The Extra Point: Louisiana’s Standouts, Statements and Surprises From Week 1
by Marshall Loeffler // GeauxPreps.com
Two hundred sixty-four. Guess what that number represents?
That’s how many days have passed since Edna Karr took down St. Augustine, repeated as state champions, and closed the curtain on the LHSAA high school football season. Finally, we got to spot the ball all around the state and get a first look at our favorite teams and favorite stories to follow for the 2026 football season.
Here’s a look at (some of) what I liked the most in around the Pelican State in Week 1:
Northwest Louisiana
Standout: In one of my favorite Week 1 games, Loyola and Captain Shreve both showed offensive flashes before Bryce Restovich got rolling. The All-State senior QB had touchdowns to three different receivers — Ty Walsworth, Charlie McKenzie, and JT Taylor — to go with over 300 yards passing, nearly 100 yards rushing, and two more touchdowns on the ground. The Flyers are in a district with Sterlington now, and I cannot wait for that game later this year in Week 6.
Statement: Logansport avenged their Week 1 loss to Many from last season and came out on top of a back-and-forth battle between two small-school powerhouses that both have reason to believe they have many more big football games left. Kollin Magee had five total touchdowns from the QB spot, while Kaiton Packett had a part in three of them for a Tiger team that overcame turovers, rallied for a road win, and really gained some attention in their usual spot at or near the top of Class 1A.
Surprise: Per a report by Jimmy Watson in the Shreveport Times, “Byrd senior running back Christian Maxie set a pair of school records, and a city record, despite his Jackets falling 44-37 to defending LHSAA Non-Select Division I Ouachita Parish in Monroe on the opening night of Louisiana high school football. Maxie, who continues moving closer to becoming the school’s all-time rushing leader, rushed 40 times for 429 yards — both school records. The yards also set a Shreveport city record. The speedster scored three times and averaged 10.7 yards per carry in the contest.” What night for the Yellow Jackets stud, who will try to keep that going at home in Week 2 against Airline, who had a tough battle against Wossman before finally pulling away.
Northeast Louisiana
Standout: Ruston will continue to get a tremendous amount of nationwide respect this year, with Dalen Powell rushing for 274 yards and five TDs on the way to a 42-16 defeat of Neville. He and Kohl Gray are going to be a tough backfield to handle all season, and the talented list of Ruston stars will take turns each week being the headliner, like Powell was tonight against one of the undisputed best teams in Class 4A.
Statement: Ouachita Christian traveled to Haynesville and got a big-time road win over the defending state champions. Jude Turner had over 200 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 24 carries as the Eagles get in the Division IV Select front row with a win over a Tors team that has the usual talent, but is replacing some key multi-year starters from last year’s title team.
Surprise: Carroll needed 47:58 of game clock to put themselves in a spot to get a home win, and Terrance Ward took it from there. The Bulldogs quarterback took off from the pocket and ran 18 yards to the end zone for a walk-off victory over Woodlawn. They will get another chance to show off their talented roster in Week 2 against 1-0 Southern Lab.
Central Louisiana
Standout: It’s hard to pick out one single player from the Alexandria offense, which dismantled Bryant High School from Arkansas and continued its reputation as one of Class 5A’s best overall teams. Senior quarterback Karsen Sellershad multiple passing and rushing touchdowns for ASH, while Hammond transfer Reggie Monroe got the offense going early with a first-quarter touchdown in his Trojan debut. Noble Williams and Kason Williams had triple-digit days as well.
Statement: In last year’s matchup, Jena and Mangham combined for 112 points. This season, the Giants’ defense asserted its dominance early, holding the Dragons to only six points through three quarters and winning 26-12. Jena once again had a one-two punch in the backfield, with Daniel Hatcher and Kaden Kittlin each getting over 20 carries and finding the end zone.
Surprise: How about the freshman for St. Mary’s, Gavin Solomon, making his introduction to the high school gridiron! The freshman two-way player made his debut on Thursday and paired an 87-yard pick-six with a 40-yard halfback pass trick play to give Jacob Carruth and the Tigers a 22-6 win over Vidalia for the first-year head coach’s home opener.
Southwest Louisiana
Standout: Jelandon Gray was a true dual threat on opening night against Iowa, scoring on the ground and through the air during a 42-15 home victory over the defending state champs. Gray and Jordin Griffin are two seniors in the Buccaneers’ backfield who will pair with Sawyer Kuipers for an offensive “Big Three” that should light it up again in 2026.
Statement: The Elton Indians have one of the best running backs in Class 1A, and Makelin Lemoine started off his senior campaign with a bang: over 300 rush yards, 5 TDs, and an endzone-to-endzone pick six, helping Elton to a 55-7 victory over the Basile Bearcats in their annual Battle of the Bayou. Lemoine is one of the best to watch in Louisiana running the ball and should have another fantastic season.
Surprise: The Eunice Bobcats won three games last season but came out strong on Friday. The offense used at least five different running backs effectively in a big-time win against highly regarded Bunkie. Malik Thomas, Devontre Williams, and Beau Brown all had two touchdowns to lead the way for their squad in a 54-35 victory in the EHS home opener.
Acadiana
Standout: For good reason, much has been said about the returning playmakers for Carencro’s offense, but Lafayette Christian held the Bears to just 137 total yards and one rushing touchdown in a 30-6 victory to start their season. The Knights’ defense also registered a safety and dominated in the run game to win at home and try to get on a win streak before the trip to ASH in Week 3.
Statement: St. Thomas More has had the upper hand against Teurlings Catholic over the last decade, but the Rebels took down the Cougars at home in 2025. That game was a district game, but now the teams meet up in Week 1 after STM moved up to Class 5A, and the Cougars rolled to a 35-0 victory over their crosstown rival thanks to three touchdown passes from Grayson Hemard.
Surprise: We can call this one a pleasant surprise, as Vinnie Bullera was able to step into the head coaching job at Kaplan late in the summer and get a big road win to start his career there. Jeremy Roy had passing and rushing touchdowns, the defense scored on a fumble return, and the Pirates’ offense looked just as impressive as their defense in a 34-6 win against Ascension Episcopal — a testament to how well the staff has done with a short offseason.
Capital Area
Standout: Dunham was far away from the Baton Rouge area this weekend, traveling north to Shreveport for the Stars and Stripes Week 1 event, and top-ranked QB Elijah Haven accounted for over 350 yards and six touchdowns to start off his senior season and his team’s title defense in a 56-15 win over Parkway inside Independence Stadium.
Statement: East Ascension jumped out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter after a blocked punt, and an established run offense helped set the tone. Jayden Ursin and Jeremyah Merriweather each scored twice, and Zalen Smith also added a touchdown run and throw for the home team on the way to a 49-18 win at Spartan Stadium, setting up a long Week 2 road trip to Sam Houston, who also won this week.
Surprise: In one of the more thrilling endings to Friday night’s action, Walker High School capped off a thrilling comeback against Ponchatoula. Jace Evans scored with just 12 seconds to go, and the Wildcats needed the extra point from placekicker Aaron Stern, who came through for the home team. This was coach Chris Harrell’s first win leading the Walker program.
Northshore
Standout: The Hannan rushing offense was unstoppable in a 56-0 shutout of rival Northlake Christian, piling up over 300 yards on the ground and over 400 total yards. Braylon Smith paced the attack with 135 yards and two scores, while Riley Jones added 80 yards and two touchdowns. Five different players found the end zone, including Dylan Robles and Ryan Mapes, along with a 62-yard touchdown pass from Braden Sprang to Carter Speerly.
Statement: Amite hasn’t had the upper hand in their games against Franklinton recently, but flipped that quite nicely with a dominant 56-7 victory. The Warriors set the tone early by capitalizing on a fumble and a blocked field goal before Jamyron Dillon, Dre Moore, and Braylen Taylor helped power the rushing attack. Chakyn McClain added an 84-yard kickoff return and a 96-yard touchdown catch, while Amite’s defense came up with a key interception near the goal line. Dillon capped the night with a long touchdown run for the road Warriors as well.
Surprise: Northshore went on the road and took down Lutcher in a high-scoring 47-35 victory, racking up 468 total yards. Running back Justus Carlton was the workhorse, carrying 28 times for 215 yards and three touchdowns, including nine straight carries to anchor a 58-yard clock-killing drive. Quarterback JJ Gonzales threw for 149 yards and two scores, including a 32-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Bright after an onside kick recovery. Miller Wadleigh also contributed 61 rushing yards and a TD for a very nice win against a championship program on the road.
Bayou/River Parishes
Standout: St. James played up in class (no big deal for them) and opened with a 35-7 road win over 5A East St. John, as the Wildcats controlled the game from the jump. The 2025 state semifinalist got an early rushing touchdown from QB Maki Lee, who had multiple touchdowns in the win, helping top-five-ranked St. James establish its offense early and get a road win.
Statement: South Lafourche had a breakout night from sophomore quarterback Lakin Fillinich, who carried the ball 31 times for almost 260 yards and scored all four of the Tarpons’ touchdowns in a 26-18 win over H.L. Bourgeois. This sets up an exciting Week 2 game for South Lafourche against Thibodaux, who got a one-point win over crosstown rival E.D. White, 21-20.
Surprise: There’s actually no way that the result of this game belongs anywhere near the word surprise, but St. Charles Catholic likely surprised the Legacy School of Texas with how well they are in late-game situations. The Comets got an overtime touchdown to defeat the Titans from the Houston area and begin their title defense in a new division with a signature win.
New Orleans
Standout: Chalmette’s offense took over after an early deficit and scored 55 unanswered points in a Week 1 win at John Ehret. Quarterback Breez Wilson ran the triple option, finishing with two rushing TD and two TD passes to tight end Tanner Vincens. Running back Quitman Johnson tied it at 14-14 with an 8-yard run, Russel Banks added a 94-yard kick-return touchdown to open the second half, and Chase Carter scored as well in a 55-14 rout.
Statement: Archbishop Shaw got three rushing touchdowns from the Shaw brothers, Red and Cinco, and won 20-13 over Hahnville. The Eagles did not score in their season opener last fall, so a signature win against a team like the Tigers bodes well for this group as they seek yet another trip to the Prep Classic.
Surprise: How ’bout those Yaks! Young Audiences Charter storms out of the gate with a 40-8 win over Sophie B. Wright, and this young program hasn’t lost a game in well over a calendar year. They went 9-0 last year, but this time are playing for keeps, with district honors and a playoff berth up for grabs. This win streak will be a fun one to watch if it keeps going!
OFF AND RUNNING
Week 1 has games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and while Power Points are a few weeks away, it is always fun to look at the opening-day box scores and game reports to see which players had breakout nights, which teams flew their flags the highest, and what things happened around the state that people are already talking about this weekend.
We are officially into the regular season now. See you on Sugar Bowl Drive in December!