By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Bossier is one of six local schools with a new head football coach as Gary Smith takes over and has quite the challenge in front of him out as his squad will be on the road four of his first five games and six times on the season.
The Bearkats will open the season at home against North Caddo in a game where both head coaches will be out to win their first game. Chase Thompson is the newly-appointed mentor for the Rebels, who have won the last two meetings and three of the last four between the schools. North Caddo has only won two others in the series, led by Bossier 24-5-1.
The first of four road games is a trip to Minden to face District 1-1A’s Glenbrook. The Apaches are playing in the LHSAA for just the third season, but reached the state semifinals last year in their first year of postseason eligibility.
Bossier’s third and final non-district game is at Parkway’s Preston Crownover Stadium. The Bearkats lead the series 27-15 despite the Panthers winning four of the last five.
The beginning of District 1-4A play will take the Bearkats to Evangel. The Eagles have won all seven meetings in the series.
The last of four straight road games will be to Blanchard to face Northwood. The Falcons have won six of the last seven but the Bearkats lead the series 19-14.
Week 6 will have Minden come to Memorial Stadium in one of the longest current running series in North Louisiana that dates back to 1932. The Crimson Tide has won the last three which gives them a slim 34-32-2 advantage in the series.
Back on the bus, Bossier crosses the river to face Booker T. Washington at Leonard C. Barnes Stadium. The Lions have won the last five and trail 7-6 in the series.
The Bearkats will host Woodlawn in Week 8 in the 35th meeting of the schools. The Knights have won the last five and lead this series 19-15.
The last of the six road games will be a trek to Stonewall to face defending District 1-4A champion and 2022 state finalist North DeSoto. The Griffins have won the last five after the Bearkats won the first two.
Bossier finishes the regular season with a home game against Huntington. The Raiders have the edge in the series 11-6 after winning seven of the last eight.
2023 Bossier football schedule
Sept. 1 North Caddo
Sept. 8 at Glenbrook
Sept. 15 at Parkway
Sept. 22 at Evangel
Sept. 29 at Northwood
Oct. 6 Minden
Oct. 13 at BTW
Oct. 20 Woodlawn
Oct. 27 at North DeSoto
Nov. 2 Huntington
