SBLive Louisiana Top 25 football rankings: Warren Easton jumps to No. 5 after defeating Ruston
Week 1 of Louisiana high school football is in the books.
Multiple programs in the SBLive Louisiana preseason Top 25 squared off, starting with No. 12 Warren Easton at No. 3 Ruston. The Eagles, for the second straight year, made the long trek to north Louisiana and came away with a hard-fought win.
No. 7 Lafayette Christian, behind LSU commit Ju'Juan Johnson's eight touchdowns, lit up the scoreboard at No. 11 Acadiana. QB Preston Welch's pinpoint passing and No. 13 Teurlings Catholic's stingy defense lifted the Rebels past No. 25 Opelousas.
No. 15 Brother Martin blanked No. 18 Madison Prep, 28-0, in New Orleans on Thursday. Last, but not least, No. 20 Airline outlasted No. 22 North DeSoto as quarterbacks Ben Taylor (Airline) and Luke Delafield (North DeSoto) posted big numbers.
Louisiana high school football: Here are the top 25 games to watch for in 2023
Keep reading to find out which teams moved up and down, dropped out and debuted.
1. John Curtis Christian, 1-0 (previous rank: 1)
Quarterback Dagan Bruno tossed two TD passes, one to LSU commit Michael Turner, in a 51-0 win over Central Lafourche. J.T. Curtis needs just six wins to become the country's all-time winningest coach.
Next: TBA. The Patriots are scrambling to find a Week 2 opponent after a scheduling dispute with Zachary.
2. Destrehan, 1-0 (previous rank: 2)
Quarterback Jackson Fields threw two TD passes and tailback Shane Lee rushed for three scores in a 48-7 rout of Bonnabel. The Wildcats scored 41 points in the first half.
Next: at John Ehret (0-1)
3. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 1-0 (previous rank: 4)
The Bears converted a two-point conversion to edge Picayune (Miss.), 36-35. It was Picayune's first loss since 2021. Tailback Barry Remo had a 44-yard scoring jaunt. QB Daniel Beale got the Bears within one point with a TD pass to Brooks Wright; then kept the ball for the game-winner.
Next: vs. No. 5 Warren Easton (1-0)
4. Edna Karr, 1-0 (previous rank: 5)
A 33-0 rout of Lord Beaconsfield Landry was the Cougars' 15th win in the last 16 games against their West Bank rival, according to Pierce Huff of Crescent City Sports. Dezeman Favorite's 39-yard TD burst began the flurry of points.
Next: vs. Scotlandville (0-1)
5. Warren Easton, 1-0 (previous rank: 12)
Quarterback Greg Donaldson passed for two TDs and ran for another in a 20-19 thriller at previously third-ranked Ruston. Fred Robertson had 143 scrimmage yards, highlighted by an 83-yard TD catch, according to Chris Dabe of nola.com.
Next: at No. 3 Catholic-Baton Rouge
6. St. Thomas More, 1-0 (previous rank: 6)
Quarterback Sam Altmann completed 15-of-30 passes for 198 yards and four TDs in a 45-6 win at Comeaux. Sanders Foreman caught four passes for 80 yards and a TD. Jacob Froehlich had three receptions for 58 yards and two TDs, according to Kevin Foote of the Acadiana Advocate.
Next: vs. Alexandria (0-1)
7. Lafayette Christian, 1-0 (previous rank: 7)
Ju'Juan Johnson passed for four TDs and ran for four in a shootout at Acadiana. WR Trae Grogan had two catches for 154 yards and two TDs as the Knights won, 61-38. The score was tied, 20-all, in the first half, which featured four lead changes.
Next: at Woodlawn-Baton Rouge (0-1)
8. Westgate, 1-0 (previous rank: 8)
The Tigers buried New Iberia, 49-8, at home on Friday. Tavias Gordon rushed for 148 yards on seven carries with two scores. Jaboree Antoine threw a TD pass to Bryant Leon.
Next: at Lake Charles College Prep (1-0)
9. Carencro, 1-0 (previous rank: 9)
Sophomore QB Chantz Babineaux set a school record with five TD passes in a 46-26 win vs. Alexandria. Babineaux completed 16-of-21 passes for 276 yards with no interceptions. Cashmire Batiste had three receptions for 142 yards and two TDs, while rushing 21 times for 92 yards.
Next: vs. Barbe (1-0)
10. Ruston, 0-1 (previous rank: 3)
Ruston's offense sputtered in a 20-19 loss to Warren Easton. The Bearcats recovered a blocked punt in the end zone in the third quarter. QB Josh Brantley threw a TD pass to Jadon Mayfield. The Bearcats lost to Warren Easton to open the 2022 season and didn't lose again until the state final vs. Destrehan.
Next: at Jesuit (1-0)
11. St. Augustine, 1-0 (previous rank: 10)
The Purple Knights were undeterred by a sluggish start Saturday vs. McDonogh 35. Dawson Simmons threw three TD passes, and Moses Gray rushed for two scores, according to Chris Dabe of nola.com. Indiana commit Hubert Caliste and Tulane commit Josh Jackson hauled in scoring strikes from Simmons, who didn't play the first quarter of the 71-13 rout.
Next: at Lord Beaconsfield Landry (0-1)
12. Teurlings Catholic, 1-0 (previous rank: 13)
Senior QB Preston Welch threw four TD passes as the Rebels raced past then-25th ranked Opelousas, 34-16. Welch also passed for four scores in a season-opening win over the Tigers in 2022. Bradford Cain and Travis Gallien combined for 11 receptions, 190 yards and three TDs.
Next: vs. Avoyelles (0-1)
13. Zachary, 1-0 (previous rank: 14)
The Broncos used a two-QB system in a 24-7 win at East Ascension. Caleb Gonzales was 10-of-11 through the air for 123 yards, while Hudson Spangler passed for 109 yards. Gonzales ran for a score, according to Robin Fambrough of the Baton Rouge Advocate. Kameron Thomas and Nate Jones combined for 146 yards rushing and two TDs. Kellen Conachen kicked a 41-yard field goal.
Next: Open
14. Brother Martin, 1-0 (previous rank: 15)
For the second straight year, the Crusaders shut out Madison Prep in Week 1. QB Seth Dazet completed 11-of-15 passes for 139 yards and three TDs in Thursday's 28-0 victory. Brodie Dumantier had two of the TD catches. Jordan West grabbed the other. Last year, the Crusaders toppled Madison Prep, 17-0.
Next: at St. Paul's (1-0)
15. University Lab, 1-0 (previous rank: 16)
Riley Small rushed for four TDs in the Cubs' 40-6 defeat of Woodlawn-Baton Rouge on Thursday. The Cubs led 33-0 at halftime with their defense holding Woodlawn to 28 yards, according to Patrick Wright of the Baton Rouge Advocate. Emile Picarella threw a 59-yard TD pass to Seth Gale. Linebacker Alec Haynes returned an interception for a score.
Next: at Archbishop Rummel (0-1)
16. Neville, 1-0 (previous rank: 17)
The Tigers survived an overtime scare on Thursday versus Evangel Christian. J'chione White carried nine times for 128 yards. Jaydon Nicholls added 84 yards on 19 attempts, according to Jake Martin of the Ouachita Citizen. Tytron Hanley returned an interception for a TD. Neville stopped Texas A&M defensive line commit Gabriel Relliford short of the goal line on a two-point conversion try to prevail, 30-29.
Next: vs. Ouachita Parish (1-0)
17. Calvary Baptist, 1-0 (previous rank: 19)
The Cavaliers defeated Logansport, 47-12. Abram Wardell was 22-of-27 passing for 369 yards and three TDs. Freshman QB Peyton Houston was 5-of-7 for 59 yards and a score. James Simon ran for 148 yards on 15 carries. Aubrey Hermes (6 receptions-142 yards), Chris Jackson (6-68, two TDs), Kolby Thomas (10-108) and Louisiana Tech commit John Simon (3-73, TD) paced the receiving corps.
Next: at Captain Shreve (1-0)
18. Airline, 1-0 (previous rank: 20)
The Vikings scored five straight touchdowns in the third quarter to rally from a 28-14 deficit against then-22nd ranked North DeSoto on Friday. Junior QB Ben Taylor connected on 31-of-43 pass attempts for 293 yards and four TDs. Tre' Jackson threw a 71-yard halfback pass to Kenny Darby.
Next: at Union Parish (1-0)
19. Acadiana, 0-1 (previous rank: 11)
The Wreckin' Rams went back and forth with Lafayette Christian for much of the first half of Friday's game. After a 20-20 second-quarter deadlock, the Knights pulled away for a 61-38 win. Cameron Monette and Ezekial Hypolite fueled the Acadiana ground attack. Monette gained 119 yards on 28 carries with a TD. Hypolite rushed nine times for 97 yards and two scores.
Next: at Sulphur (1-0)
20. St. Charles Catholic, 1-0 (previous rank: 24)
Logan Barrios snared an interception in the end zone to preserve the Comets' road win vs. Archbishop Shaw. Senior QB Brady St. Pierre completed 7-of-10 passes for 67 yards and a TD to Jackson Monica, according to nola.com's Chris Dabe. Jeremiah Willis ran for a short TD. Sophomore Tyler Milioto kicked a 24-yard field goal.
Next: at Lutcher (1-0)
21. Oak Grove, 1-0 (previous rank: 25)
The Tigers easily disposed of visiting Opelousas Catholic, 49-13. Longtime area rival Ouachita Christian visits the Tigers next in a battle of defending state champions. The Eagles have won three of the last four meetings. Oak Grove won in 2020, 49-35. Oak Grove will hit the road the following three weeks.
Next: vs. Ouachita Christian (1-0)
22. Captain Shreve, 1-0 (previous rank: NR)
The Gators set multiple school records in a 37-7 shellacking of Loyola Prep. RB Jamarlon Otis broke the single-game rushing mark with a 21-carry, 313-yard, three-TD performance.
Next: vs. No. 17 Calvary Baptist
23. Mandeville, 1-0 (previous rank: NR)
Junior RB Nate Sheppard carried 22 times for 187 yards with two TDs as the Skippers throttled Denham Springs, 38-7. Sheppard also caught a TD pass, according to Jason Russell of nola.com. Denham Springs, a 2022 quarterfinalist, gained only 151 yards of total offense - 52 of which came on a last-minute play.
Next: vs. Hahnville (0-1)
24. Ouachita Parish, 1-0 (previous rank: NR)
Kylon Bell rushed for 152 yards on 19 carries with two TDs as the Lions began the coach Benjy Lewis era with a 21-20 win over Archbishop Rummel.
Next: at No. 16 Neville (1-0)
25. North DeSoto, 0-1 (previous rank: 22)
Sophomore QB Luke Delafield threw five TD passes to four different receivers in a 53-42 loss at Airline. Eli Procell hauled in two of the scoring strikes from Delafield. Tucker Brewster, Landry Wyatt and Cole Cory each had a TD catch.
Next: vs. Center, Texas (2-0)
Dozen to Watch: Southside, Cecilia, Madison Prep, Opelousas, West Feliciana, Ouachita Christian, Lutcher, Southern Lab, De La Salle, Covington, John F. Kennedy, Evangel Christian
Dropped Out: Madison Prep, Lakeshore, St. Martinville, Opelousas
Photo of Warren Easton running back Fred Robertson by Crescent City Sports
