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Louisiana Football Magazine 2026 Class 5A Football Preview (Written by Lee Brecheen)
Distric 7
Central Lafourche Trojans
| Myles Crochet
| Photo provided by Myles Crochet
| Aaron Babin
| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)
Head Coach:Aaron Babin(1st year)
2025 Record:2-8
Team Outlook: “Implamented a weight strength training program and really happy we are getting stronger as a program overall need to be stronger and faster in Class 5A kids are working hard on and off the field,” said coach Babin. “We have Summer standards and we continue to push the players going into the Summer/Fall.” “We are great in fundamentals and we just need to keep getting better in Special Teams,Offense and Defense to reach our goals.” “The Strength of the team I feel will be returning 4 starters on the Offensive Line with experience and leadership there.” “We will have some looks with 4 Wide Receivers in the game at any time some 4 wide.”
The Quarterback battle after Spring going into the Summer is still a three-way battle among Brock Babin, 5'10", 177 pounds, strong arm; QB Casen Bender, 5'9", 160 pounds; and QB Parker Verret, 5'11", 155 pounds, who can also play some Safety if not at QB. Babin is in the lead going into the Summer. All three kids will be playing for this team to help them win in 2026, if not at QB, then at another position.
The run game has Hunter Babin, 5'11", 190 pounds; RB Treyvenne Allen, 5'8", 155 pounds; RB/SS Tamyren Crandle, 5'7", 150 pounds; and FB Colt Arceneaux, 5'9", 210 pounds, a 2nd-year starter.
The passing game at WR has Reese Verdin, 5'10", 160 pounds, has 4.6 speed in the forty as a 2nd-year starter.
The Offensive Line leader and anchor, Center/OT Myles Crochet, 6'1", 215 pounds, senior, is back; OL/DL Issac Maldonado, 6'0", 245 pounds, 3-year starter, leader; OG Liam Detillier, 6'1", 320 pounds; OG Brody Angle, 6'0", 245 pounds; TE/OL Brayden Dupre, 6'2", 190 pounds; and OL Xander Arceaneaux, 6'3", 250 pounds, possibly as the 5th starter.
The Defense will still have some spots to win in the Fall, but here are some players to watch: DT Matthew Verret, 5'11", 230 pounds; DT Justin Davis, 5'8", 255 pounds; CB Azyron Gray, 5'8", 155 pounds; CB Malik Bentley, 5'11", 173 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty; SS Cyrus Smither, 6'0", 165 pounds, 4.6 speed in the forty; OLB/SS Ja’yorin Harvey, 5'10", 180 pounds, 4.6 speed, tough kid; DT Zaylon Harris, 6'0", 255 pounds; CB Noah Robinson, 6'2", 175 pounds, returning starter; Issac Maldonado will see some time also at DT/DE as a 2-way starter; and Safety Jerney Le, 5'7", 165 pounds, a leader and 3-year starter.
Special Teams: Starting Kicker will be George Hurley, 5'11", 165 pounds, a returning starter looking to have a big year in 2026 and will also play some Safety for the team. Punter was open after Spring practice. Long Snapper will be Xander Arceneaux, 6'3", 250 pounds, does a good job.
Destrehan Fighting Wildcats
| Malachi Dabney
| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)
Head Coach:Marcus Scott(7th year)
2025 Record:8-3.District 6-0
2026 Playoffs:2nd Round lost to Ouachita Parish HS
Signees Colleges :WR Jabari Mack(LSU), DB Damien Richard(Louisiana Tech), OL Earl Collins(Alabama A&M), QB Jackson Fields(UIW), OL Gage Schreiber(Bellhaven), and OL Jeshua Lazo(Bellhaven)
2026 Non District Games: Week 1 St. Paul’s(Home), Week 2 St. Augustine HS(Home), Week 3 West Jefferson HS(Home), Week 9 Zachary HS(Away)
Team Outlook:
The Offense will center around a new starting Quarterback, Au’shai Smith, 5'11", 180 pounds, who has starting experience in his career and is ready to blossom in 2026.
There’s plenty of playmakers in 2026, but the leader of this unit of skill players returns in All District RB Malachi Dabney, 5'10", 190 pounds, ran for 1,600 yards in 2024, 1,800 yards in 2025, with 52 total Touchdowns in 2 years as a starter. Dabney has everything from power and vision and, most of all, runs with determination in a tough Class 5A District.
More skill players to watch will be WR Jaylan Ash, 6'1", 175 pounds, SR; RB Tony Crump Jr., 5'10", 210 pounds; WR/RB Jordan Zeringue, 5'9", 180 pounds; WR Coryan Armstrong, 5'7", 165 pounds; WR Lanbyn Dugas, 5'9", 170 pounds; WR Jaiden Williams, 5'9", 180 pounds; WR Dominic Townsend, 6'1", 180 pounds; WR Edward Florent, 6'1", 175 pounds; WR Daryl Washington, 5'10", 165 pounds; and FB/TE Brayden Fayard, 5'9", 200 pounds.
The Offensive Line will be a strong group again, led by OT Jordan Collins, 6'3", 290 pounds; OL Jamiah Giles, 6'1", 280 pounds; OL Andrew Culver, 6'0", 275 pounds; OL Ethan Smith, 5'11", 225 pounds; OL Damari Tabb, 6'2", 250 pounds; and OL Remy McClowsky, 6'2", 255 pounds.
The Defense will field another talented, fast team with some size, led by Safety Ryan Montegue, 5'11", 180 pounds, big-time hitter; DB Jakyrin Sanchez, 6'2", 175 pounds; LB Cameron Florent, 6'1", 215 pounds; LB Blaine Picou, 5'9", 190 pounds; DE/DT Joshua Fiffie, 6'5", 295 pounds; DT Brandon Ross, 6'0", 300 pounds; DB Brian (BJ) Reed, 6'0", 185 pounds; MLB Malik Lee, 5'7", 210 pounds; DB Tahj Morton, 5'9", 165 pounds; DE Avant Carter, 6'0", 225 pounds; DE Romell Green, 6'2", 210 pounds; DE Kamryn Ratcliff, 6'2", 210 pounds; CB Randy Morgan, 5'9", 170 pounds; and Safety Chandler Scott, 5'9", 175 pounds.
Special Teams is loaded with talent at both Kicker and Punter. Starters are Punter Ryan Comeaux, 2nd-year starter, 5'11", 170 pounds, and Kicker Ian Arceneaux, 5'11", 170 pounds, 2nd-year starter. The Wildcats also have big-time Punter Donald Thomas, 5'7", 175 pounds; Kicker Sam Munoz, 5'8", 165 pounds; and Long Snapper Benjamin Hall, 5'7", 180 pounds. In the return game, there are several big-time playmakers that will compete for these spots in the Summer and Fall.
East St. John Wildcats
| Head Coach Brandon Brown
| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)
Head Coach:Brandon Brown(8th year)
2025 Record:1-9
2026 Non District Games:
Team Outlook: “Next season will be a revenge type year for the Wildcats,” said coach Brown. “After two disappointing seasons it’s time for the Wildcats to restore the Roar and get back to dominance.”
The Quarterback position will be deep and Athletic, led by Da’mon Scott, 6'0", 180 pounds, 4.6 speed in the forty, started many games in 2025, and another QB can come in if Scott plays some WR in the young Cast Burl, 6'3", 180 pounds. A lot of teams would love to have 2 really good Quarterbacks in Class 5A because it’s a long season with many tough Defenses to go against week in and week out.
The Wide Receiver room will be strong again for the Wildcats, led by talented 3-year starter Deontae Fleming, 6'0", 175 pounds, with 4.4 speed in the forty; WR/CB Ma’Jay Johnson, 5'8", 140 pounds, 4.5 speed, a 2-way starter; WR Kaden Leader, 5'8", 155 pounds; WR Devon Duhe, 6'1", 182 pounds; WR/RB Hebert Carter, 6'1", 180 pounds; WR Rysean Brown, 6'1", 190 pounds; and WR Tyron Noble. Even QB Cast Burl can play some WR for the team as a playmaker.
The run game will be led by the talented Dallas Brown, 6'0", 205 pounds, brings power and speed and could be his year to be a 1,000-yard rusher in his 1st year as a starter. He has that potential in Class 5A. When Hebert Carter is not lined up as a WR, he is also a really good RB for the program with speed and power.
The Offensive Line will bring size back and some experience, led by OG/OC Christian McGee, 5'11", 265 pounds; OG Jakker Nieves, 6'3", 290 pounds; OG JaKoby Jones, 6'2", 275 pounds; OL Mickey Hewitt, 6'1", 275 pounds; and OT Landon Tillman, 6'3", 245 pounds.
The Defense has a chance to be Championship level with speed and size, led by Safety Donald Jones, 6'0", 180 pounds, a big-time hitter, 3-year starter, leader; OLB Connell Porter, 6'0", 200 pounds; DE Jayden Johnson, 5'11", 250 pounds, with 4.7 speed, big-time Athlete; Safety Kingston Hatch, 5'10", 170 pounds, a 3-year starter; DE/DT Dagmawi, 6'1", 255 pounds; CB Romell Manuel, 5'11", 165 pounds; DT Ronnie Kelly, 6'1", 245 pounds; LB Corey Palmer, 6'1", 190 pounds; OLB Stanford Jenkins, 5'11", 210 pounds; CB Kani Gauff, 5'8", 160 pounds; and DE Devrin Batiste, 6'0", 235 pounds.
Hahnville Tigers
| Landen Teague
| Photo by: Rachael Gunn
| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)
| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)
Head Coach:Greg Boyne(3rd year)
2025 Record:9-3
2025 Playoffs:1st Round beat Slidell HS and 2nd Round lost to Parkway 37-31 in overtime.
2026 Non District Games:Week 1 Archbishop Shaw HS(Home), Week 2 St. Charles Catholic HS(Home), Week 3 E.D White HS(Away), and Week 4 Lutcher HS(Away)
Signees Colleges: WR Bennett Naquin(Southeastern), and DT Frederic Downing(Southeastern).
Team Outlook: “We look for a great year. We upgraded our schedule with some tough teams early said,” coach Boyne.” “Our Defense will be flying around and tough led by Defense Coordinator Walter Scobel. “ We really like our depth on Defense and on Offense the WR group has a chance to be deep and talented.”
The Offense will return Quarterback Landon Teague, 6'1", 205 pounds (Passed for 4,200 yards in 2 seasons combined, 42 Touchdown passes with only 2 interceptions in his career). The Offense also returns one of the best Running Backs in the District, Fabian Celestine, 5'10", 195 pounds, 4.5 speed with power and toughness you look for in a Class 5A Running Back.
More skill players to watch are WR Gage Touchard, 5'9", 175 pounds; Early James Jr., 5'10", 185 pounds, back after missing last year with an injury, great Athlete; WR Kaden Bran, 5'9", 180 pounds; WR/RB Jackson Porter, 5'11", 195 pounds, 4.45 speed in the forty; WR Dwayne Cola, 6'3", 185 pounds, big-time future; and rotating in RB Jah’mar Lewis, 5'6", 165 pounds.
The Offensive Line has a chance to be strong as a group, led by Jacob Savage, 6'2", 310 pounds; OT/OG Ja’Ron Myles, 6'4", 250 pounds, strong kid; OG Gavin Propps, 6'0", 260 pounds, big-time leader; Center Kellen Chamardelle, 6'1", 260 pounds; Chase Muller, 5'11", 230 pounds; OT Dillon Propps, 6'0", 250 pounds; TE Landon Eckols, 6'3", 195 pounds; and OT Kirt Bourgeois, 6'4", 215 pounds, all rotating in as starters or getting reps.
The Defense will be led by the Linebacking unit, which is deep in numbers, led by OLB/MLB Raanan Russ, 5'11", 205 pounds, a rare 4-year starter in Class 5A football with 4.65 speed in the forty; LB Ty Summers, 5'11", 198 pounds; LB Brody Benoit, 6'0", 198 pounds; LB Avery Benoit, 6'1", 205 pounds; LB Jaedon Downs, 6'0", 215 pounds, strong, tough kid; LB Austin Sanchez, 6'0", 195 pounds, newcomer; OLB/Safety Jeremiah Brickhouse, 5'10", 180 pounds, 4.55 speed; and OLB/Safety Irick Pierre, 6'0", 185 pounds, big-time hitter.
The rest of the Defense players to watch are much-improved DE Beaux Woods, 6'3", 237 pounds, SR; DT/DE Tyler Martin, 6'3", 225 pounds; DT Braylon Raines, 6'0", 230 pounds; CB Lionel Irons, 6'0", 178 pounds, 3-year starter, leader, with 4.5 speed; CB/WR Aaron Williams, 5'9", 185 pounds; FS Brayden Fontenot, 5'9", 180 pounds, 3-year starter, leader; CB Aaron Walker, 5'9", 168 pounds; CB/SS Drake Weber, 5'7", 165 pounds; and rotating in DE Damine Davis, 5'10", 228 pounds.
H.L. Bourgeois Braves
Head Coach: Munchie Legaux (1st year)
2025 Record:5-5
2026 Non District Games: Week 1 South Lafourche HS (Away), Week 2 John F. Kennedy HS (Home), Week 3 Jewell Sumner HS (Home), Week 7 General Trass HS (Home).
Team Outlook: “Change mindset,” said coach Legaux. “Create good habits and get rid of bad habits.” “If we can do these things we can build a program that competes.”
New Head Coach Munchie Legaux is a former QB for Edna Karr High School and the University of Cincinnati and, most recently, did a good job the past few years as Head Coach at Sophie B. Wright High School in New Orleans.
The key to the Braves' season will be finding out who wins the Quarterback job, which will probably not be decided, after talking to coach, until the 1st game or Jamboree week. There is currently a 3-player battle for the position among three talented kids: Ethan Rhodes, 5'10", 205 pounds; Harvey Hebert, 6'0", 185 pounds; and QB Drayden Decol, 5'10", 180 pounds. All three kids will get on the field to help the team win in 2026.
More key players to watch will be All District Janarius Jones, 6'1", 190 pounds, a leader and 4-year starter at WR/Safety; DE/OLB Laranze Mitchell, 6'1", 230 pounds, All District in 2024 and 2025; DE/OLB Tyler Harris, 6'2", 230 pounds; CB/WR Dequenton Ruffin, 6'0", 190 pounds; MLB Jaden Fletcher, 5'11", 230 pounds; WR Cole Tolbert, 5'8", 175 pounds; DE/FB Jonah Helms, 6'0", 240 pounds; OLB A.K. Scott, 5'10", 189 pounds, tough with 4.6 speed in the forty; RB Xavaier Shelby, 5'8", 195 pounds, starter; Safety Chad James, 5'10", 160 pounds; LB Jacob Robins, 5'11", 185 pounds; LB Zamon Holmes, 5'10", 185 pounds; OT Brandon Hester, 6'3", 245 pounds; OC/OG Warren Thompson, 5'8", 215 pounds; and OT Caleb Reed, 6'4", 265 pounds.
Special Teams starting both Kicker and Punter will be Tyler Naquin, 5'9", 155 pounds. Long Snapper will be Avery Woodall, 6'1", 230 pounds.
The Braves will also, coach told me, play some really talented young Freshmen, and 2 of those players will be Running Backs to help the Offense on varsity in 2026.
Terrebonne Tigers
Head Coach: Tyler Lewis (5th year)
2025 Record: 8-4
2025 Playoffs: 1st Round beat Natchitoches Central HS, and 2nd Round lost to Southside HS.
Signees Colleges: DT Julian Coleman (Arkansas Monticello), OL Chris Stewart (Coffeyville JC Kansas), RB Quincy Adams(Coffeyville, JC Kansas), Athlete Alvin Celestine Jr (Navaro,JC Texas), DB Cris Delestre Jr (Coffeyville,JC Kansas), CB Kalum Verdin (Coffeyville JC Kansas), OT O’Ryan Mosley (Oklahoma State), and OL Tadan Bingham (Louisiana Tech).
2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Vandy Catholic HS(Home), Week 2 Ellender HS(Away Thursday), Week 3 St. James HS(Away), Week 4 Thibodaux(Home), and Week 5 South Terrebonne HS(Away).
Team Outlook: “First of all I am proud of last year's team and the senior class that graduated was the biggest class in one year to sign College Football Scholarships from Terrebonne HS in one signing class. A total of 8 players,” said coach Lewis. “Our motto this year will be: Being Youthful is not an excuse for not winning.” “We lost a total of 21 seniors that did graduate.” “We have a lot of talented younger players who will play for the 1st time and we expect to continue to compete at a high level with no excuses of how experienced we are.”
Head Coach Tyler Lewis has built a great program with the Tigers. The Offense scored over 40 points in 7 of the 12 games played in 2025. This program has confidence, and they expect to win now, and they have a great staff and coach leading them.
The Tigers graduated a great leader and Quarterback, Owen Oliver, one of the best players in Louisiana in 2025, and in 2026, 2 players will compete for the job: leading candidate Bennett Price, 5'7", 145 pounds, knows the Offense, and QB Chase Cagle, 6'0", 165 pounds, another talented young player for the program.
The Offense returns some big-time playmakers in WR Terrance Diggs, 5'10", 165 pounds, legit 4.5 speed in the forty; RB Sahj Ruffin, 5'10", 165 pounds; and converted WR, now RB, Braylon Williams, Senior, 5'11", 175 pounds, with 4.5 speed. There will be a large group of new talented skill players competing: WR A’Khiree Parker, 6'3", 165 pounds, has experience, sleeper; WR Logan Lewis, 5'10", 165 pounds; WR Rolando Melancon Jr., 6'2", 160 pounds; WR Seija Hartman, 6'2", 165 pounds; WR Xavier Beasley, 5'7", 145 pounds; and WR Jormichael Williams, 5'7", 150 pounds.
The Offensive Line returns 2 starters, and both are leaders in OG Wyatt Bonvillian, 5'11", 265 pounds; OL Waylon Lirette, 6'0", 285 pounds, Senior; and new players OT Titus Fitch, 6'3", 275 pounds; Center Hayden Dutton, 5'11", 250 pounds; and the 5th Offensive Tackle spot is open going into the Summer/Fall with some young players competing.
The Defense will be led by returning All State Linebacker leader Mason Coleman, 5'11", 178 pounds, and a big-time hitter. More players to watch on Defense are Safety Kevin Bass, 5'10", 180 pounds, team captain with 4.5 speed in the forty; Free Safety Ja’Khri Brown, 5'10", 172 pounds, 2nd-year starter; MLB/DE/LB Kolvin James, 5'11", 255 pounds, tough, big-time player for the program, returning starter; Safety Malik Matthews, 5'9", 165 pounds, returning starter; CB Cameron McKay, 5'10", 155 pounds, returning starter; and DE Kavion Trahan, 6'0", 255 pounds, returning starter.
Several players are competing and will play or start: DT Alexander Thomas, 6'1", 278 pounds; DE Tashon Spencer, 5'11", 175 pounds; LB Chance Cunningham, 5'10", 178 pounds; CB Jeremiah Sylvester, 5'10", 165 pounds; CB Rylan Austin, 5'9", 150 pounds; CB/Safety Jakyrin Willis, 5'10", 155 pounds; CB Brian Robinson, 6'0", 155 pounds; CB Bentley Singelton, 5'8", 155 pounds; DB Jeremiah Dillard, 6'1", 165 pounds; and DB Jordan Willis, 6'0", 160 pounds.
Special Teams returning as the starting Punter and Kicker will be Brennan McCormick, who will have a chance to win some close games in 2026.
Thibodaux Tigers
| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)
| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)
Head Coach: Lowell Narcisse(2nd year)
2025 Record:8-3
2025 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Mandeville HS.
2026 Non District Games: Week 1 E.D White HS(Home), Week 2 South Lafourche HS(Away), Week 3 Vandebilt Catholic HS(Home), and week 10 Lafayette Renaissance HS(Home).
Team Outlook: “We Return most of our Offense 9 starters in 2026. Have a chance to be really good up front with our Lineman. Only return 3 starters on Defense but have a chance to be really good there in the end,” said coach Narcisse.
The Tigers return 4 really good players on the Offensive Line to build around in Center Jackson Bartnesky, 6'2", 260 pounds; OG Geo’Vanni Carter, 6'1", 318 pounds; OL Caleb Williams, 5'11", 260 pounds; and OG Cohen Daigle, 5'8", 240 pounds.
The Offense also returns some really good skill players, led by RB Vondarius Brown, 5'9", 175 pounds; RB Cemiyan Adams, 5'9", 190 pounds; WR Jacob (TT) Terrell, 6'2", 170 pounds; Athlete Damien Robertson, 6'0", 185 pounds; WR Anzeo Holmes, 6'2", 170 pounds; and WR Carlton Ingram Jr., 6'3", 180 pounds, has a chance to be the guy in the passing game in 2026.
The Defense will be led by sleeper DT Ky-Mari Carter, 6'4", 275 pounds; CB Robert Tolbert, 5'11", 160 pounds; DT Robert Ingram, 5'11", 250 pounds; DT Kaleb Matthews, 5'10", 245 pounds; LB Landon Pertuit, 5'10", 190 pounds; LB Brayden Boyd, 5'11", 195 pounds; and star in the making FS Austyn Owens, 6'5", 180 pounds, with tons of ability for college.
Special Teams will be decided at Punter and Kicker during the Summer/Fall Practices.
© 2026 Lee Brecheen Louisiana Football Magazine. All rights reserved. The content above is the intellectual property of Lee Brecheen and Louisiana Football Magazine. Permission is granted for personal, non-commercial purposes. Any reproduction, redistribution, publication, or use of this material for professional, commercial, media, or promotional purposes without prior written permission from Lee Brecheen is strictly prohibited.
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