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

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District 2

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Alexandria Trojans

| Bryson Phoenix

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

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| Alex Fontenot

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

| Eli Fung

| Photo by Lee Brecheen (Louisiana Football Magazine)

Head Coach:Thomas Bachman(12 years)

2025 Record:9-3

2025 Playoffs:2^nd Round beat Brother Martin HS and Quarterfinals loss to Catholic HS Baton Rouge.

Signees Colleges:LB Xzavier White, DB Jaquarian Frazier, DB Kerrick Gaines, DT Peyton Hobbs.

2026  Non District Games: Week 1 Bryant, Arkansas(Home), Week 2 Union Parish HS, Week 3 Lafayette Christian HS, Week 4 Neville HS,Week 5 Liberty Magnet HS,

Team Outlook: “We’re excited for another season of Football," said coach Bachman. “A lot of great competition across our state and we are looking forward to the challenges.”

The Trojans return 15 starters overall, 9 on Offense and 6 on Defense. This could end up being the most talented team, experience and talent wise, I have seen at Alexandria High School since I’ve covered the school starting back in 1991.

The Offense will be one of the best in Louisiana again, led by a strong run game combination of RB/OLB Kason Williams, 6'0", 195 pounds, and RB Noble Williams, 6'0", 205 pounds, one of the best run combinations in the US. These two kids are both National Recruits and special. The Quarterback position returns starter Karsen Sellers, 6'2", 185 pounds, returns as a leader and should have his best year in 2026 as a passer. The passing game returns one of the best polished WRs I saw play in Taylor Alex Fontenot, 6'2", 185 pounds, 4.45 speed, great routes and hands. There’s also Ja’Kyrin Griffin, 5'10", 180 pounds, WR/RB/DB, 4.45 speed in the forty or better; WR Kelton Ray Jr., 5'9", 168 pounds; WR Hayden Burford, 5'8", 165 pounds; WR Tristan Brooks, 5'8", 160 pounds; WR Trey Dorty, 5'10", 165 pounds; WR/CB Jayden Minor, 5'8", 140 pounds; and several others competing for playing time.

Coach Bachman and staff always seem to build what I call a blocking wall for an Offensive Line. They have quality OL and several Tight End/Fullbacks as polished blockers to make sure runs have holes. This year watch these key players: OG Jayden Clemons, 5'10", 255 pounds; Center Jacob Delacerda, 6'2", 250 pounds; OT SR leader Peter Lofton, 6'3", 298 pounds; OT/OG Roman Fuentes, 6'2", 280 pounds; OL Jaden Everett, 6'2", 280 pounds; OL Gregory Williams, 6'0", 280 pounds; OG Quentin Price, 6'1", 335 pounds; FB/TE Cooper Robinson, 6'0", 200 pounds; TE Thomas Crenshaw, 5'10", 195 pounds; TE Gaines McKenzie, 6'2", 215 pounds; and TE/HB Christopher Williams, 6'2", 210 pounds.

The Defense returns two of the best Football players on Defense in Louisiana, led by DE/LB Bryson Phoenix, 6'2", 238 pounds, and DT/DE Jaden Bayonne, 6'4", 285 pounds. These 2 kids will probably become All State again in 2026. The rest of the front seven you have LB Jackson Townsend, 6'0", 195 pounds; LB Amarian Simon, 5'9", 192 pounds; Carter Rivet, a converted Offensive Tackle now DE, 6'0", 230 pounds; OLB Tyler Bowman, 6'1", 186 pounds; MLB Julius Sykes-Veal, 5'10", 198 pounds; DE Jeremiah McKinney, 6'4", 215 pounds; DT Peyton Crutchfield, 6'2", 275 pounds; and DT Gary Boatman, 5'10", 245 pounds.

The secondary, always a strong point, will be led by DB Jaylun Terry, SR, 5'11", 185 pounds, gifted returning starter, can play any DB position for the team; CB Jacob Herrington, 5'8", 168 pounds; CB/FS Raymond Harris, 5'9", 165 pounds; CB Maurice Jackson Jr., 6'2", 165 pounds; FS LeTravious Williams, 5'9", 175 pounds; and Athlete/CB Ja’Kyrin Griffin can play any spot in the Defensive Backfield with 4.45 speed or better in the forty. The program also has a newcomer, 2025 All District player from Hammond High School, Reginald Monroe, who can play WR/RB/KR for the program with legit 4.5 speed in the forty.

Special Teams returns one of the best Kickers/Punters in the state in Eli Fung, 6'0", 180 pounds, Senior, with a cannon leg and the ability to win many close games in 2026.

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Ouachita Parish Lions

Head Coach:Leonard Ceaser III(1^st year)

2025 Record:11-4.District Record 1-4

2025 Playoffs: State Champs.1^st Round beat St.Amant HS, 2^nd Round beat Destrehan HS, Quarterfinals beat Parkway HS, Semifinals beat Neville HS,and State Title Games beat Ruston HS.

Signees Colleges:13 players signed School Record: 

DT Dylan Berryman(Nebraska), LB/SS OD Freemont(ULM), OL/DT AJ Washington(Grambling), Athlete Wydell Clark (Southern U),

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 Byrd HS(Home),Week 2 Wossman HS(Away),Week 3 Neville HS(Away),Week 4 Sterlington HS(Home), Week 5 Central HS(Away)

Team Outlook: “ Excited about the opportunity to lead this program and team,” said coach Ceaser. “ This year's motto is Team That Has Pride.” “ We will have pride in everything we do on and off the field.” “ We are trying to create winners on and off the field.” “The Community is excited and we even now have kids in the school wanting to be a part of the football program that never played before which is exciting to see as a Head Coach now.” 

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Head Coach Leonard Ceaser III is the new head coach but was the Ouachita High School Offensive Coordinator in 2025, so not new to the team or school. Coach is also an alumnus of Neville High School, Class of 2006.

Ouachita Parish's schedule in 2025 was one of the toughest I have ever seen in Class 5A football in my 35 years, and here are the teams they had to beat to get to the State Title game, which I thought was incredible: beat Ruston once during the regular season and in the State Title game, beat Sterlington, who won a State Title in 2025, beat West Monroe, Wossman, Captain Shreve, Franklin Parish, Parkway, St. Amant HS, Alexandria HS, and beat one of the top teams in Mississippi, Port Gibson HS.

The Offense and Defense will have a lot of new faces in the starting lineup in 2026, but confidence is at an all-time high, and numbers will be there for this program on both sides of the football.

The Offense has a new starting Quarterback, Lester Watts, 5'10", 165 pounds, a field general with a really good arm, more of a QB than an Athlete, that can really keep this Offense competitive in a tough District, one of the toughest Districts in Louisiana. The run game will have new players, but a good group will compete for carries in RB Carter McClinton, 5'7", 175 pounds; RB Tyler Jackson, 5'6", 160 pounds; and RB Charles Dade, 5'4", 140 pounds, all three quick backs and tough runners for their size.

In the passing game, the Offense might even have a deeper group than in 2025, led by senior Seneca Battle, 6'3", 200 pounds; WR Louis Carter, 6'1", 170 pounds; WR Tim Henderson, 5'10", 155 pounds; and WR Preston Johnson, 5'9", 150 pounds. The Offensive Line returns some players with experience: 2nd-year starter Jordan Pleasant, 5'11", 205 pounds; OL Torrance Davis, 6'0", 275 pounds; OL Korbyn Miles, 5'9", 315 pounds; Center Connor Rodgers, 5'10", 260 pounds; OL Tyson January, 5'8", 275 pounds; OT Jaylin Murrell, 6'2", 270 pounds; and some young players competing in the Fall. The Lions also return Tight End Zyhon Randle, 6'0", 215 pounds, a senior and really good blocker.

The Defensive Line I think was one of the best groups I have ever seen play in my 35 years in the business, and I have seen some great groups over the years. The Lions do have to replace some special players here but do return a special player to build around in senior Cam Allen, 6'2", 275 pounds, has all the tools to become one of the best in the US by season's end. The rest of the Defensive Line will be DE Alex Smith, 5'7", 192 pounds, tough and quick senior; DT Cayden Powell, 5'10", 225 pounds, quick and strong; possibly converting from the Offensive Line, Silas White, a senior, 6'2", 265 pounds; DE Kanyon Davis, 5'10", 240 pounds; and DT Jaxson Spivey, 5'10", 225 pounds.

The rest of the Defense you have LB new starter Jonathan Moran, 5'10", 185 pounds, with 4.6 speed in the forty; LB Kaiden Clegg, 5'8", 225 pounds, 3-year starter; CB Travis Gray Jr., 5'10", 155 pounds; Safety Reginald Brown, 5'11", 170 pounds, 4-year starter, leader; CB Makhi Wilkins, 5'9", 155 pounds, 4.5 speed; Safety/CB Nolan White, 5'9", 170 pounds; and Safety Larry Cooper, 5'9", 155 pounds, 2nd-year starter. New to the team for the Defense is a transfer from Franklin Parish, Linebacker Ahmaud Tolbert, 5'10", 215 pounds, who will help this Defense a lot in 2026.

Special Teams: Oscar Hernandez, 5'9", 184 pounds, will be the starting Punter. Kicker is open going into the Summer. Long Snapper will be Kievion Madison, 5'3", 130 pounds, new starter.

Peabody Warhorses

| Jonathan Hargrove, Malik Jackson

| Photo provided by Jonathan Hargrove

| Jonathan Hargrove

| Photo provided by Jonathan Hargrove

Head Coach:Jamar Washington(2^nd year)

2025 Record:2-7

Team Outlook:  Head Coach Jamar Washington is a former All-SWAC player with Southern University. The Warhorses return several players that lettered and played in 2025. It will be a challenge moving up to Class 5A in one of the toughest Districts in North Louisiana and the State.

The key player for Peabody High School is one of the best players in the Alexandria area, senior Jonathan Hargrove, 5'8", 165 pounds, a RB/WR/PR/KR for the team. He does it all. Hargrove had over 1,700 all-purpose yards in 2025, 14 Touchdowns, 603 yards as a WR, and 657 yards rushing. Hargrove is also one of the fastest players in Louisiana with legit 4.45 speed in the forty and was All District in 2025.

Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman Kyron Wilson, 6'2", 240 pounds, and 2nd Team All District OLB/DE Malik Jackson, 6'1", 215 pounds, also return to lead this team in Class 5A. More players to watch: CB/WR Kemareun Adams; Athlete Markeric Lacour; QB/Athlete Zaiden Bolden; DE Tyler Sessums; CB Jemal Gibson; and LB/DE Christian McNeal.

Special Teams will be a strong point for the team, led by All District Punt and Kick Returner Jonathan Hargrove, 4.49 speed, as a big playmaker. Starting at Kicker and Punter, returning is Jarod Armond, 6'4", 190 pounds, returning for his 3rd year as a starter. Armond was All State in 2024.

(We were not able to talk to coach Washington after several attempts to get all the player information for the team.)

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Pineville Rebels

Head Coach:Justin Charles:2^nd year)

2025 Record:4-7

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round lost to St.Paul’s HS

Signees Colleges:DE Brady Baden(Arkansas Tech),Athlete Ayden Tate(Kilgore,Texas JC),and Hy’Keem Mix(Louisiana Christian).

2026 Non District Games:Week 1 Opelousas HS(Home),Week 2 Sulphur HS(Away),Week 3 Tioga HS(Away),Week 4 Leesville HS(Away),Week 5 Marksville HS(Home).

Team Outlook: “ Productive Winter and Spring for the team,” said coach Charles.” “I would say 90% of our team put on good weight in the Spring/Summer for an upcoming tough Class 5A schedule we have to play in 2026.” “ We are still working on toughness in the trenches and teaching these kids how to compete so they can learn how to win.”

The coaching staff, led by Head Coach Justin Charles, you can tell watching film on these kids like I did in 2025, the kids are tougher, stronger, and compete with more of an edge, which means this program is going in the right direction like coach said, in a tough District and schedule every year to get in the playoffs.

The Rebels have some really good skill talent back in new starting Quarterback Kaleb Coleman, 6'1", 175 pounds, a former WR/CB; former Quarterback, now RB/WR, Carter Smith, 6'1", 200 pounds, tough, experienced 3-year starter with 4.6 speed in the forty; best Athlete on team RB/WR Kelmarion Phillips, 5'10", 168 pounds, 4.4 speed in the forty; RB/WR Altavis McQuann, 5'10", 184 pounds; TE/FB Kain Smart, 6'3", 195 pounds; WR Preston Coburn, 5'11", 170 pounds; WR Davion Young, 5'11", 170 pounds; and rotating in are WR Daniel Coleman, 6'3", 205 pounds, and WR Xavier Cockeran, 5'11", 165 pounds.

The Offensive Line will return some size and experience, led by Center Phillip Beitz, 5'10", 240 pounds, 2nd-year starter; OG Tristan Lesikar, 6'3", 295 pounds, 2nd-year starter; OG Tristan Johnson, 6'3", 290 pounds, 2nd-year starter; OL Christian Holmes, 5'8", 300 pounds; and OL Caleb Leake, 6'2", 295 pounds.

The Defense will be bigger and faster in 2026, led by DE Gerald Tatum, 5'11", 255 pounds, former LB; LB Jyran Pearson, 5'9", 220 pounds, a 4-year starter, leader; LB Micah Roberts, 5'9", 200 pounds; OLB Garrett Bordelon, 5'10", 185 pounds, senior; LB Lucas Hardy, 5'10", 185 pounds, senior; DT Konstantine Page, 6'3", 270 pounds; DT Anthony Guillory, 6'4", 302 pounds; FS T.J. Edwards, 6'0", 175 pounds; CB Donovan Williams, 5'11", 160 pounds, a 3-year starter, leader; and CB Nehemiah Reed, 5'9", 170 pounds. More players rotating in will be Safety Elijah Frazier, 6'0", 180 pounds, and OLB/FS Regin Conway, 6'3", 172 pounds.

Special Teams kicking and punting jobs are still a battle among younger players coming in, but the team has a good Long Snapper in Beau Hood, 6'3", 260 pounds, also an Offensive Lineman for the Offense.

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Ruston Bearcats

Head Coach:Jerrod Baugh(11^th year)

2025 Record:11-3.District 4-1. State Runner Up.2^nd Round beat Westgate HS, Quarterfinals beat Southside HS, Semisfinals beat Zachary HS,  and State Title Game lost to Ouachita Parish HS.

Signees Colleges:DT/DE Ra’keem Potts(Northwestern State).

Team Outlook: “We return 13 starters overall and 33 lettermen," said coach Baugh. “ I feel like we have a chance to be a very good team in the end.” “We will run a multiple Offense and on Defense a 4-2-5.

One of the hottest programs in the State of Louisiana, if not the best program, if you look at stability since 2021, is led by Head Coach Baugh. This program has won at least 10 games under coach Baugh, won a State Title in 2023, and played in a total of 3 State Title games. Coach Baugh and his staff have done a remarkable job. Since 2021, the Bearcats are 59-11 overall. To do that in Class 5A and rebuild every year is amazing. The Bearcats have a chance to win their 2nd State Title in 4 years in 2026.

The Offense returns a key position for experience in Class 5A to have a chance to play for a title in 2026 in Quarterback Sam Hartwell, 5'11", 180 pounds, who had a great 1st year as a starter in 2025, passing for 1,990 yards, 22 Touchdowns, with only 3 Interceptions, and rushed for 697 yards and 14 Touchdowns. The Offense also returns one of the worst nightmare matchups for any high school Linebacker or Defensive Back to try and guard, TE/WR Ahmad Hudson, 6'7", 242 pounds (61 catches with 12 Touchdowns in 2025), with the build and upside of some NFL and current college starting Tight Ends.

The Offense will return some big-time backs in the running game, one of the best I saw play in 3 years, Dalen Powell, 6'0", 190 pounds, 4.45 speed, recovering from an injury, ran for 1,156 yards, 15 Touchdowns, and caught 18 passes for 239 yards with another 3 Touchdowns in only 9.5 games because of an injury and should be back in time for the season; FB Kohl Gray, 5'11", 180 pounds, ran for 501 yards with 5 Touchdowns in 2025; and you have RB Messiah Myree, 5'9", 180 pounds, another talented young back.

The Wide Receiver room is talented too with All District Josiah Morgan, 6'1", 191 pounds, back, 4.5 speed, big-time playmaker; and WR Keshun Malcolm, 6'2", 170 pounds, another big-time player to defend on the other side. The Offensive Line will build around 3-year starter, leader Jakaylan Blackmon, 6'1", 320 pounds; OL Chase McGuire, 6'2", 235 pounds; OL Logan Ashley, 6'0", 270 pounds; OL Braylin Brown, 6'1", 260 pounds; and OL Nick Hawk, 5'7", 285 pounds.

The Defense will be strong and quick again in 2026, led by a strong linebacker group: the talented Aidan Adams, 6'2", 190 pounds (101 tackles in 2025); LB Shamar Evans, 6'2", 215 pounds, newcomer, talented, 4.5 speed in the forty; DE Jacob Brantley, 5'11", 195 pounds; DT Nick Hardison, 6'2", 255 pounds; DT Ethan Russell, 5'8", 260 pounds; DE Hunter Soto, 6'0", 220 pounds; Safety Holt Hunt, 6'0", 205 pounds; Safety Keilan Davis, 6'0", 200 pounds (56 tackles with 6 Sacks and 2 Interceptions in 2025); FS Jayden Anding, 5'11", 170 pounds, big-time leader (49 tackles, 3 Interceptions, with 2 Pick 6 Touchdowns in 2025); CB Jayden Mendenhall, 6'1", 190 pounds; and CB Devin Major, 5'8", 155 pounds.

You could also see rotating in a talented young Athlete by the name of Reed Williams, DB/RB/Athlete, along with several other players in a long, tough season ahead for every Class 5A team.

Special Teams will have a chance to be strong, led by returning starting Kicker/Punter JoaQuin Ramos, 5'8", 150 pounds, senior, and Long Snapper will be Tyler Osborne, 5'11", 180 pounds. In the return game, the team has several options of playmakers to use at different times.

West Monroe Rebels

| Tre King

| Photo by: Bigg Zigg Photography

Head Coach:Demichael Dizer(2^nd year)

2025 Record:8-4

2025 Playoffs:1^st Round beat South Lafourche HS,and 2^nd Round lost to Barbe HS 42-35

Signees Colleges:WR Trez Davis(Washington), OL Tylan George(Tulane), RB Kedrian McNeil(Louisiana Christian), DE/LB Smoltz Lilly(Navy), FB Christian Ponti(ULM), and DB Aavery Lewis(Northwestern State).

2026 Non District Games: Week 1 Evangel Christian HS(Independence Stadium), Week 2 Plaquemine HS(Home), Week 3 Brandon, Mississippi HS(Away), Week 4 Central BR HS(Home).

Team Outlook: “Offense's biggest concern is the Offensive Line we are young there,” said coach Dizer. “We will also be able to use 2 different Quarterbacks to win games in 2026.” “ On the Defense we have some players to replace in the front seven.” “We will continue to be a spread Offense with the power game still there and overall balanced.”

The Offense will have a few players rotate in at QB, RB, and WR. Here are some players to watch for in 2026: QB Brady Guillot, 6'0", 190 pounds, an Athletic player with 4.6 speed in the forty, got tons of starting experience in 2025; QB Tre King, 6'4", 225 pounds, can also play TE/WR for the team at a few positions; RB Darrell Cooper, 5'11", 205 pounds, brings power and speed as a senior; newcomer RJ West, 5'9", 180 pounds, with 4.3 speed in the forty; RB Lentrelle Morgan, 5'9", 180 pounds, will probably start the season as the guy with speed and experience; RB Wyatt Worthy, 5'10", 185 pounds; RB Ziggy Ethridge, 5'5", 150 pounds; WR Jordan Coleman, 5'11", 185 pounds, 4.5 speed in the forty, starter; WR Tyson Mills, 6'0", 170 pounds, 4.59 speed, started some games in 2025; newcomer WR/DB Jordan Perkins, 5'9", 170 pounds, 4.45 speed; sleeper Luke Vallery, 6'0", 182 pounds, a senior with great hands, played a lot in 2025; WR Lane Russell, 5'9", 163 pounds; WR Issac Faz, 5'9", 165 pounds; and WR Broxon Oestreich, 6'0", 170 pounds, all rotating in at WR.

The Offensive Line has a few battles still going on to start. Here are a few players to watch in 2026: Cameron Ross, 6'0", 330 pounds, a 3-year starter; Greer Averitt, 6'1", 268 pounds; OL Armon Hargrove, 6'4", 290 pounds; OL Kai Brown, 6'0", 270 pounds; OC/OG Kross Many, 6'1", 260 pounds; OL Caden Candella, 6'0", 245 pounds; OL Hank Reynolds, OC/OG; Alex Adkins, 6'3", 280 pounds; OL Noah Huckaby, 6'1", 255 pounds, all competing to start; and OL Eli Calhoun, 6'3", 275 pounds, will rotate in on the Offensive Line. Keegan Vincent is the leading candidate to start at Fullback at 5'11", 225 pounds, a senior.

The Defense will return some experience, led by Linebacker Jaxon Talley, 6'0", 205 pounds, a 3-year starter, senior; LB Mason Willis, a 3-year starter, 6'0", 200 pounds, led the team in tackles in 2025 with 98 total tackles; LB/FB Lee Cotton, 5'9", 215 pounds; LB Luke Powell, 6'0", 215 pounds; DE Jamal Connor, 5'11", 230 pounds; DE/DT Maddox Dunn, 5'11", 235 pounds; DT Braxton Florentine, 5'9", 255 pounds; CB Kemani Kyles, 5'8", 155 pounds, 4.55 speed in the forty; CB Quinton Carter, 5'10", 168 pounds, 4.53 speed; SS Ashton Peavy, 5'10", 175 pounds; SS Akeyvien Boley, 5'9", 155 pounds; and leader, returning starter Safety Maddoux Cobbs, 5'10", 190 pounds, big-time playmaker with 46 tackles in 2025 and a great tackler. More players who will rotate in or play a lot will be DE Zac Robinson, 6'0", 210 pounds; LB Jace Frost; DT Finnon Flowers, 5'9", 220 pounds; DT Juvarious Kinnear, 5'10", 285 pounds; DT Ja’Layan Grimsley, 5'11", 255 pounds; DT Brees Many, 5'11", 245 pounds; and DE/TE Hayes McCorkle, 6'2", 220 pounds, a 2-way player.

Special Teams will be very strong with the return of 2 senior Kickers, both with great legs: Davis Long, 5'10", 160 pounds, and Clark Barron, 6'0", 170 pounds. The Rebels also return a very good Punter in Remy Moore, 6'0", 160 pounds. Starting at Long Snapper will be Keegan Vincent.

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