The Ruston Bearcats are entering the 2026 season with a clear mission: to translate recent triumphs into a fifth straight appearance in the LHSAA Division I nonselect championship game. After a roller‑coaster stretch that saw them lift the trophy in 2023 and taste defeat against Destrehan in 2022 and Central in 2024, the senior‑laden squad is eager to rewrite the narrative.
Building on Past Successes
Coach Jerrod Baugh, who has guided the program through four championship runs, reflected on the team’s recent form, noting that a stretch of comfort can be a double‑edged sword. “We were too comfortable in one game,” he said, “and that’s something we’ve addressed in the offseason.” The coaching staff has also added alumnus Kyle Williams as an assistant head coach, bringing fresh perspective to the offensive scheme.
Key returners anchor the lineup, but it is the senior class that will drive the push. Players such as quarterback Sam Hartwell, a Louisiana Tech commit, along with college‑bound standouts Ahmad Hudson, Jayden Anding, Josiah Morgan and Keilan Davis, bring a blend of experience and upside. Their leadership is expected to elevate the team’s chemistry heading into the summer workouts.
A Tougher Schedule
To prepare for the playoffs, Ruston has scheduled matches against traditional powerhouses, including Edna Karr and West Point. These high‑stakes games are designed to test the Bearcats’ resolve and fine‑tune their play before the postseason. The junior cohort — featuring Aidan Adams, Shamar Evans and Dalen Powell — will also see increased responsibility as they look to complement the seniors.
The motivation is palpable. The memory of a loss to Ouachita in the previous fall still fuels a desire for redemption, while the prospect of facing Lafayette Christian Academy — a team that recently logged seven straight finals appearances — adds another layer of challenge. “We want a different result,” Hartwell said, “and we’re willing to put in the work to get there.”
With a blend of seasoned veterans, promising underclassmen, and a coaching staff that includes both veteran leadership and new voices, the Bearcats are poised to make a deep run. The upcoming season will be a litmus test for a program that has consistently positioned itself among the state’s elite, and the community is eager to see whether the fifth consecutive championship appearance will finally culminate in a title.