​The 74th Annual Kiwanis Football Jamboree returned to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette campus bringing hundreds of prep football fans together.Thursday kicked off the two-day jamboree that pits powerhouse teams hailing from Lafayette Parish and its surrounding areas against one another in live scrimmage play. Six teams took center stage at Cajun Field and duked it out all in preparation for the upcoming 2026 season.Each team played in 12-minute halves, giving fans a sneak peek of what Friday Night Lights will be like this fall. On the first day of jamboree action, stars have risen on the gridiron. Here are four standout players from each game from Day 1 of the Kiwanis Jamboree:(Games listed in chronological order)Cecilia vs. LafayettePlayer of the Game: Jaden Celestine, running back, LafayetteFinal score: Lafayette won 27-14The Mighty Lions meant business from their first offensive play of the game, kicking off the jamboree with a 70-yard touchdown from quarterback Richmond Saunier to wide receiver Jayden Jenkins. For the rest of the game, it was the Jaden Celestine show, as he made Cecilia defenders miss left and right. The Lamar commit rushed for about 70 yards and two touchdowns to lead Lafayette in scoring.Celestine: “It meant something special to score my first touchdowns for Lafayette. It means a new beginning, you know but the task is the same just a different color jersey. I feel like performed well and stuck to my principles and did what the coaches wanted me to do.”REQUIRED READING: Could the Lafayette-area produce Louisiana’s next Mr. Football winner?REQUIRED READING: Louisiana baseball to rename its park after legendary coach Tony RobichauxBreaux Bridge vs. St. Thomas MorePlayer of the Game: Owen Bailey, running back, St. Thomas MoreFinal score: STM won 43-0It was all STM in game two of the jamboree action as their ground and pounded their way to a win. Leading the Cougars’ rushing attack was senior running back Bailey, who rushed for two touchdowns including one from about 20 yards out. When it wasn’t Bailey, STM made a living on the ground game with running backs Conner Baer, Jon-Patrick McFarlain and James Lyons all playing a big role as well.Bailey: “Our running backs, we ran hard, man. Our O-line was great throughout the whole game from the ones, twos and threes. They’re all blocking their hearts out and I felt like I ran hard and I hit the holes hard. Our O-line had gave me the big holes I needed.”Carencro vs. SouthsidePlayer of the Game: Kollen Francis, ATH, Southside and Justin Williams, running back, SouthsideFinal score: Southside won 28-6It didn’t take long for the Sharks’ lethal running back room to get going against Carencro and leading the way was Williams. The senior back rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. When it wasn’t Williams making flashy plays, it was Francis, who stole the show with about a 70-yard kickoff return touchdown. Francis was a key to moving the chains