'2" 170 pounds, WR/CB Daylan George 5'10" 160 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty, and CB Jayven Hollier 5'7" 155 pounds.

The Hornets also return a lot of experience in the trenches, led by LB Bentlie Burrell 5'11" 195 pounds, LB/FB Darius Colar 5'8" 205 pounds, OT/LB Lebron Joseph 6'1" 225 pounds, a 3-year starter, DT James Sereal 5'10" 230 pounds, Center Xavier Thomas 6'1" 290 pounds, a 3-year starter, OG Vashonne Brown 6'2" 305 pounds, OT/DE/OLB Kyren Washington 6'2" 200 pounds, OT/DT Jayden Lightfoot 5'11" 225 pounds, DT/OG Kevin Freeman 5'11" 228 pounds, a 4-year starter, tough all-out leader, OG Brenden Hilts 6'1" 260 pounds, OG/DT Kenyon Smith 6'2" 330 pounds, OG/DT Zion Webb 6'2" 265 pounds, and OG/DT Aaron Lightfoot 6'2" 340 pounds.

Special Teams: Starting Kicker will be Vincent Soprano 5'9" 165 pounds, returning for his second year as the starter. Soprano also will play some WR for the team. In the return game, Zhakhi Brown returns as a Kick Returner and, with his 4.5 speed, is a big-time playmaker.

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Lafayette Christian Knights

| Wyatt Whitney

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

| Caiden Bellard

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:Matt Standiford(2^nd year)

2025 Record:11-2

2025 Playoffs:2nd Round beat Parkview Baptist HS, Quarterfinals beat Catholic New Iberia HS, and Semisfinals lost to Dunham HS.

Signees Colleges:WR Brayden Allen (LSU), Safety Luke Green (UL), QB/Athlete Brennan Walker (UL), OT Torrey Landry (Louisiana Christian), OL Kaleb Campbell (Louisiana Tech), WR Draylan August (Nicholls State), Athlete Jace Babineaux (Louisiana Christian), and LB Jayden Arceneaux (Louisiana Christian).

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 Carencro HS (Home), Week 2 Westminster(Opelousas) HS(Away), Week 3 Alexandria HS (Away), Week 4 Teurlings Catholic HS (Home), Week 5 Opelousas HS(Away)

Team Outlook: “We return 9 starters on Defense with 30 letterman back," said coach Standiford. “We will have to replace some key starters on Offense but feel good about the young kids coming up having to step up in 2026.”

The Offense has 2 talented Quarterbacks battling possibly through Summer in QB Zyzen White 5'9" 165 pounds and Ty Hills 5'9" 168 pounds. Both young players are very good Athletes that can help the program win.

More skill players to watch in 2026 on both sides of the football are Tight End Wyatt Whitney 6'4" 210 pounds, returning starter, good hands, Athlete, starting Running Back Caiden Ballard had 1,600 total yards in 2025 with 25 Touchdowns, one of the top RBs in Louisiana, WR Micah Whitlook 5'11" 160 pounds, WR/TE Brelin Briscoe 6'1" 185 pounds, WR Caine Veillion 5'4" 135 pounds, WR Kaden Ledet 5'8" 155 pounds, WR/DB Tristen Jones 5'10" 170 pounds, WR/DB Bryce Victorian 6'3" 185 pounds, WR Mason Alexander 5'10" 160 pounds, DE/TE Joshua Wilson 6'3" 206 pounds, a 2-way starter at times, DB Kerrance Vallot 5'8" 150 pounds, CB/FS Keldrick Williams Jr. 5'9" 163 pounds, DB Sky Ryan 6'0" 180 pounds, a 4-year starter, leader, and DB Davion Batiste 5'8" 145 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty.

Key Linemen and Linebackers back to lead this program will be Linebacker Kaleb Simon 5'9" 194 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader, with 107 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions in 2025, DE Triston Alexander 6'3" 195 pounds, new starter, newcomer starter LB Deion Poole 6'1" 180 pounds, DE Joseph Adams 6'2" 225 pounds, DT/OG Eli Aguirre 6'0" 280 pounds, Center Liam Collins 5'7" 225 pounds, LB Carter Roberts 5'6" 180 pounds, DT Brayden P. Lanclos 5'8" 255 pounds, DE/LB Braylen Lemarle 6'1" 200 pounds, DT Raylon Walker 5'11" 215 pounds, OT/OG Lane Broussard 5'11" 225 pounds, OC/OG Mason Talbot 5'10" 218 pounds, OT/OG Cullen Sontag 6'1" 310 pounds, and OG Gavin Aguirre 5'8" 205 pounds.

Special Teams: The program will have another really good Kicker in Jude Fairchild 5'8" 150 pounds, returning for his 2nd year as the starter. The Punter will be Wyatt Whitney 6'4" 215 pounds, has a good leg.

Loreauville Tigers

| Kadyn James

| Photo by: mediabydrew

Head Coach:Terry Martin(9^th year)

2025 Record:9-4

2025 Playoffs: 1^st Round beat Ville Platte HS, 2^nd Round beat Church Point HS, and Quarterfinals lost to Sterlington HS.

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Erath HS (Home), Week 2 Central Catholic HS (Away), Week 3 Vermillion Catholic HS (Away), Week 4 Kaplan HS(Home), Week 5 Abbeville HS.

Team Outlook: “In my 34 years of coaching you don’t know if you have chemistry as a team till you get out there and play the game," said coach Martin. “We will have experience back but also a lot of new players in the program playing for the 1^st time.” “We will have a new Quarterback in 2026 after in 2025 Blake Delcambre who graduated was named MVP in our District on Offense and threw for 30 Touchdowns last year which is tough to replace.” “I am also very excited about the future of our program here for the Tigers. Our Freshman team in 2025 went undefeated and those kids will help a lot in our future.”

Head Coach Terry Martin and his staff do a great job with the program. The last 2 years, the Tigers have made the Quarterfinals and will have a chance to go back or beyond in 2026.

The Quarterback position will have 3 players compete, with the leading candidate Wyatt Hazelwood 5'6" 165 pounds, Asa Romero 5'11" 160 pounds, and Brenner Babineaux 6'0" 165 pounds. All three of these kids will make a huge impact for the program and have a great future in the program. Romero can play WR, and Babineaux could play Free Safety if not the starting QB.

More key skill players back to lead the Tigers are RB/LB Thomas Carter 6'0" 205 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader, WR/CB Kadyn James 6'0" 160 pounds, 2nd-year starter, WR/DB Deuce Lewis 5'6" 145 pounds, great hands, RB Rajon Matthews 5'9" 155 pounds, and RB Derric Chambers 5'5" 160 pounds, strong and tough for his size.

Key Linemen, Linebackers, and Tight Ends back are OG/DT Christopher Jones 6'2" 270 pounds, 3-year starter, leader, OG/OC Zane Cooper 6'0" 255 pounds, DT Jansin Conner 5'9" 270 pounds, DE/TE Cole Delahoussaye 6'1" 190 pounds, tough kid, did not play in 2025, TE/DE Eli Landry 5'10" 200 pounds, great blocker, District MVP at Linebacker in 2025, LB/WR Caillou Polk 5'10" 190 pounds, OLB/TE Christian Jones 5'10" 190 pounds, OL Joshua Haydel 5'9" 235 pounds, OL Luke Haydel 5'9" 270 pounds, and Center Benjamin Picard 5'9" 220 pounds.

Special Teams: Starting Kicker will be returning starter Andrew Chambers.

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West St. Mary Wolfpack

| A'hamad Jones

| Photo by: shotbysakk

Head Coach:Kendall Mouton(3^rd year)

2025 Record:8-4

2025 Playoffs: 1^st Round beat Basile HS and 2^nd Round lost to South Plaquemines HS

Team Outlook: “Goal is to put a team out there that will compete for 4 quarters and we are working hard to achieve that over the Spring and Summer,” said coach Mouton.

The Wolfpack returns some experience and will be led by a talented skill group. Here are some key players to keep an eye on: WR Amar Mack 6'0" 170 pounds, OLB/TE/WR Earl Harris 6'3" 210 pounds, LB A'hamad Jones 5'8" 220 pounds, CB Darrien Schanette 5'10" 150 pounds, CB/QB Terroni Dominick 5'10" 190 pounds (3 interceptions in 2025 and All-State Honorable Mention), DE/TE Kade Boatman 6'4" 220 pounds, WR Dru Martin 6'0" 165 pounds, All-District in 2025, FS/WR Markeal Depass 5'9" 175 pounds, OLB/FS Quan Lyons 6'0" 170 pounds, LB Tylon Dominick 5'10" 185 pounds, leader in the trenches Markayden Gabriel 6'1" 270 pounds, OL Peter Parria 6'5" 305 pounds, OG/DT Za'Montay Hurst 6'4" 315 pounds, Center Brylon Bernard 5'9" 300 pounds, QB Neelan Phillips 5'9" 162 pounds, and newcomer SR Jayden Dwyer 6'0" 190 pounds, who will play CB/WR/RB for the team and has a chance to be an All-State type player in 2025.

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