JOURNAL SPORTS
Unbeaten Byrd and explosive Evangel square off in a District 1-5A battle while the prolific Airline Vikings host a defending state champion before one of the season’s annual treats, the “Soul Bowl” between Booker T. Washington and Green Oaks, wraps up Week 3 of local high school football this weekend.
Southwood will be the first Shreveport-Bossier high school to celebrate its homecoming in the 2024 football season. That Thursday game kicks off a long weekend slate.
The Cowboys face North Caddo at Independence Stadium while hosting their 55th homecoming. It will be the fourth meeting overall for the two schools and first since 1976.
Friday’s headliners include Airline welcoming defending non-select Division III state champion Union Parish to M.D. Ray Field. The Vikings won last year 48-44 in Farmerville after the Trey Holly-led Farmers took a 26-22 road win at Airline in 2022.
There will four District 1-5A matchups with the Byrd at Evangel showdown topping the list. Both teams won their league openers last week convincingly and will meet for the 10th time.
Haughton hosts Parkway in the 53rd meeting of the two Bossier Parish schools with the Bucs holding a 35-17 series advantage. Former Parkway offensive coordinator Matthew Sewell is the first-year Haughton coach at his alma mater.
Natchitoches Central travels to face Captain Shreve at Lee Hedges Stadium after both teams lost their league debuts. The Gators and Chiefs will play for the 45th time with half of those matchups coming from 1973-90 when both competed in District 2-4A. It will pit new NCHS coach Brad Laird against new Shreve boss Jeremy Wilburn. Wilburn worked on Laird’s defensive staff under Bradley Dale Peveto at Northwestern State over a decade ago.
Benton hosts Huntington for the 15th game between the Tigers and Raiders. Huntington surprised Shreve last week in a 1-5A opener while Benton fell at Airline.
Calvary hits the road for the first time this season, going east on I-20 to Winnsboro to face Franklin Parish. The Cavaliers and Patriots played for the only time in 2004.
Bossier will host Logansport hoping to extend its one-win series lead in 12 prior games.
The only other local game has Woodlawn entertaining Lakeview at Independence Stadium. It will be the first game between the Knights and Gators, both 0-2 this season. Class A Lakeview has been shut out both times.
Local teams on the road include Northwood playing at Mansfield with the winner taking the series lead through 15 games. Loyola goes to Ruston to face Cedar Creek. The Flyers have won eight of nine meetings, the last in 2019.
The 51st meeting of Green Oaks and Booker T. Washington at Leonard Barnes Stadium on Saturday culminates the week of games. The Lions have won two of the last three Soul Bowls and lead the series 28-22.
Week 3 local high school football games
Thursday
North Caddo (1-1) vs. Southwood (0-1), Independence Stadium
Friday
DISTRICT 1-5A
Huntington (1-1, 1-0) at Benton (0-2, 0-1)
Byrd (2-0, 1-0) at Evangel (1-1, 1-0)
Natchitoches Central (1-1, 0-1) vs. Captain Shreve (1-1, 0-1), Lee Hedges Stadium
Parkway (2-0) at Haughton (0-2, 0-1)
NON-DISTRICT
Union Parish (0-2) at Airline (2-0)
Logansport (1-1) at Bossier (1-1)
Loyola (1-1) at Cedar Creek (0-2)
Lakeview (0-2) vs. Woodlawn (0-2), Independence Stadium
Northwood (2-0) at Mansfield (2-0)
Calvary (1-1) at Franklin Parish (2-0)
Plain Dealing (0-2) at Lakeside (2-0)
Magnolia School of Excellence, open
Saturday
Green Oaks (1-1) at BTW (1-1), Leonard Barnes Stadium, 5 p.m.