Ruston, Airline, Calvary lead Shreveport Times Preseason Top 10 football poll

Here's a look at the preseason top 10 high school football teams in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, as ranked by the USA Today Sports Network, after votes by area coaches and reviewing power ratings.

With perhaps the best defense in the state, which includes three Division I prospects in the defensive line, Ruston starts the season in the No. 1 position. But the Bearcats started at the top last season before falling to Warren Easton in the Bearcats’ opener.

Here are our picks to open the season:

1. Ruston (0-0) – The Bearcats not only out-scored rival West Monroe by two scores in last Friday’s Bayou Jamb, they pitched a shutout. Friday’s test against Warren Easton will show if coach Jerrod Baugh’s team is ready for prime time. This week: vs. Warren Easton (0-0)

2. Airline (0-0) – The defending District 1-5A champs came out slinging it against Haughton in the Bossier Lions Club Jamboree and put 35 points on the board against the Bucs. This week: vs. North DeSoto (0-0)

3. Calvary (0-0) – This ranking might be a little high for the Cavaliers, but they have skill players all over the field and are dangerous no matter who they’re playing. This week: at Logansport (0-0)

4. Captain Shreve (0-0) – The Gators like drama and they had plenty in out-scoring Byrd 23-21 on a 47-yard John Chance field goal as time expired in their jamboree. This week: vs. Loyola (0-0)

5. Parkway (0-0) – The Panthers have a salty defense that pitched a shutout in their jamboree contest against Benton. Can they repeat the effort for a full game? This week: at Minden (0-0)

SHUT-DOWN CORNERS: Cover guys: 23 Shreveport-Bossier area shut-down cornerbacks who deserve attention

JAMBOREE KNOWLEDGE: West Monroe, Airline, North DeSoto and more: what coaches learned in jamborees

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: Here’s the North Louisiana high school football games for Week 1 of the 2023 season

6. North DeSoto (0-0) – The quarterback matchup of Luke Delafield versus Airline’s Ben Taylor in their opener should make this contest an ESPN highlight reel. This week: at Airline (0-0)

7. Evangel (0-0) – The Eagles already out-scored talented Ouachita 21-14 in a jamboree contest, but Neville is another level. It’s tough to win in Bill Ruple Stadium. This week: at Neville (0-0)

8. Byrd (0-0) – The Jackets didn’t appear to have lost a minute in their jamboree with Captain Shreve despite graduating 20 seniors. Look for this team to rise in the poll as the season rolls along. This week: at Pleasant Grove, Texas (1-0)

9. Huntington (0-0) – The Raiders scored 14 points in a jamboree matchup with Southwood, but coach Steve Dennis’ club could break out in Week 1. This week: vs Mansfield (0-0)

10. Natchitoches Central (0-0) – Who knows what this team will look like as the season unfolds under new coach Jess Curtis. Expect a rise. This week: at Woodlawn (0-0)

Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport-Bossier area’s 2023 preseason Top 10 high school football teams