Louisiana
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.
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.
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.
Here’s some postgame interviews from last night’s @ash_trojanFB game vs. West Feliciana. @CenLaPrepsLLC #cenlapreps
First, we hear from Coach Thomas Bachman. pic.twitter.com/MwicULvMp7
— LaMar Gafford (@lamargafford) September 6, 2025
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.
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.
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
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
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
Louisiana
Louisiana man arrested for allegedly planning attack in New Orleans – UPI.com
Dec. 16 (UPI) — A suspect identified as Micah James Legnon has been arrested by agents from the FBI’s New Iberia office for allegedly planning an attack on federal agents.
Legnon, 29, was a member of the Turtle Island Liberation Front and had communicated with four members who were charged with allegedly planning a series of New Year’s Eve terrorist attacks in the Greater Los Angeles area on Monday, WDSU reported.
He is a resident of New Iberia and was arrested on Friday while driving to New Orleans after FBI agents saw him loading a military-style rifle and body armor into his vehicle and telling others in a Signal chat group that he was traveling to New Orleans.
New Iberia is located about 120 miles west of New Orleans, and Legnon allegedly shared a video that showed multiple firearms, gas canisters and body armor before leaving on Friday.
In that post, Legnon said he was “On my way to NOLA now, be there in about two hours,” but the FBI arrested him while driving east on U.S. Highway 90, according to WWL-TV.
In a Dec. 4 post, Legnon shared a Facebook post showing Customs and Border Protection agents arresting someone and said he wanted to “recreate Waco, Texas,” on the federal officers while referencing the 1993 federal siege on the Branch Davidians compound there.
He is a former Marine who was trained in combat and a self-professed satanist who used the alias “Black Witch” in group chats with four suspects accused of targeting locations throughout California.
Federal prosecutors filed a federal complaint against Legnon and asked the magistrate judge to seal it and related records due to an ongoing investigation.
They asked that it be unsealed on Tuesday, which is a day after the four suspects accused of planning the California terror attacks were charged with related crimes.
The FBI said Legnon had been communicating with the four suspects in California before the arrests were made and charges filed in the respective cases.
The Turtle Island Liberation Front is a far-left, anti-government, anti-capitalist and pro-Palestinian group, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Louisiana
Louisiana gets $15 million for literacy tutoring study initiative
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana Department of Education announced Tuesday it was awarded $15 million to lead a study on the increasing impact of high-dosage tutoring.
The grant came from the U.S. Department of Education’s Education Innovation and Research program. State education leaders said the money will fund a five-year study to expand the impact of high-dosage literacy tutoring for students in grades 1-2 who are below grade level in reading.
“Louisiana has shown what’s possible when states are trusted to lead,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for their confidence in our strategy and for investing in a Louisiana-designed solution to accelerate student literacy.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said making literacy outcomes stronger throughout the nation is one of her top priorities.
“Every dollar from this year’s EIR awards will support the use and expansion of evidence-based literacy instruction, expand education choice, and empower grant recipients to build and sustain high-quality literacy support systems for students. This is a huge opportunity for states to lead, and they are rising to the occasion,” she said.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, who joined McMahon in an August education roundtable in Baton Rouge, celebrated the funding. “Strong literacy skills are the foundation for everything that comes next in school and in life,” he said. “Louisiana has shown real progress, and this funding helps take what’s working and expand it so more students can succeed.”
Schools with low literacy proficiency rates will be prioritized. Air Reading, Studyyville, Johns Hopkins University and Louisiana higher education institutions will be key partnerships in the project.
Latest News
Louisiana
Gonzales restaurant becomes donation hub amid fear from Louisiana immigration operations
GONZALES, La. (WAFB) – A once-busy Mexican restaurant in Gonzales now sits nearly empty, as its owner says fear surrounding recent immigration operations in Louisiana is keeping workers and customers away.
La Mexicana, which has served the community for almost 30 years, has seen a sharp decline in business. Owner Veronica Chaves said the restaurant currently has no employees and only a handful of customers.
“This is sad,” Chaves said.
She believes recent immigration enforcement efforts, including an operation known as Catahoula Crunch, have left many immigrant families afraid to leave their homes even for work or meals.
“I just can’t believe it,” Chaves said.
Out of that fear, a new community effort has emerged.
Local college professor Raynell Hernandez, along with several volunteers, has helped turn La Mexicana into a donation drop-off site for families in need. Community members can donate food, clothing, and other essentials, while families can arrange safe pickup locations without being asked questions about their immigration status.
“We’re not trying to hide anyone. We’re just trying to help in any way that we can,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said she has received dozens of messages from people requesting basic necessities, including jackets, diapers, and baby formula. She said the effort is focused on helping as many families as possible, especially children.
“Children don’t understand immigration status. They just know they’re hungry,” Hernandez said.
Both Hernandez and Chaves said they hope tensions surrounding immigration enforcement will ease soon. Until then, they say the community’s support is critical.
“Our hearts pour out to them,” Chaves said.
You can send donations to La Mexicana at any time between 9:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. The restaurant is located at 648 Louisiana 30 W B in Gonzales.
Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline.
Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Watch the latest WAFB news and weather now.
Copyright 2025 WAFB. All rights reserved.
-
Iowa2 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Washington1 week agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa1 week agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Iowa4 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Cleveland, OH1 week agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
World1 week ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
-
Maine17 hours agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Technology6 days agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster