Zachary, Warren Easton, U-High, St. Charles, Southern Lab top preseason CCS football rankings

Even though we are still waiting to learn into which playoff brackets many teams will fall come November, week one of the Louisiana high school football season is upon us.

Fortunately, we should have an answer to the select and non-select related questions within two weeks.

Meanwhile, we take a look at the best teams in Louisiana heading into the 2022 regular season. The favorites are usual contenders.

In Class 5A and Division I, defending state champions Zachary and Catholic of Baton Rouge lead the pack while traditional powers Acadiana, Karr and John Curtis Christian are clearly in the mix.

Destrehan and Ruston are dangerous teams with a bevy of talented players and Jesuit and Ouachita Parish are worthy contenders.

If you are looking at dark horse contenders in Division I, look no further than St. Augustine and Holy Cross.

The Purple Knights have as many as seven players who will play at the next level and they have size and speed.

The Tigers have tremendous speed on the outside, a solid returning quarterback and they are better up front than a year ago.

In 4A, Warren Easton does not have Karr or Carencro to contend with as both have moved up to the 5A level. Lafayette Christian moves up from Division III to Division II as a favorite in its new class.

Westgate is coming off an amazing state championship season and despite graduating many key players, the Tigers are still formidable.

Neville and St. Thomas More are traditional powers and are serious threats in 4A and Division II. De La Salle is huge up front and has an outstanding running back. Northwood is a very talented team, as is Huntington.

My dark horse teams in are Booker T. Washington of New Orleans, Lutcher and Archbishop Shaw. The Lions have their best team since returning to football five years ago. The Bulldogs move up from 3A and have a brilliant quarterback. The Eagles have a legendary coach in Hank Tierney and outstanding skill position players.

In 3A, defending Division II state champion University Lab is loaded again and looks to be the best of the best. Sterlington is coming off a state title and is outstanding again. The same is true of Amite as the Warriors move up to 3A from winning it all in 2A.

E.D. White Catholic is tough and well coached. Union Parish narrowly missed a state title a year ago while Madison Prep and Lake Charles College Prep are very good. St. James is always a threat. Parkview Baptist and Church Point are rising.

My dark horse teams in 3A are Bogalusa, with a terrific quarterback and state championship coach, along with athletic Donaldsonville.

In Class 2A, defending Division III state champion St. Charles Catholic served notice in its jamboree against Ponchatoula that the Comets are ready to defend the title.

Many is very big and strong. Newman served notice with its jamboree win over De La Salle and the Greenies do not have Lafayette Christian to contend with. Notre Dame and Calvary Baptist are always a threat to win it all, as is Oak Grove.

My dark horse teams in 2A are Episcopal, General Trass and South Plaquemines and Grand Lake. The Knights are always good, General Trass is a program on the rise and South Plaquemines has a huge number of starters back. Grand Lake reached the quarterfinals a year ago in 1A and makes the step up.

In 1A, defending Division IV state champion Southern Lab and defending 1A state champion Homer top the list, along with perennial power Ouachita Christian. Logansport is very dangerous and Kentwood is a real threat moving back down to 1A. Vermilion Catholic, Haynesville and Ascension Catholic will be tough.

My dark horse teams to watch in 1A are Riverside Academy, with a new head coach and a dynamite running back, along with White Castle and St. Frederick. The latter to reached the quarterfinals a year ago.

Crescent City Sports Louisiana Top 10s (Preseason):

5A
1) Zachary
2) Catholic (BR)
3) Acadiana
4) Destrehan
5) Ruston
6) Brother Martin
7) Karr
8) John Curtis Christian
9) Jesuit
10) Ouachita Parish
Others: St. Augustine, Alexandria, West Monroe, Woodlawn (BR), Byrd, Captain Shreve, Holy Cross, Parkway, Carencro, Archbishop Rummel

4A
1) Warren Easton
2) Lafayette Christian
3) Westgate
4) Neville
5) St. Thomas More
6) De La Salle
7) Lutcher
8) Booker T. Washington (NO)
9) Northwood
10) Archbishop Shaw
Others: Huntington, Teurlings Catholic, Carver, DeRidder, McDonogh 35, Cecilia, West Feliciana, Vandebilt Catholic, Leesville, Landry

3A
1) University Lab
2) Sterlington
3) Amite
4) E.D. White Catholic
5) Union Parish
6) Madison Prep
7) Lake Charles College Prep
8) St. James
9) Church Point
10) Bogalusa
Others: Donaldsonville, Church Point, Abbeville, Iowa, Jena, Parkview Baptist, St. Louis Catholic, Kinder, Jennings, Wossman

2A
1) St. Charles Catholic
2) Many
3) Newman
4) Notre Dame
5) Calvary Baptist
6) Oak Grove
7) Dunham
8) Loreauville
9) Episcopal
10) General Trass
Others: South Plaquemines, Grand Lake, Avoyelles, North Caddo, Mangham, Jonesboro-Hodge, Rosepine, East Feliciana, Catholic (NI), Ascension Episcopal, Loyola Prep

1A
1) Southern Lab
2) Homer
3) Ouachita Christian
4) Logansport
5) Kentwood
6) Vermilion Catholic
7) Haynesville
8) Riverside Academy
9) Ascension Catholic
10) Opelousas Catholic
Others: St. Frederick, White Castle, Catholic (PC), Cedar Creek, Central Catholic, Sacred Heart, LaSalle, St. Mary’s, St. Edmund, Glenbrook