2026 Louisiana Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

Edna Karr is the early No. 1 after winning state and going 14-0 in 2025.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Aug 3, 2026, 12:00pm
State champion Edna Karr (New Orleans) enters 2026 as the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps preseason top 25 for Louisiana.

The Cougars defeated St. Augustine (New Orleans) 28-14 to capture the LHSAA state championship. Senior edge rusher Juelz Batiste is back after committing to Ole Miss in May.

Other players to watch from the Pelican State this season include five-star seniors Elijah Haven of Dunham (Baton Rouge), Easton Royal of Brother Martin (New Orleans), Albert Simien of Sam Houston (Lake Charles) and Ahmad Hudson of Ruston.

Reigning Louisiana state champions include Ouachita Parish (Monroe) in Division I Non-Select, Iowa in Division II Non-Select, Sterlington in Division III Non-Select, Haynesville in Division IV Non-Select, St. Charles Catholic (LaPlace) in Division II Select, Dunham (Baton Rouge) in Division III Select and Riverside Academy (Reserve) in Division IV Select.
Dunham quarterback Elijah Haven is rated as the No. 1 player in Louisiana by 247Sports in the Class of 2027. The Alabama commit led the Tigers to a state championship after throwing for 3,931 yards and 62 touchdowns. (PHOTO: Ken Steib)
Dunham quarterback Elijah Haven is rated as the No. 1 player in Louisiana by 247Sports in the Class of 2027. The Alabama commit led the Tigers to a state championship after throwing for 3,931 yards and 62 touchdowns. (PHOTO: Ken Steib)
MaxPreps Preseason Louisiana Top 25
1. Edna Karr (New Orleans), 14-0 in 2025
2. St. Augustine (New Orleans), 12-2
3. Catholic (Baton Rouge), 10-3
4. John Curtis Christian (River Ridge), 9-3
5. Ruston, 11-3
6. Archbishop Rummel (Metairie), 8-5
7. Lafayette Christian Academy (Lafayette), 11-2
8. Neville (Monroe), 9-4
9. St. Charles Catholic (LaPlace), 13-1
10. Alexandria, 9-3
11. Zachary, 9-4
12. Ouachita Parish (Monroe), 11-4
13. West Monroe, 8-4
14. Destrehan, 8-3
15. Central (Baton Rouge), 10-3
16. Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport), 9-3
17. Brother Martin (New Orleans), 8-5
18. Jesuit (New Orleans), 7-6
19. St. Thomas More (Lafayette), 8-4
20. Teurlings Catholic (Lafayette), 11-1
21. Southside (Youngsville), 10-3
22. Acadiana (Lafayette), 8-4
23. Archbishop Shaw (Marrero), 9-5
24. University Lab (Baton Rouge), 10-3
25. Holy Cross (New Orleans), 4-7

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