Louisiana Football Magazine 2026 Class 5A Football Preview (Written by Lee Brecheen)

District 4

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Catholic Bears

| Max Jones

| Photo by: Patrick Dawes

Head Coach:Hudson Fuller(4^th year)

2025 Record:10-3

2025 Playoffs: 2^nd Round Captain Shreve HS, Quarterfinals Alexandria HS, and Semisfinals Edna Karr HS

Signees Colleges: FS Blaine Bradford(Ohio State), WR Cale Alexander(Millsaps), LB Harrison Kidder(UL), DT Tarjon Dearbone(Bellhaven), OT/OG Blaise Thomassie(Stanford), DB Ian Locklar(Nicholls State)

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Carrollton HS Georgia(Home), Week 2 Dunham HS(Home), Week 3 St. Thomas More HS(Home), Week 4 Ruston HS(Away), Week 5 Madison Rigeland HS Mississippi(Away), Week 10 Legacy Sports of Sciences HS Texas(Home).

Team Outlook: “This team has the potential to improve a lot through the course of the season,” said coach Fuller. “ Many younger players we have will improve as the season goes on combined with the veteran players to put us in position for a great season.” “The Offensive Line has a chance to be a deep position for us with depth and more size than we have had in a while as a group.” 

The 2026 Catholic High School team has a chance similar to the Bears 2017  State Title team but a lot bigger on the Offensive and Defensive Lines.

The 2026 Catholic High School team has a chance to be similar to the Bears' 2017 State Title team but a lot bigger on the Offensive and Defensive Lines.

The Offense will have a new starting Quarterback in Cam Estep, 6'2", 180 pounds, already viewed as a DI player before even taking a snap of varsity football at Catholic High School. Estep will have a strong skill set of players around him to grow at a normal pace in his 1st year as the starting Quarterback at one of the top programs in Louisiana.

The run game will have a chance to be, if not the best as a group, one of the best in Louisiana, led by two big-time power backs, both with size and speed you don’t see every day: senior Jayden Miles, 6'2", 215 pounds, and senior Justin Batiste, 6'1", 210 pounds. There’s also FB/FB Lamond Robinson, 5'8", 200 pounds, senior, and several young backs will get their chance to get reps for the 1st time in 2026.

The Wide Receiver room will have talent again, led by WR/RB Greg Williams Jr., 5'10", 180 pounds, can play either RB or WR with great speed and some power; WR Dyer Chambers, 5'9", 160 pounds; WR Gary Simpson III, 5'10", 175 pounds; and newcomers Jaden Moffit, 6'0", 175 pounds, and Jordy Cullota Jr., 5'11", 180 pounds, both young and talented players.

The Offensive Line will be the biggest in size as a group I’ve ever seen at Catholic High School in my 30-plus years covering the program, led by OT Max Jones, 6'6", 290 pounds; OT Jacque Robichaux, 6'4", 295 pounds; OT/OG Jackson Shaw, 6'6", 275 pounds; OG Hunter Jarreau, 6'4", 275 pounds; Center Eli Crump, 6'1", 265 pounds; and OL Preston Perry, 6'0", 285 pounds. There are some talented players who will rotate in at times for depth: Brody Gregoire, 6'0", 265 pounds; OL Michael Mouck, 6'3", 265 pounds; OL Weston Mayeaux, 6'3", 285 pounds; and OL Quinton Jones, 6'3", 275 pounds.

Also helping the Offensive Line and WR room will be talented Tight End Jude Chamberlin, 6'5", 235 pounds, and TE/FB Hayes Schramm, 6'1", 200 pounds, who also will get some looks at Linebacker on Defense.

The Defensive front seven is bigger in 2026 and has more experience back, led by DE/OLB Jayden Vessel, 6'2", 230 pounds, 4-year starter, leader; DE Liam Myers, 6'2", 235 pounds, senior; DT Jayce Holland, 6'1", 280 pounds; DE Jack Stokes, 6'3", 240 pounds, senior leader; LB Hudson Giroud, 6'0", 210 pounds; and a few young Linebackers competing for a starting position in 2026 over Summer and early Fall practice.

The Defensive Backfield lost some experience but returns some leaders in Safety Kooper Rome, 5'11", 180 pounds; Safety Howard Beach, 6'0", 185 pounds, senior; DJay Collins, CB, 5'11", 170 pounds; CB Gavin Plummer, 5'10", 170 pounds; and CB Carson Rice, 6'1", 180 pounds.

Special Teams, always a strong point for this program for many years, will be strong again. Kickers will be Graham Nassif, 5'11", 170 pounds, senior, for Field Goals and Kickoffs; Punter will be Carson Martinez, 6'0", 195 pounds; and Long Snapper will be Ladd Viguerie, 5'11", 165 pounds, a really good LSP as a senior in 2026.

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Central Wildcats

| Marvin Joseph

| Photo by: Lucille Davis

| Marcus Watson

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:David Simoneaux(4^th year)

2025 Record:10-3. District 4-1

2025 Playoffs: 1^st Round beat Dutchtown HS, 2^nd Round beat East Ascension HS, and Quarterfinals lost to Zachary HS.

College Signees: OT Graham Harris (Northwestern State), DE Scott Smith (Nicholls State), DB Brody Knapps (Southeastern), WR Keithon Womack (Southeastern), and LB JaMichael Garrett (Ole Miss).

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Acadiana HS(Home), Week 2 Denham Springs HS(Home), Week 3 John Ehret HS(Home), Week 4 West Monroe HS(Away), Week 5 Ouachita HS(Home)

Team Outlook: “Moving forward see how our guys gel over the Summer with a new team in 2026,” said coach Simoneaux. “Excited at the same time to see the potential unfold and see where it goes in the end.” 

The Wildcats will put a pretty good Offense on the field in 2026 because they can build around a polished Quarterback with a ton of experience, back senior Max Gassiott, 6'1", 195 pounds. In 2025, he passed for 2,013 yards, ran for 520 yards, and had 28 total Touchdowns on the season.

The Wildcats also return one of the most talented 2-way players in Louisiana the past 4 years, Marvin Joseph, 6'1", 210 pounds, as a RB or Safety, and when he is on the field he gets your attention as an opposing coach. There’s also returning WR Brody Diel, who did really well in 2025 with 57 catches, 982 yards, and 13 Touchdowns in his 1st year to start.

More skill players to keep an eye on are RB Tristan Rose, 5'10", 185 pounds; WR Marcus D. Watson Jr., 6'1", 175 pounds; WR Ayden Bentley, 6'3", 165 pounds; and TE/FB A.J. Parks, 6'0", 220 pounds.

The Offensive Line returns some experience, led by Center Landon Crochet, 6'0", 215 pounds; OL Kaleb Lebourgeois, 6'0", 300 pounds; OL Austin Adams, 5'11", 210 pounds; new starter Brandon Nixon, 6'0", 215 pounds; and returning starter Kaeden Shows, 6'4", 285 pounds.

The Defensive front will be led by DE/OLB Lane Billings, 6'1", 215 pounds; DE/DT Jayden Garnett, 6'1", 230 pounds, had 47 tackles with 8 Sacks in 2025; DT Ja’Mareon Jackson, 6'0", 260 pounds, a strong, tough kid; DE John Robinson, 6'0", 210 pounds, new starter; LB Camden Rankin, 5'11", 190 pounds, a 3-year starter; and LB Emil Rufini, 6'0", 185 pounds, new starter.

The Defensive Backfield will be one of the best in Louisiana, led by Marvin Joseph, Safety; CB/Safety Mason Moore, 5'10", 175 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader; CB Devante Sanders, 5'10", 170 pounds; CB Malik Nixon, 5'10", 165 pounds; Safety Dylan Thompson, 6'1", 170 pounds; and rotating in Karson Converse, 5'11", 185 pounds. You might also see the talented young Malachi Royal, 6'1", 160 pounds, get some playing time too.

Special Teams' new starting Kicker will be Nathan Hunter, 6'1", 180 pounds, lettered in 2025 and has a great future. He will also probably handle the Punting duties too.

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Liberty Magnet Patriots

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:Devyn Baker(1^st Year)

2025 Record:6-5

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round loss to Brother Martin HS 17-16

Signees Colleges:DE/LB Kingston Duhon (Erskine U), and RB Zaiden Foster (Kentucky State)

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 Westgate HS (Home),Week 2 St. Amant HS (Away),Week 3 Broadmoor HS (Home),Week 4 Lafayette Renaissance HS(Home),Week 5 Alexandria HS(Away)

Team Outlook: "Growing with a bunch of young talented players still processing the starting lineup with only 15 seniors in 2026,” said coach Baker. “The Patriots graduated 30 players who either started or lettered in 2025.” “Focus is on leadership this Summer and also look at the Junior Class and Soph classes for more leadership.” “ We will play a lot of Freshman and Soph. players in the lineup to start that foundation for several years.” “We lost all our starters from the Linebacker spot and those startings spots will be determined in Fall practice among younger players.”

The Patriots will have a new starting Quarterback because the starter moved to the state of Texas for his 2026 season. There are currently 3 Quarterbacks competing for the starting job: Rafael Velasco, 5'10", 180 pounds; Koi Bruce, 6'1", 175 pounds; and Jovani Jones, 5'7", 135 pounds. All three are talented players with different skill sets. Jones had the best Spring of all three, but the job will not be decided until this Summer/Fall.

Here are more players to watch in 2026: CB Jermaine Williams, 5'11", 160 pounds, returning starter, leader of the secondary as a senior; DE/TE Dakari Davis, 6'4", 215 pounds, 3-year starter; OL Ian Morris, 6'2", 345 pounds, 2nd-year starter; DT Khyree Cummings, 6'0", 240 pounds; Safety Allen Stewart, 5'11", 172 pounds; RB Stephens Abednego, 5'8", 175 pounds; WR Caleb Handy, 6'0", 173 pounds; WR Bryson Smith, 6'2", 165 pounds; RB Jaxon Broussard, 5'8", 150 pounds, 4.45 speed in the forty; OL Brandon Hatch, 5'7", 225 pounds; OL Sedrick Johnson, 6'0", 220 pounds; OL Cardae Tate, 5'11", 260 pounds; OLB Mason Patton, 5'7", 160 pounds; LB Jalen Bradley, 5'9", 190 pounds; Safety Jeremiah Thomas, 6'1", 155 pounds; WR/Safety Bryson Moses, 5'11", 154 pounds; and newcomer to the program WR Sean Gibson, 5'6", 152 pounds, with 4.5 speed in the forty.

Special Teams: Kaden Ray will start off as the starting Kicker in his 1st year as a starter. The Kicking and Long Snapper spots will be decided over the Summer or early Fall.

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Woodlawn Panthers

| Coaching Staff

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:Tramon Douglas(2^nd year)

2025 Record:4-6

Signees Colleges:DE/OLB Tyrone Morgan (Baylor), DB Cayden Randall (Southeastern), and DE RJ Fleming (Grambling State)

Team Outlook: Team was really close to making the playoffs in 2025 with 2 close games against Central & Liberty which we could have won in the end but I think this will give the program something to build on in 2026. “We did improve as a team as the season went on last year. We feel better now that the kids have a year under their belt with the mindset to go be ready and play games in Class 5A, but we do have to replace 6 different starters and lettermen from the Defensive Line in 2025,” said coach Douglas.

The Offense returns some talented young skill players and a new starting Quarterback in 2026. Skill players to watch on both sides of the football are WR Jordan Knox, 5'11", 170 pounds, 4.5 speed, returning starter, senior leader; CB Jaylen Knox, 5'11", 170 pounds, 4.5 speed; Safety Imari Buckner, 6'2", 180 pounds; RB Brian Carter, 5'9", 190 pounds; WR Troy Ramos, 5'9", 160 pounds; WR Omar Morehouse, 5'10", 165 pounds, newcomer with 4.5 speed; RB Chris Williams, 5'11", 185 pounds; Safety Cayden Turner, 5'11", 175 pounds, 2nd Team All District in 2025, leader, senior; and WR Austin Primus, 5'11", 165 pounds.

Key Linemen, Linebackers, and Tight Ends back and new players are LB Tre’den Conrad, 5'10", 180 pounds; TE Darius Jackson, 6'4", 205 pounds; Center Dedrick Weatherspoon, 6'0", 300 pounds, team's best lineman, tough leader; OL Collin Smith, 6'1", 280 pounds, tough leader; OL Noah Thomas, 6'5", 300 pounds; DE Jeremiah Randall, 6'3", 200 pounds; DE/DT Kyle Lee, 6'1", 255 pounds, converted Offensive Lineman, now Defensive Lineman; DT Kedrick Weatherspoon, 5'10", 260 pounds; LB Jamarion Bass, 5'10", 185 pounds, All District in 2025 and team leader, senior; and LB Jayden Collins, 5'10", 185 pounds, competing to start or rotate in.

Special Teams Starting Kicker and Punter will be Matthew Sicard, 5'8", 165 pounds. He did a great job with extra points in 2025. Long Snapper was open after Spring Practice.

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Zachary Broncos

Head Coach:David Brewerton(13^th year)

2025 Record:9-4

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round beat Denham Springs HS, 2^nd Round beat Central HS, and Quarterfinals lost to Ruston HS.

Signees Colleges: WR Kristion Brooks (UL), OL Keidrick Bailey (Southeastern), LB Dylan Shelmire(Southeastern).

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Plaquemine HS (Away), Week 2 Acadiana HS (Away), Week 3 Madison Prep HS (Home), Week 4 Warren Easton HS (Home), Week 5 St. Amant HS(Away), and Week 10 Destrehan HS (Home).

Team Outlook: “Going to lean on toughness on both sides of the football,” said coach Brewerton. “Run the ball and win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football.”

The new starting Quarterback has experience starting on the Class 5A level with a few starts, Jacori Patt, 6'0", 205 pounds, transfer from Central High School, I think a great fit for this Offense. This kid is tough, and he does everything well to be a great leader for this program. This is also his year to show everyone the talent he has overall, built like a Linebacker but nimble with a good arm.

The Offense will have one of the deepest Wide Receiver rooms you will see in Louisiana, led by WR Ethan Kimmie, 6'4", 200 pounds; WR Kylin Jones, 5'8", 150 pounds; WR Tikoby Rheams, 5'10", 180 pounds; WR Asher Carter, 6'3", 180 pounds; plus 4 talented WRs will rotate in: Gavin Brooks, 6'3", 200 pounds; WR Skylar Whitfield, 5'9", 155 pounds; Ladarius Dunn, 5'10", 170 pounds; and WR Toddrick Bradley, 5'10", 175 pounds.

The run game returns a great 1-2 punch of Tylek Lewis, 6'1", 215 pounds, and Jeremey Patton, 5'8", 178 pounds. Both ran for 1,200 yards in 2025, and it’s scary what they can do in 2026 as a duo. There’s also a 3rd back to get reps, Brice Fisher, 5'10", 185 pounds. At Fullback/H-Back, you have Jean Baptiste-Honore, 5'10", 220 pounds, a good blocker, new starter.

The Offensive Line will have a chance to be really good again, led by Tayvion Richard, 6'3", 275 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader; Center Evan Lawson, 6'0", 285 pounds; OL Cole Fudge, 6'1", 285 pounds; and OT Mason Smith, 6'3", 280 pounds. Here are some Offensive Linemen still battling for a starting role: OG/OT Jackson Cavanaugh, 5'10", 265 pounds; OG Kage Knapps, 6'0", 275 pounds; and OL Ruben Kilbourne, 5'11", 255 pounds.

The Defense has size up front, led by DT Calvin Duncan, 6'3", 320 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader; DT DeMarcus Holiday, 5'11", 340 pounds; DT Jaxson Taylor, 6'3", 320 pounds; DE Josh Morgan, 5'11", 240 pounds; and rotating in DE/DT Deandre Harrell, 5'11", 260 pounds.

The Linebackers, you have a new group of starters: LB Brendon Hawkins, 6'2", 210 pounds; LB Darius Lee, 5'11", 215 pounds; LB Kevin Johnson, 5'10", 175 pounds; and LB Cayson Pearson, 6'0", 225 pounds.

The Defensive Backfield lost a lot of experience from the 2025 season but returns some really young, talented players in CB Brandin Watson, 5'10", 155 pounds; CB Braylen Gibbs, 6'0", 180 pounds; Safety Alex Williams, 5'10", 170 pounds; and Safety Treven Barber, 5'9", 170 pounds.

Special Teams starting at Kicker will be Evan Lopez, 5'9", 155 pounds, and new starting Punter will be Ivory Johnson, 5'11", 190 pounds. In the return game you have Skylar Whitfield and Tikoby Rheams, both really good as playmakers for Punt and Kick Returns.

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