Kaplan Pirates Face 5 New Teams in 2026 Football Season

Kaplan High football coach John Thompson releases challenging 2026 schedule.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Kaplan High School football team will face five new opponents in the 2026 season, as coach John Thompson has revamped the Pirates' schedule to include tougher competition. Gone are the teams the Pirates beat in 2025 but had losing records, and in their place are several Class 2A and 5A programs that will provide more power point opportunities.

Why it matters

The new schedule is part of Thompson's effort to improve Kaplan's playoff seeding after the team landed at No. 20 in the power point rankings last year despite upsetting No. 13 Pine on the road. Playing better competition should boost the Pirates' power point total and give them a higher seed in the postseason.

The details

The five new teams on Kaplan's 2026 schedule are Class 5A Comeaux High, Class 2A Catholic High of New Iberia, St. Louis Catholic in Lake Charles, University Lab, and Parkview Baptist. Thompson said finding seven non-district games was challenging, with many coaches turning him down, but he was able to secure matchups with Ascension Episcopal and Loreauville as well.

  • The 2026 Kaplan High football schedule was released earlier this month.
  • The Pirates' 2026 season will begin in Week 1 against Class A Ascension Episcopal.

The players

John Thompson

Kaplan High football coach who released the team's 2026 schedule, which features five new opponents compared to 2025.

Kaplan High School

A high school football program in Kaplan, Louisiana that is seeking to improve its playoff seeding in 2026 by playing a tougher non-district schedule.

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What they’re saying

“I am very excited by our schedule. Every game matters and will have to prepare for. There is not going to be any gimmies on the schedule.”

— John Thompson, Kaplan High football coach (vermiliontoday.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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