The 2025 high school football season has reached the halfway point of the regular season, and the New Orleans area has seen some outstanding performances through the first five weeks.

From five-star recruits to dynamic passers and physical runners, there’s no shortage of players off to strong starts. Multiple area quarterback have thrown for over 1,000 yards, with several running backs and wide receivers having topped over 500 yards from scrimmage.

Below is list of 10 players from the New Orleans area who have stood out so far through the first five games of 2025 season. These players would be candidates for awards such as All-Metro MVP if the season ended today.

10 NEW ORLEANS PREP FOOTBALL FIRST HALF STANDOUTS

Richard Anderson

Edna Karr DL (Sr.)

A five-star recruit at defensive tackle, Anderson has picked up right where he left off after receiving All-State honors for his outstanding junior season. Karr’s defense has been dominant in the first half of 2025 with Anderson leading the way as a pass rusher and run defender, allowing only 41 points in five games.

Jacobi Boudreaux

John Curtis RB (Sr.)

Boudreaux emerged down the stretch last season as a junior and has been John Curtis’ lead running back in 2025. The senior’s been a force on the ground through Curtis’ first four games, recording 441 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 44 carries along with three catches for 55 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Vashaun Coulon

St. Augustine QB (Sr.)

Coulon has shaken off concerns about his size and taken the next step as St. Augustine’s quarterback in his second season starting. The senior’s thrown for over 1,000 yards with double-digit touchdown passes through five games, displaying great chemistry with lead wide receivers Miguel Whitley and Ray’Quan Williams.

John Johnson

Edna Karr QB (Sr.)

Johnson lost his top three wide receivers from last season, but that hasn’t stopped him from shining as senior in Karr’s first five games. A Liberty commitment, Johnson’s remained dangerous with over 1,000 combined passing and rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns, which includes nine passing and seven rushing.

Kenric Johnson

Riverside WR (So.)

The sophomore nicknamed “Boogie” has had a role on Rverside’s varsity team since middle school, and he’s capable of playing wide receiver, running back and in the defensive backfield. Johnson has caught 32 passes for 518 yards and eight touchdowns through five games and ran for 127 yards on 12 carries in 2025.

Brooks Monica

St. Charles LB (Sr.)

Monica is the senior leader of St. Charles’ defense and is averaging double-digit tackles at the middle linebacker position. Monica’s unit has allowed six points or less in all but two games this season in what’s been a much-improved year for St. Charles (4-1) through five weeks after starting 1-4 last season.

Jake Randle

Newman QB (Sr.)

Newman moved Randle, a Tulane commitment, from his traditional running back position to quarterback. Randle has responded well to the change through Newman’s first four games as a dual-threat signal caller, rushing for 524 yards and nine touchdowns on 68 carries along with 539 passing yards and four more touchdowns.

Easton Royal

Brother Martin WR (Jr.)

Listed as a five-star recruit by many media outlets, Royal is a threat to score any time he touches the ball with his blazing 4.29 speed and has shined so far in 2025 through five games. Royal, who has 30-plus Division I offers, has over 600 receiving yards on the season with 11 total touchdowns.

Jaden Terrance

Rummel RB (Jr.)

Terrance shares Rummel’s backfield with senior Corryan Hawkins, but the junior has emerged as the team’s lead rusher through the first five games of 2025. Terrance has over 500 rushing yards on the season and ran for 221 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries last week against Brother Martin.

Hudson Wright

Country Day QB (Sr.)

Wright missed the first two games of 2025 with a concussion, and Country Day’s offense has gone on to average over 50 points a game since his return in Week 3. Wright’s thrown for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns in just three games, including a recent 7-touchdown performance against Patrick Taylor.

Staff writer Christopher Dabe contributed to the list.