John Curtis tops New Orleans area preseason Class 5A rankings

It is always a safe bet to pick John Curtis Christian in football.

Despite not winning a state championship since 2013, since moving up to Division I, John Curtis Christian has remained consistently good.

The Patriots have been close but have not been able to finish, including last year in a title game loss to Catholic of Baton Rouge.

The 2018 season could be the one that ends the “drought” for Curtis. With a lightning fast backfield including quarterback Collin Guggenheim, Corey Wren, Choncee Crum and Ma’Khi Smith, you can expect many big plays from the Patriots this year. You know they will be stout up front.

How good will Hahnville be in the post-Pooka Williams era? We are about to find out. The Tigers remain big and physical and have a very talented new quarterback in Andrew Robison, allowing Jha’Quan Jackson to wide receiver. Jackson is an SMU commit. The Tigers average nearly 300 pounds on the massive offensive line.

The Tigers will have to fight off rival Destrehan in their own district. The Wildcats have a three-year starter at quarterback in JR Blood, a Georgia commit in running back John Emery and a terrific receiver in Quinton Torbor, a Mississippi State commit.

John Ehret has an LSU commit in Donte Starks, a brilliant defensive end in Earl Barquet and a superb quarterback in Travis Mumphrey.

Landry-Walker is always very talented. Khyron Crump is a huge, talented offensive lineman, Chad Alexander is quite fast and Jaquan Dorsey is a very good athlete.

CrescentCitySports Class 5A preseason top 20 teams in New Orleans area districts:

1. John Curtis Christian—Speed all over in backfield, QB experience, physical as usual
2. Hahnville—Big, strong, talented new quarterback in Robison, Jackson to WR
3. Destrehan—Tremendous skill in Emery, Blood, Torbor
4. John Ehret—Physically gifted squad with a very good coach
5. Landry-Walker—Always a threat with a host of talent
6. Slidell—Best team in years off of tough playoff loss
7. Holy Cross—Good skill but real good up front, at linebacker
8. St. Augustine—Two talented QB’s, size, speed, good new coach
9. Ponchatoula—Superb talent at QB with Finley, RB with Spears
10. Rummel—Top skill with Fields, Moore, must improve up front
11. St. Paul’s—Mashburn very good at QB
12. Terrebonne—Senior leadership, very good team speed
13. Jesuit—Superb defensive front, could surprise with better QB play
14. Brother Martin—Never sell ‘Saders short with Smith, Faust
15. Chalmette—Owls have won seven last three years