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

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District 8

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Ben Franklin Falcons

| Prateek Adhikari

| Photo by: Dinah Smith

Head Coach:Arnold Little(2^nd year)

2025 Record: 3-6.Did not play for District in 2025 and will not till 2028.

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Ascension Christian HS(Away), Week 2 Patrick Taylor HS(Away), and Week 3 Haynes Academy HS(Away)

Team Outlook: “Motto this year Come Hunt with the Falcons,” said coach Little. “Core Value: Last year we soared.” “ We will be young overall as a team in 2026.” 

Key players to watch will be QB/Athlete Prateek Adhikari, 5'10", 170 pounds, a really good Athlete with a good arm; WR/RB Caleb-Anderson-Clarke, 6'2", 190 pounds, will be a 3-year starter, missed a good bit of the 2025 season with an injury; RB/DB/WR Patrick Blandin, 6'0", 170 pounds, a 3-year starter; and OL/DL Waylon Dodds, 6'1", 185 pounds, the top lineman back in the program on both sides of the football for the Falcons.

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Bonnabel Bruins

Head Coach:Andre Anthony(2^nd year)

2025 Record:7-3

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round beat Riverdale HS,and 2^nd Round lost to Teurlings Catholic HS

Team Outlook: “1^st time in 28 years the Bruins won a District Title said,” coach Anthony. “ It’s been since 1998 since the program had this type of season.” “ 1^st playoff win since 1997 for the program.” “ We will have a young team in 2026 after going through Spring.” “We will start a whole new Defensive Line in 2026 and a new Quarterback.”

Head Coach Andre Anthony did an incredible job. The former LSU Defensive End and Edna Karr Defensive End/OLB alum is one of the top young High School coaches in New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. He has passion and vision and turned this program around fast. "I am excited because we have about 70 players back for the Fall."

The new starting Quarterback will be Eathan Boudreaux, 5'10", 165 pounds, with a lot of upside to become a really good player in time for the Bruins program.

More skill players overall to watch will be WR Elijah Martin, 6'1", 170 pounds; RB/LB Noah Mclemore, 5'9", 165 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty; WR JaKyrin Banks, 6'1", 165 pounds, 4.5 speed, playmaker; RB Gregory Washington, 5'9", 180 pounds, will rotate in, brings power and quickness; WR/CB Elijah White; WR/SS Raheem Williams; WR Jaylon Holmes, 5'11", 160 pounds, new starter; and CB Dontrell Williams, 5'9", 165 pounds, a big-time hitter, leader on Defense.

Key Linemen and Linebackers back to watch are OLB Kenyon Harper; OLB Charles Parker, 5'8", 180 pounds, great leader, tackles well; OG/OC Javion Parks, 5'11", 250 pounds; OG/DE Lyric Stewart, 6'0", 255 pounds, leader; and a few players competing to start and rotate in like LB Marzet Holmes, also a Defensive End, and DT Isaiah Tobias.

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East Jefferson Warriors

| Head Coach Derek Rose

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

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| Jake Boudreaux

| Photo provided by Jake Boudreaux

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Head Coach:Derek Rose(1^st year)

2025 Record:0-10

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 Morris Jeff HS(Home), Week 2 Newman HS(Away), Week 3 Fontainebleau HS(Away), Week 10 Country Day HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “Since I got hired we started to build discipline, toughness and all out effort from these players," said coach Rose. “Our slogan in 2026 is 1 is none but 11 is 1.” “Our goal is to play as a complete team in everything we do every day and it will become success over time.”

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I am excited for the Warriors hiring new Head Coach Derek Rose, a former O.P. Walker High School star, who went on to become an All-Conference Linebacker at in-state Northwestern State University. He brings energy and commitment to bring the East Jefferson program to a high standard soon.

There’s skill talent in the program to work with, led by Quarterback Curtis Johnson Jr., 6'0", 180 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader; RB Adam Agurcia, 5'8", 160 pounds, SR; CB/WR Oliver Rodriquez, 6'1", 160 pounds, 4.6 speed or better in the forty; WR/CB Treylon Williams, 6'1", 170 pounds, one of the best players on the team, 4.5 speed; RB Mekih Polk, 5'8", 160 pounds; WR/CB Elijah Jackson, 6'0", 170 pounds, great Athlete, 4.5 speed; Safety Miguel Paniagua, 5'10", 160 pounds, 2nd-year starter; and rotating in tough kid WR/DB Rogers Reese, 5'11", 160 pounds.

Key Linemen and Linebackers coming back are brothers Samuel Spetsiotis, OC/DT, 5'11", 260 pounds, and Dimitrios Spetsiotis, OT/DT, 5'11", 260 pounds, SRs; OL Chris Mooney, 5'10", 220 pounds, SR; DT Blaze Lowery, 5'8", 210 pounds, big-time leader, SR; OL/DL Dantrell McZeal, 5'10", 290 pounds, team's best Offensive Lineman; OL Jose Perez, 5'9", 290 pounds; a sleeper, late bloomer, talented DE/TE Jake Boudreaux, 6'3", 240 pounds; DT Hamilton Alzarez, 5'11", 250 pounds; DT David Brugos, 5'11", 240 pounds; LB Rakan Al Qutob, 6'0", 175 pounds, SR, leader; and MLB Guillermo Aguilar, 5'9", 210 pounds, 2nd-year starter.

Special Teams returns Kicker/Punter Marco Cortez, 5'8", 140 pounds, 2nd-year starter.

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John Ehret Patriots

Head Coach:Wallace Foster(1^st year)

2025 Record:4-6

2026 Playoffs:1^st Round lost

Signees Colleges:OT Corey Dudley(Troy)

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 Chalmette HS(Home), Week 2 East St. John HS(Away), and Week 3 Central HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “Settled in hired Feb 1^st and the team had a good Spring with 70 total players said coach Foster.” “We should be at about 90 to 95 players for the Fall and we will have a great staff also.” “The future is bright to be a Patriot.”

The Offense/Defense will not lack for skill playmakers on the team with speed, led by returning Quarterback Sylas Reed, 5'10", 175 pounds, SR, leader. More skill players to watch are WR Darrell Taylor, 6'0", 175 pounds, 2nd-year starter, 4.45 speed in the forty; CB Dustin Walker Jr., 5'9", 145 pounds, leader, 4.45 speed; CB Marcello Ellis, 6'0", 180 pounds; WR Darius Lazard, 5'11", 175 pounds, 2nd-year starter; RB Dominic Webber, 5'10", 200 pounds; WR Marquis Anderson, 5'11", 175 pounds; WR Re’quan Johnson, 5'11", 165 pounds, 4.5 speed; Safety Jasper Deruisa, 5'10", 170 pounds, big-time hitter; RB Legend Sennette, 5'8", 140 pounds; CB Landon Sennette, 5'8", 150 pounds; and CB Jabriel Howard, 5'10", 155 pounds, new starter.

The Patriots return size and experience in the Trenches and at Linebacker. One of the top players returns in DE/OLB Raheem Bennett, 6'1", 230 pounds, leader of the Defense with legit 4.7 speed and football speed. Here’s a look at Linemen and Linebackers coming back to the program: DE/OLB Darnell Keller, 6'4", 230 pounds, 2nd-year starter, gifted; DT/NG Terry Harper, 6'0", 260 pounds, strong kid; DT Derrin Helton, 5'10", 265 pounds; DE Dewayne Washington Jr., 5'9", 210 pounds; OLB Oramand Julien, 5'10", 170 pounds; MLB Giovanni Sparks, 5'11", 180 pounds; Offensive Lineman Vontre Vail, 3-year starter, leader of the Offensive Line, 5'10", 255 pounds; Dacian Green, 6'5", 255 pounds; OL Malachi Fontenot, 6'3", 315 pounds; OL Glen Edwards III, 6'0", 330 pounds; OL Brandin Smith, 6'5", 275 pounds; TE Marcus Rojas, 5'11", 215 pounds; and OL Shane Lala, 5'11", 265 pounds.

Special Teams Kicker and Punter will be Caden Landry, 6'1", 150 pounds, a really talented new starter. Long Snapper will be Senior leader Vontre Vail, 5'10", 255 pounds.

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L.W. Higgins Hurricanes

Head Coach:Emmanuel Powell(3^rd year)

2025 Record:3-7

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 South Plaquemines HS(Away), Week 2 Morris Jeff HS(Away), Week 3 Hammond HS(Home), Week 4 Haynes Academy HS(Home)

Team Outlook: “My returning starters are coming back with experience,” said coach Powell. “The starters and leaders have to carry it out in 2026.” “I think what helped us grow in the right direction is in the last 2 years the program started and was able to have Summer workouts and this has helped us build and get more kids out earlier and the program.” 

The program has some very good skill playmakers back: QB/DB Kobi Hollis, 6'0", 178 pounds, new starter at QB but a starter prior in the program; WR/DB/RB Jaron Toney, All District in 2025, 5'11", 180 pounds; WR Justin Whitley, 6'2", 195 pounds, All District in 2025, a 3-year starter; WR Nasir Fleming, 6'0", 175 pounds; DB Kendall Holmes, 5'9", 165 pounds; and DB Elijah Chapman, 6'2", 195 pounds, a big-time sleeper.

Key Linemen and Linebackers back to lead this program are LB Benarthur Johnson, 5'11", 205 pounds, leader, 3-year starter; TE/DE Nigel Russell, 6'4", 220 pounds, a 3-year starter; LB/Safety Ki’nory Reynolds, 5'10", 168 pounds, tough kid; OL Davin Williams, 5'9", 240 pounds; OT Steven Wynn, 5'10", 225 pounds; and OL Tylin Bridgewater, 5'9", 240 pounds.

Special Teams starter at Punter will be Jaron Toney. Kicker is still open after Spring going into the Summer. In the return game, one of the best in New Orleans returns in Jaron Toney, who made All District for his Special Teams play in 2025.

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Riverdale Rebels

Head Coach:Mark Longo(2^nd year)

2025 Record: 8-3

2025 Playoffs: 1^st Round lost to Bonnabel HS

Signees Colleges: 9 players signed. RB Byron Perrilliat(Alabama A&M), WR Toren Signal(Louisiana Christian), Lance Simmons(Sterlington,Kansas), RB Bryan Jackson(Arkansas Baptist), CB Sabyron Ferrell(Arkansas Baptist), CB Dwain Swilley(Co/Lin Mississippi JC), WR Zack Brown(Louisiana Christian) DT Anthony Ebid(Cornell), LB Cole Moses(Louisiana Christian).

2026  Non District Games:Week 1 Jefferson Rise(Home), Week 2 Belle Chasse(Away), and Week 3 McMain HS(Home), Week 8 Central Lafourche HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “We lost a great group of 18 seniors that graduated and all played 4 years in this program,” said coach Longo. “In 2026 we will have a mix of older players and younger players competing.” “I think the kids have bought in with hard work and I feel good about this team because of that.”

The Offense will have a new Quarterback in 2026, with two talented players competing: Jari Spencer, 5'9", 160 pounds, and QB Bryce Gilbeau, 5'8", 150 pounds. Both had great Springs. The skill talent will still be a talented group even though a few talented players graduated. Watch out for RB Judah Sam, 5'9", 155 pounds; RB Alden Cruz, 5'7", 175 pounds; WR Armani McKennie, 5'7", 155 pounds; WR Elio Reyes, 5'9", 155 pounds; TE/HB Carlos Williams, 6'3", 220 pounds; and WR Reginald Robinson, 5'9", 160 pounds. The Offensive Line returns three talented leaders: OT Curtis Haywood, 6'1", 250 pounds, SR; OL Mike Walton, 6'0", 275 pounds; OT Edgar Serrano, 6'0", 230 pounds; and also back will be OT/OG Mathew Monnerjahn, 6'1", 215 pounds, and Tobias Daigle, 5'9", 190 pounds.

The Defense will return its leader in All District Linebacker/DE Darnell Bolton, 6'0", 202 pounds, with 14½ sacks in 2025, a big-time player; LB Gavin Darby, 5'8", 190 pounds; DB Sabyron Ferrell, 6'2", 168 pounds; DT Jordan Johnson, 6'0", 205 pounds; DE Joey Phillips, 6'1", 210 pounds; DT Jabari James, 6'0", 230 pounds; DB Joel Berkley, 5'10", 175 pounds; LB Daniel Serrano, 5'8", 160 pounds; Safety Tyree Spiller, 5'10", 160 pounds; LB Gavin Guidrez, 5'8", 180 pounds; and LB Samuel Zuluaga, 5'10", 190 pounds.

Special Teams' new Punter will be Samuel Zuluaga. Kicker will be Ronald Bonilla, 5'10", 140 pounds, a new starter, and Long Snapper will be Maddox Dufour, 5'8", 170 pounds.

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Warren Easton Eagles

Head Coach: Jerry Phillips(11^th year)

2025 Record: 3-7

Signees Colleges: OT David Baker(UL), DT Soudah Koussanta(Texas College), QB Carl Reed(Millsaps), RB Thomas Vaughn(Louisiana Christian), OT Jalen Chapman(Ole Miss), OL Kenneth Cain(Chicago State U), LB Narco Dunn(Hinds Mississipi JC), DB Kaleb Gibson(Millsaps), RB Terrell  Surtain(Jones Mississipi JC), DB Jaedon Phillips Valedictorian of the Class 2026 School GPA 4.3 and ACT Score 30 (Olaf College in Minnesota), DB Kelwin White (Texas College)DE Marcus Jasmin (Arkansas Monticello), DT Malik Nevels(Minnesota State Community College), DB Miles Torres(Track Southern U) WR/DB Davon Edwards(Delta California JC), and DB Myron Wilhike (Delta California JC)

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 East Ascension HS, Week 2 Brother Martin HS, Week 3 Holy Cross HS,and Week 4 Zachary HS.

Team Outlook: “Working hard day by day,” said coach Phillips.” “ We will be a really young team in 2026.” “ We graduated 27 football players from the 2025 team and 90 percent of our starters.” “Goal is to get better every day, keep pushing  and see what happens in the end.” “The Offensive Line losing all starting five players is the youngest position on the team.”

The Offense will start a new Quarterback in Anthony Perkins, 6'1", 165 pounds, who has the talent to become a good player in time. The Offense's strength will still be its talented Wide Receiver group with players like WR Edward Johnson, 6'1", 170 pounds, new starter; WR Josiah Everage, 5'10", 165 pounds, 4.5 speed, lettered in 2025; WR Malcolm Martin, 6'0", 160 pounds, who got experience in 2025; WR Brinden Hines, 5'9", 165 pounds, lettered; WR/TE Dylan Cain, 6'5", 205 pounds, lettered; and newcomers WR Albert Dumas, 6'1", 180 pounds; Malik Andry, 5'7", 160 pounds, 4.45 speed; and WR Ge'Gory Emery, 5'9", 160 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty. The run game to start the season will feature RB Jaden Matthews, 5'8", 170 pounds; RB Jeremiah Macklin, 5'10", 180 pounds; and some younger backs to add depth. The Offensive Line has five starting spots to win, and here are some players competing: OG Aavin Knox, 6'1", 230 pounds; Center Michael Thomas, 6'0", 210 pounds; OT Robert Antoine, 6'2", 245 pounds; OT Kameron White, 6'1", 250 pounds; and a few young players who will compete to add depth and earn starting spots. Starting Defensive Linemen Zachary Martin, 5'10", 270 pounds, and Kane Mitchell, 6'0", 245 pounds, will also help on the Offensive Line.

The strength of the Defense to start 2026 will be the Defensive Backfield, led by CB Rekye Gibson, 5'10", 160 pounds, a big-time hitter; Safety Rion Lawrence, 5'9", 165 pounds; Safety Chayce Minor, 5'11", 180 pounds; CB Gyron Hall, 5'9", 155 pounds; Safety Geremy White, 5'8", 155 pounds; and Safety Destin Richardson, 6'0", 185 pounds. The Defensive Front Seven still has some spots that need addressing for depth, but here are the top players to watch: OLB/DE Jermaine Brisco, 6'2", 198 pounds; DT Jeremy Martin, 5'10", 270 pounds; DT Kane Mitchell, 6'0", 245 pounds; DE/OLB Juelz Haley, 5'10", 190 pounds, 4.6 speed in the forty, returning leader and starter; LB James Curley III, 6'1", 200 pounds, entering his fourth year as a letterman; LB Michael Dillon, 5'10", 170 pounds; and TE/WR Dylan Cain, who will play some Defensive End for the team at 6'5", 205 pounds.

Special Teams positions at Kicker, Punter, and Long Snapper are all still open going into the Summer.

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West Jefferson Buccaneers

Head Coach: Frank Daggs(1^st year)

2025 Record: 2-7

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Central LaFourche HS (Away), Week 2 Archbishop Shaw HS (Away), Week 3 Destrehan HS (Away).

Team Outlook: ‘Good challenge, rebuild and reset the culture,” said coach Daggs. “ Hopefully kids buy in and we will be ready to roll.” “ If we put in the work as a team because the football program did no workouts for training from November to almost the end of April when I came. We will have good results in the end if we work hard and continue that through the Summer. I am still learning my team going into the Summer.” 

Most positions are still up for grabs, and many starting jobs will not be decided until the Summer. Here are some players to watch in 2026: QB Kymani Atkins, 5'10", 165 pounds; RB/WR/DB Ron Peterson, 5'6", 160 pounds; QB/TE Edric Ussin, 5'11", 190 pounds; Safety Marques Gray, 5'10", 170 pounds; Safety Dwight Boudreaux, 6'0", 170 pounds; Center Meshar Laine, 6'1", 265 pounds, leader of the Offensive Line; OL Lloyd Exmicious, 6'0", 230 pounds; OL Caine Maxwell, 6'6", 285 pounds, recovering from an injury and should be ready for the Fall season; WR Keadrick Murry, 5'8", 170 pounds; RB Curnel Cole, 5'11", 185 pounds; WR/DB Kendrick Murry, 5'8", 170 pounds; WR Shanta McCloud, 5'9", 150 pounds; OL Sean Thomas, 6'0", 315 pounds; SS/LB Dominic McFarland, 5'11", 215 pounds; and DB Laurens Delva, 5'7", 170 pounds.

Special Teams will return starting Kicker Robar Lainez, 5'7", 150 pounds.

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