Analyst's Take: First look at new PRZ team 'Power Scores'

Prep Redzone has rolled out its new "Power Scores" team rankings based on a formula incorporating factors such as win percentages, strength of schedule and point differential.   For a more complete run down on the network's "Power Scores," <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/what-are-power-scores/">click here</a>.   These rankings aren't put together by me or any other scout, reporter or manager. This week is actually the first time I've had a chance to dive into the new feature.   Glancing at Louisiana's list heading into Week 7, it's clear the formula is going to take some adjustment.   I've covered high school football in the state for more than a decade and a half, and I've worked on not only class-by-class team rankings for most of those years, but also combined all-classifications rankings for many of those years.   And while there are certainly some instances in which special smaller-school teams warrant particularly high rankings, the top of any accurate lists are almost always going to be Class 5A-heavy.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notes PRZLA's "Power Scores" Top 10 </h2>   1. Sacred Heart (Ville Platte) Trojans — Class 1A   I mean no disrespect in saying the Trojans clearly shouldn't be atop an all-classifications rankings at the moment. They've been off to a great start — their best since 2021 — and have one of the state's statistically stingiest defenses thus far this season, allowing just 5.8 points per outing. But, on top of the aforementioned dynamic of the differences in classifications, Sacred Heart has already dropped a game to District 5-1A rival Westminster (Opelousas), which has remained undefeated against a similar — if not arguably slightly stronger – schedule.   2. D'Arbonne Woods Charter — Class 2A   Where Sacred Heart has excelled at shutting down opponents, D'Arbonne Woods Charter has been one of the state's higher-scoring small schools offenses. The Timberwolves have averaged more than 48.2 points per victory and 42.7 points per game total. But similar to the Trojans, they can't reasonably be ranked this highly. Just, for starters, District 1-2A foe Calvary Baptist has posted the same record against a tougher schedule and more than doubled up D'Arbonne Woods head-to-head.   3. Jeanerette Tigers — Class 1A   The Tigers are another Class 1A team ranked too highly on this list when forecasting how an on-field matchup against any of the top larger-school teams would play out. But they are the first of four undefeated teams in the "Power Scores" top 10 and do boast some of the top future college talent among the state's Class 1A and 2A teams. Jeanerette hadn't made a quarterfinal appearance since 1990 before now going in back-to-back years and looking capable of a run at least that far in 2025. The Tigers would be a viable No. 3 team (or higher) in Class 1A alone, but are too high here for a statewide, all-classifications list.   4. Ouachita Parish — Class 5A   The first Class 5A team on the list is a solid candidate for a top-10 or at least top-15 spot after putting together its first 5-0 start since 2010. But the Lions are now fresh off their first loss, 21-14 this past week to perennial power Ruston, and should be at the very least below the Bearcats in the rankings. Ouachita Parish is big and physical up front with speedy playmakers at the skill positions on both sides of the ball and a dynamic athlete at quarterback. The next few weeks of District 2-5A action will shake out a pecking order for these two teams, West Monroe, Neville and Alexandria as five of the top 10, 15 or 20 teams in the state. But the Lions would have to at least fall behind Ruston at the moment.   5. Ferriday Trojans — Class 2A   Another team fresh off a loss to an opponent not listed in the top 10, Ferriday started 5-0 for the second straight season before falling Friday to Mangham. The battle was close between two teams that will be notable contenders to watch in the Division-IV Non-Select bracket, but the Dragons have still earned the edge in the rankings — and neither should come ahead of some of the higher-classification schools yet to be mentioned.   6. John Curtis Patriots — Class 5A   The Patriots are the first of three straight New Orleans Catholic League (District 9-5A) teams on this list — which may be the only three (or at least three of just four or five) I would include in my own top 10. Still, No. 6 feels too low at the moment for the undefeated Class 5A team against a good schedule. John Curtis returns the bulk of its lineup from a 2024 team that battled through an up-and-down regular season, but found its rhythm late and made a historically notable semifinal run from a lower playoff seedings. Its defense is sound, swarming and physical, and its poised sophomore quarterback and senior running backs are running its option attack effectively.   7. St. Augustine Purple Knights — Class 5A   The case could be made that the Purple Knights are simultaneously ranked too low here, but also ahead of at least one team they shouldn't be. St. Augustine has posted a 5-1 record, its best since 2022, against a respectable schedule, but with the one loss coming, 42-21, to Edna Karr. The Purple Knights are among the state's most explosive teams with a senior quarterback and deep, talented receiving crops and have a defense capable of complementing that scoring punch with disruptive and opportunistic plays. St. Augustine can't be higher than No. 2 at the moment, but, personally, I'd have it higher than No. 7.   8. Edna Karr Cougars — Class 5A   Edna Karr right now is and should be about the strongest-consensus of a No. 1 team. The Cougars have more future Division-I college players on their roster than they can fit on the field at a give time. The defense is absolutely loaded at every level with commits to LSU (two), Texas, Colorado, South Alabama, Alcorn State, Alabama A&M among the seniors leading the way. And the offense is led by a veteran, dual-threat quarterback behind a strong, experienced offensive line and with capable weapons all over the field. Few teams around Louisiana could stay on the field with Edna Karr this season, and even fewer could realistically challenge the Cougars without being gifted some notable mistakes.   9. Vandebilt Catholic Terriers — Class 4A   Vandebilt Catholic is a respectable top Class 4A team. The Terriers have built on a solid first season under coach Brian Wallace in 2024 and are one of just 22 remaining undefeated teams in the state this season and have beaten every opponent — including a new-look, but solid Lutcher — by double figures.   10. St. Edmund Blue Jays — Class 1A   Without getting into too much of the transitive round-robin of District 5-1A, St. Edmund's lone loss thus far this season came to two-loss Opelousas Catholic, which fell to the aforementioned Sacred Heart and Westminster (Opelousas). Coach James Shiver and company have done a nice job succeeding some great 2025 seniors and continuing to roll as one of the state's better Class 1A teams. But Westminster deserves top billing for the cluster of teams in the Opelousas area, and none should be ranked ahead of the loaded of Class 5A teams yet to be mentioned.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Teams that should be considered in the top 10</h2>   As mentioned above, any reasonable all-classifications ranking will always be dominated by Class 5A teams. From my perspective, simply pulling from District 2-5A (see Ruston, West Monroe, Neville and Alexandria to go with Ouachita), District 4-5A (see Catholic-Baton Rouge, Central and Zachary) and District 9-5A (see Archbishop Rummel and Brother Martin in particular to go with Edna Karr, St. Augustine and John Curtis) would provide between eight and 13 of the top 10-20 teams in the state right now. Evangel Christian, one of the state's most explosive teams, is another top Class 5A team of note. North DeSoto, Teurlings Catholic and St. Thomas More would be among other solid Class 4A choices. And when considering smaller-school options, Lafayette Christian would probably be the strongest candidate with its 5-1 start against almost entirely good Class 4A and Class 5A competition and with good college talent on both sides of the ball.

Prep Redzone has rolled out its new "Power Scores" team rankings based on a formula incorporating factors such as win percentages, strength of schedule and point differential.