While Week 5 has its share of big games on the slate, Week 4 brought forth major statement wins for two teams hoping to crack the list.
In West Monroe, the Rebels earned a key win against Catholic (Baton Rouge) a week after falling to North DeSoto.
Meanwhile on the Westbank, Archbishop Shaw returns to the poll after a top 10 victory over Lafayette Christian.
Where do those two end up in the polls for Week 5? What other moves were made?
Here is the Week 5 version of The Sporting News’ Louisiana football Top 25.
1. Edna Karr
- 2025 Record: 4-0 (1-0 District 9-5A)
- Last Week: No. 1
- No. 13 in The Sporting News’ National Top 25
Next Game: Oct. 3, No. 3 St. Augustine (4-0)
Last Game: No. 1 Edna Karr 42, Holy Cross 3
Current Streak: 18 wins
A Louisiana team finally scored against the Cougars, but they still had a strong start to Catholic League play with a 42-3 thrashing of Holy Cross. Liberty commit John Johnson accounted for 252 yards and four touchdowns, while the defense continued their dominance of giving up just 20 points in the first four games. Karr has a big matchup against St. Augustine on Friday – a matchup that could decide who is the top team in the state.
2. Ruston
- 2025 Record: 4-0
- Last Week: No. 3
Next Game: Oct. 3, at Stephenville (Texas) (5-0)
Last Game: No. 3 Ruston 49, Midland Legacy (Texas) 21
Current Streak: 4 wins
The Bearcats continued their Texas three-step with a neutral-site victory over Midland Legacy and now have three wins against out-of-state foes. Ruston led 35-0 behind the legs of Dalen Powell, who rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns. The Bearcats final non-district slate will be a road trip to Stephenville, which just broke into the Sporting News’ Texas Top 25 this week.
3. St. Augustine
- 2025 Record: 4-0 (1-0 District 9-5A)
- Last Week: No. 4
Next Game: Oct. 3, at No. 1 Edna Karr (4-0)
Last Game: No. 4 St. Augustine 47, Warren Easton 22
Current Streak: 4 wins
The Purple Knights move up to No. 3 this week after starting their Catholic League slate with a win over Warren Easton. St. Aug had 447 total yards, as Miguel Whitley hauled in four catches for 108 yards and three touchdowns. The Purple Knights will test their mettle against Edna Karr this week in Louisiana’s biggest game.
4. John Curtis
- 2025 Record: 3-0 (1-0 District 9-5A)
- Last Week: No. 5
Next Game: Oct. 2, at Warren Easton (3-1)
Last Game: No. 5 John Curtis 21, No. 15 Archbishop Rummel 19
Current Streak: 3 wins
The Patriots turned over the ball three times but escaped with a 21-19 win against Archbishop Rummel to kick off Catholic League play. Curtis did not eclipse 400 yards rushing like it did in each of the first two weeks, but it had 247 yards – 126 coming from quarterback London Padgett. The Patriots shift their focus to Warren Easton on a short week.
5. Alexandria
- 2025 Record: 4-0
- Last Week: No. 6
Next Game: Oct. 3, at Many (2-2)
Last Game: No. 6 Alexandria 59, Opelousas 6
Current Streak: 4 wins
The Trojans continued to hum along with a lopsided homecoming victory over Opelousas – their second 50-point win in three weeks. Defensively, linebackers Xzavier White and Bryson Phoenix had five sacks between them against the Tigers and have been major contributors of a team that has allowed 8.5 points per game. The Trojans head to Many this week.
6. Catholic (Baton Rouge)
- 2025 Record: 3-1
- Last Week: No. 2
Next Game: Oct. 3, Madison-Ridgeland (5-1)
Last Game: West Monroe 27, No. 2 Catholic (Baton Rouge) 24
Current Streak: 1 loss
The Bears were close to escaping North Louisiana with a win but fell in the last minute. While they drop four spots, their body of work still speaks for itself as they still have victories over Destrehan, St. Thomas More and University Lab to bolster their schedule. Catholic will face Madison-Ridgeland, one of the MAIS’ top teams, this week.
7. Zachary
- 2025 Record: 3-0
- Last Week: No. 7
Next Game: Oct. 3, Opelousas (0-3)
Last Game: No. 9 Zachary 34, No. 17 Carencro 20 (Week 3)
Current Streak: 3 wins
The Broncos celebrated a much-needed bye prior to their game this week against Opelousas and their upcoming district slate. In the Division I non-select power ratings, Zachary sits as the No. 3 team behind Ouachita and Terrebonne.
8. Central (Baton Rouge)
- 2025 Record: 4-0
- Last Week: No. 8
Next Game: Oct. 3, No. 14 Lafayette Christian (3-1)
Last Game: No. 8 Central (Baton Rouge) 39, Cecilia 21
Current Streak: 11 wins
The Wildcats continue to win after defeating fellow defending champion Cecilia last week. The addition of Alexandria Senior High transfer Max Gassoitt continues to be a good one as he passed for 184 yards and ran for two touchdowns in the contest. Up next is a home date with Lafayette Christian on Friday.
9. Teurlings Catholic
- 2025 Record: 4-0 (1-0 District 4-4A)
- Last Week: No. 10
Next Game: Oct. 3, Comeaux (3-1)
Last Game: No. 10 Teurlings Catholic 28, Westgate 15
Current Streak: 4 wins
The Rebels began District 4-4A play with a resounding win over Westgate after jumping out to a 21-0 lead. Teurlings relied on the run game in the win with quarterback Alex Munoz rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The Rebels will now host a surprising Comeaux squad that is now on a three-game winning streak.
10. Brother Martin
- 2025 Record: 4-0 (1-0 District 9-5A)
- Last Week: No. 12
Next Game: Oct. 3, at No. 20 Archbishop Rummel
Last Game: No. 12 Brother Martin 31, No. 14 Jesuit 29
Current Streak: 4 wins
The Crusaders know how to survive and they prove that again with their last-second win over Jesuit to kick off Catholic League play, thanks to kicker Maximo Barrios. Barrios booted a 38-yard field for the win and preserved solid performances by Hudson Fields and Easton Royal. Brother Martin gets another key showdown with Archbishop Rummel this week.
Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
11. North DeSoto
- 2025 Record: 4-0 (1-0 District 1-4A)
- Last Week: No. 13
Next Game: Oct. 3, Booker T. Washington (Shreveport) (4-0)
Last Game: No. 13 North DeSoto 52, Northwood (Shreveport) 26
Current Streak: 4 wins
The Griffins kicked off district play on a good note by defeating rival Northwood (Shreveport) to stay unbeaten. This time, it was Braelyn Latin who had the hot hand in the running game – rushing for 161 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. North DeSoto will look to knock off an undefeated Booker T. Washington (Shreveport) squad this week.
12. West Monroe
- 2025 Record: 3-1
- Last Week: Not Ranked
Next Game: Oct. 3, Scotlandville (1-3)
Last Game: West Monroe 27, No. 2 Catholic (Baton Rouge) 24
Current Streak: 1 win
DeMichael Dizer got a well-earned signature win last week after his Rebels took down Catholic (Baton Rouge). West Monroe earned the win when Brady Guillot threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Sam Turner. The Rebels close their non-district slate with Scotlandville.
13. Destrehan
- 2025 Record: 2-2 (1-0 District 8-5A)
- Last Week: No. 16
Next Game: Oct. 3, Terrebonne (4-0)
Last Game: No. 16 Destrehan 50, East St. John 6
Current Streak: 1 win
The Wildcats jumped out to a 22-0 in the first quarter and never looked back as they scored 50-plus points for the second time this season. Next up for Destrehan is a matchup against a 4-0 Terrebonne squad.
14. Lafayette Christian
- 2025 Record: 3-1
- Last Week: No. 9
Next Game: Oct. 3, at No. 8 Central (Baton Rouge) (4-0)
Last Game: Archbishop Shaw 31, No. 9 Lafayette Christian 13
Current Streak: 1 loss
The Knights committed seven turnovers – six interceptions – in their loss to Archbishop Shaw and it is hard to win a game under those circumstances. Despite the rough night, UL Lafayette commit Braylon Walker still managed to account for 255 yards. LCA will look to get back on track when it goes to Central (Baton Rouge).
15. Carencro
- 2025 Record: 2-2 (1-0 District 3-5A)
- Last Week: No. 19
Next Game: Oct. 3, New Iberia (0-4)
Last Game: No. 19 Carencro 63, Barbe 42
Current Streak: 1 win
The Bears tamed Barbe’s high-powered offense as they snapped their two-game losing streak. Nicholls commit Chantz Babineaux caught four passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns to lead the way. Carencro will host a winless New Iberia squad to try to go to 2-0 in District 3-5A.
16. St. Thomas More
- 2025 Record: 2-2
- Last Week: No. 20
Next Game: Oct. 3, at Westgate (1-3)
Last Game: No. 20 St. Thomas More 27, No. 11 Neville 23
Current Streak: 2 wins
The Cougars earned another comeback win to pull back even for the season as they enter District 4-4A play. Virginia Tech commit Cole Bergeron threw for 339 yards and four touchdowns to help STM rally from a 16-0 deficit. The Cougars will travel to play a Westgate squad that is always tough to play against.
17. Neville
- 2025 Record: 2-2
- Last Week: No. 11
Next Game: Oct. 3, Sterlington (3-1)
Last Game: No. 20 St. Thomas More 27, No. 11 Neville 23
Current Streak: 2 losses
The Tigers’ lead against St. Thomas More slipped away and they now find themselves at .500 before district play begins next week. Zeland Young had 12 receptions for 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead Neville, as it hosts Sterlington on Friday.
18. Calvary
- 2025 Record: 3-1 (1-0 District 1-2A)
- Last Week: No. 18
Next Game: Oct. 3, Magnolia School of Excellence (0-3)
Last Game: No. 18 Calvary 37, D’Arbonne Woods 15
Current Streak: 2 wins
The Cavaliers coasted past D’Arbonne Woods in their district opener with a balanced attack. Calvary netted 416 yards of offense and will try to keep rolling against the Magnolia School of Excellence this Friday.
19. Jesuit
- 2025 Record: 3-1 (0-1 District 9-5A)
- Last Week: No. 14
Next Game: Oct. 3, at Holy Cross (3-1)
Last Game: No. 12 Brother Martin 31, No. 14 Jesuit 29
Current Streak: 1 loss
The Blue Jays almost escaped with a district-opening win against Brother Martin, but Maximo Barrios’ game-winning field goal for Brother Martin stymied those plans. Jesuit starting quarterback Taylor Norton was sidelined with a hurt hand, but Mani Vandenweghe III nearly led his team to victory with a solid fourth quarter and go-ahead drive with 62 seconds left. The Jays take on longtime rival Holy Cross on Friday.
20. Archbishop Rummel
- 2025 Record: 2-2 (0-1 District 9-5A)
- Last Week: No. 15
Next Game: Oct. 3, No. 10 Brother Martin (4-0)
Last Game: No. 5 John Curtis 21, No. 15 Archbishop Rummel 19
Current Streak: 1 loss
The Raiders also drop this week following a tough Catholic League opener. Rummel forced three turnovers but could not keep pace with the Curtis run game – mustering just 168 yards of offense. The Raiders have another tough one in Catholic League with a home date with Brother Martin on Friday.
21. Evangel
- 2025 Record: 3-1 (3-0 District 1-5A)
- Last Week: No. 21
Next Game: Oct. 2, at Huntington (2-2)
Last Game: No. 21 Evangel 51, Airline 49
Current Streak: 3 wins
Evangel/Airline lived up to the hype of being a high-scoring affair, with the Eagles prevailing to remain near the top of District 1-5A. Peyton “Pop” Houston had his standard great game with 454 yards and three touchdowns, while receiver Charley Abraham caught nine passes for 221 yards. Evangel has a short week with a date against Huntington at Independence Stadium.
22. St. Charles
- 2025 Record: 4-0
- Last Week: No. 22
Next Game: Oct. 3, at St. James (3-1)
Last Game: No. 22 St. Charles 28, De La Salle 6
Current Streak: 4 wins
De La Salle nearly had twice the time of possession, but the Comets forced turnovers at the right times to come away with their fourth straight win. Skyler Edwards once again paced St. Charles with 139 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Comets travel to beautiful downtown Vacherie to face St. James on Friday.
Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
23. Franklin Parish
- 2025 Record: 3-1
- Last Week: No. 23
Next Game: Oct. 3, Ouachita Parish (4-0)
Last Game: No. 23 Franklin Parish 54, Caldwell Parish 6
Current Streak: 1 win
The Patriots had little trouble in their win against Caldwell Parish as Dezyrian Ellis passed for 247 yards and four touchdowns to put them back in the win column. This week, Ouachita Parish comes to Winnsboro with a spot in next week’s Top 25 on the line.
24. Dunham
- 2025 Record: 3-1
- Last Week: No. 25
Next Game: Oct. 3, Baker (2-2)
Last Game: No. 25 Dunham 42, Ascension Catholic 7
Current Streak: 1 win
The Tigers returned to their winning ways in their rout against Ascension Catholic in front of a statewide audience on the LHSAA Network. Top 2027 prospect Elijah Haven was on fire with 305 passing yards and six touchdowns for Dunham, while Richard Montgomery had a productive night of 185 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The Tigers open District 8-2A play with Baker.
25. Archbishop Shaw
- 2025 Record: 2-2
- Last Week: Not Ranked
Next Game: Oct. 3, De La Salle (0-4)
Last Game: Archbishop Shaw 31, No. 9 Lafayette Christian 13
Current Streak: 1 win
A week after dropping out of the rankings and to the “First Five Out”, the Eagles return to the rankings after their victory over Lafayette Christian. Shaw’s defense was masterful against UL Lafayette commit Braylon Walker – forcing six interceptions and seven takeaways. This week, Shaw will face a winless De La Salle squad that has played a brutal schedule.
FIRST FIVE OUT
No. 26 Ouachita Parish; No. 27 Holy Cross; No. 28 University Lab; No. 29 Ouachita Christian; No. 30 Terrebonne
DROPPED OUT
No. 17 Holy Cross; No. 24 Catholic-New Iberia
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