Louisiana High School Football Scores: Why the Prep Classic Always Delivers Drama

Louisiana High School Football Scores: Why the Prep Classic Always Delivers Drama

You know how people say high school football in the South is a religion? In Louisiana, that’s not just some tired cliché—it’s a literal lifestyle. If you weren’t at the Caesars Superdome this past December, you missed what might be the most chaotic ending in the history of the LHSAA Prep Classic. Honestly, the final louisiana high school football scores from the 2025 season tell a story that's way wilder than any box score could ever suggest.

We’re talking about games where a missed extra point isn’t the end. It’s just the setup for a miracle.

That St. Charles Catholic Ending: What Really Happened

If you followed the Division II Select title game, you saw Archbishop Shaw and St. Charles Catholic go at it. It was 21-20. Shaw was leading. St. Charles scores a late touchdown but—get this—they miss the extra point.

Shaw players are literally celebrating on the field. They start dancing. They think it's over. Then, a Shaw lineman takes his helmet off before the whistle. Penalty. The clock stops. Shaw is forced to punt, the punt gets partially blocked, and St. Charles gets the ball back with a handful of seconds. Tyler Milioto, the same kicker who just missed the PAT, nails a 44-yard field goal to win the state championship.

That is Louisiana football. It's never over.

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Breaking Down the 2025 LHSAA State Championship Scores

The Prep Classic delivered some absolute grinders across the board. Here is a look at the final scores from the championship rounds that closed out the season.

  • Division I (Non-Select): Ouachita Parish 21, Ruston 20.
  • Division I (Select): Edna Karr 49, St. Augustine 14.
  • Division II (Non-Select): Iowa 50, North DeSoto 43.
  • Division II (Select): St. Charles Catholic 23, Archbishop Shaw 21.
  • Division III (Non-Select): Sterlington 34, Jena 20.
  • Division III (Select): Dunham 34, Calvary Baptist 17.
  • Division IV (Non-Select): Haynesville 39, Mangham 37.
  • Division IV (Select): Riverside 31, Ascension Catholic 21.

Edna Karr basically looked like a college team out there. They’ve turned that program into a machine. But look at that Iowa vs. North DeSoto score. 50 to 43? That’s not a football game; it’s a track meet with pads on.

The Power of the Boot

What makes louisiana high school football scores so consistently high is the talent pool. We aren't just talking about local heroes. We’re talking about guys like Elijah Haven from The Dunham School, who was just named the Gatorade Player of the Year. He’s a 2027 kid, but he’s already playing like a grown man.

Then you have the 2026 class coming up. Lamar Brown over at University Lab is a mountain. Richard Anderson at Edna Karr is another one. When you have defensive linemen who weigh 300 pounds and run like deer, the scores usually reflect that dominance.

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Why Some Scores Look "Wrong"

A lot of fans get confused by the Select vs. Non-Select split. Basically, the LHSAA separates private/charter schools (Select) from traditional public schools (Non-Select). It’s been a massive point of contention for years. Some people hate it. They think it waters down the "true" state champion. Others say it’s the only way to keep the playing field level.

Regardless of where you stand, it means we get eight state champions instead of four or five. That's eight "Final Scores" that determine who gets the ring.

Key Players Who Moved the Needle

If you're looking at why Ruston or Ouachita Parish kept games so tight, it's the defense. Ouachita’s 21-20 win over Ruston was a masterpiece of "bend but don't break" football. Dylan Berymon is a name you'll be hearing on Saturdays very soon—he's a 4-star defensive lineman for Ouachita who basically lived in the backfield during the playoffs.

On the offensive side, the speed in New Orleans is just different. Edna Karr’s 49-point explosion wasn't a fluke. When you have athletes like Aiden Hall and John Johnson, you’re going to put up numbers.

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Keeping Up With the 2026 Season

Right now, we are in the "quiet" period, but don't let that fool you. Spring practice is slated to begin on April 27, 2026. This is where the next batch of louisiana high school football scores begins to take shape. Coaches are already grinding through film, and players are hitting the weight room.

If you’re trying to track these games in real-time once September rolls around, here’s the best way to do it:

  1. Check MaxPreps for the raw data: It’s usually the fastest for scores, though sometimes the smaller 1A and 2A schools take a night to update.
  2. Follow local reporters on X (Twitter): Guys like GeauxPreps and the local crews in Baton Rouge and New Orleans usually have the score before the scoreboard even flips.
  3. The LHSAA App: It’s gotten better over the years. Still a bit glitchy, but it’s the official source for playoff brackets.

Louisiana football is weird, loud, and incredibly fast. Whether it's a 7-6 defensive struggle in the mud of North Louisiana or a 55-50 shootout in the Dome, the scores are just a small part of the chaos.

For those looking to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, start watching the rosters at Acadiana and Catholic BR. They lost some seniors, but the "reloads" at those schools are usually more talented than most teams' starters. Keep an eye on the recruitment of Blaine Bradford—the kid is a 5-star safety who can single-handedly change a scoreline by erasing the deep ball.

Actionable Insights for Fans:

  • Bookmark the LHSAA Calendar: Don't get caught off guard by the Thursday night games which are becoming more common to accommodate TV and officiating crews.
  • Verify the "Select" status: Before betting a lunch on a game, make sure you know if it's a cross-division matchup, as those often don't count toward district standings but heavily impact power ratings.
  • Watch the Power Ratings: In Louisiana, a 7-3 team might be ranked higher than a 10-0 team because of the "Strength of Schedule" multiplier. The final scores matter, but who you beat matters more.