Baton Rouge Catholic leads the way, but also watch out for Archbishop Rummel, Evangel Christian Academy, Neville and John Ehret in the Louisiana football #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: Untamed sophomore highlights - Clyde Edwards-Helaire1. Catholic-B.R. (Baton Rouge)Head coach: Dale Weiner
2015 record: 10-3
Team previewFresh off of winning their first state championship in school history, the Bears will return almost all of their offensive powerhouse players. Head coach Dale Weiner will also welcome back three of his strongest defensive players, who all just happen to be three of the top recruits in the state.
Returning for the Bears offense is LSU-bound
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is one of the top running backs in the entire country, and senior bulldozing fullback
Ben Miles. Joining Edwards-Helaire and Miles is senior tight end
Chris Cameron. The defense will be just as impressive with the senior trio of defensive end
Aaron Moffitt and defensive end
Tre Square.
The Bears are simply stacked and may be one of the most talented teams in the country.
See the Louisiana computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard2. Archbishop Rummel (Metairie)Head coach: Jay Roth
2015 record: 11-2
Team preview
Derrick Munson, Archbishop Rummel
Photo by Parker Waters
The Raiders came up just short in their attempt to win their third state championship after a game for the ages ended in a 28-31 loss last season. The Raiders will be hungry for revenge this season, and they have the personnel to do just that.
While the defense for the Raiders has lost some of its biggest contributors from last year, this year's team features the returning star linebacker duo of
Derrick Munson and
Shahid Reece. Reece and Munson have committed to Tulane and Arkansas, respectively. The Raiders will rely on junior wide receiver
Ja'marr Chase to lead the offensive charge.
The bad taste of a state championship loss last season could help the Raiders propel themselves to a whole new level this season.
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3. Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport)Head coach: Byron Dawson
2015 record: 9-3
Team previewSimilar to Rummel, the Eagles also saw their season end due to a loss to Catholic. The only difference was that the Eagles' loss came in the semifinals. There are very few teams strong enough to take down the defending champion Catholic Bears, but if anybody can do it, the Eagles will be first in line.
Pro-style quarterback
Connor Curry is one of the better athletes in the country and he will be building on his 2,155 all-purpose yard performance last year. Curry will have plenty of options, including receiver
Tanner Ash and
Orlando Puryear providing the greatest deep threats. The defense will have lineman
Elijah Chatman, who tallied five sacks and 55 tackles as a freshman last year, and
Bobby Bell, who added four interceptions a year ago.
ECA was a young team last season, which means this season's team will likely be smarter, bigger and eager for more.
See the MaxPreps Louisiana football photos page4. Neville (Monroe)Head coach: Mickey McCarty
2015 record: 14-0
Team preview
The two-time defending 4A champions were also only one of two teams in the state of Louisiana to go undefeated last season. The Tigers are yet another squad with many of their star players returning to defend their title.
Opposing offenses better think twice when throwing the ball with the defensive back tandem of
Jacorion Andrews and
Corey Straughter breathing down receivers' backs. Then again, running the ball may not come easy either, with defensive tackle
Phidarian Mathis coming through. The offense is stacked with
Jaiden Cole back in the pocket and
Josh Diarse as a big-play threat.
Neville is the team to beat in Class 4A and the Tigers have as good a chance as anybody to repeat as champions yet again.
See the MaxPreps Louisiana high school football playoff brackets5. John Ehret (Marrero)Head coach: Corey Lambert
2015 record: 12-3
Team previewThe Ehret Patriots' blowout loss to Zachary in the championship game last season does not do justice for the amount of talent and potential this group has. While many will define them according to how they fared in that championship game, the Patriots will have to let their play do the talking this year.
Fortunately for head coach Corey Lambert, the Patriots have plenty of returners to lead that charge. The star-studded defense allowed just 12.2 points per game last year, including three shutouts. The defense will be highlighted by senior defensive backs
Terrell Bailey and
Darius Campbell, as well as linebacker
Anthony Hamilton. The offense will be protected by the big man in the middle, offensive tackle
Dwayne Fisher.
The Ehret Patriots are big, fast, and strong-headed--all components needed to make a run at a state championship in Louisiana.
