Full Breakdown
High School Football Teams Taste First Defeat of 2026 Season
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Week-4 Upsets Across Three Programs
In week 4 of the 2026 high-school football season, three unbeaten teams suffered their first loss. The Baker Bulldogs (Class 3A) fell 57-40 to Burns, ending a three-game winning streak. The Airline Vikings (Class 4A) were beaten 54-43 by the Franklin Parish Patriots, dropping to 3-1. In Troy, New York, the Flying Horses lost 28-21 to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, also slipping to 3-1.
Background & Context
All three programs entered week 4 with perfect records. Baker had opened with wins over Melba, Idaho, Umatilla and Molalla. The Vikings led the LSWA Class 4A poll at No. 6 before the loss. Troy’s Flying Horses faced another undefeated squad, heightening the stakes.
Data & Statistics
- Baker vs. Burns – 57-40; Baker led 33-26 at halftime before Burns rallied, including an onside-kick recovery.
- Airline vs. Franklin Parish – 54-43; Airline led 37-27 after three quarters, but Franklin Parish scored 12 unanswered points early in the fourth and added two more touchdowns late. LSU commit Trey Martin accounted for six touchdowns, including a 72-yard run.
- Troy vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake – 28-21; Troy trailed 21-0 early, cut the deficit to 21-14 in the third, and missed a potential go-ahead touchdown due to a holding penalty. Penalties were a key factor for Troy.
Official Statements & Responses
- Jordan Canzeri, Troy head coach, acknowledged the penalty issues: “There’s certain things you just can’t control, and just gotta try to get the next play down.” He said the team must “clean things up” before the next road game against Columbia.
- Kevin DeBonis, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake coach, praised his squad’s early dominance and the importance of capitalizing on Troy’s mistakes.
- Baker’s staff highlighted the halftime lead and the momentum shift after Burns recovered an onside kick, noting defensive adjustments for upcoming league play.
- Airline quarterback Chase Williams led a fourth-and-11 conversion in the third quarter, but the Vikings could not overcome the Patriots’ late surge.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There’s certain things you just can’t control, and just gotta try to get the next play down,” — Jordan Canzeri, Troy Flying Horses
Why It Matters
These defeats show how quickly momentum can shift when penalties, turnovers and special-teams plays intervene. The losses reset the competitive landscape in each league, with every team now needing to rebound to stay in playoff contention.
What’s Next
- Baker enters league play with a 1-1 record and will look to rebound in its next conference matchup.
- Airline opens District 1-5A competition at Natchitoches Central.
- Troy travels to face 4-0 Columbia the following week, aiming to correct discipline issues.