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Entering Week 2 of the high school football season, anything is still possible. Calvary is expected to make another run toward a state title and looked like it while beating Huntington last week. Parkway left some points on the field in the first half against Dunham but showed last year’s state quarterfinal run might not be a one-off.
Then there’s Plain Dealing. The Lions own the state’s longest losing streak, 45, and lost their opener 38-0 to Northwood-Lena. But a new day could dawn this weekend. P-D hosts Lakeview, No. 3 on the losing skid list with 28 consecutive defeats. Even before the season began, the Lions were confident they’ve put in the work to halt the streak and continue to revive the long-struggling but once-proud program.
Here’s what four players had to say during last month’s Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl High School Media Day:
WILL MERRY, Safety, Calvary
What can make this team more successful, better than last year’s team that played for the state title?
“Keeping ourselves humble. There is a tendency to think that we’re already there because how good we’re expected to be this year and how good we were last year unsuspectingly. We’ve got to keep our heads down, keep going.
“We do have high expectations. We have a lot of returning guys so we’re more of a seasoned team and then we have some transfers coming in that’ll help us. Overall, I would say this is a more athletic team. Our strength last year was we played well together, and we have to figure that out this year.”
Describe yourself as a player, a teammate and a student.
“I’m a very versatile player that’s got strength and speed and just all round checks the boxes. I’m always the guy that’s gonna push everybody, hold everybody accountable, whether they like it or not. In class, I like to get on the teacher’s good side, but I’m a hard worker and I earn what I get.”
What makes this the season you want it to be, for you individually and for Calvary?
“I wouldn’t be happy with anything else except for winning the state championship.”
JERRY HARRIS, Right Halfback/Cornerback, Plain Dealing
Describe yourself as a player, and a leader.
“I’m very hardworking. I try my best to put in all the work that I can and set an example for all of my teammates. I’m friends with all my teammates. We have a good connection, and I just like to be there for them, and if I see somebody struggling, not sure what to do, I help them out.
What about you as a student?
“I put in the work in in the classroom, and I get good grades, and I do what I have to do in there.”
What’s your ambition for this season?
“I’m ready to get out there, play these new teams. We’ve been putting in the work all this summer getting ready for all these new teams we are playing.”
What’s it going to feel like when y’all win?
“It’s going to feel amazing. We haven’t experienced that in a long time, and I’m ready to get it over with.
What’s the direction of this program?
“It’s going good. We have a bunch of young students, a bunch of middle schoolers, and in a couple years this program is going to be a lot bigger.”
JA’MARION BAKER-SHEPARD, Left Halfback/Defensive Back, Plain Dealing
What makes you optimistic about this season?
“How much work everybody is putting in. You don’t see just 1-2 people working in the program. You see everybody working, working hard, trying to compete, trying to get better, building something.”
Describe yourself as a player.
“If I were to describe myself as a player, I would say, I don’t give up. I’m gonna continue to work no matter how hard it gets. I’m gonna continue to put out for my team — and for my town.
Describe yourself as a teammate, and student.
“I feel like I’m a great teammate because I do help. I feel like I set a great example for my teammates. I do real well in a classroom. I pay attention. I get good grades, A-B honor roll. I feel like I’m a great student.”
What is it going to feel like when y’all break through and win a game?
“Oooh, when we win that game, it’s going to feel like the best thing ever happened to me. I’m not going to lie to you. That’s all I ever wanted to do in this program is just win, at least that one good time. I’ll be the happiest person on earth. I feel like we’re going in a real good direction this year. Everybody’s working, everybody wants to win, everybody wants to compete.”
THOMAS STATON, Offensive Tackle, Parkway
Will we see the Panthers pound away with the running attack again in 2026?
“This year is gonna be more pass game. We’ve got (LSU commit, receiver) Gary Burney. Our O-line’s pretty young. It’s not going to be as much running, more passing. With the offensive line being young, obviously, I’m like the captain of the line, I can say. I’m the only returning starter. We lost four big guys up front from last year, so it’s all on my back.”
Describe yourself as a football player.
“I’ll say, dominant.”
Describe yourself as a teammate.
“A leader.”
Describe yourself as a student.
“A learner.”