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

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District 8

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Albany Hornets

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| Devin Murray

| Photo by: Lynden Booth

Head Coach:Travis Mikel(2^nd year)

2025 Record:4-7

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to Brusly HS

Signees Colleges:RB/LB Jonah Grob(Bethel U).Ran for 2,200 yards and 35 Touchdowns in 2025.

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Denham Springs HS(Away), Week 2 St. Thomas Aquinas HS(Home), Week 3 Springfield HS(Away), Week 4 Independence HS(Away), Week 5 Episcopal HS(Home), Week 9 Walker HS(Away)

Team Outlook: “To be successful we have to be a mentally tough football team in 2026,” said coach Mikel. “Meaning we need to be able to run the ball and stop the run to have a good year or a so-so year if we don’t do those things well as a team.”

The Offense will run the ball a lot, and several players will be called upon to get reps, including QB Jake Milton 5'9" 170 pounds, a 3-year starter who also starts at Free Safety; RB/FB Kaleb Smith-Hiley 6'0" 215 pounds, a power runner with speed; RB/WR Jayden Lapine 5'9" 170 pounds, a 3-year starter who does it all for the team; and RB/FB/LB Brody Castille 5'11" 182 pounds, who also brings power and speed to the position.

More key players to watch in 2026 are WR/LB Eli Miller 5'10" 180 pounds; WR/CB Devin Murray 5'9" 142 pounds; OT/DT Michael Vilardo 6'3" 270 pounds; DT/OC/OG Tommy Windom 5'11" 275 pounds; DT Luke Smiley 6'0" 250 pounds; Center Johnny Windom 5'9" 245 pounds; TE/LB Levi Shockley 5'11" 200 pounds; WR/OLB Yabrieon Williams 6'1" 200 pounds; and FS/WR Reed Parker 5'9" 178 pounds.

Special Teams: Eli Miller will lead the way as the starting Long Snapper. In the return game, Jayden Lapine will return as a big-time playmaker with 4.55 speed in the forty.

Bogalusa Lumberjacks

| Jayden Levi

| Photo by: Jeffery McElveen

Head Coach:Larry Harold(1^st Year)

2025 Record:0-10

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Independence HS(Away), Week 2 South Plaquemines HS(Home), Week 3 Varnado HS(Home),Week 4 St. Helena Central HS(Away), Week 5 Jefferson Rise(Away),and Week 6 Booker T. Washington HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “Feels good to be back in Louisiana and coaching,” said coach Harold.” “I’ve been coaching in Georgia since 2010 since my playing days at Southern University as an Offensive Lineman from 1997 to 2001 under Pete Richardson.” “I started my coaching career in Louisiana at Istrouma HS in Baton Rouge for 6 years and Scotlandville HS 2 years. I cherish the opportunity to be a head coach and get the job at Bogalusa High School.” “We will have some experience back but mostly a young team and in 2026 will play 10 incoming Freshman on varsity in the program for depth.” “I am excited about the future.”

Players to watch in 2026 will be WR/DE/LB Jayden Levi 6'1" 190 pounds, a 3-year starter and leader in the program; QB/Safety Deontael Ishman 5'10" 165 pounds, leader of the program; DB/WR Kason Rich 6'0" 170 pounds, a 3-year starter; DT/FB Aydan Roberts 5'9" 225 pounds, senior; DT/OG William Thomas 6'0" 320 pounds; RB/OLB Lezarick Peters 5'9" 170 pounds; RB/WR Rashaad Daniels 5'8" 155 pounds; DT Dominick Duncan 5'10" 260 pounds; CB/RB Lemaj Levi 5'11" 160 pounds, a 3-year starter with 4.45 speed in the forty; OL/DE Vincent Powell 6'1" 210 pounds, new starter; and several incoming freshmen, like coach said above, who will either start or provide needed depth for this program in 2026 and the years to come. 

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Jewel Sumner Cowboys

Head Coach:Ross Currier(12^th year)

2025 Record:11-1

2025 Playoffs:2^nd Round beat Slaughter Charter HS, and Quarterfinals loss to Calvary Baptist HS.

Signees Colleges:OC/LSP Ashton Broussard (Louisiana Christian), FB/LB Jeremiah Brooks (Millsaps), DE/LB Collin Mack (Central Methodist in Missouri), RB/LB Jamohn Dyson (Kentucky State), and OT/DT Caeden Starns (College Power Lifting)

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 St. Helena Central HS(Home), Week 2 Kentwood HS(Away), Week 3 H.L Bourgeois HS(Away), Week 4 Franklinton HS(Home), and Week 5 Pearl River HS(Home).

Team Outlook: “We want to carry on the culture we have had the last few years and strive to get to the Superdome," said coach Currier. “We are close and have been close recently playing for State Titles.” “Two years in a row we have lost Quarterfinal games by 7 points or less.” “The Offense in 2026 might have the fastest backfield we’ve ever had at Jewel Sumner HS.”

The Offense will have a new QB in 2026 in Kelyn Miller 5'11" 185 pounds. He has a good arm and 4.55 speed in the forty as a runner.

Like coach mentioned, the skill talent on Offense will be fast and skilled, led by Jah'Kahn Brown with legit 4.4 speed in the forty; newcomer RB Rylan James 5'9" 195 pounds with 4.5 speed and over 2,000 career rushing yards; RB James Kennedy 5'10" 175 pounds with 4.5 speed, who also plays CB on Defense; WR/OLB Khayden McCabe 6'1" 165 pounds; RB/CB Rashaud Shy 5'9" 175 pounds with 4.4 speed in the forty; and TE/FB John Speed 5'10" 210 pounds.

The Offensive Line has leader and 3-year starter OL Luis Moreno 5'10" 215 pounds; Center Jaden Freeman 6'0" 250 pounds, a 2nd-year starter; OL Jaydon Besse 6'0" 230 pounds, a 3-year starter; OT/DT Zakayden Elzie 6'4" 290 pounds; and OT/DT Kayne Russell 6'2" 245 pounds.

On Defense, keep an eye on MLB Brennan Brumfield 5'10" 198 pounds, who led the team in tackles in 2025; FS Vincent Sims 6'0" 180 pounds, a 2nd-year starter; OLB Kimiaki Williams 5'11" 180 pounds, a 2nd-year starter; SS Jimmy Fedieu 5'11" 190 pounds, a 2nd-year starter and All-District selection in 2025; and DE Jah'Keem Brown 5'11" 200 pounds, a new starter.

Special Teams returning at Kicker/Punter will be Luis Moreno, and Long Snapper will be decided over the Summer.

Loranger Wolves

| Head Coach Chris Powell

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

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Head Coach:Chris Powell(2^nd year)

2025 Record:4-7

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to St. Michaels HS.

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 St. Michaels HS (Away), Week 2 Chalmette HS (Away), Week 3 Independence HS (Away), Week 4 Kentwood HS (Home),Week 5 Pine HS (Home), Week 10 Morris Jeff HS (Away).

Team Outlook: “We are moving from Class 4A to Class 3A in 2026 and will have to earn our spot moving down as a team because we still have a lot of new players and starters even though we will be one of the bigger Class 3A schools," said coach Powell.” “The Defense in 2026 will have a different look going to more of a 3-3 stack look that fits our talent there.”

The Offense will have a new starting Quarterback in Braylon Tate 6'0" 180 pounds. He had a good offseason for the program and has the ability to lead this team to several wins in 2026 as a senior.

The Offensive Line will have a chance to be really good in the end, led by OG/OC Tyler Alexander 6'1" 275 pounds, senior, who was the starting Center in 2025 and is moving to OG but can still play Center if needed; Center Blise Luneau 6'0" 240 pounds, new starter who had a good Spring; OL Jaiden Hines 6'1" 250 pounds, senior; new starter Brennan Hardy 6'0" 230 pounds, who will also play some Defensive Line; and OL Jase Rogers 6'1" 245 pounds.

More players to watch in 2026 are TE/DE Tajh Batiste 6'2" 240 pounds, senior leader; DT Hayden Auglair 5'11" 250 pounds, leader; OLB/SS Jamarion Freeman 6'3" 205 pounds, big-time talent; WR/RB/DB Cameron McKnight 5'11" 175 pounds, returning starter; LB/RB Kerrion Butler 5'7" 210 pounds, All-District in 2025 as a Linebacker; LB/OG Xavier Herrera 5'9" 190 pounds; DB Eric Marshall 5'9" 145 pounds; LB/FB Liam Townsend 5'9" 195 pounds; CB/WR Byron Marshall 5'9" 140 pounds; OLB Norman Gaubert 6'0" 165 pounds; WR Rayden Anderson 5'6" 140 pounds; and Safety/WR Brennan Sylve 5'8" 150 pounds, who will rotate in a lot on both sides of the football.

Special Teams: Starting Kicker will be Norman Gaubert 6'0" 165 pounds, who returns with a strong leg.

Pope John Paul II Jaguars

| Joseph Sprinkle

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

| Jack Roniger, Joseph Sprinkle

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

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Head Coach:Phillip Pigot(6^th year)

2025 Record:5-6

2026 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to Slaughter Charter HS.

2026  Non District Games:Week 1 Thomas Jefferson(Home), Week 2 Pine HS(Home), Week 3 Archbishop Hannan HS(Home), Week 4 Northlake Christian HS(Away), Week 5 Morris Jefferson HS(Home).

Team Outlook: “Culture is the key to our success," said coach Pigot. “We have new faces and now higher standards to live up as a football program.” “We will have a little more depth overall in 2026 with less players having to play both sides of the football.” 

The Offense will be led by new starting Quarterback Gage Trainor, who already has a lot of ability with a cannon arm to set up for a great year in the passing game and running the Offense.

More skill players to watch are RB/LB Jack Roniger 6'0" 215 pounds, one of the best players on the team; WR Jai Williams 6'3" 165 pounds; TE/WR John Paul Imbraguglio 6'4" 200 pounds; WR Cole McGhee 5'11" 155 pounds; RB Brayden Mitchell 5'9" 160 pounds; TE/FB Brady Noto 6'0" 200 pounds; and FB Evan Bergeron 6'0" 205 pounds.

The Offensive Line will be led by OT/DT Wyatt Higgins 6'3" 290 pounds; OC/DT Luke Rohlinger 6'1" 280 pounds; OL Tyler Spivey 5'10" 230 pounds; OL Ali Khalil 5'10" 220 pounds; and OL Logan Geiman 6'0" 210 pounds.

The Defense will have a pretty good front seven, led by 4-year starter DE/OLB Joseph Sprinkle 6'3" 230 pounds with 4.6 speed in the forty; LB Jack Roniger 6'0" 215 pounds; MLB Josh Calais 5'10" 180 pounds; DT Beau Kiger 6'1" 255 pounds; LB Jayce Hendricks 6'1" 210 pounds; and DE Luke Nichols 6'0" 220 pounds.

The Defensive Backfield will consist of Safety Brady Huerstel 5'9" 175 pounds; FS Eli Schayot 6'1" 155 pounds, a leader and heady player; CB King Greene 6'0" 160 pounds; and CB Christian Davis 5'11" 155 pounds.

Special Teams will have a new starting Kicker/Punter in Jace Mire for the 2026 season.

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