Catholic, Karr, St. James, LCA, OCS top CCS state football preseason rankings

Past performances and particularly most recent past performances matter.

So does the number of returning players and history of success.

In Class 5A, Catholic High came within minutes of winning a third state championship in five seasons, falling just short against Archbishop Rummel in the Division I state title game.

With a host of key players returning, Gabe Fertita’s squad is our top-ranked team in our CrescentCitySports.com preseason rankings in Class 5A.

John Curtis Christian is second with West Monroe is third off of an impressive scrimmage showing against defending 5A state champion Acadiana, who is fourth. Zachary is fifth.

Despite losing 15 starters, Archbishop Rummel merits respect and grabs the No. 6 slot with East Ascension seventh, Brother Martin eighth, St. Augustine ninth and Holy Cross tenth.

Looking for an unprecedented fifth straight state championship, Karr has most of its starters returning from what was a young team a year ago and the Cougars are our No. 1 team in 4A. Defending Division II state champion St. Thomas More was superb a year ago and will be again and is a close second.

Warren Easton is third with Neville fourth and Lakeshore fifth. Evangel Christian is sixth with Carencro seventh, Westgate eighth, Bastrop ninth and Breaux Bridge tenth.

After an unbeaten season a year ago, St. James lost a significant number of starters but the Wildcats still have elite players and are No. 1 in 3A. St. James was very impressive in a scrimmage against Amite.

Talented De La Salle is second with University High third, Sterlington fourth and Madison Prep fifth.

McDonogh 35 is sixth with Jennings seventh, Parkview Baptist eighth, Union Parish ninth and Booker T. Washington of New Orleans tenth.

Defending Division III state champion Lafayette Christian is on top in Class 2A, returning another extremely talented squad. Perennial power Notre Dame second. Defending 2A state champ Ferriday is third, St. Charles Catholic is fourth with Catholic of New Iberia fifth.

Many is sixth with Amite seventh, Newman eighth, Kentwood ninth and Dunham tenth.

In 1A, defending Division IV state champion Ouachita Christian is No. 1 with defending 1A state champion Oak Grove second. Calvary Baptist is third with Logansport fourth and Catholic of Pointe Coupee fifth.

Southern Lab is sixth with West St. John seventh. Haynesville is eighth with Vermilion Catholic ninth and Opelousas Catholic tenth.

Here are your CrescentCitySports.com preseason Top 10 rankings for 2020:

5A
1) Catholic (BR)
2) John Curtis Christian
3) West Monroe
4) Acadiana
5) Zachary
6) Archbishop Rummel
7) Destrehan
8) East Ascension
9) Brother Martin
10) St. Augustine

Others to watch: Hahnville, Holy Cross, Scotlandville, Haughton, Mandeville, Alexandria, Ruston, Airline, East St. John, Slidell

4A
1) Karr
2) St. Thomas More
3) Warren Easton
4) Neville
5) Lakeshore
6) Evangel Christian
7) Carencro
8) Bastrop
9) Westgate
10) Breaux Bridge

Others to watch: Eunice, Assumption, Tioga, Belle Chasse, Carver, Landry, Teurlings Catholic, Vandebilt Catholic, Leesville, DeRidder

3A
1) St. James
2) De La Salle
3) University Lab
4) Sterlington
5) Madison Prep
6) McDonogh 35
7) Jennings
8) Parkview Baptist
9) Union Parish
10) Booker T. Washington (NO)

Others to watch: Lake Charles College Prep, Lutcher, Loranger, Brusly, Marksville, Donaldsonville, Baker, Church Point, Iota, Kaplan, St. Louis Catholic

2A
1) Lafayette Christian
2) Notre Dame
3) Ferriday
4) St. Charles Catholic
5) Catholic (NI)
6) Many
7) Amite
8) Newman
9) Kentwood
10) Dunham

Others to watch: Episcopal, Kinder, Mangham, Loreauville, Catholic (NI), Pine, Red River, Port Allen, Holy Savior Menard, Ascension Episcopal, North Caddo

1A
1) Ouachita Christian
2) Oak Grove
3) Calvary Baptist
4) Logansport
5) Catholic (PC)
6) Southern Lab
7) West St. John
8) Haynesville
9) Vermilion Catholic
10) Opelousas Catholic

Others to watch: Ascension Catholic, Country Day, Riverside Academy, White Castle, Oberlin, Basile, Central Catholic, Cedar Creek, Homer, East Iberville