Louisiana High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Sept. 8

Following a long offseason, high school football is finally here in the state of Louisiana.

While a handful of programs have been playing games for a few weeks, most teams around the state opened play over the weekend. And that included a few preseason top-10 teams who took their first loss of the season and shook up the rankings. We could see even more movement this weekend, as some of the state’s top programs face tough opponents both inside and outside the Boot.

Heading into the week, Rivals has the updated top 25 teams in the state, according to the Rivals Composite Rankings.

1. Edna Karr Cougars (1-0)

In a battle of top-25 teams to open the season, Edna Karr made easy work of Archbishop Shaw in a 35-0 rout on Friday night. The Cougars are buoyed by one of the best defenses in the state, which includes national top-50 prospect Richard Anderson, four-star LSU safety commit Aiden Hall, Texas four-star cornerback commit Hayward Howard Jr., and Colorado cornerback commit Maurice Williams. Karr gets a huge early-season test this week as it welcomes American Heritage (Fla.) — one of the top teams in the Sunshine State — and Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Dia Bell to New Orleans.

2. Ruston Bearcats (1-0)

Unlike some of their other counterparts in the state, Ruston has been playing in live-action for a couple of weeks now. The Bearcats played a couple of early-season scrimmages, including one with No. 5 Neville that was decided by a field goal. This week though, they finally got to play one that counted. Led by a dominant defense, Ruston took No. 9 Acadiana to the woodshed in a 49-7 demolition of the Rams, who came into the season as a state title contender.

3. Baton Rouge Catholic Bears (1-0)

Baton Rouge Catholic has produced some of the state’s top players in recent years, but this team in particular might be one of the Bears’ best. Four-star safety and Ohio State commit Blaine Bradford leads the defense, while highly coveted running back Jayden Miles is the engine on offense. But it was junior running back Justin Batiste who stole the show on Friday night against Destrehan. Batiste scored four rushing touchdowns on direct snaps — all totaling just 9 yards. Sophomore back Greg Williams was the added 130 yards on 18 carries.

4. St. Augustine Purple Knights (1-0)

St. Augustine enters the 2025 season with sky-high hopes after finishing 7-5 a year ago. The Purple Knights graduated some key players along the offensive and defensive lines last season, but bring back one of Louisiana high school football’s premier wide receiver duos. And they showed off just how impressive their passing game can be in a rout of rival McDonogh 35 last weekend. St. Aug finished with 371 yards of total offense an route to a 56-6 rout. Junior wideout Ray’Quan Williams totaled 103 all-purpose yards with three touchdowns, and Miguel Whitley hauled in four catches for 93 yards and another score.

5. Neville Tigers (1-0)

Neville will be battle-tested by the time the playoffs roll around — opening the season with a scrimmage against Ruston and then playing Evangel in their season opener. The Tigers had some trouble slowing down star quarterback Peyton Houston, but eventually came up with enough stops to get themselves back in the game and hold a 33-32 lead late in the fourth quarter. Evangel had a chance to win in the final seconds, but the Tigers blocked a long field goal try to steal the win.

Teams 6-25 in the latest Louisiana high school football rankings

6. Lafayette Christian Academy Knights (1-0)
7. John Curtis Patriots (1-0)
8. Acadiana Rams (0-1)
9. Jesuit Blue Jays (2-0)
10. Holy Cross Tigers (0-0)

11. Alexandria Trojans (1-0)
12. Brother Martin Crusaders (2-0)
13. Teurlings Catholic Rebels (1-0)
14. Destrehan Wildcats (0-1)
15. North DeSoto Griffins (1-0)

16. St. Thomas More Cougars (0-1)
17. University Lab Cubs (1-0)
18. Archbishop Rummel Raiders (0-1)
19. Zachary Broncos (1-0)
20. Central Wildcats (1-1)

21. West Monroe Rebels (1-1)
22. Archbishop Shaw Eagles (0-1)
23. Evangel Christian Academy Eagles (1-1)
24. Calvary Baptist Academy Cavaliers (1-0)
25. Airline Vikings (1-0)