Southern Lab tops CrescentCitySports.com Class 1A preseason football rankings

While the short-sighted principals of Louisiana schools competing in LHSAA sports continues with the split in four major sports, our weekly rankings during the regular season will continue to reflect the correct classifications for each team.

With that in mind, we begin our countdown of top-ranked teams in the state with our CrescentCity Sports.comr top 10 and our other teams to watch in Class 1A:

1) Southern Lab
This is an easy call. The Kittens have won two Division IV state championships by a 72-11 margin and have played for the last three Division IV state championships. Markus Martin is an excellent pash rusher off the edge. Linebacker Damone Clark is an LSU commitment. Offensive lineman Cedric Grant is a beast. Southern Lab is the definite favorite to three-peat as Division IV state champion.

2) Haynesville
The Tors are still smarting from their 1A state title game loss as a top-seed to Logansport. Fortunately, they have the talent to rate as the favorite in their class this season, led by safety Jamerceon Jackson and defensive end Jalen Harris. Haynesville is the slight favorite to win the 1A state champion.

3) Kentwood
The Kangaroos, as always, are athletic with excellent players in Devion Hookfin, Larenz Morris and Trey Palmer. Edward Magee can run and Aldric Lott will make plays. Eric Dunn is excellent up front. They will have a shot to unseat Logansport and to beat Haynesville.

4) Logansport
Coming off of a state championship in 1A, the Tigers are poised for another serious run at a state championship, thanks to the return of outstanding quarterback Dalton Shaw. John Stephens, Jr. is an huge, excellent wide receiver.

5) West St. John
It is bad news for other 1A teams that West St. John is returning to 1A after being in 2A a year ago. The Rams made the 2A quarterfinals last season. Covan Barnes is an outstanding athlete up front on defense while Horace Lewis is a star as well. Kelon Gardner is a fine athlete and Calieb Batiste is strong up front.

6) Ouachita Christian
The Eagles are always going to be a threat. The fact that they are back down to Division IV after being in Division III is bad news for lower classification teams. Skylor Wilhite, Bryce Wallace and Reece Pitson are top players for OCS.

7) Oak Grove
The Tigers are used to being here. The traiditional power lost a tough semifinal contest to Haynesville a year ago in the 1A playoffs. Donald Gray, David Bruce and John Bolding are all outstanding players for the Tigers.

8) Opelousas Catholic
The Vikings drop down from Division III to Division IV and will be very tough. Cameron Lee returns as a top receiver and good defender while Devin Thierry is an excellent receiver as well. Adam Purser should have a breakout season as well.

9) Central Catholic
The Eagles made a very nice run to the Division IV semifinals a year ago and they will be good again this season. Kaden Scott returns, along with Isaiah Skipper up front on defense. Ethan Whittington is a star up front.

10) Westminster Christian
The Crusaders have one of the top quarterbacks around in senior Kaleb Prudhomme. Junior Brock Bullara returns, along with Landon Trosclair. After reaching the quarterfinals in Division IV a year ago, the Crusaders should get at least that far again this season.

Others to watch:
White Castle, Vermilion Catholic, Oberlin, St. Mary, Covenant Christian, St. Mary, Arcadia, Jonesboro-Hodge, Lafayette Christian, Ascension Catholic, Delhi Charter, Catholic (PC), Basile, Varnado, St. Frederick