Louisiana Prep Football Rankings Have Shifted
The Louisiana Sports Writers Association updated state prep football polls following recent game outcomes.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
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The Louisiana Sports Writers Association released its weekly prep football rankings on September 21, 2026. Several Baton Rouge area schools experienced notable changes in their standings due to recent losses and victories.
Why it matters
Prep football rankings in Louisiana rely on competitive performance, meaning weekly game outcomes directly trigger shifts in the state standings. These polls reflect the current balance of power across various classes as teams compete throughout the season.
St. James leads Class 3A with 130 points, while Karr holds 131 points in the Class 5A poll. Dunham maintained its No. 2 ranking in Class 2A following a 58-0 victory over Collegiate Baton Rouge.
The players
Louisiana Sports Writers Association
This organization manages the state prep football poll and determines team rankings based on weekly voting.
St. James
The school currently holds the top ranking in the Class 3A football poll with a 3-0 record.
Catholic
The program dropped four spots to No. 9 in the Class 5A rankings after a close loss.
Dunham
This school remains the No. 2 ranked team in Class 2A following a dominant shutout victory.
The details
St. James secured the No. 1 spot in Class 3A with nine of 11 first-place votes and a 3-0 record. Meanwhile, University High moved to No. 5 in Class 3A after a 31-21 win against Plaquemine, and Catholic fell to No. 9 in Class 5A following a 43-42 loss to St. Thomas More.
Timeline
The Louisiana Sports Writers Association released the rankings on September 21, 2026.
The Big Picture
This report follows the established pattern of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association weekly prep football poll.
The updated rankings reflect a shift for Catholic, which fell to No. 9 in Class 5A after a 43-42 loss. Madison Prep also saw a drop to No. 7 in Class 4A following a 39-36 defeat to Zachary.
The takeaway
Weekly shifts in prep football rankings highlight the volatility of the high school season as teams jockey for playoff positioning. Fans and observers can track how these rankings evolve as more win-loss data is added to the state association's poll throughout the fall.
Further reading
For more on the state gridiron scene, see our Football section.
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