All-Time Best Programs

[tiger]

A couple of years ago, Scott Crawford put together a list of the All-Time Best Programs in the state. He used the following point system:
1 points - Bi-District
2 points - Regional
4 points - Quarterfinal
8 points - Semi-final
16 points - Final
32 points - Champion

Using the same system, I have added the last two years to the previous results. In parentheses is the previous ranking.

1. Jesuit - 268 points (1)

2. Newman - 198 points (2)

3. Vandebilt Catholic - 194 (7)

4. St. Louis Catholic - 157 (9)

4. Catholic-BR - 157 (3)

6. St. Paul's - 146 (4)

7. Slidell - 145 (5)

8. Acadiana - 143 (6)

9. St. Thomas More - 125 (8)

10. Woodlawn - 108 (10)

11. Loyola - 105 (13)

12. Brother Martin - 104 (14)

13. ESA - 103 (11)

14. De La Salle - 101 (12)

15. Lafayette - 92 (15)

[guestwow]

Good Job on doing that for everybody. I was looking at it today and wondering what it would look like updated. I'm sure Scott appreciates the help.

[tiger]

Since the season is over, I was trying to think of topics that people could discuss without including all of the trash talk that I have seen over the last few days.

I don't think that anyone would argue with the fact that Jesuit is the premier program in Division I and the state. But how would you rank the other schools in Division I? (Based on tradition, playoffs, state championships, players, etc.) Where would you rank Acadiana, Lafayette, Catholic-BR, Brother Martin, and others?

In Division II, I think St. Paul's was the premier program until they had to move up to DI. Now Vandebilt Catholic has taken over as the best program in Division II. Do you think Vandebilt is the best or is it STM, Alexandria, or Ben Franklin. Only STM has one a state championship, other than Vandebilt Catholic.

In Division III, Newman has been the premier team for years. But the last two years, Newman has lost in the Quarterfinals to teams that were eliminated the next week. Has St. Louis taken over as the premier team in DIII? And where do you rank St. Martin's, Parkview, and STA?

[hdkjga]

I think in D1 some of the higher ranked teams are ranked that high because of the late 80's early 90's.
If you look at what programs are coming up and the ones that are always strong, the rankings would probably take a different shape.

D1 - Obviously you have the main 4 that are always high in the rankings. Jesuit is by far the best program, I think Acadiana probably follows because they are consistently in the quarters, semis, or finals every year. I think Brother Martin is third because they have down years when they really don't so much. Lafayette probably follows in 4th because they are always in the later rounds of the playoffs. 5th on down is really hard to say. Mandeville is generally a strong team, Catholic BR is usually strong although they haven't really done much lately. Teams like Central Lafourche and Hahnville will begin to move up in the rankings and I think Covington will as well.

d2 - Vandebilt is the team to beat year in and year out. I think STM comes in second followed by Ben Franklin. I don't think there are any other teams in d2 that could really take one these 3 teams out of the top 3 right now. Pineville, ASH, maybe Parkway? would come in next but they wouldn't be close.

d3 - I think the team to beat is still Newman. THey had an off year this year and they still were ranked #2. I think St. Louis is catching them pretty fast though if they haven't already passed them. St. Thomas Aquinas is generally a good team, with a really good year here and there. Loyola generally puts together a team that can compete. Not sure who else would be in there. Maybe Parkview, but the top 2 are by far St. Louis and Newman.

[however]

Scott's numbers are incomplete. If you go through his rankngs, some teams have ? marks next to certain years.

[agasergaerg]

D1....Jesuit, Acadiana, Lafayette, Bro. Martin...no questions asked

D2...Vandy, STM...maybe Franklin, but they have never won state before.

D3...Newman, St. Louis, St. Martin's...Parkview? the only reason that they won state was because they had one player, McClearly, they had no sucess prior to Ryan, and they have had none after...they should not be considered

[but]

Lafayette never won state before either.

[agasergaerg]

True, but Lafayette has been in the finals, semis, and quarters for the past 5-7 years. Franklin has just been in the semi's once in the past 5 or so years.

[Lafhssoccerfan]

I ran the numbers for the last six years for Division I:

Jesuit 124
Brother Martin 87
Acadiana 80
Lafayette 56

Jesuit has been the class of the state and the "power" numbers certainly reflect that clearly. A school with such a storied program deserves recongition for years of excellent.

Brother Martin's power ranking would be much higher except for two (2) years of early exits from the play-offs but that is what "history" is all about.

Had I gone back one more year, Acadiana's number would have been significantly better because they won the state championship but I had to draw the line somewhere and six was a nice even number.

Lafayette hasn't won any championships and without those 32 power points, their numbers just won't measure up and losing in the quarter finals twice in that span certainly lowered their numbers.

I have followed Acadiana and Lafayette more closely over the last 8 years and Jesuit and Brother Martin hasn't gone without notice but Lafayette, certainly, has been the most enigmatic team I have followed.

Tremendous individual talent which carried them through-out the seasons only to fall to teams with better team chemistry. I think Acadiana and their various coaches have done great jobs in putting together solid teams with their individual talents.

As much as I like to recongize the coaches in successful programs for molding individuals into a team, it certainly can't escape notice when coaches fail to create a co-hensive team.

Coach Simon (Lafayette), during much of that period, seemingly, insisted his forwards and mid-fielders dribble the ball excessively and used speed and long ball to beat the average to good teams consistently. But against well coached teams, it just won't hold up.
And the team discipline.....practically non-existance.

I hope the current and future staffs of LHS continue to improve in these areas.

However, the Metro-New Orleans area has, essentially, ten times the population of Lafayette. I think the power numbers reflect that in as much as Jesuit and Brother Martin have the highest power numbers.

The Baton Rouge districts have the numbers but are not dominated by private schools and are in similar position as Lafayette where the schools rely on the players in their districts.

Such tremendous population numbers, in themselves, doesn't guarantee, potentially, better players or teams. I think the players, teams, coaches and developemential leagues of New Orleans deserve tremendous credit. I feel strongly that success breds success and Jesuit and Brother Martin should continue their tremendous success.

I think it would be interesting had Lafayette and Acadiana been combined to make a team, how they would have faired in state play-offs. The N.O. northshore can make the same comparisons; however, they haven't had two dominate teams like Acadiana and Lafayette.

The Shreveport teams are getting better and soccer has begun to attract better athletes and I suspect that the quality will improve immensely in the next few years. I look for Shreve, Caddo, and Airline to build some quality programs.

I have only really paid much attention to Division II over the last four years or so:

I think Vandy, BF and STM have been and will continue to be the class of this division. They seem to attract both quality coaches and great individual players.
I know more about STM than Vandy and BF, but STM just has an outstanding athletic department and excellent support from the school and parents.

Neville has a great group of players right now but only time will tell if they can build their program where they generate top-notch teams year after year.

ASH has been consistent and I only look for them to get better, as with Pineville.

Parkway has been riding the shoulders of the Barcalona and Helms brothers the last several years but they have run "out of brothers" and have practically no coaching and Bossier City's top athletes have, typically, chosen football, basketball and baseball. I think that is slowly changing but for the next several years PHS will have to rely on great individual talent. I hope they have another crop of "Barcalonas and Helms" coming along soon because I didn't see any other players when STM beat Parkway in the play-offs.

While I hate to mention the name, Dutchtown, their young team should be contenders the next few years.



Though my sons have finished their "high school" careers, I still love to attend as many high school games as possible. I think they young men don't receive the "support" for the state high school association, forcing them to play during the cold of winter and generally soccer just isn't "america's game"......to make it fair.....let's make the basketball teams play outside...LOL

It has been fun to read all the threads, postings and opinions here ....my thanks to all...and I admit....I just love "stirring it up"...

Can't wait for the arguements after the all-state teams are posted....LOL

[game watcher]

What is your thoughts on Div.III? Who's the Best in this Division?

[Lafhssoccerfan]

I hardly attented any Division III games but occasionally see the teams in tournaments.

The following are my perceptions of Division III. These perceptions are largely influenced by the threads and posting at this site.

I knew that St. Louis had an excellent team and predicted early that they would win state.

I think St. Louis has some good tradition and I think the future is bright for them. I have a lot of respect for their program.

I think Newman to be top program and they have a great history. They have the advantage of being in New Orleans and, it is my understanding, that Newman is a very good school. I have the most respect for their program and I think they will be a final four team for several years to come.

Parkview Baptist has an outstanding athletic program and I think we haven't heard the last of PB and like Newman, look for them in the final four, year in and year out.

Loyola, a private school in Shreveport, should benefit tremendously from the general rise of soccer in that area. They, too, have a great history and was one of the first-best programs from Shreveport. They did not have one of their better teams this year and surprised me with a couple of play-off wins. They should be no strangers to final fours in the coming years.

I will be surprised if Evangel doesn't get it's soccer act together.

I have never even seen STA play a game in all the time I have been watching soccer but I have only praise for them. They seem to be the Lafayette of Division III...good teams, good players but just can't win the championships...

I think more than in the other divisions, division III teams have the ability to ride one player for his tenure. I think a gifted and talented player can make a team in division III go a long way, as with St. Louis this year.

It just seems that the elite Division II teams have better calliber players in every position on the field while Division I elite teams have very good to excellent players at every position. You just don't often see one player or even a couple of players controlling the outcome of the game, it take a great team effort.


Those are my, not very well informed, thoughts on D3.

[#19]

Lafhssoccerfan:

Parkway will have another Barcelona and another Williams in 2 years. In the year that those two are seniors, there will be another of each coming in as freshmen. Next year, we'll have to rely heavily on Corey, Randy, the 3 good frosh from this year, and a few others to see what we can do.

By the way, are you Bobby's dad?

[Lafhssoccerfan]

NO but he is a one of my soccer sources of information especially regarding north Louisiana....know the family from when Beau played at Lafayette High....

[Good Post]

Lafhssoccerfan:

Great post. I agree with everything you said and just wanted to thank you for an enjoyable read. I only follow Lafayette High and a little Acadiana because I know a few of them through select. You said that Lafayette historically has leaned on individual talent to get by; I think this trend is changing. They had excellent chemistry at the end of the year and really played a great ball control style. I hope Belfour keeps them playing this kind of soccer.

Thanks again for the post.

[#19]

Is anybody willing/able to update his list to include this year?

[Smeagle]

uhhhhhh i can i think

[Smeagle]

ill post it updated tomorrow or at least try to have it for tomorrow... they didn't do every school so i think i got 2 lol

[Bish]

Looks like the top 4 or 5 will remain the same while Lafayette jumps up to the top 10.

[goat]

great post lafhssoccerfan! i think if you look at the last eight years it is pretty obvious who the top programs are. only four teams have played for the title in those eight years. jesuit, BM, acadiana, and lafayette. that tells you who the top programs are. there is no doubt that dist. 9 and 3 are the class of the state, in div.1. i think next year could wind up being more of the same, however i think catholic of baton rouge is going to be very tough next year and they may break the strangle hold dist 9 and 3 have on the title. the favored next year will be lafayette and they will have a be target on their back. i agree with hdkiga that next year could and probably will be as exciting as this year was!

[Smeagle]

It only took be about 2 hours to do this so here we go....

A couple of years ago, Scott Crawford put together a list of the All-Time Best Programs in the state. He used the following point system:

1 points - Bi-District
2 points - Regional
4 points - Quarterfinal
8 points - Semi-final
16 points - Final
32 points - Champion

1. Jesuit - 284
2. Vandebuilt - 210
3. Newman - 202
4. St Louis - 189
5. Catholic BR - 159
6. Acadiana - 151
7. St Thomas More - 133
8. Lafayette - 132
9. Woodlawn BR - 109
9. Loyala - 109
11. Episcopal School of Acaidana - 106
12. Brother Martin - 105
13. De La Salle - 101
14. St. Martins - 97
15. Ben Franklin - 87
16. Baton Rouge - 79
17. Parkview Baptist - 69
18. Barbe - 59
19. St. Thomas Aquinas - 56
20. Mandeville - 54
21. Northshore - 53
22. Pineville - 47
23.Parkway - 45
23.Bishop Sullican - 45
25. Rummel - 45
26. Hahnville - 41
27. C. E. Byrd - 40
28. University - 39
29. Alexandria - 38
30. St. Frederick - 37
31. Pope John Paul II - 35
32. Neville - 34
33. Robert E. Lee - 33
34. Caddo Magnet - 28
35.Comeaux - 27
35. Country Day - 27
37.Ouachita Christian - 24
37. Menard - 24
37. South Terrebonne - 24
40. Grace King - 23
41. Central Lafourche - 22
42. Deridder - 21
43. Sulhpur - 19
44. Airline - 19
45. E. D. White - 19
46. Westminster - 18
46. Episcopal BR - 18
48. Scotlandville - 17
49. Carencro - 17
50. Warren Easton - 16
50. Opelousas Catholic - 16
50. St. Amant - 16
53. McKinley - 15
54. H. L. Bourgeois - 14
55. Bolton - 13
55. West Jefferson - 13
57. East Jefferson - 12
57. Covington - 12
57. Southwood - 12
60. Ponchatoula - 10
60. Salmen - 10
62. Edna Karr - 9
62. Lessville - 9
62. Indepedence - 9
62. Pickering - 9
62. Captain Shreve - 9
62. West Monroe - 9
68. St. Charles - 8
68. Central BR - 8
70. Ridgewood Prep - 7
70. Bonnabel - 7
70. Destrehan - 7
70. Terrebonne - 7
70. Andrew Jackson - 7
75. Buckee - 6
75.Ouachita - 6
75.Lutheran - 6
75.Sarah Reed - 6
75.Ruston - 6
80. Amberson - 5
80. Hammond - 5
80. Bossier - 5
80. Northside - 5
80. Grace Christian - 5
80. Redemptorist - 5
86. O. P. Walker - 4
86. Fontainebleau - 4
86. Evangel - 4
86. Holy Cross - 4
86. Catholic Point Coupee - 4
86. Westgate - 4
92. Lagrange - 3
92. Pearl River - 3
92. Shaw - 3
92. Northwood - 3
92. Sam Huston - 3
97. Natitoches Central - 2
97. L.W. Higgeins - 2
97. Haughton - 2
97. Cedar Creek - 2
97. Avoyelles - 2
97. Ecole Classique -2
97. Beau Chene - 2
97. Redeemer-Seton - 2
97. Dutchtown - 2
106. East Ascension - 1
106. Tara - 1
106. Oak Hill - 1
106. Northlake Christian - 1
106. Belle Chasse - 1
106. Livonia - 1
106. Grant - 1
106. Opelousas - 1
106. West Feliciana - 1
106. John Ehret - 1
116. Huntington - 0
116. New Iberia - 0
116. Belaire - 0
116. Broadmoor - 0
116. East St. Jogn - 0
116. South Lafourche - 0
116. Thibodaux - 0
116. F. A. Douglas - 0
116. Tioga - 0
116. Zachary - 0
116. A. J. Ellnder - 0
116. Cohen - 0
116. McMain - 0
116. Catholic New I bera - 0
116. Christian Life - 0
116. West Feliciana - 0
116. Faith Christian - 0
116. Hosanna Christian - 0
116. Booker T Washington - 0
116. Caroll - 0
116. Crowville - 0
116. NorthWood Prep - 0
116. Reserve Christian - 0

whew i am finally finish.... i hope you'll enjoy