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The Sporting News Louisiana high school football Top 25 for Week 2: Carencro enters | Sporting News

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The Sporting News Louisiana high school football Top 25 for Week 2: Carencro enters | Sporting News


Week 1 started off with a bang.

There were many statement wins, as well as tough losses from most of the teams on this list. A couple of those games were the Neville/Evangel and Lafayette Christian/Archbishop Rummel games, which led to great finishes in matchups against ranked opponents.

As expected, we have a few new teams joining the list led by Carencro and 2024 state finalists Dunham and St. James.

Here is the Week 2 version of The Sporting News’ Louisiana football Top 25.

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1. Edna Karr

Next Game: Sept. 12, American Heritage (Fla.) (1-1)
Last Game: No. 1 Edna Karr 35, No. Archbishop Shaw 0
Current Streak: 14 wins

The Cougars are already in midseason form following their shutout of Archbishop Shaw and did not allow a first down until the third quarter. Nicholls commit Tre Garrison added a pair of touchdowns to power Karr to a big win. Now, Karr shifts its focus to a national power in American Heritage in the Superdome.

2. Catholic (Baton Rouge)

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 2

Next Game: Sept. 12, No. 15 St. Thomas More (0-1)
Last Game: No. 2 Catholic (Baton Rouge) 32, No. 8 Destrehan 23
Current Streak: 1 win

Bear junior running back Justin Batiste only rushed for 21 yards, but he propelled them to a big win over Destrehan with four touchdowns. Catholic’s two-quarterback attack was able to go for 246 yards, as Turner Goldsmith threw for 191 on 16-for-22 aim. Now, the Bears get to prep for Virginia Tech commit Cole Bergeron and St. Thomas More.

3. Ruston

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 3

Next Game: Sept. 12, at Cabot (Ark.) (0-2)
Last Game: No. 3 Ruston 49, No. 11 Acadiana 7
Current Streak: 1 win

Do not count the Bearcats out just yet as they went on the road and won big over Acadiana. Sophomore running back Dalen Powell ran for 259 yards and scored four touchdowns to help answer any question marks about Ruston’s ability to run the ball. The Bearcats’ next four games are against out-of-state teams.

4. Neville

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 4

Next Game: Sept. 12, Calvary (1-0)
Last Game: No. 4 Neville 33, No. 23 Evangel 32
Current Streak: 1 win

A win is a win, no matter how you take it. A blocked field goal by Jakobe Collins sealed an entertaining game for the Tigers as they overcame a 14-0 first quarter deficit. Neville will try to defeat another Shreveport private school – Calvary – at Bill Ruple Stadium Friday.

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5. St. Augustine

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 5

Next Game: Sept. 13, at East St. John (0-1)
Last Game: No. 5 St. Augustine 56, McDonogh #35 6
Current Streak: 1 win

The Purple Knights were the only team on last week’s list to play Saturday, but the extra day was not a problem as they defeated McDonogh #35 handily. Vashaun Coulon was in a great rhythm with his receivers all game and accounted for 218 yards and four touchdowns. St. Aug has another Saturday game this week and travels to Reserve to play East St. John.

6. John Curtis

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 6

Next Game: Sept. 12, Northshore (0-1)
Last Game: No. 6 John Curtis 54, Cathedral (Calif.) 26
Current Streak: 1 win

The Patriots made the 1,900-mile trek to Hollywood and came away with a resounding victory over Cathedral. John Curtis ran for a program record 654 yards as Jacobi Boudreaux, Gavin Ledet and London Padgett each rushed for over 100 yards. The Patriots return to New Orleans to host Northshore in Week 2.

7. Central (Baton Rouge)

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 9

Next Game: Sept. 12, at Denham Springs (1-0)
Last Game: No. 9 Central (Baton Rouge) 20, De La Salle 13
Current Streak: 8 wins

The Wildcats pushed the state’s second-longest winning streak to eight after defeating De La Salle and will make the short trek to Denham Springs this week.

8. Alexandria

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 10

Next Game: Sept. 11, Union Parish (0-1)
Last Game: No. 10 Alexandria 54, West Feliciana 7
Current Streak: 1 win

Everything went right for the Trojans in Week 1, as they jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first five minutes and did not look back. ASH quarterback Karsen Sellers passed for 236 yards and four touchdowns, while the defense did not allow a point until the running clock was implemented. It is a short week for the Trojans as they host Union Parish.

9. Zachary

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 12

Next Game: Sept. 12, Acadiana (0-1)
Last Game: No. 12 Zachary 52, Plaquemine 28
Current Streak: 1 win

The Broncos got themselves a good win last week against Plaquemine – attacking by air and ground to control the Green Devils. Jeremey Patton rushed for a pair of touchdowns, while Michael Kirby passed for three. Zachary hosts an Acadiana squad that is reeling off its 49-7 loss at home to Ruston.

10. Lafayette Christian

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 13

Next Game: Sept. 12, at No. 13 Carencro (1-0)
Last Game: No. 13 Lafayette Christian 27, No. 16 Archbishop Rummel 26
Current Streak: 1 win

The Knights climbed to the top 10 this week after surviving in their win over Rummel, thanks to a missed extra point. UL Lafayette commit Braylon Walker was incredible in pacing LCA – tallying 322 total yards and two touchdowns. The Knights head north on Interstate 49 to Exit 4 to face Carencro.

11. Teurlings Catholic

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 14

Next Game: Sept. 12, at Sam Houston (1-0)
Last Game: No. 14 Teurlings Catholic 48, Opelousas 12
Current Streak: 1 win

The Rebels opened the 2025 season with an empathic win to spoil Harry Coleman’s debut at Opelousas. Teurlings will travel for the next two weeks, beginning with a trip to Moss Bluff to face Sam Houston.

12. Destrehan

  • 2025 Record: 0-1
  • Last Week: No. 8

Next Game: Sept. 12, Bonnabel (1-0)
Last Game: No. 2 Catholic (Baton Rouge) 32, No. 8 Destrehan 23
Current Streak: 1 loss

Credit to the Wildcats for jumping out to an early 10-0 lead against Catholic (Baton Rouge), as they are still in the top 15 despite their loss. LSU commit Jabari Mack had an interception return for a touchdown and Incarnate Word commit Jackson Field also scored, but it was not enough against a tough Bear defense. Destrehan will look to get back on track against Bonnabel, who shut out Sophie B. Wright in Week 1.

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13. Carencro

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: Not Ranked

Next Game: Sept. 12, No. 10 Lafayette Christian (1-0)
Last Game: Carencro 30, No. 7 St. Thomas More 27
Current Streak: 1 win

What a statement win for the Bears, who defeated St. Thomas More for the first time since 2006 and the first time on the road since 2003. Nicholls commit Chantz Babineaux intercepted a pair of passes, while returning one for a touchdown as the game was the opposite of last year’s showdown. Reaching the highest spot of any debuting team this week, Carencro will look for another top 10 win against Lafayette Christian.

14. Brother Martin

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 17

Next Game: Sept. 12, at St. Paul’s (1-0)
Last Game: No. 17 Brother Martin 29, East Ascension 22
Current Streak: 1 win

The Crusaders were on the ropes at East Ascension but rallied from a 22-9 halftime deficit thanks to Easton Royal’s 130 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. Brother Martin gave up 239 rushing yards, but made a red zone stand when it counted most to preserve the win. The Crusaders will look to slow down St. Paul’s on the Northshore this week.

15. St. Thomas More

  • 2025 Record: 0-1
  • Last Week: No. 7

Next Game: Sept. 12, at No. 2 Catholic (Baton Rouge) (1-0)
Last Game: Carencro 30, No. 7 St. Thomas More 27
Current Streak: 1 loss

Virginia Tech commit Cole Bergeron earned 224 total yards and three touchdowns, but Carencro made him earn every yard and touchdown. Bergeron only completed 16 of 48 passes and both of his interceptions came against Babineaux, who took one back for a touchdown. Bergeron will battle another one of the top quarterbacks in the state – Baylor Graves – this week.

16. North DeSoto

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 19

Next Game: Sept. 12, Center (Texas) (2-0)
Last Game: No. 19 North DeSoto 46, Union Parish 3
Current Streak: 1 win

The Griffins earned a quality victory against Union Parish last week – outgaining it, 394-224, in yards. Northwestern State commit Luke Delafield not only spread the ball well with six receivers catching his 16 completions, but he also caught an 11-yard pass. North DeSoto will look to slow down Center (Texas) running back, who has rushed for 365 yards and four touchdowns.

17. Jesuit

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 21

Next Game: Sept. 12, E.D. White (0-1)
Last Game: No. 21 Jesuit 31, Jesuit Dallas (Texas) 6
Current Streak: 1 win

The Blue Jays won a rain-shortened game and evened the home-and-home series against their neighboring state brethren. Jesuit returns to Louisiana to host an E.D. White squad that aims to return to the rankings.

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18. University Lab

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 24

Next Game: Sept. 12, at No. 20 Archbishop Rummel (0-1) (at Caesars Superdome)
Last Game: No. 24 University Lab 49, Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) 8
Current Streak: 2 wins

The Cubs ran, ran and ran some more behind the duo of Sage Ingram and Corbin Odell against Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) to kick off their season. Ingram and Odell rushed for a total of 211 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers did not have an answer to slow either back down. University has its sights on the Superdome in December but will get a preliminary trip there this week to play Archbishop Rummel.

19. Franklin Parish

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: No. 25

Next Game: Sept. 12, at St. Frederick (0-1)
Last Game: No. 25 Franklin Parish 52, West Jefferson 0
Current Streak: 1 win

It was a great all-around effort for the Patriots, who cruised past West Jeff in a shutout win. LSU commit Dezyrian “Pook” Ellis pass for three touchdowns, while junior running back added 127 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries. Franklin Parish heads north to play St. Frederick, after the Warriors lost to Loyola.

20. Archbishop Rummel

  • 2025 Record: 0-1
  • Last Week: No. 16

Next Game: Sept. 12, No. 19 University Lab (1-0) (at Caesars Superdome)
Last Game: No. 13 Lafayette Christian 27, No. 16 Archbishop Rummel 26
Current Streak: 2 losses

The Raiders nearly rallied back from a 10-point deficit against LCA but fell prey to a missed extra point late in the ball game. Despite the loss, Jaden Terrance helped lead the comeback with an 80-yard rushing touchdown. Rummel draws another ranked opponent in University Lab in the Superdome Friday.

21. Dunham

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: Not Ranked

Next Game: Sept. 11, Live Oak (0-1)
Last Game: Dunham 49, Parkview Baptist 14
Current Streak: 1 win

The Tigers make their debut on this list after making a short road trip to take on Parkview Baptist. Dunham junior quarterback Elijah Haven picked up where he left off last season with five passing touchdowns in the first half. Up next is the Tigers’ home opener with Class 5A’s Live Oak, which lost to St. Paul’s, 48-13.

SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network

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22. St. James

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: Not Ranked

Next Game: Sept. 12, at West St. John (0-1)
Last Game: St. James 49, East St. John 6
Current Streak: 1 win

St. James took care of business against East St. John and makes its first appearance in this year’s Louisiana Top 25. Jakias Villanueva caught 10 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns – one of those being a 75-yarder to open the second half. Up next for the Wildcats is West St. John, which dropped a close to Young Audiences Charter.

23. Holy Cross

  • 2025 Record: 1-0
  • Last Week: Not Ranked

Next Game: Sept. 11, at De La Salle (0-1)
Last Game: Holy Cross 27, No. 20 E.D. White 26
Current Streak: 1 win

The Tigers swap spots with E.D. White by going from one of the first five out to the main poll. Ke’Rynn Smith powered Holy Cross with 210 yards and two touchdowns as it scored a late touchdown to secure the win.

24. Archbishop Shaw

  • 2025 Record: 0-1
  • Last Week: No. 18

Next Game: Sept. 12, West Jefferson (0-1)
Last Game: No. 1 Edna Karr 35, No. 18 Archbishop Shaw
Current Streak: 1 loss

Credit to the Eagles for keeping the game close at 7-0 at halftime, but Karr was just too strong in the third quarter and pulled away. Shaw did not get a first down until the second half and the game was out of reach by then.

25. Evangel

  • 2025 Record: 0-1
  • Last Week: No. 23

Next Game: Sept. 12, Natchitoches Central (1-0)
Last Game: No. 4 Neville 33, No. 23 Evangel 32
Current Streak: 2 losses

The Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 lead at Neville and controlled most of the game until a blocked field goal did them in. Overall, it was a good showing as junior Peyton “Pop” Houston accounted for 348 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Ethan Mandigo made 10 tackles and four sacks. Evangel enters District 1-5A against a Natchitoches Central squad that shut out Breaux Bridge, 41-0.

FIRST FIVE OUT

No. 26 Catholic (New Iberia); No. 27 Sterlington; No. 28 E.D. White, No. 29 Franklinton; No. 30 Madison Prep

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DROPPED OUT

No. 11 Acadiana; No. 15 Southside; No. 20 E.D. White; No. 22 Cecilia

MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Top stars, individual performances from Week 1 of Louisiana high school football

Louisiana’s Top 25 Quarterbacks to Watch for the 2025 Season

The Sporting News 2025 National High School Football Top 25 rankings

The Sporting News 2025 Texas High School Football Top 25 rankings

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Louisiana pastor convicted of abusing teenage congregant

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Louisiana pastor convicted of abusing teenage congregant


A Pentecostal pastor in Louisiana charged with sexually molesting a teenage girl in his church has been convicted of indecent behavior with a juvenile – but was acquitted of the more serious crime of statutory rape.

Milton Otto Martin III, 58, faces up to seven years in prison and must register as a sex offender after a three-day trial in Chalmette, Louisiana, resulted in a guilty verdict against him on Thursday. His sentencing hearing is tentatively set for 15 January in the latest high-profile instance of religious abuse in the New Orleans area.

Authorities who investigated Martin, the pastor of Chalmette’s First Pentecostal Church, spoke with several alleged molestation victims of his. But the jury in his case heard from just two of them, and the charges on which he was tried pertained to only one.

That victim’s attorneys – John Denenea, Richard Trahant and Soren Gisleson – lauded their client for testifying against Martin even as members of the institution’s congregation showed up in large numbers to support him throughout the trial.

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“That was the most courageous thing I’ve ever seen a young woman do,” the lawyers remarked in a statement, with Denenea saying it was the first time in his career he and a client of his needed deputies to escort them out the courthouse. “She not only made sure he was accountable for his crimes – she has also protected many other young women from this convicted predator.”

Neither Martin’s attorney, Jeff Hufft, nor his church immediately responded to requests for comment.

The documents containing Martin’s criminal charges alleged that he committed felony carnal knowledge, Louisiana’s formal name for statutory rape, by engaging in oral sex with Denenea’s client when she was 16 in about 2011. The indecent behavior was inflicted on her when she was between the ages of 15 and 17, the charging documents maintained.

A civil lawsuit filed against Martin in parallel detailed how he would allegedly bring the victim – one of his congregants – out on four-wheeler rides and sexually abuse her during breaks that they took during the excursions.

The accuser, now about 30, reported Martin to Louisiana state police before he was arrested in March 2023. Other accusers subsequently came forward with similar allegations dating back further. Martin made bail, pleaded not guilty and underwent trial beginning on Tuesday in front of state court judge Darren Roy.

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Denenea said he believed his client’s testimony on Wednesday was pivotal in Martin’s conviction, which was obtained by prosecutors Barry Milligan and Erica Moore of the Louisiana attorney general’s office, according to the agency.

As Denenea put it, it seemed to him Martin’s acquittal stemmed from uncertainty over whether the accuser initially reported being 16 at the time of the alleged carnal knowledge.

State attorney general Liz Murrill said in a statement that it was “great work” my Milligan and Moore “getting justice for this victim”.

“We will never stop fighting to protect the children of Louisiana,” Murrill said.

Martin was remanded without bail to the custody of the local sheriff’s office to await sentencing after the verdict.

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The lawsuit that Denenea’s client filed against Martin was stayed while the criminal case was unresolved. It can now proceed, with the plaintiff accusing the First Pentecostal church of doing nothing to investigate earlier sexual abuse claims against Martin.

The plaintiff also accused the Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowships to which the Chalmette church belonged of failing to properly supervise Martin around children, and her lawsuit demands damages from both institutions.

Martin’s prosecution is unrelated to the clergy molestation scandal that drove the Roman Catholic archdiocese of nearby New Orleans into federal bankruptcy court in 2020 – but the two cases do share a few links.

State police detective Scott Rodrigue investigated Martin after also pursuing the retired New Orleans Catholic priest Lawrence Hecker, a serial child molester who had been shielded by his church superiors for decades. Rodrigue’s investigation led to Hecker’s arrest, conviction and life sentence for child rape – shortly before his death in December 2024.

Furthermore, Denenea, Trahant and Gisleson were also the civil attorneys for the victim in Hecker’s criminal case.

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This Japanese partnership will advance carbon capture in Louisiana

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Newlab New Orleans is deepening its energy-tech ambitions with a new partnership alongside JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, to accelerate next-generation carbon capture solutions for heavy industries across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, The Center Square writes

The collaboration brings JERA Ventures into Newlab’s public-private innovation hub, where startups gain access to lab space and high-end machinery to commercialize technologies aimed at cutting emissions and improving industrial efficiency.

The move builds momentum as Newlab prepares to open its fifth global hub next fall at the former Naval Support Activity site, adding New Orleans to a network that includes Riyadh and Detroit. JERA’s footprint in Louisiana is already growing—from a joint venture on CF Industries’ planned $4 billion low-carbon ammonia plant to investments in solar generation and Haynesville shale assets—positioning the company as a significant player in the state’s clean-energy transition.

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Fed’s ‘Catahoula Crunch’ finished its first week in Louisiana 

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Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.  

The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions. 

Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.

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Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.

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