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

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Discrict 3

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DeRidder Dragons

| Jayden Merriweather

| Photo by: shotbychris

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| Daniel Mazyck

| Photo by: Kim Courville

Head Coach:Brad Parmley(11^th year)

2025 Record:6-6

2025 Playoffs: 1^st Round win over Eunice HS, and 2^nd Round lost to North Desoto HS.

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Leesville (Away), Week 2 Many HS (Home), Newton, Texas (Home) and Week 8 Kinder HS (Away).

Team Outlook: “Excited about the players we have coming back,” said Coach Parmley. “We do have some holes to fill this Summer but we are confident and feel good with the younger players stepping up and improving in 2026.

I had a chance to see DeRidder play last year in the playoffs, and I was really impressed with the talent they have coming back. The upside of the program in 2026 could be special in the end.

The Offense will have several players as a group coming back in RB/WR/FS Daniel Mazyck 5'11" 180 pounds, All-District on Defense with 85 tackles and 4 Interceptions; QB Michael Parmley 5'11" 185 pounds, threw for close to 1,000 yards in 2025; WR Cassle Montgomery 5'11" 175 pounds; RB Jaiden Cooper 5'10" 175 pounds, had close to 700 yards rushing in 2025; RB Dejuan Gillard 5'7" 160 pounds; WR/DB Jayden Merriweather 6'4" 180 pounds; TE/DE Mason Hadens 6'0" 195 pounds; and WR/OLB Aaron Woods 6'5" 200 pounds, one of the best players in the Lake Charles area.

The Offensive Line will have size and experience back, led by Center Thomas Poczontek 6'3" 295 pounds; OG Alexander Rochelle 6'3" 280 pounds; new starter Collin Thompson 6'4" 235 pounds; OG Gavin McNabb 5'10" 235 pounds, 2nd-year starter; Antonio Castro 5'10" 240 pounds in the rotation; and OG/DT Leonard Joubert 5'10" 250 pounds, who returns as one of the best linemen on the team.

The Defense will be led by OLB Ayren Woods 6'5" 200 pounds (high jumps 6'6" in track) and All-District Defensive Back Jayden Merriweather 6'3" 175 pounds, two of the most talented players in the District. There's also more leadership and talented players back in FS Daniel Mazyck; DT Christian Freeman 6'2" 290 pounds; DE Paxton Romine 6'1" 230 pounds (benches 350 pounds), one of the strongest kids in Louisiana; Safety/CB Allion Robinson 5'9" 180 pounds; DE/TE DaCorey Wright 6'2" 190 pounds; MLB Jack McCann 5'9" 185 pounds, new starter; OLB Nazyrien Archield 5'10" 185 pounds; Safety Camryn Jackson 5'9" 168 pounds; Safety/OLB Savion Woods 5'9" 185 pounds; and rotating in DE/LB Jace Jackson 6'3" 240 pounds.

Special Teams will be led by returning starter Kicker/Punter Luis Rodriguez 5'9" 150 pounds, who has a very strong leg. In the return game, RB Daniel Mazyck returns after totaling over 400 return yards and 2 Touchdowns during the 2025 season.

Iowa Yellow Jackets

| Landon Joseph

| Photo by: darriauslensofficial

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:Tommy Johns(10^th year)

2025 Record:14-0

2025 Playoffs: State Champs. 2^nd Round beat Northwest HS, Quarterfinals beat Lutcher HS, Semisfinals beat Belle Chasse HS and the State Title game beat North Desoto HS.

Signees Colleges: WR Jeremiah Bushnell (Houston), LB Brycen Fontenot (Louisiana Christian), OL Kohl Fulton (Nicholls State), and DT Kyan Rivera (Milligan U).

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 Barbe HS(Away), Week 2 Leesville HS(Home), and Week 3 Vidor,Texas.

Team Outlook: “Return half our starters 13 players from a year ago,” said coach Johns.  “We lost a special Senior class of 12 players who graduated. They all played an important role in us winning a State Title.” “The underclassman will be moving up. Our Sophomores and Junior classes still have strong leadership and we are excited for another great year in 2026.”

The program will also return leader Lawston Broussard at Quarterback, who led the Yellow Jackets to a State Title in 2025. Broussard is 5'10" 175 pounds and runs the Offense to perfection as both a runner and passer. Broussard, who will be a senior in 2026, will also have a really good group of Running Backs to help again in Kayson Foxall 6'0" 205 pounds, senior, power, speed, leader; Safety/RB Kaston Lewis 6'0" 200 pounds, one of the best players on the team; and RB Aarhmad Holmes 5'11" 210 pounds. Together, Broussard and the running backs bring a lot of power and speed to another big-time run game in 2026.

In the passing game, starters will be Trey Maynor 5'11" 175 pounds, senior, and WR Caleb Lewis 5'11" 165 pounds, both new starters to the Offense but both lettered in 2025. The Offensive Line will return a lot of experience, led by Center Cory Ceasar 5'11" 210 pounds, big-time blocker; OL Drake Swain 5'11" 200 pounds, senior; OL Grady Ellis 5'8" 200 pounds; TE/OL Wyatt Guidry 6'0" 230 pounds; and Izac Monfou 5'11" 200 pounds, all quick and strong players with experience.

The Defense front seven will be strong again, led by DE Landon Joseph 6'2" 230 pounds, 3-year starter; DE Gaven Brown 6'2" 230 pounds, 3-year starter; DT Thomas Harris 5'11" 190 pounds, tough kid; DT Gavin Steed 6'1" 205 pounds; LB Jamarion Chevis 5'9" 180 pounds; and LB Bryce Bourque 5'11" 195 pounds. In the secondary, you have talented 3-year starter Safety Kaston Lewis 6'0" 200 pounds, leader FS Alex Bartie 5'11" 170 pounds, Safety Jordan Bushnell 6'1" 185 pounds, and CB Mason Gott 5'11" 170 pounds.

Special Teams, after Spring, the Kicker and Punter spots are still undecided.

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Jennings Bulldogs

Head Coach:Bret Fuselier(4^th year)

2025 Record:8-4

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round beat St. Martinville HS and 2^nd Round loss to Franklinton HS

Signees Colleges: OL/DL Nate Broussard(Arkansas Monticello), and OL/DL Zion Leonard(Lion College)

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Church Point HS(Home), Week 2 Eunice HS(Away), Week 3 Welsh HS(Home), and Week 9 Winnfield HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “We have a lot of question marks on the Defensive side of the Football team," said coach Fuselier. “How are our kids going to respond come Friday nights to lead this team?” “We return only 3 starters on Defense.”

Everything will revolve around Quarterback Chris Ned 6'0" 175 pounds in 2026 for the Offense to carry this young Defense for the start of the season. Ned is a rare 4-year starter and All-District player with great athletic ability to throw or run the ball. The Defense only returns 3 starters, but they do return 3-year starter Defensive End, and sometimes Tight End, De'John Zeno 5'10" 195 pounds, who can run a 4.69 in the forty and plays full throttle all the time on the field. You also have leader and ball hawk Safety/RB William LeBlanc 6'0" 190 pounds back for his 3rd year as a starter, and Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman Ayden Leger back for his 3rd year as a starter at 6'1" 205 pounds.

More players to watch in 2026 are CB/WR Harrison Oustalet 5'11" 150 pounds; RB/LB Dailen Nixon 5'8" 165 pounds; DE/RB Marquel Gordon Jr. 5'10" 190 pounds; Center/DL Jordin Perkins 5'7" 210 pounds; LB/RB Trevon Gallow 5'7" 185 pounds; OL Conner Wayne Landry 6'0" 240 pounds; TE Gabe Sonnier 6'0" 185 pounds; OT/DL Eli Hill 6'3" 255 pounds; OL/LB Ashton Fruge 6'0" 180 pounds; LB/WR Preston Fontenot 5'6" 155 pounds; TE/FB Tyler Waltrip 5'8" 186 pounds; DE Ashton Lyons 5'10" 200 pounds; CB Raycen Levi 6'2" 170 pounds; DB Dereon Edwards 5'11" 170 pounds; WR/DB Niko Eaton 6'2" 175 pounds; WR/DB Armonte Jones 5'11" 165 pounds; DT Izaiah Jackson 6'0" 220 pounds; TE/DE Campton Berwick 6'2" 207 pounds; LB Lane LeDoux 5'9" 155 pounds; CB Traveon McNulty 5'9" 155 pounds; and DB Joseph Sonnier 5'7" 150 pounds.

Special Teams has a chance to be strong for the team, led by Kicker Julian Perez 6'0" 200 pounds, also a Defensive Tackle for the team, and Long Snapper Jackson Daigle 5'11" 160 pounds.

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South Beauregard Golden Knights

Head Coach:C.J Hudson(1^st year)

2025 Record:2-8

Signees Colleges: DT/TE Shooter Soileau(Arkansas Monticello)

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 St.John HS(Home), Week 2 Rayne HS(Away), Week 3 Buna,Texas(Away), Week 10 St. Edmunds HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “We will have a good mix of younger and experienced older players forming our team in 2026,” said coach Hudson. “We are rebuilding the Offensive Line with just one starter back, but we have some younger players competing there.”

Head Coach C.J. Hudson was a new hire but was with South Beauregard High School in both 2024 and 2025 as the team's Offensive Coordinator and, since 2024, the school's Head Track & Field coach.

The Offense will have a new starting Quarterback in the athletic Davis Henry. The Golden Knights return a few, mostly 2-way, skill starters in SS/WR Mason Richards, big-time leader, 5'9" 150 pounds, All-District as a Defensive Back and Kick Returner in 2025; SS/RB Rhett Dupin 5'11" 180 pounds; CB Malik Hallmark 6'0" 175 pounds; CB/WR Micah Dupree 6'1" 185 pounds, 4.55 speed in the forty; RB Drew Barrow 6'1" 180 pounds; and RB Addison Mott 5'9" 165 pounds.

Key Linemen, Tight Ends, and Linebackers to watch are MLB Hunter Bellard 6'1" 200 pounds, senior leader, 3-year starter; LB/HB Alexandre Baggett 6'0" 170 pounds, 3-year starter; LB Grant Crawford 6'1" 225 pounds, senior, 3-year starter; OG/LB Luke Wisby 6'1" 220 pounds; OL/OC Eli Benoit 6'2" 255 pounds, 2nd-year starter; MLB/TE Heith Cradure 5'10" 185 pounds, senior, coach on the field; OG/DT Gunner Burleigh 6'1" 245 pounds; and OT/OG Lucas Watson 6'3" 260 pounds.

Special Teams Punter will be Davis Henry, and the Kicker will be Sam Koehn 6'0" 185 pounds. In the return game, All-District player Mason Richards will be back to help this team with more big plays in 2026.

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St. Louis Catholic Saints

| Brady Hess

| Photo by: Parish Photo Studio

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Head Coach: Chris Truax(2^nd year)

2025 Record: 2-9

2025 Playoffs: 1^st Round loss to Northlake Christian HS

Signees Colleges:WR/DB B.J. Willis (Centenary)

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Sulphur HS(Away), Week 2 Barbe HS(McNeese State Stadium), Week 3 LaGrange HS(Away), and Week 5 Kaplan HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “Still trying to find our Quarterback for the 2026 season,” said coach Truax. “ So far the job is still wide open going into the Summer months.” “We bring in a new Offensive Coordinator in veteran coach Chris Towery who has coached at both the college and high school level in his career, and return our Wide Receivers coach Trey Quinn and return our Defensive staff so I feel good about our coaching staff in 2026.” “We have a chance to be an improved team and become one unit in the upcoming season.”

The Offense will lean heavily on the run game and Offensive Line until the program finds a Quarterback who will need some reps to get going as a new starter in 2026. The Offensive Line will be led by leader Brady Hess 6'3" 275 pounds, Center Kolby Brown 6'3" 260 pounds, and OL/OC Richard Edwards 5'11" 235 pounds. The Offense also returns the blocking and athletic ability of Tight End Grant Savoy 6'2" 240 pounds, a senior.

The run game has a chance to be a strength of the program, led by leader and returning starter RB McKylin Carrier 5'9" 195 pounds, a 3-year starter with power and speed to have potentially a 1,000-yard-plus season in 2026. There's also RB Kaven Moreau 6'0" 230 pounds, a new player in the program with speed and power, and RB Jack Credeur 5'8" 170 pounds with 4.6 speed in the forty. In the passing game, the Wide Receiver room has a chance to be a strong spot for the team, led by Dale Spencer 6'2" 165 pounds, 4.6 speed in the forty; J.P. Monk 6'1" 160 pounds; Darion Syron 5'10" 170 pounds; and brother Darius Syron 5'10" 170 pounds, both new starters with a ton of upside.

The Defense will be led by one of the top players in the District, leader, tackling machine, and 4-year starter Defensive Tackle/Defensive End Kyle LeBato 6'0" 270 pounds. LeBato has a chance to be the District Defensive MVP in 2026—he's that good. Also watch on Defense LB/SS Connor Abshire 5'11" 170 pounds; LB Griffin Hanks 5'10" 170 pounds; LB Adam Hebert 5'11" 185 pounds, 4.55 speed in the forty; and Defensive End/Defensive Tackle Caliber Byler 5'11" 230 pounds.

The program lost two of the best Special Teams players in the country, both transferred to other schools: Kicker Will Flavin and Long Snapper Clayton Powell, players you can't replace. The Saints program, long known for kickers, will find a starter over the Summer and will have players compete for the Long Snapper spot as well.

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Washington Marion Chargin Indians

Head Coach:Sterling Mobley(1^st year)

2025 Record:3-7

Signees with Colleges:QB Monte Farmer(Basketball Signee)

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 Lagrange HS(Home), Week 2 Mansfield HS(Home), Week 3 Vinton HS(Away), Week 4 DeRidder HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “This is our motto to our players in the program and coaches: All is well,” said coach Mobley. “It means no matter how hard it gets or tough it gets, everything is going to work out in the end.”

The program has a chance to win more games in 2026 with experience back at the skill and lineman positions. Here are some names to watch: WR/FS Tyson Boullard 5'10" 172 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty, 3-year starter; RB/Safety R'Lon Porter 5'10" 190 pounds, 4.5 speed; TE/MLB Hearnest Arvie 6'2" 210 pounds, 2nd-year starter; DT Josiah Arvie 6'0" 230 pounds, 3-year starter; OG/DT Brandon Williams 5'9" 245 pounds, 2nd-year starter; Center Michael Snyder 6'0" 280 pounds, 2nd-year starter; DE Caden Braxton 6'4" 205 pounds, 2nd-year starter; OT/OG Alexander Jackson 5'11" 250 pounds, leader; OLB/RB Kenny Robinson 5'7" 170 pounds, 4.40 speed, leader; WR/Safety Joseph Simien 6'1" 180 pounds, talented (6 Touchdowns in 2025); top WR Haiden Stevens 5'9" 165 pounds; OLB Darius Wilridge 5'10" 185 pounds, leader; best OL back Quentin Miller 6'2" 275 pounds; OG/OC Davian Flagg 6'0" 255 pounds, back after missing most of the 2025 season, talented leader; FB/TE/LB Elvin Turner 5'11" 180 pounds; RB Koreyon Washington 5'9" 185 pounds, 4.4 speed; DT Willie Charles 5'11" 245 pounds, new starter; WR/FS Jeremy Hall 5'10" 160 pounds; and CB/SS Ethan Villery 6'0" 175 pounds, senior, had a great Spring, 4.5 speed, strong and gifted.

Special Teams: Michael English 5'10" 160 pounds will be the starting Punter and Kicker and will play some CB for the team. Long Snapper will be Hearnest Arvie.

The new starting QB will be Damond Bellard 5'9" 190 pounds, a strong, tough kid who can throw it and run the ball with power in the Offense.

Westlake Rams

Head Coach:Brad Kellogg(1^st year)

2025 Record:6-5

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to Donaldsonville HS

Team Outlook: The Rams will be led by an experienced Offensive Line coming back and trying to develop depth overall while starting a new Quarterback for the 1st time in 3 years. The projected starter at Quarterback, Brody Anderson, would have been a 4-year starter for the Rams but transferred to Sam Houston High School. Anderson is one of the top QBs in Louisiana, and that stings, but the team will have to find a way to win games with a new leader.

I wasn't able to get in touch with Coach Kellogg after several attempts but talked to the prior head coach (John Richardson) right before he left about this year's team back in April of 2026.

The Offensive Line, let's start there because that's the strength of the team, led by senior Dallas Taylor 5'8" 255 pounds; OC/OG Luke Lamaire 6'4" 295 pounds, a senior leader; OL Devin McCraney 6'3" 330 pounds, a senior; and OG/DT Dax Anderson 5'9" 225 pounds. You also have a strong blocking runner in senior Fullback Dax Duhon 5'9" 205 pounds.

More key players to watch are LB/DE Sam Fontenot 6'0" 205 pounds, a senior leader; FS/SS Austin Clophus 5'10" 170 pounds, 4.59 speed in the forty, had a big-time interception against Rosepine High School that I saw in 2025; WR Derek Thompson 6'1" 170 pounds; WR Issac Jordan 6'3" 175 pounds, playmaker; and DT Ben McDaniel 5'11" 245 pounds.

Special Teams returns the team's starting Kicker, Alicia Cuppens 5'6" 130 pounds, the first female kicker in the history of Westlake High School. She does a great job kicking extra points, she is money.

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