LHSAA State Championships, Day 1: The Massey Ratings (and Jerit's Take)

Louisiana’s high school football state championships kick off Thursday in the Caesars Superdome.

The three-day, eight-game Prep Classic event begins with a three-game slate of the Division-IV Select, Division-IV Non-Select and Division-III Non-Select matchups.

Here’s the rundown of those title bouts, including players to watch, Massey predictions and other tidbits.

And follow coverage from the sidelines throughout the day.

No. 1 Vermilion Catholic (13-0) vs. No. 11 Ouachita Christian (13-1)

Division-IV Select

Thursday, noon

Semifinals: Vermilion Catholic beat Kentwood, 33-0. Ouachita Christian upset Ascension Catholic, 24-22.

Players to Watch: 2025 Vermilion Catholic DB/WR Jyrin Bessard, 2025 Vermilion Catholic DL/OL Gabe Boudreaux, 2025 Vermilion Catholic QB Jonathan Dartez, 2025 Ouachita Christian RB Makin Lenard, 2025 Vermilion Catholic LB/TE Allen McLain III, 2025 Ouachita Christian TE/LB Cooper Russell, 2025 Ouachita Christian DL Stacey Shaw, 2025 Vermilion Catholic OL/DL Jackson Trahan, 2025 QB Luke Vidrine.

Recent History: Ouachita Christian won the teams’ 2022 state-title matchup, 28-14.

Most Recent State Championships: Vermilion Catholic in 2013, Ouachita Christian in 2022.

Massey Prediction: Vermilion Catholic (57%), 34-28.

Jerit Thoughts: I’m more torn on more of this weekend’s matchups than I remember being going into any recent years’ state championships, and this Division-IV Select game is a great start to that dynamic. Ouachita Christian under coach Steven Fitzhugh has been one of the programs around the state that betting against is often the most ill-advised. Those Eagles from Monroe consistently win big games, even when doubted or down, and have a roster that has grown up expecting to not only reach the Superdome, but win there. But this season has felt like a storybook finish for Vermilion Catholic’s senior class that has been writing toward its entire high school careers. One turnover or pivotal third or fourth down could turn this game on a dime. But I’m giving the slight edge to record-setting quarterback Jonathan Dartez and his 2025 VC classmates to execute close to perfection and find their way to the big trophy this time around.

No. 1 Haynesville (13-0) vs. No. 2 South Plaquemines (10-3)

Division-IV Non-Select

Thursday, 3:30 p.m.

Semifinals: Haynesville beat General Trass, 52-20. South Plaquemines beat Logansport, 20-14.

Players to Watch: 2025 Haynesville RB/LB Byruss Burns, 2026 Haynesville OL/DL Dakota Davis, 2025 Haynesville DB/WR Zykerius Fielding, 2026 South Plaquemines QB Rod Parker, 2025 South Plaquemines LB/ATH Alex Phillips, 2026 Haynesville QB/DB Isaiah Washington, 2025 Haynesville OL/DL Germerian Williams, 2025 South Plaquemines RB/ATH Jy’Heim Williams, 2025 LB/RB Trevontae Williams, 2025 Haynesville LB/TE Keizavion Woods.

Recent History: The schools will meet for the first time since Haynesville ended South Plaquemines’ bid for a three-peat in the 2009 Class 1A state championship game.

Most Recent State Championships: Haynesville in 2014, South Plaquemines in 2009.

Massey Prediction: Haynesville (86%), 35-14.

Jerit Thoughts: This championship has felt like Haynesville’s to lose since the Golden Tornado reached the 2023 title game with a strong group returning for this year while reigning champion Oak Grove moved up to Division-III Non-Select. South Plaquemines is a tough squad in its own right with some notable playmakers at this level. But Haynesville has been absolutely rolling, in all three phases, and should be among the weekend’s biggest favorites. The Golden Tornado figures to carry its salty defensive performance right into the Superdome to control much of this game with the help of enough big plays and big drives from the offense along the way.

No. 1 St. James (10-2) vs. No. 6 Sterlington (10-4)

Division-III Non-Select

Thursday, 7 p.m.

Massey Rankings: No. 39 vs. No. 49

Semifinals: St. James beat Union Parish, 43-36. Sterlington beat Jena, 48-14.

Players to Watch: 2025 Sterlington DB/WR Travis Adams, 2027 Sterlington QB J-Rob Breen, 2027 Sterlington RB T.J. Burch, 2025 Sterlington RB/LB Gaven Evans, 2025 Sterlington RB Hagen Herring, 2028 St. James QB Ja’Juan Jackson, 2027 St. James RB/ATH Kendrick Joseph Jr., 2026 St. James RB Kani King-Young, 2025 Sterlington K/P Aidan Parker, 2025 St. James LB Chaidyn Parker, 2026 St. James WR Jakias Villanueva, 2025 St. James DL Caleb Williams, 2025 St. James DB Jarrell Williams, 2026 St. James LB Nolan Zenon

Recent History: St. James won last year’s semifinal at Sterlington, 28-17, and a 2020 second-round game at home, 28-7.

Most Recent State Championships: St. James in 2019, Sterlington in 2021

Massey Prediction: Sterlington (51%), 28-27.

Jerit Thoughts: Yet another addition to the always-intriguing St. James, Sterlington and Union Parish postseason round-robin that has helped highlight the bracket so often in recent years. Sterlington has not only rebounded from its early-season losing streak against higher-classification teams, it has been dominant through much of its playoff run to this point. And the Panthers are going to come out and try to punch St. James in the mouth early and control the game with physicality from start to finish. But the Wildcats are a tough and battle-tested crew in their own right with a clear memory of last season’s heartbreak and a determination to avoid the same fate on this year’s Superdome trip. This game is another that could come down to the wire with the teams trading blows for four quarters. But I’m leaning toward St. James, with the benefit of last year’s experience, to scratch its way out — potentially with a big defensive stand late to take control for good.