Louisiana preseason football Top 25: Defending champions John Curtis, Destrehan top rankings

Ruston, Catholic-Baton Rouge and Edna Karr round out the first five ranked squads

High school football season in Louisiana is finally here, and with that also comes the SBLive Louisiana Top 25. 

Several games will kick off Thursday night, with the rest of the state going at it Friday. 

Here is the SBLive preseason Top 25 rankings, which will be updated weekly all the way up to the 2023 LHSAA Prep Classic title games in New Orleans. 

1. John Curtis Christian

It's a special season for the reigning Division I select champions as J.T. Curtis will become the nation's winningest all-time coach. The 54-year veteran, with 615 wins, will surpass John McKissick's 621 wins at some point in the regular season.

The Patriots scored on all six possessions in a 40-8 jamboree defeat of East Jefferson. Southern University commit Jason Gabriel ran for TDs of 1 and 59 yards, and quarterback Dagan Bruno threw a TD pass to Xavier Brown. The Patriots host Central Lafourche on Friday.

2. Destrehan

Running back Shane Lee scored on a 4-yard run in the Wildcats' 7-0 jamboree win against Lutcher. The Destrehan defense held Lutcher to four first downs and 66 yards, according to Ken Trahan of Crescent City Sports.

Ole Miss safety commit Anthony Robinson had an interception for the reigning Division I non-select state champions, who host Bonnabel on Friday.

3. Ruston

The Bearcats have a ton of talent coming back from last year's Division I non-select runner-up team. Much of it is on defense with LSU commitment Ahmad Breaux, Tulane pledge Geordan Guidry and Louisiana Tech verbal Jadon Mayfield.

Running back Jordan Hayes and quarterback Josh Brantley are offensive players to watch, along with freshman tight end Ahmad Hudson, who landed his first scholarship offer last week from LSU. The Bearcats host Warren Easton in Week 1.

4. Catholic-Baton Rouge

University of Louisiana quarterback commit Daniel Beale and running back Barry Remo powered the Bears to a jamboree win against Madison Prep. Beale completed six passes for 63 yards, while Remo carried nine times for 58 yards with a TD, according to Robin Fambrough of the Baton Rouge Advocate.

In Week 1, the Bears are at Picayune (Miss.), which went 15-0 in 2022. Catholic opened the 2022 season against another out of state power, Our Lady of Good Counsel (Maryland).

5. Edna Karr

The Cougars handled John F. Kennedy, 21-7, in last week's jamboree. Sophomore quarterback John Johnson completed 9-of-12 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns - both to junior TaRon Francis, according to Chris Dabe of nola.com.

Francis is ranked as a four-star prospect and the 11th ranked player in Louisiana by Rivals. Karr travels to Landry-Walker this week.

6. St. Thomas More

Quarterback Sam Altmann - who threw for 422 yards and six TDs in the Cougars' thrilling win in the Division II select championship game last season - exited Thursday's jamboree game against Acadiana after the first play, but backups Cole Bergeron and Matt Parker helped the Cougars win, 17-7. Altmann was sidelined after suffering an apparent injury on a 4-yard keeper. There is no word yet on his status for Friday's game vs. Comeaux.

Bergeron threw a TD pass to Landon Strother, Gabe Mocek ran for a score and Brendan Bourque made a 35-yard field goal, according to Eric Narcisse of the Acadiana Advocate.

7. Lafayette Christian

Quarterback Ju'Juan Johnson, an LSU defensive back commit, makes the Knights' offense go. Trae Grogran, who topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 2022, is a dangerous vertical threat.

University of Texas commit Melvin Hills and McNeese State commit Sandy Lewis are mainstays on a formidable defensive front. The Knights host cross-city opponent Acadiana in Week 1.

8. Carencro

Sophomore quarterback Chantz Babineaux had an inspiring debut under center in the Bears' 13-6 defeat of Notre Dame in the Kiwanis Club Jamboree. Babineaux, who was one of the state's best receivers as a freshman, scored twice while totaling 63 yards on nine carries.

Cashmire Batiste rushed five times for 51 yards. The Bears host Alexandria in Week 1.

9. Westgate

The Tigers have gone deep in the playoffs the past two years, claiming the Class 4A title in 2021 and advancing to the Division I non-select semifinals last year. Junior quarterback Jaboree Antoine is considered one of the best cornerback prospects in the nation.

Sophomore Peyton Landry will get the chance to take snaps at quarterback. If Landry progresses, it will free up Antoine to play more in the secondary, which would come in handy against pass-happy district opponents St. Thomas More and Teurlings Catholic. The Tigers take on cross-city rival New Iberia in Week 1.

10. St. Augustine

Senior quarterback Dawson Simmons ran for a 66-yard touchdown on the third play of the Purple Knights’ 13-9 jamboree win against Archbishop Shaw, according to Chris Dabe of nola.com.

Backup QB Vashaun Coulon threw a 12-yard TD pass to tight end Hubert Caliste, and tailback Moses Gray ran for 71 yards on 13 carries. St. Aug hosts McDonogh 35 on Saturday.

11. Acadiana

Five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley anchors an experienced, aggressive front seven for the Rams. Caden DiBetta brings a downfield passing threat at quarterback to complement the Rams' veer offense.

Junior receiver Russell Babineaux is ranked as a four-star prospect by major recruiting services. The Rams are at Lafayette Christian in Week 1.

12. Warren Easton

All-state tailback Fred Robertson rushed for two scores in a 26-12 jamboree win against East St. John. Thomas Vaughn added a TD on the ground, and Kendall Cook caught a TD pass from Greg Donaldson, according to nola.com's Chris Dabe.

The Eagles, who make the trek to Ruston in Week 1, are ineligible for the postseason.

13. Teurlings Catholic

The Rebels displayed a balanced offense in a 20-6 jamboree win over Cecilia. Quarterback Preston Welch, a three-year starter, tossed a TD pass to sophomore wide receiver Travis Gallien (6-foot-3, 220 pounds).

Acadiana transfer Ayden Trahan ran for 73 yards and two TDs on three carries. Teurlings Catholic hosts Opelousas in Week 1.

14. Zachary

Four-star LSU tight end commit Tray’Dez Green transferred from East Feliciana to Zachary, which knocked off West Feliciana, 21-12, in last week's jamboree.

Offensive lineman Kavion Broussard is committed to the University of Miami. The Broncos travel to East Ascension in Week 1.

15. Brother Martin

Jordan West and Sidney Harris combined for 111 yards rushing on 20 carries as the Crusaders rallied to down John Ehret, 10-6, in last week's jamboree. Grayson Smith kicked a 32-yard field goal for the Crusaders, according to Chris Dabe.

Brother Martin, the Division I select runner-up to John Curtis Christian in 2022, hosts Madison Prep in Week 1.

16. University Lab

The Cubs raced past Dunham, 42-21, in last week's jamboree. Emile Picarella and Garrett Graves combined for 11-of-15 passing with 171 yards and two TDs, according to Robin Fambrough.

Tailback Riley Small ran for two scores as U-High outscored Dunham, 28-0, in the second half. Seth Gale and Granville Anderson each caught a TD pass. The Cubs host Woodlawn-Baton Rouge on Thursday.

17. Neville

Quarterback Aman Fuller tossed a 81-yard screen pass to Jaylon Nichols as the Tigers defeated Sterlington, 21-14, in the Bayou Jamb in Monroe. Junior defensive lineman Brody Whatley, who is ranked as the No. 18 player in the state by 247Sports, recovered a fumble and made a crucial tackle for loss, according to Jake Martin of the Ouachita Citizen.

The Tigers host Evangel Christian on Thursday.

18. Madison Prep

Quarterback Tylan Johnson completed 6-of-9 passes for 69 yards in a 7-6 jamboree loss to Catholic-Baton Rouge. Johnson was 4-of-4 on the Chargers' scoring drive, which was capped by a 15-yard TD pass to Hezekiah Dantzler, according to Robin Fambrough.

Madison Prep begins the season at Brother Martin.

19. Calvary Baptist

Quarterback Abram Wardell had a sensational sophomore campaign which saw him complete nearly 80% of his passes. He'll frequently hand off and throw to the brother duo of tailback James Simon and receiver John Simon (Louisiana Tech commit).

Freshman QB Peyton Houston already holds multiple Power-Five offers. The Cavaliers, who downed Union Parish, 28-7 in the Bayou Jamb, are at Logansport in Week 1.

20. Airline

The Vikings started off fast, securing a 35-0 rout of Haughton in the Bossier Parish Jamboree. Quarterback Ben Taylor and running back Tre Jackson will collaborate again this season for second-year coach Justin Scogin, whose Vikings host North DeSoto in Week 1.

The Griffins took last year's matchup by a 46-21 margin.

21. Lakeshore

Brent Indest led the Titans to the Division II non-select quarterfinals in his first year as head coach. The entire offensive line returns to open holes in Lakeshore's Wing-T offense.

Fontainebleau travels to Lakeshore in Week 1.

22. North DeSoto

Quarterback Luke Delafield - the SBLive Louisiana Newcomer of the Year last season - guided the Griffins to the Division II non-select championship game as a freshman. Coach Dennis Dunn has to find replacements for two 1,000-yard rushers, but 1,000-yard receiver Cole Cory is back.

The Griffins face Airline in Bossier City in Week 1.

23. St. Martinville

Steven Blanco rushed for two touchdowns and a two-point conversion in a 21-20 jamboree win over Southside at Cajun Field in Lafayette. Arizona State receiver commit Cullen Charles caught a 35-yard TD pass and returned a kick 65 yards. Quarterback Kaden Zenon completed 6-of-7 passes for 119 yards.

The Tigers host Cecilia on Friday.

24. St. Charles Catholic

The two-time defending state champion Comets hammered Ponchatoula, 22-0, in last week's jamboree. This week, the Comets start the season at Archbishop Shaw.

25. (tie) Opelousas

Coach Jimmy Zachery welcomes back most of his key starters from last year, headlined by junior tailback D'Shaun Ford and junior linebacker Corey Amos. Both are highly-touted recruits.

The Tigers, who battled to a 6-all tie with Northwest in last week's jamboree, travel to Teurlings Catholic in Week 1.

25. (tie) Oak Grove

The reigning Division IV non-select champions return starting quarterback Jackson Bradley and linebacker James Harris (SE Louisiana commit). Bradley is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound dual-threat quarterback. Harris (6-1, 230) is a one-man wrecking ball with his size and 4.8 speed in the 40-yard dash.

Oak Grove, which demolished Many by a 41-7 margin in the Bayou Jamb on Saturday, hosts Opelousas Catholic in Week 1.

Dozen to Watch

Iowa, Alexandria, East Ascension, Southside, West Feliciana, Sterlington, Southern Lab, Lutcher, Ouachita Christian, Jena, Captain Shreve, Archbishop Shaw 

SBLive Louisiana's Channing Ewing also contributed to this report.

John Curtis team photo from '22 championship game by WGNO-TV's Friday Night Football Twitter page