Top 25 Louisiana high school football rankings (9/20/2023)

Two New Orleans-area schools top this week's list, followed by three Lafayette-area schools

The stage seemed set for Warren Easton to possibly get over the hump against Edna Karr on Friday, but the Eagles committed several costly turnovers in a 48-14 loss. 

Of course, the Cougars had plenty to do with that. As a result, Karr moved to No. 2 in this week's SBLive Louisiana Top 25 rankings behind Catholic League rival John Curtis Christian.

Destrehan added another victory to the state's longest winning streak, but the Wildcats were sluggish in the first half at East Ascension.

Meanwhile, District 5-4A rivals St. Thomas More and Lafayette Christian both impressed against Catholic League opponents Brother Martin and Jesuit. St. Charles Catholic erased a 14-10 deficit to win going away against Teurlings Catholic in a battle of ranked teams.

Keep reading to find out who moved up and down, who debuted and who dropped out.

As the season continues, it's not just if you win, it's how you win. Style points may be rewarded.

1. John Curtis Christian, 2-0 (previous rank: 1)

Marlon Prout scored three early touchdowns as the Patriots cruised to a 55-21 win against Santaluces (Fla.), according to Chris Dabe of nola.com. Prout ran for scores of 9 and 45 yards and caught a TD pass from quarterback Dagan Bruno. The Patriots led at halftime, 35-14.

Next: vs. Jesuit (1-2)

2. Edna Karr, 3-0 (previous rank: 4)

The Cougars rolled to a 48-14 win over then-No. 2 Warren Easton in a marquee matchup. Sophomore quarterback John Johnson passed for six TDs, according to Chris Dabe. Johnson, who also ran for a TD, threw three TD passes to Oliver Mitchell.

It was Karr's 12th straight win on the field against Warren Easton. Last year, the Cougars won, 67-20, but were forced to forfeit the game along with two other wins.

The Eagles turned the ball over on four straight first-half possessions. Karr scored on its first five drives.

Next: at No. 15 St. Augustine (2-1)

3. St. Thomas More, 3-0 (previous rank: 5)

The Cougars move up two spots on the strength of a blowout win over then-No. 14 Brother Martin.

Defense ruled the day, according to Kevin Foote of the Acadiana Advocate, as the Cougars forced four turnovers, stopped two drives on fourth down and collected four sacks. Brother Martin was held to 73 yards passing and 18 rushing in the first half of the 41-7 rout.

Next: vs. No. 22 Catholic-Baton Rouge (1-2)

4. Lafayette Christian, 3-0 (previous rank: 6)

Ju'Juan Johnson continued to amaze in Friday's 51-18 win over Jesuit. The LSU commit rushed for 270 yards on nine carries with four TDs and completed 14-of-19 passes for 194 yards and three TDs.

The Knights built a 16-0 lead on two Johnson runs of 70-plus yards and a safety, according to Eric Narcisse of the Acadiana Advocate.

Next: at Ruston (2-1). The Bearcats defeated Lafayette Christian, 35-20, last year.

5. Carencro, 3-0 (previous rank: 7)

The Bears forced a turnover deep in their territory, then quickly marched down the field for a come-from-behind 19-14 win at then-No. 22 Southside.

Cashmire Batiste (12 rushes, 85 yards, two TDs) ran for the winning score. Sophomore QB Chantz Babineaux rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries and completed 10-of-22 passes for 198 yards.

Next: vs. Sulphur (2-1)

6. Destrehan, 3-0 (previous rank: 3)

For the second straight week, the Wildcats went into halftime in a tight game against a winless opponent. Destrehan led 7-0 at intermission before scoring two more times for a 21-7 win at East Ascension.

Shane Lee rushed for two scores, and Ole Miss commit Anthony Robinson added another on the ground.

Next: at Hahnville (1-2)

7. Westgate, 3-0 (previous rank: 7)

The Tigers took a 7-0 lead into the half and were in a tight game with Evangel Christian until the fourth quarter. It didn't help that three TDs were nullified by penalties.

Tavias Gordon continued his great season with 207 yards rushing on 23 carries and two TDs. Westgate, which pulled away late to win 34-12, was tough on defense, holding the Eagles to 54 yards rushing. Evangel Christian QB Peyton Fulghum completed 17-of-39 passes for 157 yards and was intercepted twice.

Next: vs. St. Martinville (1-2). A premier matchup with Calvary Baptist looms in two weeks.

8. Warren Easton, 2-1 (previous rank: 2)

The Eagles fell victim to Edna Karr in a surprisingly one-sided (48-14) setback.

Easton scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. QB Greg Donaldson kept for one score and threw a 28-yard pass to Davon Edwards for another.

Next: vs. Booker T. Washington-New Orleans (0-3)

9. Ruston, 2-1 (previous rank: 9)

The Bearcats won for the second straight week, traveling to Arkansas and taking down Cabot High, 28-17.

Will Fendley kicked two field goals, tailback Jordan Hayes ran for a short TD on fourth down and the Bearcats' other tailback, Dylone Brooks, also ran for a score.

Next: vs. No. 4 Lafayette Christian (3-0)

10. Zachary, 2-0 (previous rank: 13)

An open date in Week 2 didn't faze the Broncos, who toppled then-No. 10 St. Augustine, 17-7. Kellen Conachen kicked a 20-yard field goal.

Also, Hudson Spangler completed 4-of-5 passes for 117 yards with TDs of 45 and 40 yards to Tyson George and D.J. Franklin, respectively, according to Charles Salzer of the Baton Rouge Advocate. St Augustine was held to 68 yards in the second half.

Next: vs. McKinley (1-2)

11. Neville, 3-0 (previous rank: 15)

Defensive lineman Brody Whatley returned an interception for a touchdown in a 50-20 win over Huntington. Whatley added 13 tackles with two sacks and four hurries, according to Jake Martin of the Ouachita Citizen.

Quarterbacks Aman Fuller and John Michael Sampognaro each threw TD passes. Trendan Dumas (3-55, TD) was the leading receiver.

Next: vs. North Caddo (1-2)

12. Calvary Baptist, 3-0 (previous rank: 16)

The Class 2A Cavaliers pummeled another Class 5A opponent in C.E. Byrd (42-21). Abram Wardell has completed 60-of-74 passes for 1,044 yards and 11 TDs with one interception.

Five receivers have caught at least one TD. Senior Louisiana Tech commit James Simon boasts the best yards per catch average (23.6). Simon has 11 receptions for 260 yards with 3 TDs.

Next: at Loyola College Prep (0-3)

13. St. Charles Catholic, 3-0 (previous rank: 19)

This week's biggest mover, St. Charles defeated then-No. 11 Teurlings Catholic, 48-20. QB Brady St. Pierre completed 13-of-23 passes for 164 yards. He also ran for two scores, according to Vashon Jones of Crescent City Sports.

Tyler Milioto kicked four field goals. Jeremiah Willis carried 21 times for 141 yards and two TDs for the Comets, who rushed for 238 yards.

Next: vs. De La Salle (1-2)

14. Airline, 3-0 (previous rank: 17)

The Vikings defeated Northwood-Shreveport, 48-14. Airline has reversed its start to the 2022 season when the Vikings were 0-3.

Against Northwood, junior QB Ben Taylor completed 19-of-23 passes for 256 yards and five TDs - three to Bryson Broom, according to Roy Lang of the Shreveport/Bossier Advocate. Braylon Jackson and Jeremiah Boudreaux each returned an interception for a TD.

Taylor has 15 TDs on the season.

Next: vs. Benton (1-2) on Thursday.

15. St. Augustine, 2-1 (previous rank: 10)

The Purple Knights got out to a 7-0 lead at Zachary before falling, 17-7. Dawson Simmons, who ran for the touchdown, threw for 209 yards with all but 145 in the first half.

St. Aug outgained Zachary in the first half, 209-112, according to Charles Salzer, but was held to 68 yards of offense in the second half.

Next: vs. No. 2 Edna Karr (3-0) on Saturday.

16. Acadiana, 2-1 (previous rank: 18)

Quarterback Caden DiBetta returned after missing a game with an injury and completed 5-of-9 passes for 91 yards and two TDs in a 56-7 romp at New Iberia. Russell Babineaux and Ezekial Hypolite each had a TD reception.

Hypolite also ran for 120 yards on seven carries with two TDs. Jonah Gauthier carried four times for 105 yards. Babineaux rushed three times for 58 yards and a score.

Next: vs. Lafayette (2-1)

17. Holy Cross, 3-0 (previous rank: 21)

Scott Wattigny stayed perfect as head coach at his alma mater. The Tigers knocked off Chalmette, 28-20, with Ke'Rynn Smith rushing for 84 yards on 11 carries with two TDs.

Cole Canatella threw a TD pass to Jaden Williams. Devin Woodson intercepted two passes.

Next: vs. Archbishop Rummel (1-2)

18. University Lab, 2-1 (previous rank: NR)

The Cubs climbed back into the Top 25 after spending a week on the watch list. Granville Anderson kicked the game-winning field goal to send U-High past then-No. 12 Catholic-Baton Rouge, 31-30.

QB Emile Picarella completed 19-of-33 passes for 257 yards and three TDs, according to Robin Fambrough of the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Next: at Mentorship Academy (0-3)

19. North DeSoto, 2-1 (previous rank: 23)

The Griffins strolled to a 55-3 win over Loyola College Prep. Tailbacks Kenny Thomas and Trysten Hopper have each rushed for 369 yards with a combined 11 TDs.

Sophomore QB Luke Delafield has passed for 745 yards and eight scores.

Next: vs. Minden (0-3)

20. East St. John, 3-0 (previous rank: 24)

The Wildcats dismantled L.B. Landry, 59-0. No other information was available.

Next: vs. Thibodaux (1-2)

21. Southside, 2-1 (previous rank: 22)

The Sharks moved up a spot despite a loss, due to a strong showing against undefeated Carencro on Thursday.

Fullback Ramon Singleton rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries with both of his team's TDs in the 19-14 loss. Singleton reached the end zone from 5 and 29 yards.

Next: vs. New Iberia (0-3)

22. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 1-2 (previous rank: 12)

Daniel Beale completed 17-of-25 passes for 147 yards and a TD in a one-point loss to University Lab, according to Robin Fambrough. Barry Remo rushed for 73 yards on 19 carries with two TDs.

Next: at No. 3 St. Thomas More (3-0)

23. Ouachita Christian, 3-0 (previous rank: 25)

The Eagles thrashed Mansfield, 31-6. Noah Lovelady bullied Mansfield with 23 tackles, the third-most in school history, according to Jake Martin of the Ouachita Citizen. Lovelady returned an interception to set up a TD. 

Tate Hamby caught four passes for 81 yards and a TD. Zach White had an interception and two TD runs.

Next: vs. Tensas Parish (0-3)

24. Dutchtown, 3-0 (previous rank: NR)

The Griffins posted their second straight shutout with a 38-0 defeat of Covington. Lekedrin Harvey rushed for 119 yards and two TDs on nine carries as Dutchtown beat Covington for the sixth straight time, according to Kyle Riviere of the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Next: vs. Carver Collegiate Academy (0-3)

25. St. Amant, 3-0 (previous rank: NR)

The Gators knocked John F. Kennedy from the ranks of the unbeaten (20-14). QB Chase Kelley passed for 185 yards and two TDs, according to Patrick Wright of the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Next: vs. Opelousas (2-1)

Dozen to Watch: Teurlings Catholic, Sam Houston, E.D. White, Opelousas, Isidore Newman, Lutcher, Cecilia, Madison Prep, West Monroe, Denham Springs, Central-Baton Rouge, Jena

Dropped Out: Teurlings Catholic, Brother Martin, Mandeville 

Photo of St. Thomas More RB John Luke St. Pierre (left) and QB Sam Altmann by Brad Kemp, The Acadiana Advocate 

-- Mike Coppage | @SBLiveLA