JOURNAL SPORTS
October is the centerpiece of the high school football season and for many schools, the time to host Homecoming festivities.
That’s this week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Coaches Roundtable topic. Whether it’s memories from their playing or coaching days, or other considerations, local coaches responded to our request to share their take on Homecoming week.
GARY COOPER, Booker T. Washington: “My senior year (at BTW) I was the homecoming king. We were playing Minden and I fumbled right before the half. Our head coach, Coach Corey Parham, would not let me go out during the halftime ceremonies. I laugh about it — now!
“I love that players I have coached over the years have been involved in homecoming in various ways, but I hate it as a coach. With our schedule, we’re playing a district opponent. But the kids deserve to be involved in as many school activities as possible. High school is about the memories they create.
“The extended halftime really doesn’t make a difference; it flies by.”
RODNEY GUIN, Calvary: “My youngest daughter was on the court at Haughton her senior year. It was coming a flood at halftime and they gave the girls the choice to wait and get presented at the next week’s game. They said no and just took their shoes off and got presented barefoot in the storm.”
JOHN SELLA, Loyola: (The Flyers’ homecoming celebration next Friday is uncertain because as of last week the opponent, Carroll, has been suspended by the LHSAA.) “I guess this will be my most interesting homecoming to date.
“Last week we had a huge game vs. Calvary and I’m having to spend most of the week answering questions and being stressed about trying to figure out what are we going to do for homecoming two weeks from then.
“I completely get it too. We have alumni and parents trying to make plans to be at the game or come in from out of town and then, all of the sudden we’re in limbo. We’re calling around to see if we can find a replacement (for Carroll) and all hands are on deck for ideas in case we can’t find a replacement. It’s been kind of crazy.”
JUSTIN SCOGIN, Airline: “Leesville (where he was offensive coordinator before taking over five years ago at Airline) basically shuts down for homecoming. They have a three-hour-long pep rally in the auditorium. Every class comes back and does skits on stage. The motto is “Leesville doesn’t lose homecoming.” They drive cars on the grass field at halftime escorting the court around. It’s an absolute wild time.
“The homecoming parade at Airline is one that I’ve really come to love followed by the pep rally and the lighting of the VIKES letters at the stadium. It’s a really cool experience getting to see how much the community really loves Airline High School.”
STACY BALLEW, Byrd: “It’s always good to see former players and students at homecoming, and find out what they’re doing. I’ve been here for a long time now, and some of those kids have their own kids, which is neat to see.”
STEPHEN DENNIS, Benton: “I think homecoming is just a special time of year. I think we learn to appreciate it a little more the older we get, too!
“I’ve always enjoyed in my coaching career watching the groups come back and cheering on the team at the game, seeing how the school has changed. They want to know what’s different? What’s the same?
“Seeing the kids in school decorating floats, it’s just football in the fall and nostalgia. Those two things go together very well.”