NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Louisiana high school football season came to a riveting finish in the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans over the weekend as eight champions were crowned and prospects from around the state stepped up in their final games of the season.
The Boot is regularly loaded with future Saturday stars, and in this case, future Sunday standouts as well. Several Power 4-caliber recruits turned in strong performances in the Dome. Rivals was on-hand for all three days of action.
Here are the top 10 performers from championship weekend headlined by Rivals MVP four-star LSU DL commit Richard Anderson
FOUR-STAR DL RICHARD ANDERSON – LSU COMMIT
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Richard Anderson put forth a dominant performance working inside in the trenches helping to slow down a rushing attack that’s been unsolvable for nearly four months of the season. Anderson, the No. 8 ranked defensive tackle in the Rivals250, came through with 7 tackles, including 6 TFL, a sack, and topped off a safety — in addition to occupying multiple blockers on a play-to-play basis. Anderson’s impact on the game was worthy of Most Outstanding Player consideration. The four-star LSU commitment from New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr is a force up front capable of causing havoc at 6-foot-4 and 315-plus pounds. Anderson is immensely powerful and bouncy and came away with several splash plays behind the line of scrimmage to impact this game’s outcome.
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FIVE-STAR QB ELIJAH HAVEN
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Elijah Haven has taken a massive leap forward from his freshman to sophomore season, and in the process anchored Baton Rouge (La.) Dunham to the state championship game and eclipsed 100 touchdowns, etching his name in the program’s record books. The five-star quarterback from The Boot completed 25-of-37 (68 percent) passes for 300 yards with 2 TD in his first state title game appearance. He also carried the rock 32 times for 153 yards for 2 TD.
Haven completed 9 of his first 10 passes making big-time throws in the middle of the field with anticipation and arm strength to attack vertically downfield, including a controversial Hail Mary in the waning seconds of the first half. The 2027 passer was superb at maneuvering within the pocket, extending plays, and improvising outside of structure. At 6-foot-5 and 200-plus pounds, Haven evades pressure at a high clip and maintains accuracy on his throws under duress. He also has the frame to break tackles and extend runs.
FOUR-STAR WR JACOB WASHINGTON – MICHIGAN SIGNEE
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Jacob Washington broke through with his best game of his senior season at Marrero (La.) Shaw on the biggest stage to date. The Michigan signee came through with 8 receptions for 105 yards and 2 TD on 11 targets. The four-star WR piled up seven of his eight catches in the first half — separating at a high clip, making plays in the open field, and operating smoothly outside the numbers. Washington’s first touchdown came in the final seconds of the first half — and his second iced the victory in the fourth quarter. The future Wolverine also came through with plus blocking in the run game and finished with Most Outstanding Player honors.
FOUR-STAR WR TARON FRANCIS – LSU SIGNEE
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TaRon Francis capped a productive four-year run at New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr with a state championship. The blue-chipper came through with 3 catches for 66 yards on 3 targets, including 2 TD, and finished with 91 all-purpose yards. Francis was able to easily generate separation downfield, and at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, the LSU signee is able to make big-time contested receptions in the red zone. He’s sure-handed and a big, physical receiver capable of game-altering plays on the perimeter. Francis boasts major upside.
FOUR-STAR RB JASPER PARKER – MICHIGAN SIGNEE
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Jasper Parker is going to add another layer of physicality to the Michigan backfield. The four-star running back from Lousiana turned 19 carries into 174 yards and a TD — averaging north of 9 yards per carry. Parker’s 62-yard TD run in the third quarter put Marrero (La.) Shaw on top late. The 6-foot-2, 200-plus pounder barreled downhill through a host of defenders; his tough running style is tone-setting and demands the attention of opposing defenses. The Wolverines signee is a workhorse with good hands and quick feet. Playing through an ankle injury, Parker was hard to corral once he got some steam behind him.
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FOUR-STAR ATH BRAYLON CALAIS
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Braylon Calais saw action at multiple positions showcasing different areas of his skill set in Cecilia’s (La.) triumphant title game victory. The top-100 ATH saw snaps at running back, receiver, and linebacker — in addition to return duties — to the tune of 192 all-purpose yardage (52 rushing, 36 receiving, 88 KOR yardage). Calais returned his first kickoff of the game to the house as the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder flashed his elusiveness in the open field and his ability to change direction seamlessly. After a spring evaluation of Calais, there was plenty of evidence of his upside at receiver. He was equally as impressive toting the rock out of the backfield and working in the box at linebacker. His speed translates to both sides of the ball and he takes direct paths to the ball.
THREE-STAR DE DK MAYS – HOUSTON SIGNEE
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DK Mays battled a wrist injury for the first half of the season and played his best football down the stretch, including in Baton Rouge (La.) Central’s championship game. The Houston signee filled the box score with 2 tackles, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder also batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage and helped set the edge against the run at a high clip.
FOUR-STAR SAF AIDEN HALL – LSU COMMIT
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Aiden Hall is a difference-maker in the secondary. Hall saw snaps at free safety and in the nickel and came up with the first big play on the first pass attempt of the game in man coverage housing an interception. Hall’s first-quarter pick-6 was complemented by a handful of tackles made and a pass defended on fourth down defending the middle of the field in the slot. The LSU commit has outstanding range and is a plus tackler in the open field.
FOUR-STAR RB JT LINDSEY – LSU SIGNEE
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JT Lindsey put forth a senior season for the record books at Alexandria (La.) Senior High. The LSU signee amassed almost 2,800 yards from scrimmage this year, including 127 yards rushing in the Dome on Saturday averaging north of 5 YPC. At 6-feet and 185 pounds, Lindsey can accelerate at a rapid clip and hits the next gear almost immediately. The speedster from Central Louisiana is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, and even in his quietest game of the fall, eclipsed the 100-yard mark with some eye-catching runs. He’s a slasher with home-run ability and a physical touch to his running style.
WR KEITHON WOMACK
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2026 Baton Rouge (La.) Central WR Keithon Womack put himself on the map during the surge to victory. Womack was a favorite for Nicholls State-bound QB Jackson Firmin, who made a great contested grab despite tight coverage downfield to open the game and emerged as the Wildcats’ leading receiver. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior pass-catcher broke loose for 6 receptions for 113 yards and 2 TD. Womack separated well at multiple parts of the field and displayed fantastic body control operating in tight windows. He’s someone warranting college’s attention in a big way.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — On Thursday, Jan. 16, Louisiana is remembering Terrence Kenndy, a victim of the Jan. 1 attack on Bourbon Street.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a period of mourning ordering that all flags over state buildings be flown at half-staff.
Louisiana Remembers Nicole Perez
Kennedy was one of nine siblings.
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In a Sunday news conference, Landry said Kennedy’s sister Jacqueline will remember him as always being comical, loving, and kind.
Louisiana State Superintendent Cade Brumley also asked school systems to consider a moment of silence at 9 a.m. during the period of mourning.
Louisiana Remembers Reggie Hunter
The New Orleans Police Department and the Archdiocese of New Orleans will ring the bells of St. Louis Cathedral every day through Jan. 23, between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to honor and remember the lives lost and those affected by the terror attack.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
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BATON ROUGE — Louisiana residents who subscribe to streaming services and television providers will now pay a 10% sales tax on the services.
The new tax, which went into effect on Jan. 1, was passed as a part of Gov. Jeff Landry’s widespread tax plan legislators voted on in a special session in November.
According to an email sent to Cox subscribers, the tax will appear under the “Taxes, Fees and Surcharges” section of future bills.
Previously, streaming services were not subject to state sales tax. The law’s language says the new tax is one of multiple laws designed to modernize the state’s tax code.
For more than 60 years CABL has been a leader in developing, promoting, and protecting policies to move Louisiana forward. Today we are announcing a brand new chapter in that long history that sets the stage for an even more dynamic future.
CABL is merging with the Committee of 100 for Economic Development to form a new organization called Leaders for a Better Louisiana, or Better Louisiana, for short. Better Louisiana will combine CABL’s longstanding commitment to education, policy advocacy, and leadership development with the influential business leadership of C100.
Why did we do this? The reason was simple. Both of our organizations were looking for ways to have a greater impact on our state. We thought the best way to do that was to do it together.
CABL has a long history of work on education, workforce development, state fiscal policies, and government accountability. C100 has been an influential roundtable of business executives who share our passion for moving Louisiana forward. Through Better Louisiana we believe we can do even more to position our state for a brighter future.
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CABL and C100 already have a successful track record of working together on major policy issues. The most notable example is our effective collaboration with the Public Affairs Research Council on our RESET Louisiana initiative. That effort led to the creation of a policy framework for the 2023 state elections that produced a 40-page game plan with 55 recommendations addressing many of Louisiana’s most pressing problems.
We believe this merger will allow CABL and C100 to build on that type of work while preserving the legacies of both organizations and enhancing our ability to create lasting change.
Of course, Leadership Louisiana has been a signature part of CABL’s work and that will remain the same with the new organization. We will continue to bring together great leaders from around our state just as we’ve been doing for more than 35 years. The good news is that through this merger we believe we will be able to do even more to enhance the program and support our 1,600-plus alumni.
The leadership of both organizations will remain part of Better Louisiana. Adam Knapp, the CEO of C100, will serve as CEO of Better Louisiana. Barry Erwin from CABL will serve as Chief Policy Officer.
CABL Legacy
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As CABL begins a new chapter in its long history, it leaves a lasting legacy that has had a significant impact on our state.
CABL was formed in 1962 by a group of committed citizens from across Louisiana who aspired to the words they put in the organization’s name, “a better Louisiana.” Many of the issues they were concerned about back then still challenge us today, but there is no question that CABL’s work has led to tremendous progress on all of them.
In the early years that included things like enacting the state’s first code of governmental ethics, putting in place much-needed fiscal policy reforms, and the reorganization of the governance of K-12 and higher education.
As times changed, CABL changed. While it continued to work on major public policy initiatives, it also became more involved in being a catalyst for big projects. Ed Stagg, CABL’s first Executive Director, is widely credited as being “the father of the New Orleans World’s Fair.” While remembered by some as a venture that lost money for its investors, Stagg had a bigger vision which ultimately came to fruition – the redevelopment and revitalization of the New Orleans riverfront which led to the transformation of its downtown.
CABL was also a leader in the creation of Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), the state’s earliest modern effort to research critical issues involving Louisiana’s coast.
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In some ways it is fair to say that the history of CABL is the story of the reform movement in Louisiana from the 1960’s forward. The breadth of issues where CABL played a leadership role is impressive and includes, among its highlights:
Numerous governmental ethics reforms.
Passage of a constitutional amendment ending retirement benefits for legislators and other part-time elected officials.
Sound state fiscal policies such as the Rainy Day Fund and other reforms to protect taxpayer dollars.
Creation of the modern framework for tax reform.
Creation of Louisiana’s original School Accountability System along with subsequent updates.
Development and passage of Louisiana’s first charter school legislation.
Creation and expansion of the LA-4 pre-k program for at-risk four-year-olds along with ongoing support for early childhood education.
Creation of the original Recovery School District and its embrace of charter schools in New Orleans.
Implementation of higher academic standards and better assessments in public education.
Creation of the state’s community and technical college system.
Support for higher education, workforce development, and enhanced opportunities for all students to have access to postsecondary education and training.
Preservation in trust of 75% of Louisiana’s multi-billion-dollar tobacco settlement.
Levee board and tax assessor consolidation and reform in New Orleans and southeast Louisiana.
Almost 30 years of co-sponsoring debates in gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races with Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
Over the course of more than 60 years, CABL has lived up to the vision of its founders. Sometimes the positions it has taken have been controversial. Sometimes they have ruffled the feathers of the politicians of the day. But CABL has always stayed true to its mission. Its policy ideas remain focused on the broad public interest and achieving the best possible outcomes for the people of Louisiana.
While on the one hand CABL as we knew it is going away, the truth is its values and ideals are simply transitioning to a new organization. The Council for A Better Louisiana is now part of Leaders for A Better Louisiana. And its new vision rings true to the heart and soul of CABL: To transform Louisiana into a dynamic, future-ready economy that offers every business and citizen the opportunity to thrive.
For more information, visit the landing page at betterla.org