Can the 2024 Louisiana State Champions repeat? A look at departures, returners, and schedules
by: Vincent Cacioppo // GeauxPreps.com Managing Editor
The 2025 Louisiana high school football season is just around the corner, and last year’s state champions are gearing up to see if they can do it all over again. Some teams bring back familiar faces, while others are reloading. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for each defending state champion.
Archbishop Shaw
Shaw captured its first football state title since 1987 with a 28-25 comeback victory over E.D. White in the Division II Select state championship game. The victory capped an 11-game winning streak for the Eagles and marked Shaw’s third district title in as many years.
Key Departures: (RB) Jasper Parker, (WR) Jacob Washington, (QB) Mason Wilson
Key Returners: (DB) Rontrae Carter, (OL) Kaiden Johnson, (RB) DeAndree Franklin, Jackson Williams (DB)
Schedule:
- Sept. 5 – Edna Karr
- Sept. 12 – West Jefferson
- Sept. 19 – Archbishop Rummel
- Sept. 26 – Lafayette Christian
- Oct. 3 – De La Salle
- Oct. 10 – St. James
- Oct. 17 – Walker
- Oct. 24 – Kenner Discovery
- Oct. 30 – Belle Chasse
- Nov. 7 – St. Charles
Catholic – New Iberia
Another comeback victory in the 2024 LHSAA state championships, Catholic-NI fell behind Dunham early, 14-3, the Panthers rallied with three straight scoring drives to take a 31-14 lead. Dunham mounted a 4th quarter comeback effort, ending with an interception in the endzone by then sophomore, Karon Eugene, to ice the game.
Key Departures: (QB) Luke Landry, (K) Bennett Boudreaux, (LB/FB) J.D. Hidalgo, (WR) Joseph LeBlanc, (WR/CB) Jaiden Mitchell
Key Returners: (S) Karon Eugene, (RB/ATH) Owen Morris, (QB/DE) Xander LaBavue, (S) Layton Mitchell
Schedule:
- Sep. 5 – Vermilion Catholic
- Sep. 12 – Central Catholic
- Sep. 18 – Patterson
- Sep. 26 – Notre Dame
- Oct. 3 – Lake Charles College Prep
- Oct. 10 – Franklin
- Oct. 17 – Delcambre
- Oct. 24 – Loreauville
- Oct. 30 – West St. Mary
- Nov. 7 – Houma Christian
Cecilia
The Bulldogs captured the Division II Non-Select state title with a 35-32 win over top-seeded Franklinton. The championship was Cecilia’s first since 1995, and the program enters 2025 under new leadership, with longtime assistant coach Cody Champagne promoted following Dennis Skain’s departure.
Key Departures: (ATH) Diesel Solari, (DB) Brent Gordon, (WR) Ellis Stewart, (OL) Christian Menard
Key Returners: (RB/WR) Braylon Calais, (MLB) Braylon Jones, (OLB) Conner Helaire, (WR) Jayden Lewis
Schedule:
- Sep. 5 – St. Martinville
- Sep. 11 – St. Amant
- Sep. 19 – Northside
- Sep. 26 – Central
- Oct. 3 – Notre Dame
- Oct. 10 – Breaux Bridge
- Oct. 17 – Beau Chene
- Oct. 24 – Opelousas
- Oct. 31 – Livonia
- Nov. 7 – Open
Central
Central took home its first state championship in 58 years with a 42-0 win over Ruston in the Division I Non-Select state title game. The 4th-seeded Wildcats built a 35-0 lead at the half and effectively ran out the final 8 minutes with a running clock. Central’s defense held Ruston to just 90 total yards, a class record. The Wildcats look to go back-to-back in 2025 with a strong returning group.
Key Departures: (QB) Jackson Firmin, (DL) DK Mays, (LB) KD Mays, (S) Steven Ranel II
Key Returners: (DE) Scott Smith, (LB) JaMichael Garrett, (OL) Graham Harris
Schedule:
- Sep. 5 – De La Salle
- Sep. 12 – Denham Springs
- Sep. 19 – Walker
- Sep. 26 – Cecilia
- Oct. 3 – Lafayette Christian
- Oct. 10 – Woodlawn
- Oct. 17 – Catholic
- Oct. 24 – Liberty
- Oct. 31 – Zachary
- Nov. 7 – Scotlandville
Edna Karr
Edna Karr fielded one of the best teams in LHSAA history in 2024. The top-seeded Cougars captured the 2024 Division I Select state title with a 53-8 victory over a formidable Alexandria squad. Karr secured its first Class 5A championship and seventh overall, continuing a run of high-level play under Coach Brice Brown.
Key Departures: (WR) TaRon Francis, (WR) Oliver Mitchell, (WR) Daejawn Smith
Key Returners: (DL) Richard Anderson, (S) Aiden Hall, (QB) John Johnson, (CB) Hayward Howard Jr.
Schedule:
- Sep. 5 – Archbishop Shaw
- Sep. 12 – American Heritage
- Sep. 19 – McDonogh #35
- Sep. 27 – Holy Cross
- Oct. 3 – St. Augustine
- Oct. 10 – Brother Martin
- Oct. 17 – Jesuit
- Oct. 24 – Warren Easton
- Oct. 31 – John Curtis
- Nov. 6 – Archbishop Rummel
South Plaquemines
For the first time in 16 years, South Plaquemines took home a state championship trophy. The Hurricanes finished the season 11-3, rallying in the 4th quarter behind quarterback Rod Parker and running back Jaheim Williams. Head Coach Lyle Fitte looks to bring South Plaquemines back to the Dome in 2025.
Key Departures: (RB) Jy’heim Williams, (DL) Trevontae Williams, (LB) Alex Phillips, (ATH) Deanel McGee
Key Returners: (QB) Roderick Parker, (ATH) Raymontae Jackson, (OL) Hilry Thomas, (OL) Vincent Turner, (OLB) Dean Ancalade
Schedule:
- Sep. 6 – L. W. Higgins
- Sep. 12 – Bogalusa
- Sep. 19 – Belle Chasse
- Sep. 26 – East Jefferson
- Oct. 3 – Livingston Collegiate
- Oct. 10 – Sarah T. Reed
- Oct. 24 – Metairie Park Country Day
- Nov. 1 – Walter L. Cohen
- Nov. 7 – Isidore Newman
Sterlington
Sterlington overcame a slow 2-3 start to the regular season before finishing 11-4 and bringing home a state championship trophy. In this state title game, the Panthers’ run game was too much for St. James, where they racked up 341 yards on 53 rushes. Senior Hagen Herring rushed for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns, and all-state linebacker Tre Burch iced the game with an interception. The 2026 senior class looks to bring home another for the Panthers.
Key Departures: (RB) Hagen Herring, (OL) Michael Bozeman, (RB/LB) Gaven Evans
Key Returners: (LB) Cam Bagwell, (OL) Drew Whitlock, (CB/WR) David Hickman, (QB) J’Rob Breen, (LB) Tre Burch
Schedule:
- Sep. 5 – Tioga
- Sep. 12 – Rayville
- Sep. 18 – Ouachita Parish
- Sep. 26 – West Ouachita
- Oct. 3 – Neville
- Oct. 10 – Richwood
- Oct. 16 – North Webster
- Oct. 24 – Bastrop
- Oct. 31 – Carroll
- Nov. 6 – Union Parish
Vermilion Catholic
Vermilion Catholic took home their first state championship in 11 years and 3rd in program history in 2024. The undefeated Eagles clinched the Division IV Select state title with a 33-21 victory over Ouachita Christian. Jonathan Dartez, one of the most prolific players in Louisiana high school football history, posted one of the greatest performances in prep classic history. Dartez set an all-division record with 47 rushing attempts, gaining 253 yards and scoring two touchdowns on the ground, along with two more scores through the air. The Eagles look to carry that momentum into 2025 without Dartez.
Key Departures: (QB) Jonathan Dartez, (TE) Allen McLain, (OL) Jackson Trahan
Key Returners: (LB) Luke McLain, (WR) Wyatt Bertrand, (DB/WR) Michael Mollere
Schedule:
- Sep. 5 – Catholic – N.I.
- Sep. 12 – Breaux Bridge
- Sep. 19 – Loreauville
- Sep. 26 – Erath
- Oct. 3 – Riverside Academy
- Oct. 10 – Highland Baptist
- Oct. 17 – Ascension Episcopal
- Oct. 24 – Opelousas Catholic
- Oct. 31 – Gueydan
- Nov. 7 – Westminster Christian – Lafayette