Clash of Powerhouses: Edna Karr vs. American Heritage Set for Superdome Showdown

On Friday, September 12, the lights of the Caesars Superdome will shine on one of the most anticipated high school football games of the 2025 season. The nightcap of the Friday Night in the Boot doubleheader pits two nationally ranked programs against each other: Edna Karr (New Orleans, LA) and American Heritage (Plantation, FL).

This is more than just a September matchup. It’s a meeting of champions, a clash of future college stars, and a showcase of the kind of talent pipeline that makes Louisiana and Florida the heart of high school football in America.

Defensive Back Maurice Williams

Edna Karr: The Defending Louisiana Kingpins

The Cougars enter the Superdome riding high after a dominant 35–0 win over Archbishop Shaw in their opener, a performance that only reinforced their No. 15 national preseason ranking.

At the center of Karr’s success are its standout playmakers:

• Aiden Hall (LB, LSU commit) – A top-10 Louisiana recruit, Hall is the defensive anchor. His speed and physicality make him a nightmare for opposing offenses and a centerpiece of Karr’s championship-caliber defense.

• Richie Anderson (OL, LSU commit) – At 6’3, 340 pounds, Anderson is a road-grader in the trenches. Already committed to LSU, he’s the kind of lineman who sets the tone for the Cougars’ bruising style of play.

• John Johnson (QB) – The engine of Karr’s offense. In Week 1, Johnson threw for 129 yards and a touchdown, while adding 47 rushing yards. A dual-threat leader, he’s proven he can control the game both in the pocket and on the move.

• Tre Garrison (RB) – A breakout performer last week with 92 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. Garrison gives Karr the balance to keep defenses guessing.

• Hayden Howard Jr. (CB) – A physical corner who thrives in man-to-man coverage. Howard Jr. has the length and ball skills to take away an opponent’s top target, giving the Cougars’ secondary a true shutdown presence.

• Mo Williams (CB) – The other half of Karr’s lockdown duo. Williams combines quick feet with excellent anticipation, making him a threat to flip the game with a big interception. Together with Howard Jr., he forms one of Louisiana’s strongest cornerback tandems.

With impact defenders at every level, Karr has the personnel to slow down even the most explosive offenses — and they’ll need it against American Heritage’s firepower.

American Heritage: Florida’s National Powerhouse

Across the field stands a program every bit as decorated. American Heritage, ranked No. 8 nationally, is the defending Florida Class 4A state champion and a factory for blue-chip talent.

Their roster is stacked with athletes who are already household names in recruiting circles:

• Dia Bell (QB, Texas commit) – One of the top quarterbacks in the country, Bell is a polished passer with elite arm talent and mobility. A 2026 five-star and Elite 11 MVP, he is the heartbeat of the Patriots’ offense.

• Brandon Bennett (WR, Florida State commit) – A big-play receiver and return threat who can flip the field in an instant. His speed and hands make him Bell’s go-to target in clutch moments.

• Kymani Morales (LB, Georgia Tech commit) – A tackling machine who brings physicality and leadership at the second level.

• Jeffar Jean-Noel (WR, Georgia Tech commit) – Another reliable target who stretches defenses and complements Bennett in the passing game.

  
  

  It’s a roster that blends explosive skill with battle-tested experience — the kind of talent that has turned Heritage into a perennial national contender.

Why This Game Matters

This showdown represents the best of two football-rich states. On one sideline, the Cougars, fresh off another Louisiana state championship, eager to prove they belong in the national conversation. On the other, the Patriots, a Florida dynasty loaded with Power 5 recruits, ready to defend their reputation on the road.

It’s also a game loaded with storylines:

• LSU fans will be watching closely as Hall and Anderson take the field in their hometown, previewing their SEC futures.

• Florida State and Georgia Tech will see their future stars — Bennett, Jean Noel, and Morales — in action under the Superdome lights.

• Edna Karr’s Howard Jr. and Williams will be tested against one of the nation’s deepest receiving corps, making their matchup with Noel and Bennett a must-watch battle.

• And every set of recruiting eyes in the country will be focused on Dia Bell, the quarterback prodigy bound for Texas.

  
  

The Stage Is Set

Friday night in New Orleans, two national powers will collide in front of a crowd that understands high school football is more than just a game — it’s culture, pride, and legacy.

For Edna Karr, it’s a chance to defend their home turf and show that Louisiana’s best can beat anyone. For American Heritage, it’s another step in proving Florida remains the epicenter of high school football talent.

Either way, the Superdome is about to witness a clash filled with future Saturdays — and Sundays — in the making.