Four defending state champions among top teams in CCS preseason state rankings

Four defending state classification champions and a traditional power top the first CrescentCitySports Top 10 rankings for 2018 in Louisiana.

Defending Class 5A state champion Zachary sits atop the Class 5A rankings.

The Broncos have won two of the last three 5A state titles and have a brilliant junior quarterback in Keilon Brown back to run the show for David Brewerton. Ole Miss commit Tyler Judson is an outstanding safety and Nicholls commit Chandler Whitfield is a speedy receiver. Caleb Jackson returns as another defensive star.

The top challengers include defending Division I state champion Catholic of Baton Rouge, John Curtis Christian, West Monroe and Destrehan.

Catholic has a top senior quarterback in Cameron Dartez, along with a good offensive lineman in Truett Bankston. Defensively, Gabe Fertitta’s Bears are led by first team All-State defensive end Elijah Reames, defensive tackle Connor Finucane and safety Jonathan Mestayer.

John Curtis Christian has as fast of a backfield as anyone in Louisiana with junior quarterback Collin Guggenheim, along with running backs in Corey Wren, Choncee Crum and Ma’Khi Smith. Defensive lineman Colby Orgeron and Angelo Anderson are forces for J.T. Curtis, who has now been on the job for a half century.

West Monroe edged Neville in jamboree action. Senior Cam Wright is a superb running back while defensively, ULL-Lafayette commit Dalvin Hutchinson is outstanding, along with defensive back Noble Harris and defensive end Andrew Gleason for coach Jerry Arledge.

Destrehan has as good a skill set of players as anyone in the state with senior quarterback JR Blood, Georgia commit John Emery and junior Kyle Edwards at running back and wide receivers Quinton Torbor, a Mississippi State commit, along with junior receiver Quincy Brown. This is the best collection of skill players for Steve Robicheaux since his Wildcats won back-to-back state titles in 2007-08.

Karr has won the last two Class 4A state championships and the Cougars are very good again. Brice Brown has a dynamic duo of running backs in Ronnie Jackson and Ahmad Antoine and a brilliant defensive back in Devin Bush. Austin Kent is an excellent defensive tackle.

The top challengers include Warren Easton, Neville, St. Thomas More and Parkview Baptist.

Warren Easton has a real shot to unseat Karr this season. The Eagles of Jerry Phillips are led by senior quarterback Lance Legendre and he has top receivers in Kentrell Boyd and Alfred Luke. Guard Caleb Etienne is a beast up front and he is committed to Ole Miss.  and a top defensive backs in Chester Kimbrough, who is committed to Florida and Jahmal Sam, who is committed to ULL-Lafayette.

Neville is always tough. Mickey McCarty’s Tigers have a top tackle in Logan Newell, a UL-Lafayette commit, along with a good senior quarterback in Jordan Thomas and a good player in West Monroe transfer Max Hunter. Senior Troy Gaines is an excellent athlete as well.

St. Thomas More was impressive in a jamboree win over Acadiana. The Cougars of long-time head coach Jim  Hightower have a top receiver in senior Deion Senegal, a transfer from Carencro. Caleb Holstein is a solid quarterback. Grant Arceneaux and Michael Patin are good receivers as well.

Parkview Baptist is tough and physical, as always. Jay Mayet has top players in Colton Jumonville, Kyle Washington and Terry Tolliver while junior Desanto Rollins is a future college player.

University High was the best team in the state in any class a year ago in winning the Division II state championship and the Cubs are perhaps even better in 2018 under Chad Mahaffey.

John Gordon McKernan returns to run the high-powered offense, Mike Hollis is a brilliant running back and Christian Harris is an outstanding receiver. Defensively, Clemson commit Bryton Constantin is an elite linebacker while defensive back Makiya Tongue is a Georgia commit. Christian Harris is committed to Texas A&M and is a beast on either side of the ball. Jordan Clark is an outstanding running back.

The top challengers include West Feliciana, De La Salle, St. Charles Catholic and Richwood.

West Feliciana won the Class 3A state title, finally breaking through after many years of coming close. Safety Khiry Morrison is a Louisiana Tech commit. Robb Odom has another excellent team. Senior Clayton Howard is a top receiver. Bennett Clement takes over at quarterback.

De La Salle reached the state championship game a year ago in Division II under Ryan Manale. While the Cavaliers lost a lot of talent to graduation, they are still good, led by senior running back Kendall Collins. Senior fullback Kendall Baker is solid. Senior defensive lineman Theodore Tyler is very good, as is junior defensive back Joseph Husband.

Also losing a host of players to graduation was St. Charles Catholic but you know Frank Monica will always be good and this year is no exception. The Comets have good running backs in junior Phillip Tran and senior Joe Chiarella and on defense, junior defensive tackle Mason Narcisse and senior free safety Bryce Authement are good.

Richwood reached the Class 3A title game a year ago. Robert Arvie’s Rams have a couple of solid players up front in seniors Geor’terrius Spivey and Jacorius Leonard. Senior Jaylon Jones is a good defensive back. Richwood last won a state title in 1974.

It is hard to pick against Amite in Class 2A.

Zephaniah Powell’s Warriors are loaded. Ishmael Sopsher is one of the top defensive linemen in the country while Devonta Lee and Kyle Maxwell are big-time wide receivers. Amani Gilmore leads the Warriors and he is an outstanding athlete.

The top challengers include Notre Dame, Catholic of New Iberia, Many and Welsh.

Notre Dame lost a lot of starters but Lewis Cook’s Pios looked good in a jamboree win.

The Pios have an all-district running back in senior Noah Bourgeois, a top tight end in senior Thomas Bellard and solid linemen in seniors Alex Roy and Steven Gossen. Defensively, junior safety Jacob Dore returns.

Catholic of New Iberia shocked Notre Dame in the Division III state championship game a year ago. While the Panthers lost a lot to graduation, Brent Indest has an excellent split end in senior Peter LeBlanc and a good junior wingback in Trey Henry. Junior Treynavion Amos is a good two-way performer. Junior Garrick Arceneaux is a good linebacker.

Many is good as always under Jess Curtis and the Tigers have a really good tight end in Caleb Leach and an excellent running back in Shacori Collier, who is committed to Army. Defensive end Myron Warren is the top player on defense and he is a TCU commit.

Welsh claimed the Class 2A state title last season, the first in school history. Coach John Richardson welcomes back senior wide receiver Da’Ren Zenor returns and he is outstanding. Senior Austyn Benoit was outstanding the state championship game and he is back as well.

West St. John is the defending Class 1A state champion and Brandon Walters has another elite team in 2018.

The Rams are led by terrific two-way players in seniors Kylan Duhe and Niko Roy, who combined to rush for nearly 3,000 yards and 49 touchdowns a year ago. Junior Trenton Grow is another fine two-way performer, along with Wantrell Williams. Senior Jonathan Porter is outstanding as a defensive end/linebacker.

Southern Lab may be the best team in the class after being ineligible last year. The Kittens are back eligible and are hungry. They are also loaded with LSU commits Kardell Thomas and Tyrion Davis, along with Charvis Thornton leading the way. Linebacker Tyler Guidry is a UL-Lafayette commit and Jacques Wallace is another superb lineman. Safeties Kendarias Moses and Anthony Schaffer are outstanding players, as is defensive end Chris Welch.

The top challengers are Oak Grove, Haynesville and Logansport.

Kentwood was the runner-up in 1A last year for Jonathan Foster and Kangaroos are dangerous again, led by terrific athletes in Trey Palmer and Ed Magee. Devion Hookfin is an excellent corner. Senior Larry Carter is back and he is a very good two-way performer.

Oak Grove also reached the semifinals a year ago. Junior Kameron Holloway has lots of speed while Wyatt Rawls is back at fullback and on defense for the Tigers while quarterback Braden Sullivan returns as well, along with junior receiver Otis Moore for coach Ryan Gregory.

Haynesville head coach David Franklin welcomes back LSU commit Joseph Evans at defensive tackle. Senior Lakedrick Holmes is outstanding on both sides of the ball while senior Lance Grider is back at quarterback. The Golden Tornado have won 17 state championships.

Logansport reached the semifinals a year ago in 1A. Senior Devin Gabriel returns and he is a stalwart on both sides of the ball for Kevin Magee. Madrid Johnson, Jr. is another good player for the Tigers.

CrescentCitySports.com Louisiana High School Football Preseason Rankings

Class 5A

1. Zachary
2. Catholic (BR)
3. John Curtis Christian
4. West Monroe
5. Destrehan
6. Barbe
7. Scotlandville
8. Hahnville
9. Landry-Walker
10. John Ehret
11. Acadiana
12. Slidell
13. Ponchatoula
14. Ouachita Parish
15. Live Oak
16. Holy Cross
17. Rummel
18. Jesuit
19. Brother Martin
20. Ruston
21. Sulphur
22. Terrebonne
23. St. Augustine
24. St. Amant
25. Live Oak
26. East Ascension
27. Walker
28. Airline
29. St. Paul’s
30. East St. John

Class 4A

1. Karr
2. Warren Easton
3. Neville
4. St. Thomas More
5. Parkview Baptist
6. Lakeshore
7. Rayne
8. Cecilia
9. Benton
10. Carver
11. Leesville
12. Helen Cox
13. Belle Chasse
14. McDonogh 35
15. Woodlawn (SH)
16. Northwood (SH)
17. North DeSoto
18. Lutcher
19. Teurlings Catholic
20. Assumption
21. Bastrop
22. Plaquemine
23. Salmen
24. Woodlawn (BR)
25. St. Martinville

Class 3A

1. University High
2. West Feliciana
3. De La Salle
4. St. Charles Catholic
5. Richwood
6. Jennings
7. Kaplan
8. Sterlington
9. Crowley
10. Kaplan
11. St. James
12. Iowa
13. Loranger
14. Donaldsonville
15. Archbishop Hannan
16. Berwick
17. Northwest
18. Madison Prep
19. Union Parish
20. Washington-Marion

Class 2A

1. Amite
2. Notre Dame
3. Catholic (NI)
4. Many
5. Welsh
6. Ferriday
7. Dunham
8. Newman
9. Riverside
10. Calvary Baptist
11. Country Day
12. Kinder
13. St. Helena
14. Red River
15. Northeast
16. Pine
17. Holy Savior Menard
18. Independence
19. Vidalia
20. Rosepine
21. East Feliciana
22. South Plaquemines
23. Lake Arthur
24. Rayville
25. Mansfield

Class 1A

1. (tie) West St. John/Southern Lab
3. Kentwood
4. Oak Grove
5. Haynesville
6. Logansport
7. Lafayette Christian
8. Ascension Catholic
9. Vermilion Catholic
10. Ouachita Christian
11. Jonesboro-Hodge
12. Cedar Creek
13. St. Edmund
14. Varnado
15. Basile
16. St. Mary’s
17. Montgomery
18. Oberlin
19. Catholic (PC)
20. Opelousas Catholic