Top matchups to watch this season for 2027 LSU targets

Prep Redzone Louisiana shared a feature early in this high school season looking at some of the best matchups the rest of the regular season to catch LSU-committed seniors.   And, at the midway mark, let's also spotlight some of the best games the rest of the way to watch some of the state's top-ranked juniors atop the Tigers' targets list.   [player_tooltip player_id='723579' first='Easton' last='Royal'] — 5-11, 185 WR/ATH — Brother Martin   and [player_tooltip player_id='1323402' first='Miguel' last='Whitley'] — 6-0, 170 WR — St. Augustine   and [player_tooltip player_id='1356127' first='Ray'Quan' last='Williams'] — 6-0, 165 WR — St. Augustine   Part of the impetus for this feature is these three highly touted Catholic League receivers matching up the past two weeks with Edna Karr and its loaded secondary. But the district is a gauntlet of great games every week, and the Crusaders and Purple Knights will actually meet Oct. 25 in a game that will put three of the nation's top receiver prospects in the class on the same field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1356159' first='Jayden' last='Anding'] — 6-0, 165 DB — Ruston   and [player_tooltip player_id='469439' first='Ahmad' last='Hudson'] — 6-7, 240 TE — Ruston   District 2-5A is another of the state's top leagues and not shy on exciting matchups the entire back half of the season. On Oct. 24, the Bearcats will host Alexandria, last year's district champion and thus far this year's highest-ranked team at the midway mark. The Trojans feature a good defense with future college talent at every level and a balanced offense that can be a handful to slow down both through the air and on the ground.   [player_tooltip player_id='934555' first='Braylon' last='Calais'] — 6-3, 200 ATH — Cecilia   The Bulldogs have stumbled through a tough start to the season thus far against a tough non-district schedule, but should be favored the rest of the way. On Oct. 24, they'll host Opelousas in a matchup that has been a battle in recent years and features a Tigers squad that, though struggling early in its own right, still features some talented, physical standouts on defense to challenge Calais and company.   [player_tooltip player_id='642719' first='Elijah' last='Haven'] — 6-4, 205 QB — Dunham   The rivalry between Dunham and Episcopal (Baton Rouge) always highlights the district slate in the capital area. Last year, the Knights managed to hold the undefeated Tigers to less than 20 points, the only team to do so all season. Dunham looks like one of the top teams in Class 2A and Division-III Select again this year, and Haven looks another big step ahead in his overall development. But Episcopal is always competitive, and the teams' rivalry is always a circled matchup on the schedule.   [player_tooltip player_id='261907' first='Peyton' last='Houston'] — 6-0, 195 QB — Evangel Christian   What matchup could be more intriguing for "Pop" than an Oct. 10 home game against District 1-5A rival Captain Shreve. Houston set a national record with more than 800 passing yards against the Gators this time last year in an overtime loss, then helped lead the Eagles past them in a playoff rematch last November. Now, the teams enter this year's game still undefeated in league play with the winner maintaining control of its own destiny in that race.   [player_tooltip player_id='1593755' first='Karon' last='Eugene'] — 6-2, 170 DB — Catholic (New Iberia)   The Panthers are another program that will be expected to win the rest of their games, but their Oct. 24 opponent Loreauville has presented one of their tougher matchups in recent years. The Tigers are 2-3 so far this season, but against a tough pre-district schedule, and are battle-tested and talented group that will head to New Iberia.   [player_tooltip player_id='1610246' first='Trey' last='Martin'] — 5-11, 185 RB/DB — Franklin Parish   The Patriots have dropped two of their past three games and will try to bounce back Oct. 10 on the road against a West Ouachita team that played them as closely as any District 2-4A opponent in 2024. Franklin Parish should have the top couple prospects on the field, including Martin, each week the remainder of the regular season. But the combination of not only a well-coached Chiefs group, but coming off the heels of a the battle with Class 5A Ouachita Parish and having to go on the road makes for a notable combination of factors.   [player_tooltip player_id='739720' first='Jayden' last='Miles'] — 6-2, 205 RB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   The Bears will visit defending Division-I Non-Select champion Central on Oct. 17 for the next edition of a matchup that has been among their toughest in District 4-5A the past two years. The Wildcats feature future college talent at every level of the defense, including Power-Four commits on the defensive line and at linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1593644' first='Albert' last='Simien'] — 6-4, 280 OL — Sam Houston   The Broncos will host Carencro on Oct. 17 in a matchup that has been decided by a combined 12 points the past two years. The Golden Bears, always a hard-nosed program in the trenches, have won their past three games, each by a wider margin than the last.   [player_tooltip player_id='934559' first='Javon' last='Vital Jr.'] — 5-10, 195 ATH — Hamilton Christian   The Warriors are rolling through their schedule behind one electric performance after another from the versatile star, and that trend doesn't appear likely to slow down anytime soon. Hamilton Christian beat all its remaining opponents by three scores or more in 2024. But its upcoming Oct. 16 foe Elton has increased its win total each of the past three years and has now won four straight games this season heading into Week 6.

Prep Redzone Louisiana shared a feature early in this high school season looking at some of the best matchups the rest of the regular season to catch LSU-committed seniors.