By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
Loyola College Prep, the Evangel-West Monroe showdown, and Byrd running back Christian Maxie rightfully took the top local headlines in the opening week of high school football.
But what about notable storylines that flew a little under the radar in a star-studded, action-packed opening slate of football games?
Here’s a few headlines that may signal season-long trends:
Green Oaks may be turning a corner
The Class 2A Giants housed Class 4A Southwood, 44-0, including scoring on the first play of the game thanks to a Tony Johnson Jr. fumble return.
Second-year coach Nick Peoples had the Giants looking better on the field in his inaugural season than their 3-7 record (which included a fourth win they later forfeited).
Southwood, a program that once found itself on the state’s longest losing streak list, was headed in the right direction with a three-win season in 2025.
But not only did the Giants win handily – they pitched their first shutout in more than a decade. Shutting a team out means players were focused and intense until the final whistle, a potential harbinger of good things to come.
If Green Oaks can manage a victory at home against North Webster and repeat as Soul Bowl champs (later forfeited) in Week 3, that sets up a winnable trip to Red River for a possible 4-0 start. Calvary Baptist proved they aren’t going anywhere atop District 1-2A with its 48-22 win against Class 5A Huntington, but why can’t the Giants edge Homer for second place?
BTW also pitched a shutout
Speaking of the Soul Bowl, Booker T. Washington similarly laid down the hammer against Class 1A Arcadia in a 54-0 shutout.
The Lions turned Arcadia over consistently in the clean sheet of their own, their second straight season opener with a shutout win (Lakeview in 2025).
BTW certainly was the more talented team against Arcadia, but coach Gary Cooper in his fourth season has brought stability and established a standard in the program.
The Lions will really be tested when they head to Class 5A Benton in Week 2.
Benton made a statement
Those Tigers made a tone-setting statement in a 34-26 win against a Northwood team whose been a top-10 seed in the Division I Select playoffs the past two seasons.
Second-year coach Stephen Dennis wasn’t happy with Benton’s two-win season in 2025 in which the Tigers were defeated by double digits in seven of their eight losses.
But quarterback Malachi Zeigler and Co. proved the Tigers weren’t going to repeat that campaign, and that Dennis’ sustained success at Huntington can cross the Red River.
Even though District 1-5A members elected not to play all eight opposing teams in the league, Benton wants to make sure it can perform weekly and not be Week 1 wonders.
Don’t forget about the Bossier Bearkats
Bossier traversed the Red River to handle an overmatched North Caddo squad in a 42-7 win.
A series that’s been known for high point totals and wild finishes was brought to heel by a Bossier defense that held an opponent to single digits for the first time in nearly two years.
The Bearkats made the postseason for the first time since 2021 in the third year of coach Gary Smith’s rebuild.
Bossier will be a solid favorite when Glenbrook comes calling next week, but a Week 3 date at Logansport could be a peak into what the Bearkats could be.
The best thing all weekend
Marc Brock, the Vivian police officer who died in the line of duty this past November, had his No. 55 jersey retired at North Caddo before Friday’s game against Bossier.
Brock, 25, played at North Caddo and also served as an assistant coach at the school.
The No. 55 jersey will hang on the front of the press box as Vivian community continues to mourn one of their own.
Contact Matt at matt.vines@lsus.edu