By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
It isn’t new news, but when it was officially announced Thursday by the City of Shreveport, officials delivered confirmation of a Friday night high school football doubleheader to be streamed on ESPN+.
Pairings were set this spring for a two-night, six-team prep football season kickoff event at Independence Stadium, built around spotlighting two of the nation’s top Class of 2027 quarterbacks in the Friday night doubleheader. The six participating teams combined for a 56-15 record last season.
Thursday’s announcement provided the Sept. 3-4 showcase with a name — the Stars & Stripes Border Classic – and revealed the two Friday matchups will be carried on sports’ most prominent streaming platform.
Thursday’s 7 p.m. matchup is local – Class 2A powerhouse Calvary Baptist (12-2 in 2025) meeting Huntington (3-7), which is eager to raise its status in District 1-5A under second-year coach John Simon.
With ESPN+ coverage, Friday’s games will involve the top two teams from last year’s 1-5A race, champion Evangel Christian (9-3) and runner-up Parkway (11-2), both state quarterfinalists in 2025.
Making it noteworthy for a widespread audience are the two highly-recruited quarterbacks taking the field, one in each game: Evangel’s Peyton “Pop” Houston, an LSU commit, and Dunham School’s Elijah Haven, pledged to Alabama.
There are more Class of 2027 talents in the two-day event, among them Parkway receiver Gary Burney (committed to LSU) and Calvary receiver Braylun Huglon (heading to Colorado State).
Parkway kicks off the Sept. 4 action at 5 p.m., hosting Class 2A stalwart Dunham (13-1 last year), which beat Calvary for the Select Division III state title last Dec. 11 34-17 behind a spectacular performance by Haven.
Evangel will renew a I-20 rivalry with West Monroe in an 8 o’clock contest. The schools had a series of epic meetings years ago, and each made noise last season – the Eagles with a District 1-5A championship and run to the quarterfinals, and the Rebels (8-4) by beating eventual state champion Ouachita and 2024 state finalist Alexandria Senior High.
The local matchup Thursday is a repeat of a 45-35 homefield win by Calvary over Huntington last Oct. 24
“This is exactly the type of event we envisioned as part of Shreveport’s America 250 celebration,” said Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux. “The Stars & Stripes Border Classic not only brings outstanding student-athletes and exciting competition to Independence Stadium, but it also showcases our city to a national audience. We are proud to welcome these teams, their families and football fans while highlighting Shreveport as a premier destination for championship sporting events.”
Independence Stadium, which is operated by Shreveport Parks and Recreation, hosts local high school football weekly each fall but hasn’t had a spotlight event with appealing regional matchups since the demise of the Battle on the Border series after 2022 following 11 years.
“The Stars & Stripes Border Classic represents everything SPAR strives to create, first-class events that bring our community together while introducing visitors to everything Shreveport has to offer,” said SPAR Director Shelly Ragle. “Having ESPN livestream Friday’s games is an incredible opportunity to shine a national spotlight on our city, Independence Stadium and these outstanding student-athletes. Whether you’re a lifelong football fan or simply looking for a great family event, this is a weekend you won’t want to miss.”
Evangel coach Denny Duron is eager to return his team to Independence Stadium against West Monroe.
“It is an absolutely amazing opportunity for our Evangel Christian Eagles to play in Independence Stadium, especially squaring off against the powerhouse West Monroe Rebels,” he said. “The last time the Eagles played the Rebels in Independence Stadium was in 2003. The crowd exceeded 30,000.”
Dunham coach Neil Weiner cited the history of Independence Stadium and the caliber of programs participating. Weiner and Parkway coach Coy Brotherton initially scheduled their Week 1 matchup and the venue and scope of the opening weekend meeting quickly expanded.
“We are excited for our team and school to play in an event like this,” Weiner said. “It’s pretty special to think that some of the best QBs in the history of the game have played in that stadium. Elijah and Pop will certainly be big attractions and could be remembered the same way, but Parkway-Dunham and West Monroe-Evangel all have great programs and will feature great players. It’s a special night for Louisiana high school football.”
Additional information regarding tickets, parking, stadium policies and game-day activities will be announced as the event approaches, city officials said.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com