By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
The Soul Bowl is always one of Shreveport’s unique sporting atmospheres, feeling more like a college football tailgate than just an ordinary high school football game.
Two historic Shreveport neighborhoods support their alma maters (and their bands) in the only scheduled Saturday game in Shreveport-Bossier the entire season (aside from Classics).
But this year, the football on the field is expected to match the surrounding festivities as Booker T. Washington (2-0) and Green Oaks (2-0) enter the Week 3 matchup not only undefeated but ranked in the Shreveport-Bossier Journal Top 10 poll.
The No. 5 Lions and No. 7 Giants square off in arguably the most anticipated rivalry, the 53rd annual edition, in Shreveport on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The Giants won last year’s game on the field but had to forfeit that victory. The 38-16 score might be erased from history, but don’t think the Giants or the Lions won’t have that thought somewhere in their minds when they strap on the pads.
BTW technically started last season 4-0, but this year’s Lions have something the 2025 squad didn’t – a win over a Class 5A squad.
The Lions dominated Benton this past week, demonstrating the foundation that coach Gary Cooper and staff have built in his fourth season. BTW appears to have the goods to be the primary challenger in District 1-4A to traditional power North DeSoto.
While neither of Green Oaks’ wins (Southwood and North Webster) are of the quality as BTW’s Benton victory, the Giants have been impressive in the manner in which they’ve won. The Giants have outscored their opponents 88-12 this season.
Second-year coach Nick Peoples appears to have reignited the GO football program, and a win against an undefeated rival in BTW would be huge for a team that may well just head into the regular-season finale against Calvary Baptist undefeated.
On paper, BTW has won the last three Soul Bowls and four of the last six dating back to 2020.
Huntington, Evangel have played crazy schedules
When Huntington rolls into Rodney Duron Field to take on Evangel to being District 1-5A play, these two teams could make a case they’ve played the two toughest schedules in the state so far.
The Raiders (0-2) have labored against Calvary Baptist and Edna Karr, the latter of which they lost to 50-0.
Evangel (0-2) has battled against the Monroe area’s finest in West Monroe and Neville.
While the loser of this one still has every road to the playoffs and even a district championship, it’s going to feel a lot better to be 1-2 that 0-3.
Byrd trying to avoid 0-3 as well
Speaking of teams looking for their first win, Byrd is probably glad to try out a Friday night game after a pair of Thursday losses.
The Yellow Jackets nearly knocked off defending state champion Ouachita (44-37) in the opener before Airline delivered a sound defeat, 40-21.
Now Christian Maxie and Co. head down to North DeSoto, who played for the Division II Non-Select title a year ago.
Maxie, who’s rushed for a psychotic 694 yards in the first two games including a city record 429 yards in the opener, will probably need some help against a Griffins bunch whose outscored their first two opponents 108-28.
North DeSoto has transitioned from four-year starting quarterback Luke Delafield (Northwestern State) to another freshman starter in Mason Smith, who’s thrown for 688 yards on 47-62 passing with eight touchdowns to one interception.
Can Bossier make a statement?
Bossier (2-0) has handled business against outmatched North Caddo and Glenbrook in the opening two games, but now the Bearkats get a much tougher test when they to Class 1A power Logansport (2-0).
Bossier has lost the last two meetings by a combined 60 points, but this Bearkat team may have what it takes to do battle with the Tigers.
Logansport may not be a North DeSoto, Northwood, or this year’s BTW, but this game should tell us if Bossier is ready to swing against the district’s best.
Local coaching community remembers Calvary Baptist assistant coach
When word reached the Shreveport-Bossier community about the passing of Calvary Baptist assistant Vee Williams in a car accident on Interstate 20 on Tuesday, many voiced how much Williams meant to the coaching community.
The Evangel Christian graduate who played college ball at Southern has coached at Bossier and Huntington among his local stops.
In addition to his impact on players and fellow coaches, Williams also had an affinity for concession stand nachos.
North Webster coach Christopher Wilson wrote on Facebook that he had a “nacho night” in honor of Williams on Tuesday.
Contact Matt at matt.vines@lsus.edu