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

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District 9

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Archbishop Rummel Raiders

| Russ Lewis

| Photo by: Josh Krajcer

Head Coach:Nic Monica(8^th year)

2025 Record:8-5

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round beat Holy Cross HS, 2^nd Round beat Tioga HS and Quarterfinals loss to St. Augustine HS.

Signees Colleges:OL Jewlz Barthelemy (Louisiana Christian), OL Eddie Connerly (Louisiana Christian), OL Armando Reyes (Louisiana Christian), LB/DE Jacoby Dunn (Community Christian College), OG Jaden Dillon (Arkansas Monticello) and LB Carlin Kinchen (Louisiana Christian)

2026  Non District Games:Week 1 University High(Away), Week 2 Vanderbilt Catholic HS(Home) and Week 3 Archbishop Shaw HS(Home).

Team Outlook: “This team we have quite a few guys back with experience and the other half of the starters have no experience,” said coach Monica. “We need the older guys to help the young guys come along so we can gel as a team in 2026.” “We still need to get better over the Summer and early Fall practice on the young Offensive Line and at the Safety positions.”

The Offense will build around Quarterback Nathaniel Singleton Jr., 5'10", 176 pounds, who finished the season as the starting QB for the program. Singleton started off as a WR for the program. The run game will be a strength of the Offense, returning two great backs in Coryan Hawkins, 5'9", 197 pounds, and RB Jaden Terrance, both very experienced backs. Hawkins had 1,135 all-purpose yards in 2025, and Terrance had 1,601 yards with 17 touchdowns in 2025. It's one of the best backfields in the State of Louisiana for the 2026 season. The Offensive Line had four players sign college scholarships, so it will be young, led by All State Raymond Hughes, 6'4", 335 pounds, back for his third year as a starter as the lone returning starter. More Offensive Linemen projected to start are OT Felton Chest, 6'6", 265 pounds; OG Michael Smith, 6'2", 255 pounds; Ja'Quaan Fobb, 5'8", 275 pounds; and OG Drew Dubuc, 6'2", 260 pounds. More skill players to watch are WR/TE Mark Shezbie Jr., 6'0", 180 pounds; TE/DE Ja'Marcus Jones, 6'3", 219 pounds; WR Kirby Cade Jr., 5'11", 187 pounds; and RB John Schnabel, 5'8", 170 pounds, rotating in for the run game.

The Defense front seven will be led by DT Russ Lewis, 6'2", 275 pounds; LB Kane Saavedra, 5'11", 205 pounds; DT Carmelo Boullt, 5'11", 307 pounds; DE Adam Zeitoun, 6'1", 222 pounds; MLB Bryce Hingle, 5'8", 229 pounds; LB Kingsley Barconey Jr., 5'8", 200 pounds; DE Ja'Marcus Jones, 6'3", 219 pounds, a two-way player; and rotating in DE Noah Hillburn, 6'4", 200 pounds. The Secondary has a chance to be a strong unit again, led by Safety Gavin Cooper Jr., a 3-year starter and big-time leader, 6'0", 204 pounds; CB/Safety Mitchell Harris, 5'9", 164 pounds, returning starter; CB Tiras Franklin, 5'9", 160 pounds; Safety Allen Roberson, 5'9", 169 pounds; and CB Luther Loyell, 5'10", 172 pounds. Also competing in the Secondary will be Safety Josh Pourciau, 5'11", 167 pounds, and Safety Cameron Daniels, 5'9", 156 pounds.

Special Teams Kicker/Punter will be Joseph Carapina, 5'11", 179 pounds, and the Long Snapper will be decided in the Summer.

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Brother Martin Crusaders

| Hudson Fields

| Photo by: Christopher Eiffert

| Easton Royal

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

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Head Coach:Mark Bonis(17^th year)

2025 Record:8-5

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round beat Holy Cross,2^nd Round beat Liberty and Quarterfinals loss to Alexandria HS

Signees Colleges: DT Brandon Henry(Centenary), LB Jacque Airhart(Millsaps), OL Manny Haymann(Millsaps) WR Rex Leblanc(Millsaps),and DB Kaeden Goodman(Nicholls State).

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Southside HS(Away) Week 2 St. Paul’s HS(Away), Week 3 Warren Easton HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “We have one of the best players in America coming back in WR Easton Royal and then we have a very hard working group of kids and young men overall that have worked hard,” said coach Bonis. “We as a program preach 4 principalesTeam,Tough,Compete, and Finish.Our team is a family and has an environment of team 1^st.” 

On Offense, Quarterback Hudson Fields, 6'0", 185 pounds, returns as a senior leader, and this should be his best year. There's also young QB Justin Morgan, 6'1", 185 pounds, who can play some snaps when needed. The run game returns starter Jeremiah Burton, 5'9", 185 pounds, and RB Luca Ascani, 5'9", 202 pounds, both really good players with both speed and power. There's also RBs Channing Wise Jr., 5'4", 160 pounds, and Teyo Thomas, 5'6", 170 pounds, getting reps to add depth. In the passing game, WR Easton Royal, 6'0", 208 pounds, senior, returns with his 4.4 speed in the forty and what looks like 4.2 speed on the field, a special player who can score anytime his hands touch the ball. More Wide Receivers to watch are Benjamin DuMontier, 6'0", 165 pounds; Jeremy Singleton, 5'9", 188 pounds; Micah Irons, 6'1", 170 pounds; and WR Jamaal Jones, 5'10", 162 pounds. The Offensive Line has experience back and some depth, led by OL Kellen Grundmeyer, 6'0", 270 pounds; Brody DePhillips, 6'0", 275 pounds; Zaaire Condoll, 6'1", 285 pounds; OL Nicholas Bruno, 6'2", 265 pounds; Caleb Becnel, 6'3", 295 pounds; Benjamin Aucoin, 6'0", 235 pounds; Mekhi Lewis, 6'0", 300 pounds; Coby Bartholomew, 5'7", 200 pounds; Caden Ballard, 6'3", 340 pounds; and OL Sheldon Bruno, 6'0", 240 pounds. The Tight End position has a chance to be a strong point in 2026, led by Brady Balser, 6'3", 225 pounds; Owen Karl, 5'10", 190 pounds; Brayden Keller, 5'11", 190 pounds; Bowen Pippenger, 5'9", 165 pounds; Cole Hunter; and TE Maximus Ritter, 6'1", 165 pounds.

The Defensive Line will be led by Defensive Tackle leader Grant Baglio, 5'10", 260 pounds; DE Vincent Bryant II, 6'1", 215 pounds; DT Gerald Wilson, 5'9", 273 pounds; DE Oscar Pineda, 5'10", 215 pounds; DT Robert Amos, 5'9", 240 pounds; and DT Garrett Mead, 5'10", 268 pounds. The Linebacking group returns leader Brady McCluskey, 5'10", 185 pounds, senior; LB Dominic Jabbia, 5'10", 215 pounds; Trey Goodall, 6'0", 218 pounds; LB Dominic Trainor, 5'10", 180 pounds; Jacob Zavala, 5'11", 190 pounds; Jordan Campos, 5'10", 210 pounds; and LB Drew Stromboe, 5'9", 189 pounds. The Defensive Backfield will be talented again, led by CB Patrick Jones, 6'0", 175 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty; Safety Grant Guilbeau, 6'0", 185 pounds; Gaines Randol, 5'9", 175 pounds; FS Luca Catanzaro, 6'1", 175 pounds, big-time hitter and leader; CB James Dylan, 5'10", 165 pounds; CB Andrew Dyson, 6'0", 165 pounds; Safety Seth Cannon, 5'10", 165 pounds; Safety Logan Guthrie, 5'5", 166 pounds; and Safety Andrew Frey, 5'11", 175 pounds.

Special Teams has Maximo Barrios, 5'10", 170 pounds, senior, starting at Kicker; Louis Gilberti, 5'4", 125 pounds, at Kicker/Punter; starting Punter Bryson Oustalet; Jaeger Causin, 5'8", 150 pounds, at Kicker/Punter; and Luca Catanzaro at Long Snapper. In the return game, you have Easton Royal, with 4.4 speed in the forty, the most explosive player in Louisiana returning punts and kicks. Good luck containing this kid.

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Chalmette Owls

Head Coach:Jason Tucker

2025 Record:6-4

Signees Colleges: LB Tyray Darensburg(South Alabama), OT Semaj Tapp(Louisiana Christian), WR Dana Antoine(Butler Kansas JC), and CB Raymond Williams(Louisiana Christian).

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 John Ehret HS(Away), Week 2 Loranger HS(Home),and Week 3 Salmen HS(Home).

Team Outlook: “We are going to do things the Chalmette way tough,hard nosed kids,compete and play hard all the time,” said coach Tucker. “We are in a new tougher District, the Catholic League in 2026.” 

The Owls are coming off a season where they did not make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. I think you will see them back in the playoffs in 2026 with a talented younger team overall. The future is bright for Chalmette High School with one of the largest enrollments in Louisiana, with close to 2,300 students.

The Offense returns starting Quarterback Breez Wilson, 5'10", 180 pounds, a team leader who will be a 3-year starter in the program. More players to watch on Offense are RB Russell Banks, 5'11", 172 pounds; RB Chase Carter, 5'10", 185 pounds; RB Quintman Johnson, 5'9", 210 pounds; the team's best WR Kennard Cooks, 5'9", 165 pounds; WR Nashen Murray, 5'10", 170 pounds; WR Brayden Nuccio, 6'2", 165 pounds; TE Tanner Vincens, 6'4", 215 pounds; OL Gavin Estopinal, 5'10", 265 pounds; OL Harrison Nunez, 6'3", 270 pounds, a 3-year starter; Center/OG Bryce Cobden, 6'0", 260 pounds; and new starter OL Chris Allen, 6'4", 260 pounds. The fifth spot on the Offensive Line is still to be decided in the Fall.

On Defense, watch for LB David Gonzales, 5'8", 175 pounds; LB Jayden Ellis, 6'0", 200 pounds, a 4-year starter and leader; DT Brennyn Holiday, 6'0", 200 pounds; DT Tyrone Kelly, 6'2", 275 pounds; CB Jyren Tapp, 5'11", 170 pounds, a big-time hitter; Safety Donja Payne, 5'8", 150 pounds; Safety Tyren Sylve, 6'3", 175 pounds; CB Ticorland Veals, 5'9", 150 pounds; and DE/OLB/WR Yasha Miller, 6'3", 210 pounds, one of the top athletes on the team. Also rotating in will be DE DeAngelo White, 6'1", 220 pounds, and LB Johnny White, 5'8", 170 pounds, a senior and tough player.

Special Teams returns one of the best Kickers in Louisiana in Tristan Dubose, 6'0", 200 pounds, who has a legit 50-plus-yard leg. Dubose broke the school record in 2025 by making the longest field goal in school history. Dubose will also be the Punter and play some Linebacker on Defense. In the return game, RB Russell Banks will provide playmaking ability as well.

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Edna Karr Cougars

Head Coach:Brice Brown

2025 Record:14-0.District 7-0

2025 Playoffs: State Champs. 2^nd Round beat Jesuit HS, Quarterfinals beat Evangel Christian HS, Semisfinals beat Catholic BR, and State Title Game State Champions over St. Augustine HS.

Signees Colleges: DT Richard Anderson(LSU), DB Aidan Hall(LSU), CB Hayward Howard(Texas), WR Jakai Anderson(SMU), OT/OG Leon Noil(Mississippi State), QB John Johnson(West Virginia), CB Maurice Williams(Colorado), WR Greg Wilfred(West Virginia), WR Xavier Owens(Fresno State), RB Tre Garrison(Washington State), CB Torrance Sanders(Washington State), OL Caden Adams(Alabama A&M), DE Romeo Brown(Nicholls State), LB Kelvin Martin(Nicholls State), TE/FB Cam Munford(Alabama A&M).

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 Lafayette Renaissance HS(Home),Week 2 Huntington HS(Away),Week 3 Ruston HS(Superdome).

Team Outlook: “Younger guys will need to step up filling some big shoes in 2026,” said coach Brown. “Having to replace some great players with many players being 1^st time starters. We only return 1 starter on Offense and 3 on Defense plus return our starting Kicker. We had over 20 players sign college scholarships from the 2025 team special group.” “We just need to play the Karr way and we will be fine for a new season.”

The Offense, for the first time in three years, will need to replace one of the greatest Quarterbacks in Karr's storied history in John Johnson, who graduated. Marlon Jones, 6'3", 195 pounds, is the leading candidate to take over under center, and you have some competition led by Forest Johnson, 6'1", 170 pounds, and some younger players that might emerge throughout the Summer. The Offense's run game could end up being the strength of the team early on with several Running Backs returning with experience, led by senior Jermond Macklin, 6'0", 195 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty; RB Jarrell McGee, 5'9", 185 pounds, 4.4 speed; RB Jai Warner, 5'8", 185 pounds; and RB Justin Roberson, 5'9", 185 pounds. The Wide Receiver room will be young overall but returns Kamal Martin, who lettered in 2025, 5'9", 180 pounds, 4.5 speed, new starter; Ky'mani Henry, 5'10", 180 pounds; and several players competing to start or play for the first time. The Offensive Line returns one starter and one of the best in Louisiana, Zyion Wesley, 6'5", 285 pounds, senior, along with Center Kyzer Carter, 5'9", 230 pounds, and OG Kentrell Hayes, 5'10", 255 pounds.

The Defense returns three starters and will need to carry this young Offense to start the season, led by Defensive Tackle Nigel Marshall, 5'11", 250 pounds; DE Juelz Batiste, 6'5", 240 pounds; and Linebacker Michael Quinn, 5'10", 205 pounds, leader of the Defense coming back with over 50 tackles in 2025. More players to watch on Defense as new starters are Safety Kaiden Lucas, 6'1", 195 pounds, senior leader; CB Eldric Cambrice, 5'11", 180 pounds, big-time player, senior; DE Dalgen Massey, 6'1", 230 pounds; DT Edward Daley, 6'3", 260 pounds; OLB/DE Anthony White, 6'2", 210 pounds; LB Ronell Kindell, 5'9", 205 pounds; LB Ian Gray, 6'1", 220 pounds; and Safety Ty Williams, 5'11", 170 pounds. Here are some players competing to start or play: CB Jyren James, 5'9", 170 pounds; CB Jasmin Juanqueious, 5'9", 175 pounds; CB A.J. Grant, 5'9", 180 pounds; DB Donovan Alexander; OLB Baylon Randall, 5'9", 200 pounds; and DT Brice Davis, 6'0", 250 pounds.

Special Teams will be strong again with Kicker Brayan Castellon, 5'6", 150 pounds, back as the starter, and starting Punter Glenn Gurley, 6'0", 190 pounds, who will also play some Wide Receiver for the team. In the return game, Jarrell McGee is back with his 4.4 speed in the forty, along with Justin Roberson and Ky'mani Henry, who all run under 4.5 in the forty and are playmakers for the team.

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Holy Cross Tigers

Head Coach:Scott Wattigny(4^th year)

2025 Record:4-7

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to Archbishop Rummel HS

Signees Colleges:RB Ke’Rynn Smith(UL),OL Cole Todd(Southeastern)

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 Slidell HS(Home), Week 2 Warren Easton HS(Home), Week 3 St. Charles Catholic HS(Away).

Team Outlook: “Excited to see my 1^st 4 year coached group of players here at Holy Cross High School.” “We need to develop some depth in a tough District on both sides of the football.”

The Tigers will have a new starting Quarterback in 2026, led by transfer from University High School in Baton Rouge, QB Cooper Odle, 5'11", 180 pounds, who has varsity experience at the position, and QB Garrett Chittenden, 5'11", 168 pounds, a converted Linebacker with a ton of upside for the future. Skill players coming back for the Offense are WR Talon Meyers, 5'9", 173 pounds; RB Walter Nelson, 5'7", 175 pounds; RB/WR Arius Miranda, 5'8", 161 pounds; WR Allen Sevier Jr., 5'8", 168 pounds; FB Nash Adams, 5'10", 185 pounds; WR Laiden Panepinto, 5'10", 174 pounds; WR Colton Richoux, 5'10", 168 pounds; and RB Ramsey Alexander, 5'9", 177 pounds. The Offensive Line has a chance to be a really good unit with Josh Nemeth, 6'2", 263 pounds; OL Dylan Stephens, 5'10", 243 pounds; Austin Gerrets, 5'11", 243 pounds; Quinn Dempsey, 5'11", 225 pounds; 3-year starter Ashton Harris, 6'4", 321 pounds; Wyatt Jewel, 6'2", 283 pounds; and OL Dylan Calamusa, 5'10", 260 pounds, rotating in. The Tigers also have a really good rotation of Tight Ends in Jace Creel, 6'0", 220 pounds, and TE Kenyon Scott, 6'2", 212 pounds.

The Defense will be led by big-time team leader Linebacker Jonah Weir, 6'0", 211 pounds, with 86 tackles and 6 tackles for loss in 2025; one of the best Defensive Backs in the District, Savoy Guidry, 6'1", 184 pounds (34 tackles with 2 interceptions in 2025); DB Brandon Green, 5'10", 177 pounds, another talented DB (52 tackles and 3 interceptions in 2025); DE Roman Landry, 6'4", 201 pounds, SR; LB Jose Ortiz, 6'0", 191 pounds; DE Sebastian Perez, 6'3", 240 pounds, a 3-year starter and leader; DT Jaden Sterling, 5'10", 226 pounds; DT Carter Mason, 6'2", 331 pounds; LB Gracen Bader, 5'10", 200 pounds; LB Braydin Heirch, 5'9", 175 pounds; DB Elliot Brown, 6'2", 176 pounds; DB Cole Schossler, 5'9", 170 pounds; DB Zaidyn Jolly, 5'8", 160 pounds; DB Jayden Smothers, 6'4", 168 pounds; and rotating in DE Johnathan Costello, 6'2", 218 pounds, and LB Blaize Garcia, 5'9", 183 pounds.

Special Teams Kicker will be Drew Aguirre, who will probably also handle the punting duties.

Jesuit Blue Jays

| Sully Sullivan

| Photo by: flickzbysebastian

Head Coach:Ryan Manale(6^th year)

2025 Record:7-6

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round beat Warren Easton HS,2^nd Round beat McDonough #35, and 3^rd Round loss to Edna Karr HS.

Signees Colleges: DE/DT Will Berry (Princeton U), and LB Beau Matulewski.

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 Madison Prep HS (Home), Week 2 St. Thomas More HS (Home), and Week 3 Bonnabel HS (Away).

Team Outlook: “ Like this group of players ,I like the humility I’m seeing with the hard work being humble and these kids are looking for more," said coach Manale. “ Hopefully all this translates onto the football field.”

The Offense, because of injuries to the Quarterback position in 2025, was able to play two young QBs that got a ton of playing time: Sully Sullivan, 6'1", 230 pounds, and Mani Vandenweghe, 6'0", 180 pounds. Both of these young men have the ability to make all the throws, and both can run the football as dual threats. This will be a strong QB battle throughout the Summer. The team basically has two QBs that could start for any Class 5A team in the state right now. The Wide Receiver group, though key players graduated, returns more key players to make this a deep position again, led by Ja'ir Burks, 5'11", 172 pounds, 4.45 speed in the forty, a special Athlete; WR Benjamin Neff, 5'10", 170 pounds, has really good hands and 4.6 speed or better in the forty; WR Hayes Mestayer, 6'0", 175 pounds, is a starter with experience and talent; WR Nick Friloux, 5'10", 165 pounds; Logan Sterbcow, 6'0", 175 pounds, lettered in 2025; WR Graham Norton, 5'11", 175 pounds; WR Grant LeBeouf, 6'0", 180 pounds, 4.59 speed; WR Evan Morgan, 5'11", 170 pounds; and WR Jackson Cantrelle, 6'2", 170 pounds, a new player in the mix for playing time. The run game will be shared by a group of players: starter Michael Cerruti, 5'11", 185 pounds, had a great Spring; RB Jordan DaSilva, 6'1", 200 pounds; RB Ashton Bourgeois, 5'9", 175 pounds, a strong player; and RB Luke Garcia, 5'6", 140 pounds, quick with 4.6 speed. The Offensive Line has experience back and depth, led by Griffin Vorhaban, 6'7", 308 pounds, SR; Center Alex Prechter, 5'10", 220 pounds; OL Hugo Rauch, 6'3", 250 pounds; OG/OC Ashton Mouillet, 5'10", 275 pounds; and Hayes Ponder, 6'2", 255 pounds. More players that will rotate in are Anthony Amedeo, 6'3", 245 pounds; OL Sammy Lanosga, 6'3", 306 pounds; and OL Jack Markey, 6'1", 250 pounds. Also helping with blocking for the Offensive Line will be TE/FB Braden Chadwick, 6'0", 195 pounds, and TE/FB Owen Chepolis, 5'7", 190 pounds.

The Defense returns some depth and experience. Though not huge in the front seven, it is strong and quick as a group. The Defensive Line is led by DE Austin Geudry, 6'1", 230 pounds; DT Logan Boutte, 6'0", 240 pounds; DT Oliver Burgau, 5'10", 230 pounds; and DE Darrell Youngblood, 6'1", 215 pounds. More players rotating in for depth on the Defensive Line are DT Cooper Ryan, 6'1", 235 pounds; DE Chase Cooper, 6'0", 215 pounds; DT/DE Garrett Cruppi, 6'0", 240 pounds; DT Brodie Evans, 5'11", 265 pounds; and converted Offensive Lineman, now DT, Blake Diodene, 6'0", 250 pounds. At Linebacker, you have starter Adrian McSpadden, 5'8", 180 pounds; OLB/MLB Harry Irwin, 5'10", 195 pounds, a big-time player and returning starter on Defense; starter Julian Alvarado, 6'0", 205 pounds, 4.7 speed; Holden Roubion, 5'9", 185 pounds; OLB Christian Hebert, 5'11", 180 pounds; and LB Cole McMyne, 5'11", 200 pounds, who had a great Spring. The Secondary will return starter CB McKinley Perry, 5'10", 170 pounds, a talented player with 4.5 speed in the forty; one of the best Safeties in the state, Jack Maguire, 6'3", 195 pounds; starter Jacolby Treaudo, 5'10", 150 pounds; Safety Reily Roubion, 6'0", 175 pounds; Safety Rashad Brumfield, 6'1", 170 pounds; CB Max Daigle, 5'9", 155 pounds; and DB Harrison Trauth, 5'10", 165 pounds.

Special Teams will return a strong unit led by Long Snapper Benjamin Neff, Punter Matthew Jackel, 6'3", 190 pounds, and Kickers Charlie Corbello, 5'10", 165 pounds, and James Howat, 6'1", 160 pounds. In the return game, Ja'ir Burks is also back and is capable of scoring every time he touches the ball as a Punt Returner or Kick Returner.

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John Curtis Christian Patriots

| Jarvis Stevenson

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

| Paul Dufrene

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:J.T Curtis(57^th year)

2025 Record:9-3

2025 Playoffs:2^nd Round beat Teurlings Catholic and lost to St. Augustine HS in the Semisfinals.

2026  Non District Games:Week 1 Northshore HS(Texas), (UL Cajun Field),Week 2 Louisville, Mississippi(Away)

Team Outlook: “Getting so close last year losing on the last play in the Semisfinals will be a spring board for the program with motivation and fuel to get this team back to the Dome in 2026,” said coach Jeff Curtis. “The team really had a good Spring and Summer.”

The Offense returns one of the best Quarterbacks in Louisiana, London Padgett, 6'1", 175 pounds, with the ability to throw the ball in a running Offense (1,200 yards passing with 11 touchdown passes and 7 rushing touchdowns in 2025) and run the ball like a Russell Wilson-type in high school. The skill talent around Padgett will be WR Paul Dufrene IV, 6'4", 180 pounds, who started in 2025 and did a good job as a young player; WR Jarvis Stevenson, 6'5", 190 pounds, who missed the 2025 season with an injury and is now back; WR Keigan Linton, 5'10", 180 pounds; two-way player Jaden Turner, 5'11", 170 pounds, RB/CB/FS; and young Running Backs Vincent Sclafini, 5'10", 180 pounds; RB Issac Hrabovsky, 5'9", 175 pounds; and RB Anthony Gabriel, 5'10", 180 pounds. The Offensive Line will be a more experienced and bigger group in 2026, led by Sean Goodrum, 6'0", 270 pounds; OL Cody Woodruff, 6'3", 290 pounds; OG/OC Chris Graff Jr., 6'0", 250 pounds; OL Isadore Vance IV, 6'1", 280 pounds, one of the strongest players on the team (squats 600 pounds); Center Luke Costanza, 6'3", 245 pounds; OL/DL Eric Campbell III, 6'1", 280 pounds; and newcomer Ethan Banks, 6'7", 310 pounds. Starting Tight End will be Caden Battard, 6'3", 240 pounds, a tough and really good blocker for this Offense.

The Defense will return some experience in 2026, led by a talented Secondary featuring Jaden Turner, CB/FS; OLB/Safety Jaden Keelen, 6'1", 195 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty; FS Craig Connor III, 6'0", 180 pounds (3 interceptions in 2025); CB Jeweliz Tapp, 6'1", 175 pounds (5 interceptions in 2025), a 3-year starter; OLB/Safety Prentice Mackyeon (6 interceptions in 2025); FS Jordan Pate, 6'1", 170 pounds; along with Safeties Mason, 5'10", 170 pounds, and Beau Curtis, 5'10", 170 pounds. The front seven also has a chance to be a really good unit in 2026, led by DE/DT/NG Trip Hall, 5'10", 220 pounds, super quick; DT Zaire Shephard, 6'0", 265 pounds, strong; converted Offensive Lineman, now DT, Broc Bryant, 5'10", 310 pounds; DT Jammal Breaux, 6'2", 250 pounds; LB Broderick Franklin Jr., 6'2", 190 pounds; LB/WR/TE Broderick Sanders, 6'3", 205 pounds; DT Marc Duran, 6'0", 285 pounds; and newcomers in the rotation OLB John Alexander II, 6'3", 215 pounds, and LB Paul Frommeyer, 6'1", 185 pounds.

Special Teams will have a chance to be a strong point again, led by returning starters Nathan Newby, 5'10", 200 pounds, Long Snapper/TE/FB, and Kicker Matias Hernandez, 5'10", 150 pounds. 

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St. Augustine Purple Knights

| Jacques Robichaux III

| Photo by: William Stutzenberger

Head Coach: Robert Valdez(3^rd year)

2025 Record: 12-2

2025 Playoffs: State Runner Up.2^nd Round beat Acadiana HS, Quarterfinals beat Archbishop Rummel HS, Semisfinals beat John Curtis Christian HS, and State Title game lost to Edna Karr HS

Signees Colleges: DE Ty Dominique(UL), and LB Chad Jones Jr(Southern U).

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 McDonogh 35(Away), Week 2 Destrehan HS(Away), Week 3 East Ascension HS(Home)

Team Outlook: “Being able to be consistent in 2026,” said coach Valdez. “Good year in 2025 but let's not be a one year hit.” “Let's be consistent in everything we do.” “I like our Wide Receiver room and return most of our Defensive Line on Defense.” 

Head Coach Robert Valdez has brought energy and confidence to a storied program in such a short time that it would make former Purple Knights legend and the late great Head Coach Otis Washington, who had so many great Purple Knight teams, proud. The sky is the limit for this program moving forward, and now, like Coach said, if the team stays focused and remains consistent with its goals, it's scary what this program can achieve not only this year but for many years moving forward.

The Offense will revolve around a talented Wide Receiver room, which returns two of the best WRs in the country on one team, led by Ray'Quan Williams, 6'1", 189 pounds, senior (31 catches, 647 yards with 7 touchdowns), and senior 4-year starter Miguel Whitley, 6'1", 190 pounds (889 yards with 14 touchdowns in 2025), both great, tough players who have the ability to each go over 1,000 yards in 2026. There's also several more WRs to watch in Lucas Jefferson, 5'11", 178 pounds; senior Derrick Bennett, 5'10", 170 pounds, who does everything well; Quinton Richardson, 6'2", 170 pounds; Jace Newman, 5'10", 180 pounds; and WR Terrance Connor, 5'9", 165 pounds, with 4.5 speed in the forty. The run game will have four different backs rotating as a group: RB Khlil Lewis, 5'9", 175 pounds, with power and speed; RB Patrick Robinson II, 5'9", 175 pounds, back from an injury; Freddie Burguess, 5'9", 170 pounds, who had a great Spring; and RB Cohann Davis, 5'10", 185 pounds, who brings both power and speed. The new Quarterback, Jaelle Noble, 6'3", 195 pounds, has a lot of experience from the 2025 season and will be ready to lead this talented Offense. The Offensive Line will be tough overall, led by OL Jaden Taylor, 6'5", 270 pounds; OL Gregory Shields, 5'10", 230 pounds, senior leader; Center Elijah Menville, 6'0", 270 pounds, senior leader; Stephen White, 6'0", 320 pounds, a converted Defensive Tackle from 2025; and OL Taeyo Suarez, 6'1", 245 pounds. Also getting reps will be Michael Coleman, 6'1", 250 pounds. The team also has a really good Tight End room led by Kamari Navarre, 6'3", 235 pounds; Christopher Dupuy, 6'0", 205 pounds; and Jackson Green, 6'1", 200 pounds.

The Defensive Line returns experience and depth, which will help in a tough, long season for this program. Players to watch are DE Jacques Robichaux, 6'4", 225 pounds; DE/LB Darren Coates Jr., 6'1", 220 pounds, with 4.6 speed in the forty and a leader; DT Dominick Lloyd, 6'1", 260 pounds; DT Dylan Davis, 5'10", 265 pounds, senior; DT Corey Brooks, 5'10", 260 pounds, senior; DE Darrius Gibson, 6'0", 215 pounds; and DT/DE Justin Betts, 6'2", 265 pounds, who had a great Spring.

The Linebacker room also has experience and depth, led by John Carter, 6'1", 220 pounds, tough leader; Jai Dillon, 5'10", 200 pounds; Caleb Trueblood, 5'10", 180 pounds; Zige Casby, 5'10", 200 pounds; LB Kimari Smith, 5'9", 185 pounds; and Kolby Roybiskie, 5'11", 200 pounds. The Defensive Backfield has experience returning and some new faces, led by CB/Safety Armon Allen, 5'10", 170 pounds, a 2nd-year starter; CB/Safety Trevor Randall III, 5'9", 160 pounds; CB Payton Thomas, 5'10", 165 pounds; Safety Randall Parnell, 5'11", 165 pounds; CB/Safety Jarren Marshall, 5'9", 160 pounds; CB/Safety Brian McCollum, 5'9", 160 pounds, with 4.5 speed in the forty; CB Kymani Price, 5'10", 165 pounds; Safety Payton Anderson, 5'10", 165 pounds; and CB Vincent Baptiste, a newcomer with 4.5 speed in the forty to watch.

Special Teams starting Punter will be Miguel Whitley. Kicker will be Tawain Simon, 5'10", 150 pounds. Long Snapper will be Christopher Dupuy, 6'0", 205 pounds. In the return game, All-Purpose player WR Derrick Bennett will be a big playmaker on punt and kickoff returns.

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