The Extra Point: Louisiana’s Standouts, Statements and Surprises From Week 3
by Marshall Loeffler // GeauxPreps.com
One hundred and nineteen. Guess what that number represents?
That’s how many times Homer and Haynesville have played a football game, including this weekend’s home victory by the Golden Tornado over the Fighting Pelicans. It is a game that I have attended many times and represents the best of Louisiana football. We are now at a point where there are several rivalries that took place this year that are in the triple digits, and every one has some sort of story that goes with it. Speaking of stories, Act I is wrapping up for this regular season, as we find the stories and storylines that will carry us into district play.
Here’s a look at (some of) what I liked the most around the Pelican State in Week 3:
CAPITAL AREA
Standout: Denham Springs defeated Woodlawn 73-54 in a 987-total-yard offensive shootout. The Yellow Jackets compiled 534 yards of total offense, including 378 on the ground behind Tanner Koerner (171 rushing yards, 4 TDs) and Jeremy Williams (148 rushing yards, 3 TDs). Woodlawn sophomore QB Ricky Mitchell threw for 397 yards and 7 TDs, connecting with Jordan Knox (139 receiving yards, 3 TDs) and Omar Morehouse (106 receiving yards, 2 TDs), but Denham Springs forced four turnovers – highlighted by a pick-six from Cameron Moore and an interception by Bryson Smith.
Statement: East Feliciana won 40-0 over Slaughter Community Charter, and their point margin over the past two games is 60-2 with a defense that has not given up a point in two straight games. The Tigers’ defensive effort is led up front by stalwarts Alanthony Gibbs and Matthew King, backed by LB Ryan Moore Jr. and defensive backs Khanye Ferguson and Elijah Causey.
Surprise: Zachary overcame a sluggish first half and a 15-0 deficit to rally for a thrilling 39-36 victory against Madison Prep, scoring all of their points in the second half. Joshua Morgan‘s 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown helped spark things late, quarterback Jacori Platt‘s 226 passing yards and three touchdowns mostly came after halftime, and Jeremey Patton‘s 70-yard rushing score helped the Broncos get their first win in surprising fashion.
NEW ORLEANS
Standout: Chalmette improved to 3-0 with a 24-6 victory over Salmen, led by quarterback Breez Wilson, who set the school record for career passing yards and dominated on the ground with 169 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Owls’ defense set the tone early, holding Salmen to just 60 first-half yards, while Daveigh Fink added a 12-yard rushing score and Tristan DeBose kicked a 36-yard field goal.
Statement: Jesuit improved to 3-0 with a dominant 48-7 victory over Bonnabel, demonstrating impressive offensive depth despite missing injured star receiver Ja’ir Burks. Quarterbacks Sully Sullivan and Mani Vandenweghe have provided their own paces for an efficient Blue Jay attack this year, while Michael Cerruti added two more touchdowns in Week 3. Jesuit completed the win without committing a single penalty, and they’ve won games in different ways each week so far.
Surprise: Holy Cross gave reigning Division II select state champion St. Charles Catholic its first home loss since November 7, 2024 with a 10-7 overtime victory. After the Tigers’ defense forced and recovered a fumble on St. Charles’ opening overtime possession, senior kicker Drew Aguirre drilled a 20-yard game-winning field goal. Senior receiver Talon Meyers scored Holy Cross’ only touchdown on a 68-yard catch from Cooper Odle, and Stanford commit Savoy Guidry added an interception for Holy Cross.
NORTHSHORE
Standout: Pope John Paul II renewed its game with Hannan after an eight-year hiatus and pulled off a 29-27 overtime victory. Running back Evan Bergeron was the standout, carrying the Jaguars with 158 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a 1-yard score and a crucial two-point conversion in overtime. Cole McGhee contributed 55 rushing yards and 79 receiving yards with a touchdown catch from quarterback Gage Trainor, as PJP II held off Hannan’s late-game comeback to move to 2-1.
Statement: Franklinton rolled to a fast start in a 48-20 victory at Pine, powered by senior quarterback Kerston Diddon, who threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Demon wide receiver Jayden Burkhalter put on a stellar performance as well, hauling in seven receptions for 182 yards and three touchdowns after catching a game winning touchdown against Covington in Week 2.
Surprise: Pearl River overcame an early 21-7 deficit to rally for a 42-30 Homecoming victory over Fontainebleau. Senior quarterback Romy Berel led the comeback by throwing for 292 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers, while Andrew Sikes added two rushing scores to secure the win in a game that has not been played in well over a decade, and the first homecoming win for Pearl River in six years.
CENTRAL LOUISIANA
Standout: Ketron Watson set a school record with seven rushing touchdowns in a 63-24 victory over Avoyelles. The sophomore running back broke the previous single-game mark of six touchdowns set by current Navy RB Zion Lee in 2025 vs Winnfield, powering the Panthers to a dominant home win over a parish rival and getting Bunkie their first win of the season.
Statement: Marksville is 3-0 for the third time in 4 years, and will potentially continue to climb in the LWSA polls as long as they keep playing like this. Devin Lavalais is a highlight at both QB and FS, and Jaden Price has also excelled at WR/DB again. They have some good players in the trenches, and Qa Mingo, who played at Marksville and Southern, is back on campus as the OC, giving this program a jolt and getting them ready for a great District 2-3A race.
Surprise: Buckeye and LaSalle had quite the ending! Buckeye trailed 22-21, drove down into LaSalle’s red zone, and threw a pick 6 to Luke Lasiter. The play was ruled down, however, and the Tigers had to try and kill the clock. Lo and behold, Wade Jenkins intercepted Lastier, who had intercepted Zach Craig, to give the ball back to the Panthers with good field position. Then, Craig answers his mistake and gets a TD run himself to give Buckeye a 27-22 home victory and send the student section onto the field. Whew, it was a wild ending!
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
Standout: Senior Chris Ned delivered a stellar performance to lead Jennings to a 47-28 victory over Welsh. Ned was responsible for five total touchdowns, throwing two touchdown passes (11 yards to Harrison Oustalet and 65 yards to Armante Jones) and rushing for three more (two goal line dives and one 38 yard sideline sprint). He made plays across all three phases, getting 6 tackles at safety, returning an early kickoff into Welsh territory, and handling special teams duties as the holder for the Bulldogs.
Statement: Vinton is 3-0 for the first time since 2016 following a dominant 55-12 victory over Washington-Marion. Jacob Edison ended up with an explosive all-around performance: a 30-yard touchdown reception, an 82-yard kickoff return touchdown, going 5-for-6 on PAT attempts, and recording 3 tackles on defense. Head coach Tyler Lavergne‘s Lions are averaging 51 points per game on offense, driven by a physical ground game led by fullback Mika Roper.
Surprise: Sulphur secured a wild 45-42 victory over Pineville to cap off their first 3-0 start in 20 years. Featuring four lead changes in the final seven minutes, the Tors overcame first-half turnovers behind senior Bryson Hardy, who rushed for 188 yards and the game-winning 17-yard touchdown following a late fumble recovery by Tucker Little, while quarterback Noah Courtney added a pair of rushing scores and three touchdown passes.
BAYOU/RIVER PARISHES
Standout: Xavier Johnson rushed for over 200 yards and scored four touchdowns (including runs of 4, 6, 3, and 45 yards) to lead St. James to a 43-14 victory over Terrebonne. The defense also contributed to the scoring, with Ay’Dan Zenon returning a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown, and Montrell Steib added two rushing scores for the 3-0 Wildcats, who have a big road trip to Dunham in Week 4.
Statement: Destrehan bounced back from their first loss with a dominant 56-12 victory over West Jefferson, moving to 2-1 on the season. The Wildcats jumped out to a fast start and led 42-0 at halftime, powered by quarterback Aushai Smith‘s three touchdown passes, two touchdowns each from Coryan Armstrong and Jaylan Ash (including a kickoff return TD by Ash), and a 54-yard touchdown run from Malachi Dabney, while the first-team defense allowed zero points. DHS starts district play next week against Central Lafourche.
Surprise: It was surprising to see Hahnville sitting at 0-2 for the first time since 2021, but the Tigers got back on track with a 42-31 victory over E.D. White. Hahnville rushed for over 200 yards, led by Fabian Celestine with 196 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. Quarterback Landen Teague added 282 passing yards and a touchdown while rushing for two scores, connecting with Aaron Williams (5 catches, 147 yards) and Early James (89 receiving yards, TD) to secure the Tigers’ first win of the season.
ACADIANA
Standout:In his first game back for the 2026 season, Acadiana senior running back Syrian Joseph rushed for nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Wreckin Rams to a 41-27 victory over Carencro. The speed he adds to this offense will be a nice addition moving forward as Acadiana tries to stay unbeaten against STM next week.
Statement: Notre Dame secured a 41-13 victory over Teurlings Catholic on the road after breaking open a tight game at halftime. Senior running back William Lavergne led the offensive surge with 129 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, and the Pios are off to another 3-0 start.
Surprise: St. Thomas More pulled off a stunning late-game comeback, overcoming a 14-point deficit with 4:08 remaining to defeat Catholic High 43-42. Sophomore quarterback Grayson Hemard tossed two touchdown passes to senior wide receiver Jared Quoyeser in the final two minutes, including a 6-yard scoring strike with 1:02 left, before connecting with Quoyeser again for the game-winning two-point conversion.
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA
Standout: The Offense for Haughton has averaged almost 50 points per game so far this year, and the Buccaneers have a 3-0 record to show for it. Taylor Weathersby and Brandon Craig led the way in Week 3, and Weathersby is set to have a strong senior season at QB for the Bucs. A 45-6 victory over Glenbrook this weekend sets up a great home game with Captain Shreve in Week 4.
Statement: Captain Shreve put on a dominant second-half display to defeat Northwood 49-28. Overcoming a two-score deficit midway through the third quarter, the Gators outscored their opponents 42-7 over the final 18 minutes, fueled by a powerful ground game and late heroics—highlighted by a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jeremiah Powell, a 51-yard scoring run by Gabriel Lockett, and a 25-yard touchdown run by Gavin Reynolds.
Surprise: It was probably no surprise that Homer-Haynesville went down to the final play, but please go check out the highlights at KTBS’ website, it was a crazy finish. Homer completed a Hail Mary pass at the end of the game (on a very close play!), but could not convert the two point conversion pass to tie the game (on another very close play.) This game is always so much fun, and this ending will make next year’s game that much better. Haynesville won 28-26.
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA
Standout: Payton Harris had another great night on the ground for Cedar Creek, rushing for just under 300 yards and getting 3 more rushing touchdowns in a 42-12 win over previously unbeaten Beekman Charter. The Cougars are 3-0 for the first time under head coach Jacob Angevine and we will see if Harris can keep it going at home against Rayville in Week 4.
Statement: The way that Mangham took care of Oak Grove from the beginning until the end of that game was quite the statement. Colby Casey and the other Mangham first-teamers got to sub out early in a 52-24 win, and with these two teams likely to be in the Division IV Non Select race, this was a great Dragon performance that should give them another dose of confidence in what they can do again this year.
Surprise: I don’t think anyone expected the running clock, 49-0 type of game that took place between Neville and Ouachita, but that score was certainly a surprise. The two teams go their separate ways in district, but the story will be how the state champs bounce back from that loss just as much as it will be about what Neville’s potential continues to display.
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
Teams like Lakeview, Patrick Taylor, St. Thomas Aquinas, Delhi, Beau Chene, Cedar Creek, Rosepine, Haughton and Northshore (just to name a few) are off to great starts, and I can remember seeing these teams in person in the past year or two and wondering what was needed to get their programs playing good football. That is certainly not a criticism of teams that I saw struggle on the field on a given day, but it is an outstanding accomplishment to see what players and coaches have done at schools all over the state to get players believing that a completely different mindset can lead to a completely different outcome. Whether these programs consider their 2026 records a “turn-around” or not, it is a great lesson that success is rarely that far away. On to Week 4!
Thanks to Charles Salzera and Richard Meek (Baton Rouge Advocate), Spencer Urquhart, Darrell Williams, Chris Kincaid and Dave Woodall (Times-Picayune), Mike MacMillan (Northshore Prep Report), Rodrick Anderson (American Press), Ryan Arena (St. Charles Herald Guide), Matthew Massicot (Crescent City Sports), Shannon Belt (Lafayette Daily Advertiser), and Roy Lang III (SBC Advocate) for stats and reporting for games in Week 3.