JOURNAL SPORTS
Since the Stars & Stripes Border Classic began to take shape this spring, the opening week of this year’s local high school football season has carried plenty of anticipation. Now, it’s here.
The six-team, two-night event at Independence Stadium has plenty of star power, but is far from the only appealing matchup on the Week 1 slate. Loyola at Captain Shreve and Byrd at Ouachita, along with the Southwood and Green Oaks collision and the annual opening tussle between Benton and Northwood, are among other spicy games set to start the regular season.
Thursday’s 7 p.m. Stars & Stripes matchup is local – Class 2A powerhouse Calvary Baptist (12-2 in 2025) meeting Huntington (3-7), which scored an impressive jamboree win over Northwood last Thursday.
With ESPN+ coverage, Friday’s games at Independence Stadium 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 event, among them Parkway receiver Gary Burney (committed to LSU) and Calvary receiver Braylun Huglon (heading to Colorado State).
Byrd’s game at reigning Non-Select Division I state champion Ouachita was shifted Monday from Friday to Thursday due to a shortage of officials in the Monroe area.
THURSDAY
Byrd at Ouachita
Calvary vs. Huntington, Independence Stadium
Southwood vs. Green Oaks, Jerry Burton Stadium (Northwood)
FRIDAY
Wossman at Airline
Benton at Northwood
Parkway vs. Dunham, Independence Stadium, 5:00
West Monroe vs. Evangel, Independence Stadium, 8:00
Loyola vs. Captain Shreve, Lee Hedges Stadium
Homer at Haughton
Bossier at North Caddo
Woodlawn at Carroll
Arcadia at Booker T. Washington
Magnolia Charter at Dutchtown
Northwood-Lena at Plain Dealing