RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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MONROE — The 2026 Bayou Jamb, celebrating its 20th anniversary, concluded Saturday, Aug. 29 at Louisiana-Monroe.
With the end of Bayou Jamb, the first week of the LHSAA football season is rapidly approaching. Here's five takeaways throughout the weekend.
LHSAA football: 100 players to watch in Monroe area for 2026
Ruston looks stronger than ever
One of the weekend's biggest contests was between four-time Division I nonselect finalist Ruston and 14-time LHSAA champion Evangel. Both teams possess Southeastern Conference talent as Bearcat seniors Ahmad Hudson and Jayden Anding and Eagles senior Peyton "Pop" Houston are LSU commits.
While all three athletes made plays once again Saturday evening, Ruston junior Dalen Powell gave Evangel's defense fits with his hat trick. The Power 4-caliber running back looked unstoppable coming back from injury as the Bearcats defeated the Eagles 49-14.
"The guys up front, they've been working hard all camp. It's really all credit to those guys," Powell said.
There's still work to do for Ruston as it eyes a fifth-consecutive finals appearance. It aims on better tackling as Houston kept extending plays with his legs. The Bearcats are eager to keep the momentum going when hosting Neville for their opener.
"I know they're going to be ready to play," Ruston coach Jerrod Baugh said. "They're playing with confidence, especially in that ball game (Friday against West Monroe). Whenever we get together with Neville, it doesn't matter what your records are, how good anybody's supposed to be, it's going to be a great ball game."
Neville fired on all cylinders against West Monroe
Another one of Bayou Jamb's most-anticipated matchups was Friday's nightcap between the two-time reigning semifinalist Tigers and their former District 2-5A rival Rebels. St. Francis Stadium was packed for the two schools located three miles away from each other.
While Neville is now in D-II nonselect, it still took care of business against West Monroe with a 27-0 victory. Senior quarterback and ULM commit Parker Robinson scored twice with quarterback sneaks while classmate Kayden Gray added a rushing touchdown of his own.
Neville and West Monroe meet once again at Bill Ruple Stadium on Oct. 7.
"To be here in Warhawk Stadium, it was definitely fun, too," Robinson said. "I'm going to be here soon, but just to see the community come out for this game, it was definitely huge, and it just shows how hard (Bayou Jamb director) Patty (Thurmon) and all of them work and put this event together. We're just so grateful to be in it. Big shoutout to them of what they've been doing for the past 20 years."
One of the game's biggest plays was Neville sophomore Dan Evans intercepting West Monroe's senior quarterback Brady Guillot. Both the Tigers and Rebels aim on improving their personnels when opening their respective seasons.
"No. 1, we've got to establish a running game," West Monroe coach DeMichael Dizer said. "We're going to have to run the football, no matter who we play. Then defensively, we've got to get more sound in our technique. We've got to get lined up. Then we've got to tackle better. It was probably seven to 10 missed tackles (against Neville)... Even in Week 1, you're not going to have a whole lot of film. So you're still trying to execute your offense and your defense."
Defending champion Ouachita is reloading
The Lions graduated one of Louisiana's best quarterbacks in Montrell Conner, who totaled 3,205 yards and 46 scores as an All-State honorable mention. Conner is now a wideout at Mississippi Valley State, but Ouachita junior Lester Watts is eager to carry the quarterback torch as he made his first career start against West Ouachita.
One of Watts' best plays against the Chiefs was a dime to wide-open sophomore Lewis Carter. Reigning D-I nonselect champion Ouachita picked up where it left off with a 30-0 victory against the Chiefs.
"I think it's going good, just a few mistakes here and there," Watts said when evaluating his first season as starting quarterback. "We've just got to work from that. If we work from that, then the team will be good."
"Lester has a very good mind. He's a true quarterback," Ouachita coach Leonard Caesar said. "It's a big stage, so the passes that he missed, he's not going to miss them all year. He showed that he could put balls where he wanted them. So I'm proud of him. I know he's not satisfied with the game that he had, neither am I, but we're just going to watch film and continue to get better."
Another name to watch for the Lions this fall is senior Alex Smith, who the coaching staff chose to wear the coveted No. 0.
"Alex is the definition of a person that has pride and plays with pads. Those acronyms are passion, aggression, discipline and selflessness," Caesar said. "Alex is the one that's always going to be on time. He's going to work hard, and then he has a purpose. He plays with resiliency. He knows who he is."
OCS is in good hands with its new quarterback
Don't underestimate Tristan Raymond.
Those were senior All-State honorable mention running back Jude Turner's words when talking about the junior signal caller. The chemistry between Raymond and senior wide receiver Luke Edwards is sharp; they hooked up for a 35-yard reception during the first half against St. Frederick and then for a touchdown during the second half.
Turner completed a hat trick by halftime, and OCS didn't look back as it defeated the Warriors 28-7. St. Fred's senior Stephen Austin had a catch-and-run touchdown toward the end of the game as his team avoided the shutout.
"Every day in the summertime, they've been throwing routes," Turner said on...
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