There are five local football programs who retain a perfect record going into their respective Week 4 matchups, but it’s anyone’s guess how many remain once the week is over.

New Iberia Senior High

District: 3-5A

Record: 3-0

Wins: Pineville (34-25), Franklin (42-6) and Comeaux (48-23)

Next opponent: Acadiana (2-1)

The Yellow Jackets set a goal this summer to come out hot after finishing the 2023 season with a 2-8 record, and so far they’ve hit the mark. A come-from-behind road win over Pineville to kick off the season set the tempo for the team early, followed by wins against Franklin and former District 3-5A rival Comeaux.

NISH’s Thursday-night matchup against Acadiana will be the team’s latest test, as the Wreckin’ Rams have notched impressive wins against Zachary and St. Thomas More, last year’s Division I Non-Select Runners Up and Division II Select State Champions, respectively. A win on Thursday would cement NISH’s claim as one of the top teams in the state, but it might be too high of a mountain to climb for a team that hasn’t been 3-0 since 2020.

Westgate High School

District: 4-4A

Record: 2-0

Wins: Lake Charles College Prep (31-20) and Lafayette Christian (39-28)

Next opponent: Teurlings Catholic (3-0)

An unexpected bye week due to Hurricane Francine left the Tigers with one fewer game than many of their District 4-4A contemporaries, but their perfect record is every bit as impressive.

Despite a sloppy, delayed season opener against LCCP in Week 1, Westgate retained their championship mindset, defeating longtime district rival Lafayette Christian for the first time in program history. Teurlings Catholic brings a larger offensive line than in years past, but as long as the Tigers can keep penalties to a minimum, their stellar senior class should have no trouble moving to 3-0 on the season.

Erath High School

District: 5-3A

Record: 3-0

Wins: Loreauville (14-7), North Vermilion (21-15) and Eunice (28-21)

Next opponent: Vermilion Catholic (3-0)

You have to go back more than a decade into the record books to find a season with as good of a start as the Bobcats are having in 2024, but they might be facing their toughest test on Friday.

After a rainy victory over Loreauville in Week 1 and a dramatic overtime finish against North Vermilion in overtime, the Bobcats were finally able to return home for a 28-21 win over Eunice. Next on the schedule is perennial playoff contender Vermilion Catholic, who are currently on a 28-game regular season win streak, having last lost to Erath in 2021. It will take a team effort to pull off another upset, but Erath has already impressed so far this season.

Jeanerette Senior High School

District: 7-1A

Record: 2-0

Wins: Patterson (40-0) and White Castle (48-14)

Next opponent: Loreauville (0-2)

The Tigers shocked onlookers last season with an 8-2 regular season record and an appearance in the Division IV Non-Select quarterfinals. This year, they look even better.

After dominating Patterson in Week 1, Jeanerette used a scheduled Week 2 bye to refocus the team and ready themselves for a grueling District 7-1A schedule. Against White Castle, another 8-2 team in 2023, the Tigers never looked challenged as sophomore Devine Duhon scored five times to keep the streak alive.

Their next opponent is a familiar foe, but as long as Jeanerette can keep everyone healthy and force Loreauville’s defense to stay on the field, they have a chance to pick up another win over a larger opponent.

West St. Mary High School

District: 7-2A

Record: 2-0

Wins: Berchmans Academy (38-0) and Thrive Academy (44-6)

Next opponent: Jefferson Rise Charter (0-2)

From winless in 2021 and a 1-9 performance in 2022 to a perfect record this season, the Wolfpack have certainly overcome adversity in a big way. The difference: first-year head coach Kendall Mouton.

Mouton has utilized his athletes to perfection so far, outsourcing opponents 82-6. West St. Mary’s early-season opponents have been struggling programs as well, but the Wolfpack’s record speaks for itself. This week against Jefferson Rise Charter, West St. Mary has a chance to move to 3-0, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in decades.

The Winless Three

While five programs have remained perfect so far this season, three teams have found themselves on the opposite side of the spectrum.

Hanson Memorial High School

District: 7-1A

Record: 0-2

Losses: St. John (24-6) and South Terrebonne (39-10)

Next opponent: Berwick (1-1)

After graduating a large senior class in 2023, it is expected that the Tigers will struggle a bit to find their feet in 2024. With several starters returning from last year’s 7-3 team, there’s always a chance that they can right the ship, especially against Berwick, who is currently 1-1.

Loreauville High School

District: 7-2A

Record: 0-2

Losses: Erath (14-7) and Vermilion Catholic (47-36)

Next opponent: Jeanerette (2-0)

Nobody would have predicted a 0-2 start for Loreauville this season, especially given the talent returning in the skilled positions.

In Week 1 against Erath, the Tigers struggled to stop the run on the slick wet turf. Against VC in Week 3, Loreauville gave up nearly 550 yards to the Eagles, trailing 21-6 at the half and being completely unable to find an answer for QB Jonathan Dartez. Against Jeanerette in Week 4, those defensive woes may continue as the Tigers struggle to field a preferred starting 11 on either side of the ball.

Highland Baptist Christian School

District: 6-1A

Record: 0-3

Losses: Houma Christian (33-14), Hamilton Christian (60-7) and Berchmans Academy (28-8)

Next opponent: Basile (1-2)

The Bears hold the unfortunate distinction of being one of the state’s longest active losing streaks, with their most recent win coming in September of 2022.

The team isn’t without athletes, however, as the five seniors on the roster can certainly make an impact in all three phases of the game. Many fans expected a win to finally come last week against a then-winless Berchamans Academy team new to the LHSAA, but the Bears might have to wait until the final game of the season to have another shot at what should be a guaranteed win.