By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Calvary Baptist advanced to the state semifinals for the eighth time in school history with its win over Parkview Baptist last Friday.
The Cavaliers moved past Bossier (7 times) on the list of semifinal appearances by Shreveport-Bossier schools and one behind now defunct Fair Park (9). CBA made its first semifinal appearance in 2007 under current Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson.
It’s the third time in four seasons the Cavs had reached the semis, the last coming in 2021. Calvary won it all in 2020.
Evangel leads the list with 21, the first in 1993 and the latest in 2018. The Eagles had a streak of seven straight from 1993 to 1999. They won state titles nine straight times after getting to the semifinals from 1996 to 2006. They have been to the semifinals nine times during the same time period as Calvary (2007-current).
Byrd is second on the list with 17 that dates to 1926. The Yellow Jackets have been three times since 2011.
Calvary’s semifinal opponent, Isadore Newman of New Orleans, is making its ninth trip to the semifinals, six of those coming since 2014. It has never won a semifinal.
The Greenies and Cavaliers have played each other three times but never in the semifinals. Newman won the last meeting of the two in the 2018 quarterfinals (31-28) after losing two previous playoff encounters in 2008 (49-27) and 2012 (49-14).
List of years each school has been to the semifinals (through 2023) with state championships won in bold.
Evangel (21) – 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001; 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010; 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
Byrd (17) – 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1943, 1949, 1953, 1956, 1962, 1964, 2011, 2013, 2020
Fair Park (9) – 1939, 1945, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1965, 1974
Calvary (8) – 2007 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2023
Bossier (7) – 1942, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1959. 1960, 1972
Jesuit/Loyola (7) – 1965, 1966, 1967, 1976, 1978, 1994, 1998
Benton (5) – 1968, 1990, 1999, 2005, 2007
Haughton (5) – 1977, 1978, 1981, 1990, 2019
Woodlawn (5) – 1965, 1968, 1976, 1978, 1979
Plain Dealing (4) – 1938, 1947, 1960, 1961
Captain Shreve (3) – 1971, 1973, 1983
Airline (2) – 1967, 1972
Parkway (2) – 2013, 2015
Southwood (1) – 1973