Bold Predictions for the 2026 Season
As the new year approaches, two familiar voices from central Louisiana are already laying out their most daring forecasts for high school football.
Longshot District Champions
Harrison Vapnek, sports director at KALB, predicts that St. Mary’s could pull off an unexpected district title, despite being viewed as a longshot by many observers.
Sleeper Teams and Hidden Stars
Jordan Taylor, co‑host of the Under The Lights podcast, points to Many as a sleeper contender for the state championship, citing a strong returning core and a favorable schedule.
Taylor also highlights Ketron Watson of Bunkie as a favorite under‑the‑radar player, while Vapnek adds Grant Braxton from Leesville to the same list of potential breakout stars.
Both analysts agree that Marksville has a realistic chance to reach the State Quarterfinal, a milestone that would underscore the program’s upward trajectory.
Avoyelles Parish Playoff Outlook
Vapnek is confident that every team in Avoyelles Parish will secure at least one playoff victory, and that two of those programs will advance to the quarterfinal round, underscoring the parish’s depth this year.