LHSAA Playoff Brackets: Top Storylines, Prospects | Large Schools
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Louisiana’s high school football playoffs kick off this weekend.
The LHSAA’s nine brackets — five nonselect (public) and four select (private and magnet) — are full of impressive teams and prospects and intriguing matchups and storylines.
We’ll give a quick preview of each, including the top five seeds, a lower seed to watch for a potential run, up to eight top-ranked prospects, up to five sleeper prospects, an intriguing first-round matchup and an overarching storyline entering the tournament.
Check out the large schools (Class 5A, Division I, Class 4A, Division II and Class 3A) capsules below.
Or click here for the small schools (Division III, Class 2A, Division IV and Class 1A).
CLASS 5A
Top 5 seeds: No. 1 Zachary, No. 2 Captain Shreve, No. 3 Ponchatoula, No. 4 Destrehan, No. 5 Ruston
Lower seed to watch: No. 13 Woodlawn (Baton Rouge)
Top prospects: 2022 Acadiana DL Walter Bob Walter Bob 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Acadiana | 2022 State LA Jr., 2023 Woodlawn (BR) QB Rickie Collins Rickie Collins 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) | 2023 State LA , 2023 Zachary QB Eli Holstein Eli Holstein 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Zachary | 2023 State LA , 2023 Zachary DB Kylin Jackson Kylin Jackson 6'3" | 195 lbs | DB Zachary | 2023 State LA , 2022 Captain Shreve ATH Kendrick Law Kendrick Law 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Captain Shreve | 2022 State LA Jr., 2022 Ponchatoula ATH Jacoby Mathews Jacoby Mathews 6'2" | 215 lbs | ATH Ponchatoula | 2022 State LA , 2023 Woodlawn (BR) DB Jordan Matthews Jordan Matthews 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) | 2023 State LA , 2022 West Monroe DB Rayshawn Pleasant Rayshawn Pleasant 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB West Monroe | 2022 State LA
Sleeper prospects: 2022 Captain Shreve WR Braylon Finney Braylon Finney 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Captain Shreve | 2022 State LA , 2022 Ponchatoula RB/LB Braydon Johnson Braydon Johnson 6'0" | 210 lbs | RB Ponchatoula | 2022 State LA , 2022 Alexandria RB Jarvis Newton Jarvis Newton 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Alexandria | 2022 State LA , 2022 Central (BR) ATH/QB Jonathan Swift Jonathan Swift 6'1" | 190 lbs | ATH Central (Baton Rouge) | 2022 State LA II, 2022 Destrehan DL Steven Walker Steven Walker 6'1" | 240 lbs | DL Destrehan | 2022 State LA
Intriguing first-round matchup: No. 15 Alexandria vs. No. 18 Parkway
Overall Storyline: Difficult to look at the Class 5A bracket and not get excited about the possibilities. Top-seeded Zachary certainly leads the pack as one of Louisiana’s top few teams, if not top team overall, this regular season. But quality teams all the field includes another dozen or more high-quality teams — with far more talent that would fit on the above lists — eager to make their own runs. No. 2 Captain Shreve is having its best season in decades. And other perennial contenders, including other top contenders from a year ago with plenty key pieces back again, litter the list: Ponchatoula, Destrehan, Ruston, Acadiana and West Monroe, to name a few. The winner of the 15-18 matchup between Alexandria and Parkway could pose an interesting second-round threat for Captain Shreve. And No. 13 Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) fared respectably against one of Louisiana’s toughest schedules this regular season, including handing powerhouse Catholic (Baton Rouge) its only loss (or even particularly close game). To name just a few of the lower-seeded teams that could engineer their ways to Thanksgiving weekend or beyond.
DIVISION I
Top 5 seeds: No. 1 Catholic (Baton Rouge), No. 2 Jesuit, No. 3 C.E. Byrd, No. 4 Scotlandville, No. 5 St. Paul’s
Lower seed to watch: No. 11 Brother Martin
Top prospects: 2023 St. Augustine DL Kyran Bourda, 2022 St. Augustine OL Cam East Cam East 6'7" | 280 lbs | OL St. Augustine | 2022 State LA , 2022 Scotlandville RB Marlon Gunn Marlon Gunn 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Scotlandville | 2022 State LA Jr., 2022 Catholic (BR) OL Emery Jones Emery Jones 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Catholic (Baton Rouge) | 2022 State LA , 2022 Brother Martin ATH/DB Corey Lambert Corey Lambert 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Brother Martin | 2022 State LA Jr., 2023 Brother Martin ATH/RB Torey Lambert Torey Lambert 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Brother Martin | 2023 State LA , 2023 Catholic (BR) WR Shelton Sampson Shelton Sampson 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Catholic (Baton Rouge) | 2023 State LA Jr., 2023 Scotlandville QB Czavian Teasett Czavian Teasett 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Scotlandville | 2023 State LA
Sleeper prospects: 2022 St. Augustine DB Damaiyuran Compton Damaiyuran Compton 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB St. Augustine | 2022 State LA , 2023 Jesuit WR Jace Larsen, 2022 Brother Martin QB Garrett Mmahat Garrett Mmahat 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Brother Martin | 2022 State LA , 2022 John Curtis LB Connor Orgeron Connor Orgeron 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB John Curtis | 2022 State LA , 2022 St. Paul’s DB Justin Washington Justin Washington 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB St. Paul's | 2022 State LA
Intriguing first-round matchup: No. 6 Archbishop Rummel vs. No. 11 Brother Martin
Overall Storyline: The expectation grew each week that Catholic (Baton Rouge), which won the Division I state title game in Natchitoches last year, would roll through the highest select division this season in a seemingly down year overall for the Catholic League in New Orleans. But one twist after another has followed. A veteran Brother Martin team finally worked through its losses from last year’s roster and a delayed start because of Hurricane Ida to hit its stride and begin looking the part of one of the state’s top 5-10 teams. An LHSAA ruling ultimately forced five Crusaders forfeits and a plummet to this bracket’s lowest seed, but they’ve appeared more determined than ever as a result, if anything. Meanwhile, Jesuit bears a certain resemblance under first-year coach Ryan Manale to its team that won the 2014 state championship in terms of its stingy defense and enough playmaking ability from quarterback Jack Larriviere Jack Larriviere 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Jesuit | 2022 State LA and company to claim the outright district title. Manale, too, knows a thing or two about navigating the postseason after leading De La Salle to three of the past four Division-II title games. No. 3 Byrd surprised many fans in 2020 with a run to the state title game, and No. 4 Scotlandville returns a ton of talent and adds even more to a team that was second-seeded a year ago. All in all, Catholic still looks to be the team to beat in Division I, but not without some key tests along the way that could prove themselves prime for a slip-up if the Bears aren’t atop their game.
CLASS 4A
Top 5 seeds: No. 1 Edna Karr, No. 2 Neville, No. 3 Warren Easton, No. 4 Northwood (Shreveport), No. 5 Westgate
Lower seed to watch: No. 18 Carencro
Top prospects: 2022 Edna Karr WR Aaron Anderson Aaron Anderson 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Edna Karr | 2022 State LA , 2022 Neville OL Will Campbell Will Campbell 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL Neville | 2022 State LA , 2022 Edna Karr DL Tygee Hill Tygee Hill 6'3" | 285 lbs | DL Edna Karr | 2022 State LA , 2024 Warren Easton DB Wallace Foster IV Wallace Foster IV 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Warren Easton | 2024 State LA IV, 2022 Warren Easton DB Ronald Lewis Ronald Lewis 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Warren Easton | 2022 State LA III, 2022 Istrouma RB Le’Veon Moss Le’Veon Moss 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Istrouma | 2022 State LA , 2022 Neville DB Lorenzell Dubose Lorenzell Dubose 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Neville | 2022 State LA , 2023 Westgate DB Derek Williams Jr. Derek Williams Jr. 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Westgate | 2023 State LA Jr.
Sleeper prospects: 2023 Northwood (Shreveport) DL TaDerius Collins TaDerius Collins 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Northwood (Shreveport) | 2023 State LA , 2022 Leesville RB Caleb Gallashaw Caleb Gallashaw 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Leesville | 2022 State LA , 2022 Opelousas ATH Javonnie Gibson Javonnie Gibson 6'3" | 205 lbs | ATH Opelousas | 2022 State LA , 2023 Carencro DB David Journet David Journet 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB State LA , 2023 Northwood (Shreveport) DB MarJayvious Moss
Intriguing first-round matchup: No. 15 Belaire vs. No. 18 Carencro
Overall Storyline: Edna Karr won four straight Class 4A state championships between a 2015 loss to Neville and 2020 loss to Carencro. And the Cougars returned to action this year maybe as good as ever with a large returning and hungry contingent, plus a few key new key pieces. Neville meanwhile has climbed back to elite status as one of Louisiana’s top teams once again in Jeff Tannehill’s second season since taking the reins from former coach Mickey McCarty, who moved into administration. Warren Easton — the runner-up to Neville in 2014 and in 2018 and 2019 — is once again the biggest threat to the perennial powerhouses’ frequent title-game dates. Northwood (Shreveport), Westgate, Huntington and Cecilia are among other highly ranked challengers to enter the tournament with two of their best respective teams in recent years. And teams as far down the list as reigning champ Carencro at No. 18 could have a push left in them. The Bears lost a phenomenal 2021 class after last year’s run, but saw the new faces hang tough with several of the state’s top teams this season before falling just short. If coach Tony Courville and company could successfully upset No. 15 Belaire, which second-year coach Byron Wade has led to resurgence, then Neville would be forced to Carencro in the second round.
DIVISION II
Top 5 seeds: No. 1 E.D. White, No. 2 University Lab, No. 3 Loyola Prep, No. 4 Liberty Magnet, No. 5 St. Thomas More
Lower seed to watch: No. 10 De La Salle
Top prospects: 2022 University Lab DB Austin Ausberry Austin Ausberry 6'1" | 205 lbs | ATH University Lab | 2022 State LA , 2023 University Lab LB Jaiden Ausberry Jaiden Ausberry 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB University Lab | 2023 State LA , 2022 St. Thomas More QB Walker Howard Walker Howard 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB St. Thomas More | 2022 State LA , 2023 Liberty Magnet RB Kaleb Jackson Kaleb Jackson 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Liberty Magnet | 2023 State LA , 2023 De La Salle OL Caden Jones Caden Jones 6'7" | 255 lbs | OL De La Salle | 2023 State LA , 2025 University Lab ATH Keylan Moses Keylan Moses 6'2" | 215 lbs | ATH University Lab | 2025 State LA , 2022 U-High LB Roman Pitre Roman Pitre 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB University Lab | 2022 State LA , 2024 De La Salle LB Keidrick Richardson Keidrick Richardson 5'11" | 220 lbs | LB De La Salle | 2024 State LA
Sleeper prospects: 2022 University Lab ATH Jason Barnes Jr., 2023 Liberty Magnet DL Lester Jones, 2023 De La Salle RB Patrick Martin Patrick Martin 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB De La Salle | 2023 State LA , 2023 E.D. White ATH Matthew Melancon, 2022 Loyola Prep WR Tray Taylor Tray Taylor 5'6" | 140 lbs | WR Loyola Prep | 2022 State LA
Intriguing first-round matchup:
Overall Storyline: Division II bears a similar storyline to Division I. Baton Rouge-based University Lab has appeared the likely favorite throughout the season. And the seeming top contender, De La Salle out of New Orleans, lost major seeding because of an LHSAA ruling, but is playing well and could now disrupt the bracket from that lower seed. The biggest difference here is that E.D. White’s phenomenal season — playing a similar role to Jesuit in Division I — has pulled the Cardinals all the way to No. 1 and left U-High and De La Salle on the same side of the bracket with a potential quarterfinal date at hand. And as much drama as resides in those three teams alone, the list goes on with Loyola Prep out of Shreveport, highly talented Liberty Magnet in its first year, St. Thomas More with its LSU-committed quarterback and on down the line. Indeed, the intrigue has some potential to start early and last the long haul in Division II.
CLASS 3A
Top 5 seeds: No. 1 Sterlington, No. 2 Abbeville, No. 3 St. Martinville, No. 4 Iowa, No. 5 Church Point
Lower seed to watch: No. 20 West Feliciana
Top prospects: 2023 St. Martinville WR Harvey Broussard Harvey Broussard 6'4" | 180 lbs | WR St. Martinville | 2023 State LA , 2022 Iowa WR Curtis Deville Curtis Deville 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Iowa | 2022 State LA , 2022 Jennings RB Trevor Etienne Trevor Etienne 5'10" | 210 lbs | RB Jennings | 2022 State LA , 2023 Union Parish RB Trey Holly Trey Holly 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Union Parish | 2023 State LA , 2022 St. James WR Shazz Preston Shazz Preston 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR St. James | 2022 State LA , 2023 West Feliciana LB Delvin Whitaker Delvin Whitaker 6'3" | 250 lbs | LB West Feliciana | 2023 State LA , 2022 Madison Prep DL Quency Wiggins Quency Wiggins 6'7" | 270 lbs | DL Madison Prep | 2022 State LA , 2023 Lutcher ATH/QB D’Wanye Winfield
Sleeper prospects: 2023 St. James ATH/DB Cyler Christmas Cyler Christmas 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH St. James | 2023 State LA , 2023 McDonogh 35 WR Tyrus Morris Tyrus Morris 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR McDonogh 35 | 2023 State LA , 2022 Patterson ATH Kyler Paul Kyler Paul 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH Patterson | 2022 State LA , 2022 Abbeville ATH Blake Saddler, 2022 Mansfield ATH Monquavaris Wells Monquavaris Wells 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Mansfield | 2022 State LA
Intriguing first-round matchup: No. 12 Patterson vs. No. 21 Donaldsonville
Overall Storyline: Class 3A is one of Louisiana’s most wide-open brackets year in and year out, and this is no exception. Recent champions and runners-up litter the entire field from No. 1 Sterlington all the way down to No. 31 Richwood and a long list in between. Teams such as Abbeville and Iowa are easily the highest seeds they’ve been in quite some time, if not ever, and earned every bit of it. Church Point is undefeated and has allowed just 20 total points all season. No. 7 Union Parish and No. 22 Jennings boast not just two of the state’s, but two of the nation’s top running backs, which can give a high school team a great chance on any given night. Half the bracket could pose realistic threats to make deep runs, and that level of competition capable of derailing the top squads should make Class 3A one of the most entertaining tournaments to monitor start to finish.