Player of the Week: 2025 RB D’Shaun Ford, Opelousas (La.); 6,330 votes
Running back D’Shaun Ford is one of the top prospects out of the state of Louisiana for the class of 2025 and North DeSoto found out why last week. In Opelousas’ 28-20 upset victory over the No.1 seed North DeSoto in the Division II (Non-Select) semifinals, Ford rushed for 213 yards and one touchdown. Ford has also been one of the reasons why the Tigers will play in their first state title game since 1956 when they play Cecilia on Friday.
Runner-Up: 2024 RB Corey Broussard, Cecilia (La.); 2,190 votes
Cecilia running back Corey Broussard was very close being our Player of the Week for the second time of the year before lots of Opelousas fans started pouring in their votes for Ford. Broussard had 11 carries for 186 yards and four touchdowns along with a 47-yard reception in the Bulldogs’ 55-18 victory over Northwest in the Division II (Non-Select) playoffs. Broussard and Cecilia will play Opelousas in the state championship game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans for a chance to win its first state title since 1995.
Third Place: 2024 LB Kyle Cannon, St. Charles Catholic (La.); 1,677 votes
The St. Charles defense was supreme in the Comets’ 10-7 overtime victory over University Lab in the Division III (Select) semifinals at Frank Monica Field. However, the player that stood out the most on the Comet defense was none other than All-State linebacker Kyle Cannon. Cannon had 17 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
Fourth Place: 2024 RB Hutch Swilley, St. Thomas More (La.); 160 votes
Although St. Thomas More’s football program out of Lafayette may be known more for its potent passing attack, they have an All-State caliber running back in Hutch Swilley. Swilley had 16 carries for 214 yards and three touchdowns in the Cougars’ blowout 69-30 win over Archbishop Shaw in the semifinals of the Division II (Select) playoffs.
5th Place: 2025 QB Abram Wardell, Calvary Baptist (La.); 40 votes
Calvary Baptist has one of the most potent passing attacks in Louisiana that is led by quarterback Abram Wardell. Wardell currently has a school record of 3,634 yards with an incredible touchdown-interception ratio of 43 to 1. In Calvary Baptist’s 35-27 victory over Newman in the semifinals of Division III (Select) playoffs, Wardell completed 20 of his 29 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns.
6th Place: 2025 RB Jalen Noel, Lafayette Christian Academy (La.); 14 votes
Lafayette Christian running back Jalen Noel was huge in the Knights’ 42-35 victory over district rivals Teurlings Catholic in the semifinals of the Division II (Select) playoffs. Noel’s 27 rushes for 281 yards (211 after contact) and two touchdowns helped propel LCA to its seventh straight state championship game appearance.
T-7th Place: 2025 RB John Simon, Calvary Baptist (La.); 8 votes
Calvary Baptist running back James Simon, who is one of the prospects in the country, was a nominee for the second week in a row. In the Cavaliers’ 35-27 victory over Newman in the semifinals of Division III (Select) playoffs, Simon had 22 carries for 173 yards and a touchdown along with a 53-yard touchdown reception.
T-7th Place: 2025 WR Brennan Walker, Lafayette Christian Academy (La.); 8 votes
Lafayette Christian wide receiver Brennan Walker has been a key contributor to his team the entire 2023 season and may have had the biggest game. In LCA’s 42-35 victory over Teurlings in the semifinals of the Division II (Select) playoffs, Walker had only five catches. However, his catch total was for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Walker also averaged 39 yards per reception!
9th Place: 2025 RB Jay Freeman, Oak Grove (La.), 7 votes
Despite finishing ninth in the voting, Oak Grove running back Jay Freeman may have had the best performance on this list. In Oak Grove’s 49-28 victory over Kentwood on the road, Freeman had 24 carries for 254 yards and five touchdowns.
10th Place: 2025 RB Jordan Hayes, Ruston (La.), 6 votes
Ruston running back Jordan Hayes has been one of the best performers so far in the playoffs as he has propelled the Bearcats to its second straight appearance in the Division I (Non-Select) State Championship. In Ruston’s 28-7 victory over Mandeville in the semifinals, Hayes rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
2024 QB Daniel Beale, Catholic-Baton Rouge (La.): 15 for 20 with 143 yards and a touchdown, 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 28-16 win over Archbishop Rummel in Division I (Select) Playoffs
2024 RB Jy’marion Island, Union Parish (La.): 26 carries for 188 yards and touchdown in 24-16 win over No.1 seed Jena in Division III (Non-Select) Playoffs
2024 RB Ezekiel Hypolite, Acadiana (La.): 24 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns in 30-24 victory over Edna Karr in Division I (Select) Playoffs
2024 RB Kameron Thomas, Zachary High School (La.): 22 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns in 31-28 overtime victory over Dutchtown in Division I (Non-Select) Playoffs
2024 WR Tyson George, Zachary High School (La.): six catches for 154 yards and TD with a two–point conversion in 31-28 overtime victory over Dutchtown in Division I (Non-Select) Playoffs
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