Shreveport-Bossier schools will take part in preseason scrimmages with a chance to hit players other than the ones on their team on Thursday, the first day LHSAA schools are allowed to scrimmage against other teams.
Four of the six Bossier Parish schools will be involved on Thursday. Airline will host Northwood and Neville while Parkway will go to Ouachita, Haughton to North DeSoto and Bossier to Red River. Benton will travel to Minden and Plain Dealing hosts Magnolia on Friday.
Only two Caddo schools will start things on Thursday with Captain Shreve meeting Ouachita Christian at Ruston. Green Oaks is the host to Lakeview and Glenbrook at Northwood’s Jerry Burton Stadium.
Friday has Byrd hosting Ruston and Huntington hosting Many and North Caddo at Independence Stadium. Calvary will travel to face West Monroe and Loyola goes to Haynesville.
Coaches use scrimmages to evaluate players at different positions to get a better idea of where they may be more effective in their scheme.
Thursday
Airline Northwood, Neville at Airline
Captain Shreve vs. Ouachita Christian, at Ruston
Haughton at North DeSoto
Parkway at Ouachita
Bossier at Red River
Green Oaks, Lakeview, Glenbrook at Jerry Burton Stadium, Northwood, 6 p.m.
Friday
Ruston at Byrd
Benton at Minden
Magnolia at Plain Dealing
Calvary at West Monroe
Loyola at Haynesville, 6 p.m.
Huntington, Many, North Caddo, at Independence Stadium
ALL BOSSIER: Haughton plays at Benton on Thursday and Airline hosts Parkway on Friday in all-Bossier Parish clashes in the sixth week of the season. (Journal file photo).
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
The sixth week of the high school football season has more Thursday games scheduled (five) than the first five weeks total (four) with 12 games set to be played in the Caddo-Bossier Parish area.
District 1-5A has its four games split with two on Thursday, two Friday. Captain Shreve hosts Evangel at Lee Hedges Stadium and Haughton is at Benton. The Gators have never beaten the Eagles in six meetings and last played each other in 2018. The Bucs have beaten the Tigers 19 of the 30 games in the series.
The other three Thursday games are all of the local games in District 1-4A and all played in Shreveport. Loyola hosts Bosser at Messmer Stadium, Booker T. Washington is at Northwood and Woodlawn and Southwood play at Independence Stadium.
It will be the 55th meeting between the Flyers and Bearkats, a series that dates to 1926. Bossier leads the series 34-17-3. Southwood and Woodlawn played each other for 31 straight years from when the Cowboys opened their doors in 1970. The once spirited rivalry lost its luster and the schools didn’t play from 2001 until 2021. The Cowboys hold a 20-13-1 lead in the series. The Falcons have won the last seven times they have faced the Lions with BTW’s last win coming in 2000.
Five of the seven Friday games will be played in Caddo Parish.
Huntington will host Byrd at Independence Stadium in a 1-5A game. The Raiders stopped a six-game losing skid to the Yellow Jackets last season. Parkway is at Airline in a Bossier Parish battle that the Vikes have won 24 of the 42 games.
Calvary hosts Homer, who returns to District 1-2A for the first time since 2014. Both schools have been to the playoffs the last 19 seasons. The Cavaliers have won all nine meetings in the series.
Green Oaks will host Bastrop in a first-ever meeting at Northwood’s Jerry Burton Stadium.
A pair of 1-2A meetings will be the first time schools have played each other. Magnolia Charter, new to 1-2A, will host D’Arbonne Woods and North Caddo welcomes Union Parish, another new addition to the district.
New to District 1-1A, Cedar Creek will travel to play at Plain Dealing.
MIDSEASON BATTLE: Captain Shreve will host Airline in Week 5 of the 2024 football season in a District 1-5A game. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Midseason games in Week 5 of the local high school football slate are generally a run of the mill schedule with Airline playing at Captain Shreve the one that stands out the most.
The Gators and Vikings have won or tied for the District 1-5A championship each of the last three years and both tied for the 2019 title. Airline has a 30-23-1 lead in the series that has always been a district game. The game is a Friday matchup at Lee Hedges Stadium.
There is one Thursday game to start the week with Parkway hosting Byrd in a 1-5A game. The Yellow Jackets have a 23-14 advantage in the series and have won five of the last seven.
Byrd has won the second most 1-5A games the last five years with a 24-10 mark. Captain Shreve has the most wins with a 26-9 record and Airline is 23-10 over that period.
Haughton hosts Natchitoches Central and Huntington plays at Evangel in the other 1-5A games on Friday. The Bucs have won all five games with the Chiefs over the last five years. The Raiders and Eagles face each other in a 1-5A game for the first time since 2004. Benton hosts Leesville in the only non-district game for its homecoming.
District 1-4A has a full slate with Woodlawn hosting Northwood at Independence Stadium, North DeSoto playing at Booker T. Washington, Southwood at Bossier and Loyola is on the road to Minden. The Falcons have won the last seven and lead their series with the Knights 19-8. The Griffins have won eight of 11 meetings with the Lions. The Cowboys hold a slim 11-9 advantage with the Bearkats. The Flyers and Tide last played in 2014 with the Tide holding a 29-11-2 series lead.
Calvary has a home date with 1-2A newcomer Magnolia Charter. Green Oaks and North Caddo are both on the road with the Giants taking on D’Arbonne Woods and Titans at Mansfield.
Plain Dealing welcomes Glenbrook for a District 1-1A game.
Week 5 high school football games
Thursday, Oct. 3
DISTRICT 1-5A
Byrd at Parkway, Preston Crownover Stadium
Friday, Oct. 4
DISTRICT 1-5A
Airline vs. Captain Shreve, Lee Hedges Stadium
Huntington at Evangel
Natchitoches Central at Haughton, Harold Harlan Stadium
NON-DISTRICT
Leesville at Benton
DISTRICT 1-4A
Northwood vs. Woodlawn, Independence Stadium
North DeSoto at Booker T. Washington, Leonard Barnes Stadium
The alarm has been going off a little earlier than usual at the Dennis house these days. Actually, a lot earlier.
“Four o’clock,” says Huntington football coach Stephen Dennis.
It’s not because he wants to grab a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise. He’s got to get up and go to work so that he can be there by 4:30 a.m., turn the lights on, and be ready when the first player shows up around 4:50 a.m.
The alarm is going off a lot earlier at the Ballew house, too. And the Brown house. And a few others.
These days, it’s rise, shine and get to football practice. Once that’s finished, it’s time for geometry class!
Drive down Kings Highway before the sun comes up and you’ll see Stacy Ballew putting his Byrd Yellow Jackets through a before-school practice. Northwood’s Austin Brown has been mixing up his practice times, but 6:30 a.m. is in the rotation.
An informal survey of coaches will reveal that football practice times could be 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. Though they’d rather be spending their time being creative of how to beat a zone blitz, rather than being creative on how to schedule around the state-mandated ban on practicing in what are considered extreme conditions.
And if you ask around, you’ll find out that they are hot about it. (Pun absolutely intended.)
You may never have heard of a wet bulb calculator, but they have.
You may never have heard of then Remy Hildalgo Act, but they have.
It’s not as if they aren’t aware of player safety; it’s just that there is a general feeling that there is some selective enforcement when it comes to high school football.
“(It’s) OK to play 12 travel ball (baseball) games on Saturday, but not high school (football),” one coach said.
Another coach took that up a notch. “The fact that games are exempt entirely from wet bulb regulations is asinine. If the genuine intent of the laws and regulations we are having to work around is to protect our kids, then games are no different.”
And finally there is this: “No one from the state has ever regulated a middle school practice,” a third coach said.
The wet bulb calculator is an apparatus that every school has and is designed to “estimate the effect of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation on humans using a combination of temperatures from three thermometers.” There are different levels in the calculation chart – black, red, yellow and green.
If you noticed some of the football practice facilities were empty on Thursday, that’s because it was a Black Flag day, meaning no outdoor activities. (Many spent that time in the gym or weight room.)
But it is often pointed out that the calculations can be manipulated. Put the measuring device on a turf field in the direct sunshine and the reading will be a lot different than if you put it in the shade. Cloud cover can also have an effect.
The issues run deeper than whether it’s a Red Flag Day or a Yellow Flag Day. Coaches have to go through yearly summer certification programs in order to give them guidelines on how to handle extreme conditions.
Yet when extreme conditions come along, it’s as if all of that was for nothing.
Coaches will tell you that they know their players and what their needs are. No one is holding back water breaks because someone dropped a pass in the team offense session. Players are told to never hesitate when they feel something is going on.
But then there is the Remy Hidalgo Act (HB184), passed in 2021, which states “relative to the health and safety of students who participate in school-sanctioned athletics; to provide for an emergency action plan; to provide for coaches certification program; to provide for sports injury management program.”
Hidalgo was a Denham Springs lineman who died of a heat stroke in 2020. That was in September, when the season had already begun.
A tragic situation, to be sure, but the issue for most is that coaches are being asked to prepare their teams to play in “Black Flag” conditions without being allowed to practice in those same conditions.
Unless, of course, they want to start playing games at 6:30 a.m.
LEAGUE OPENER: Northwood will host rival North DeSoto to start District 1-4A competition in Week 4 of this high school football season. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
District 1-4A begins league games in the fourth week of the LHSAA football season and the biggest rivalry of the district the last number of years provides the highlight with Northwood hosting North DeSoto.
The Falcons and Griffins have finished at or near the top of the district standings each season since 2017. North DeSoto got its first on-the-field win in that span last season. Northwood had to forfeit its 2020 win and leads the series 9-7.
The two newest members of 1-4A meet on the fourth playing date with Southwood playing at Loyola in a noteworthy reunion. The Flyers last played the Cowboys in 1976 when they last won a state championship.
Bossier crosses the river to play at Booker T. Washington and Woodlawn travels to face Minden for the remainder of the 1-4A games. The Lions have defeated the Bearkats the last six meetings but the overall series is 7-7. The Crimson Tide has beaten the Knights in 19 of the 28 matchups.
District 1-2A also starts its action in Week 4 with Calvary, Green Oaks and North Caddo all hosting league openers. The Cavaliers face D’Arbonne Woods planning to add to a 58-game district win streak. The Giants will play 1-2A newcomer Union Parish at Northwood’s Jerry Burton Stadium while the Titans welcome Magnolia, another newcomer to the district.
District 1-5A enters its third week of league games with all four Bossier Parish teams playing a 1-5A opponent for the first time in the same week.
What could be the biggest contest of the four has Airline hosting Evangel while Benton hosts Captain Shreve. Haughton and Parkway are both on the road with the Bucs coming to Independence Stadium to play Huntington and Panthers headed down I-49 at Natchitoches Central.
Byrd has a non-district road trip to south Louisiana to face John Ehret. The Jackets and Patriots have split a couple of playoff games previously.
Plain Dealing hosts its 1-1A opener against Haynesville.
Week 4 local prep teams football schedule
Friday, Sept. 27
DISTRICT 1-5A
Evangel at Airline
Captain Shreve at Benton
Haughton at Huntington, Independence Stadium
Parkway at Natchitoches Central, Turpin Stadium
DISTRICT 1-4A
Bossier at Booker T. Washington, Leonard Barnes Stadium
Southwood at Loyola, Messmer Stadium
Woodlawn at Minden, The Pit
North DeSoto at Northwood, Jerry Burton Stadium
DISTRICT 1-2A
D’Arbonne Woods at Calvary, Jerry Barker Stadium
Union Parish vs. Green Oaks, Jerry Burton Stadium, Northwood
Magnolia at North Caddo, Sanders-Prudhomme Stadium
SOUL BOWL: Booker T. Washington and Green Oaks will line up for the annual ‘Soul Bowl’ capping Week 3 of the 2024 season Sept. 21 at Leonard Barnes Stadium. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Southwood will be the first Shreveport-Bossier school to celebrate its homecoming to begin the third week of the 2024 football season.
It kicks off a long weekend slate Thursday night and the annual ‘Soul Bowl’ between Green Oaks and Booker T. Washington will wrap up games on Saturday.
The Cowboys will host North Caddo at Independence Stadium in hosting their 55th homecoming. It will be the only Thursday game of Week 3 and be the fourth meeting overall for the two schools and first since 1976.
Friday will have four more District 1-5A matchups with Haughton hosting Parkway topping the list of games. It will mark the 53rd meeting of the two Bossier Parish schools with the Bucs holding a 35-17 series advantage.
All four games are in the immediate area with Natchitoches Central coming to Shreveport to face Captain Shreve at Lee Hedges Stadium. The Gators and Chiefs will play for the 45th time with half of those matchups coming from 1973-90 when both competed in District 2-4A. It will pit new NCHS coach Brad Laird against new Shreve boss Jeremy Wilburn. Wilburn worked on Laird’s defensive staff under Bradley Dale Peveto at Northwestern State over a decade ago.
Byrd is at Evangel for the 10th meeting of the schools and Benton hosts Huntington for the 15th game between the Tigers and Raiders.
Airline welcomes defending non-select Division III state champion Union Parish to M.D. Ray Field. The Vikings won last year 48-44 in Farmerville after the Farmers took a 26-22 road win the previous season.
Calvary hits the road for the first time on the season to Winnsboro to face Franklin Parish. The Cavaliers and Patriots played for the only time in 2004.
Bossier will host Logansport hoping to extend its one-game series lead in 12 games. The only other local game has Woodlawn entertaining Lakeview at Independence Stadium. It will be the first game between the Knight and Gators.
Other local teams on the road include Northwood playing at Mansfield with the winner taking the series lead through 15 games. Loyola goes to Ruston to face Cedar Creek. The Flyers have won eight of nine meetings, the last in 2019.
The 51st meeting of Green Oaks and Booker T. Washington at Leonard Barnes Stadium on Saturday culminates the week of games. The Lions have won two of the last three Soul Bowls and lead the series 28-22.
Week 3 Shreveport-Bossier teams’ high school football games
Thursday, Sept. 19
North Caddo vs. Southwood, Independence Stadium
Friday, Sept. 20
DISTRICT 1-5A
Huntington at Benton
Byrd at Evangel
Natchitoches Central vs. Captain Shreve, Lee Hedges Stadium
This is the new age in high school sports. I’m touting a big Parkway senior prospect who nobody has seen lining up on Friday nights yet for Coy Brotherton’s Panthers.
That’s because Jax Gallier was on the other side of the Red River in high school two years ago.
I took in a Calvary Baptist football practice and saw a young offensive lineman in the lineman drills that caught my eye. Didn’t take a trained eye – at the time the kid looked 6-5 or 6-6, and about 270 pounds.
That kid was Jax Collier, now an intriguing Class of 2025 senior and one of the biggest (literally and figuratively) sleepers in Louisiana at the offensive line position.
Big Jax is now 6-7 and 290 pounds, but lean and ready to show the scouts his ability after sitting during the 2023 season after transferring from Calvary Baptist.
When I saw this kid in drills at CBA, he moved like a Division I lineman. I remember thinking, “wow, one day this kid has a chance to be a big time prospect,” and here we are today talking about his future.
The beauty of going around the state and seeing talent that is coming up is finding late bloomers — kids who really just get to show what they have in only their senior seasons.
“Jax is finally going to get to show people what he can do,” said Parkway O-line coach Heath Hunt. “He got to us late last year and has done a great job fitting in with our program. He’s a huge kid, the biggest I’ve ever coached. I think he’s gonna be a bulldozer for us in 2024.”
Gallier is obviously very excited to get to play this fall, but he’s excited every time he hits the practice field or goes through offseason workouts.
“I love football. I live and breathe it every day,” he said. “I strive every day to improve and better myself and train hard. I love going to the gym and strengthening myself mentally and physically for whatever happens on the field and in life.
“I also love spending time with my family. Fishing and hunting are things I enjoy in my spare time,” said Gallier.
He discussed the transition across the Red River.
“I played in a Calvary jersey since I was 5 years old, so it was definitely a big change moving to Parkway last year, but I really feel like I’ve found my home with the Panthers.
“Coach Brotherton and coach Hunt have already taught me so much and have gone above and beyond to make me feel like a part of the family. I am looking forward to helping Parkway win a district championship, and hopefully bring home a state title to Bossier City,” said Gallier. “Our plan is to execute what we’ve practiced and show Louisiana what Parkway football is all about.”
Jax attended the lineman camp in Thibodaux which he said helped improve his knowledge of the game. In 2023 he attended the LSU lineman camp.
“It was an honor to be part of the lineman camp at LSU,” he said. “Of course being born in the Boot, LSU has always been a dream college of mine. I have college recruiters talking to me, but I’m still looking for my future home. Having a chance to play college football has always been a dream of mine.”
Parkway is one of the area’s most solid programs year in, year out. The Panthers are well coached and always have quite a bit of talent. Blended with obvious prospects are players like Gallier who because of circumstances that sidelined him last year as a transfer, comes into his senior season with a lot to prove.
I wouldn’t want to be on a District 1-5A defensive front facing him. Look for him to get some long looks from colleges at all levels. This will not be his last season of football.
Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on Twitter @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.
ONE MORE STEP: The Bossier Phillies won the Mid-South Regional in Missouri to advance to the American Legion World Series beginning Thursday. (Submitted photo)
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
The historical record for the local American Legion baseball program is not exactly the most impressive thing you’ll ever run across.
If you run across them.
To be honest, that’s probably just better for all concerned. It’s not exactly a glowing resume.
So before you can begin to understand what the Bossier Phillies have accomplished this summer, let’s take a quick trip down the long and sordid historical trail.
From 1950 to 2007, no Fourth District (Northwest Louisiana) team won the American Legion state championship. That’s 57 – fifty-seven – years. You’d think by accident some team would have lucked out over the course of six decades.
The Bossier Cyclones broke that streak in 2007 and made it to the Mid-South Regionals, but got their hats and gloves handed to them after two games in Paducah, Ky.
(In 1978, a local team did make it to the regionals, but that’s because the host city is a guaranteed a spot in the eight-team field and didn’t have to qualify on the state level.)
American Legion baseball has become such a non-entity that it basically doesn’t exist in this part of the state anymore. There were a couple of examples of local teams making a run to the state championship in the 2000s before getting disqualified on rules technicalities.
Don’t look now, but the Bossier Phillies are about to go where no local team has gone before. After winning the state tournament three weeks ago in Lafayette, then winning the Mid-South regionals in Washington, Mo., they will play in the American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C. on Thursday at noon (CDT).
“I guess this in uncharted territory for this area,” said Phillies head coach Dane Peavy.
You think?
The Phillies will take on Midland, Mich., in the first of three games in pool play. They will also play on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.) in hopes of getting to the semifinals. The pool play games can be seen on ESPN+. Semis on Monday and the Tuesday finals will be on ESPNU.
“I’m really impressed with the way our guys have handled themselves over the last couple of weeks,” Peavy said. “They’ve had some adversity obviously earlier this year and in both tournaments. And we’ve kind of shook that off to really grind through and take hold and do some really good things.”
The Phillies are 23-4-1 overall and since there is no local league, played in weekend tournaments to get ready for the playoffs.
Peavy, who is the Benton head coach during the high school season, has six of his players on the year – Hudson Brignac, Kade Bryant, Tanner Webb, Jackson Jones, Hayden Millen and Griffin Sibley – to form the core of the team. But there are plenty of added pieces to help take the Phillies to this new level.
The additions include Tucker McCabe (Northwood), Brody Bower (Minden), Easton Sanders (Glenbrook), Ty Boozer (Pleasant Grove), Blayne McFerren (North DeSoto), Britain Pipes (Liberty-Eylau), Colton Smith (Parkway), Abel Thetford (Parkway) and Cade Moore (Carthage).
Only Brignac, McCabe, Bower, McFerren and Smith have graduated from high school. “I kind of thought we might be a year away,” Peavy said.
Mixing the team together has not been a problem, according to Peavy. “They’ve all played together in various age groups or various teams throughout the years,” he said. “So it really didn’t take just a whole lot to jell. They really play well with each other and they get along. We kind of keep the same mantra that I have in high school – be good humans and be good teammates; stand behind each other and stick together.”
Peavy says the team doesn’t really have an ace on the mound. “It’s just more of what we feel like is best for our guys,” he said. “I think everybody’s kind of carved out their own niche. You never know who it will be from day in to day out (to start) and the guys will know who’s going to be in relief.”
The Phillies, who reached the state championship game a year ago in Peavy’s first season, advanced out of the regionals this year the hard way – having to win two games in the finals. First, they beat Bryant (Ark.), who had earlier defeated the Phillies, then defeated unbeaten Tupelo, Miss., 5-3 in the championship game.
There might not have been a local team to reach this far before, but there is one person who knows all about it – Peavy. In 2016, he was the coach of the Texarkana team that made it to the Legion World Series – the only coach in Arkansas history to make it that far.
“To go back to Shelby eight years later after I initially thought I would probably never return, it’s a pretty surreal moment, to be honest,” he said.
DISTRICT DEBUT: Airline will host Benton to open the District 1-5A season for both schools in the second week of the season. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
District 1-5A games kick into gear just two weeks into the 2024 high school football season with the district enlarged by one school, now including nine teams.
Four district games, three locally will start 1-5A competition with Benton playing at Airline and Haughton facing Byrd at Lee Hedges Stadium while Captain Shreve and Huntington vie at Independence Stadium and Evangel is on the road at Natchitoches Central. Parkway plays a non-district game at home against Woodlawn.
After having the first week off, Southwood opens its season with a non-district battle against Arcadia at Booker T. Washington’s Leonard C. Barnes Stadium. It will be the first time the schools have met on a football field.
Booker T. Washington travels to play at Bastrop. The Rams have won the last four, the last time in 2002.
Bossier opens its home slate with Glenbrook and Loyola hosts Logansport for its home opener.
Northwood and Calvary are both at home for a second consecutive week to start the season. The Falcons welcome Peabody of Alexandria to Jerry Burton Stadium. It will be the first time to play the Warhorses since 1984. Calvary hosts Westgate after playing them for the first time last year at home, a hard-fought win for the Cavs, 32-22.
North Webster will make the trek from Springhill to face North Caddo at Sanders-Prudhomme Stadium in Vivian. The Knights lead the series with the Titans 5-2 but the schools met up 50 times before Springhill was merged with other Webster Parish schools to form North Webster.
Green Oaks will take to the road to face Mansfield. The Wolverines lead the series 15-8, last played in 2021.
Plain Dealing is on the road to District 1-1A foe Ringgold. The game will not count as a district game as the Redskins chose not to play for district honors this year and next year and are not eligible for the postseason.
Magnolia Charter is on the road for a non-district game in Grambling at Lincoln Prep.
All games will be played on Friday, Sept. 13.
Week 2 local prep football games
DISTRICT 1-5A
Benton at Airline
Haughton at Byrd, Lee Hedges
Captain Shreve at Huntington, Independence Stadium
Evangel at Natchitoches Central
NON-DISTRICT
Woodlawn at Parkway, Preston Crownover Stadium
Arcadia at Southwood, Leonard C. Barnes Stadium, BTW
BTW at Bastrop
Glenbrook at Bossier
Peabody at Northwood, Jerry Burton Stadium
Logansport at Loyola, Messmer Stadium
Westgate at Calvary, Jerry Barker Stadium
Green Oaks at Mansfield
North Webster at North Caddo, Sanders-Prudhomme Stadium
HIKED UP: Calvary will put its 14-game win streak on the line when the 2024 season begins at home against Oak Grove in a collision of reigning state champions. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Plenty of top-tier games will ring in the 2024 high school football season when local teams kick off on the first full September weekend.
Taking a preseason look at each week on the schedule, Week 1 is an immediate hit. It is hard to pick out just one game that highlights that first week of games.
Thursday, Sept. 5 has two former 1-4A rivals colliding with Northwood hosting Benton. The two schools have stayed on each others’ schedule despite Benton moving up to 1-5A in 2019.
Loyola travels to Monroe to face St. Frederick in a battle of private schools with playoff pedigrees. The Flyers have won the last five outings.
Friday’s slate of games is topped by a battle of 2023 state champions with Oak Grove playing at Calvary. The Tigers come to town after a 12-2 season and a Non-Select Division IV title. Calvary brings a 14-game win streak after taking the Select Division III championship.
A pair of Monroe powers come to Shreveport as well with Ouachita playing Captain Shreve at Lee Hedges Stadium and Evangel hosting Neville.
The Gators and Lions last played in 2012 but have faced each other 23 times with Ouachita winning 14.
Evangel has won the third-most state championships in Louisiana prep circles with 14 and Neville is next with 12. The Tigers edged past the Eagles 30-29 last year on a two-point conversion stop, and have won four of five meetings.
Airline and Byrd will have hands full with road games to south Louisiana.
The Vikings travel to Lake Charles to play Barbe. The Bucs finished 2023 6-5 and compete in a tough 3-5A. The Yellow Jackets play at St. Amant who finished last season 10-2.
Huntington is also on the road to face powerhouse West Monroe. The Rebels were 9-3 last year after being upset in the first round of the playoffs.
Other local games have Parkway hosting Monroe’s Carroll High, Homer going to Haughton, while Booker T. Washington entertains Lakeview, Plain Dealing is at home against Tensas and Magnolia plays one of its two home games against Glenbrook.
Local teams playing each other are Woodlawn facing Green Oaks at Northwood’s Jerry Burton Stadium and Bossier going to Vivian to play North Caddo.
JAMBOREE TIME: Green Oaks will go to Vivian to face North Caddo in a jamboree Thursday, Aug. 22. (Journal file photo)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Area high school football teams that haven’t already participated in full gear will return from the weekend and strap on the shoulder pads for the first time in full workouts.
The next two weeks of practice will lead up to scrimmages set for Thursday, Aug. 22 and Friday, Aug. 23. Jamborees will follow a week later Aug. 29-30.
Three of Caddo Parish’s four jamborees will take place on Thursday. The remaining will be on Friday with the Bossier Lions Club Jamboree at Airline headlining the local action. Evangel is the only local school that will play on Saturday night against West Monroe at UL-Monroe.
Here is the list of local jamborees:
Thursday, Aug. 29
At Lee Hedges Stadium
Byrd vs. Captain Shreve, 5 p.m. (freshman, JV, varsity)
At Sanders Prudhomme Stadium – North Caddo
Green Oaks vs. North Caddo, 7 p.m.
At Jerry Burton Stadium – Northwood
Huntington vs. Northwood, 6 p.m. (freshman, JV, varsity)
Part of being a halfway-respectable sports writer is admitting when you were wrong.
I was wrong.
I gave up on the Olympics many an Olympiad ago. After spending the formative years grinding it every time another one rolled around, I’m probably a 0-for-the entire century in terms on any measure of interest. A great part of it is due to the way NBC failed to recognize how to best televise the games, mistakenly thinking that showing events on tape delay was the way to go.
This time around, the presentation has been an A+. You can watch the events live (in the afternoon) or in primetime (taped as if live) if you can stay away from the internet all day.
Or both.
But television is not the star of this show. The results have been incredibly watchable, but it’s the performers – not the performances – that have stolen this show.
I’m about to go all golly-gee on you, but I can’t tell you how incredibly impressed I am with the athletes themselves. Not just how they run or jump or swim, but how they act.
When a race is over, they immediately look to other competitors to congratulate or console. (Almost) no showboating, just a whole lot of respect.
When you juxtapose that to the sports we see on a regular basis, it is beyond refreshing. This is the opposite of standing over a defender and staring him down after a dunk. Or bat flipping a home run that makes it over the wall by two feet. Or a running back flexing after a three-yard gain.
It’s as if when a Cy Young winner strikes out an MVP, the batter would walk out to the mound and congratulate him on throwing a hell of a 4-seam fastball.
Ain’t happening.
When “Sweden’s” Mondo Duplantis was on his way to winning the gold in the pole vault, silver medalist Sam Kendricks of the USA sprinted across the track to cheer for the man who had just defeated him. Any defensive backs doing that after a wide receiver scores a touchdown?
Didn’t think so.
And I can’t get enough of the family celebrations. Or the selfies with random fans. So genuine, so unscripted.
Look, I get that some might think Noah Lyles is a little too over the top, but when you did what he did – winning the 100 meters to become the fastest man in the world – you get to do whatever you want to do, my man. We good.
As for ringing the bell for the gold medal winner … perfect. Whoever came up with that deserves a raise.
I guess I missed that part of the Olympic preparation involves months of media training. Sure seems like it. They all seem to say the right thing all the time. They are happy, gracious, emotional, genuine and respectful. They answer questions as athletes are supposed to, not saving their thoughts for an Instagram post.
Include Lyles in that group. After being promoted as a 100/200 double winner, some might think he’d be crushed after finishing third in the 200 and be conveniently unavailable afterward.
Instead, after some quick medical treatment, he went on NBC to explain that he had contracted COVID earlier in the week (he’s also a life-long asthma sufferer) and that he was as proud of winning a bronze medal as anything he’d won before.
That.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you can keep basketball, golf, tennis and any other sport in which the Olympics are not the sport’s ultimate goal. Wouldn’t miss them at all. Track and field, swimming, gymnastics, volleyball and a few others provide all we need.
That’s why the reactions of the athletes in those sports are so genuine.
We all wish for days in which sports were less commercial or “about the brand.” It’s nice to be reminded that it can still be that way.
Too bad it takes four years to be reminded of that.
FOOTBALL FRIENDS: Coaches and principals from five Bossier Parish high schools gathered Tuesday night for an appreciation dinner hosted by Origin Bank. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
JOURNAL SPORTS
There are some good rivalries among Bossier Parish schools, but there’s a stronger sense of brotherhood among the football coaches just east of Red River.
That was apparent Tuesday evening at the third annual appreciation dinner hosted by Origin Bank in Shreveport, and organized by the Shreveport-Bossier Journal sports staff to pay tribute to coaches and administrators as the school year, and specifically football season, is nearly here.
Football practice already IS here. That kept the Airline contingent from attending, with head coach Justin Scogin sending regrets. But the other five Bossier coaches were on hand for the social event, along with some coaching staff members and principals, and local officiating assignments director Curtis Graham, who provided insight into the men in stripes with whistles and flags who will enable fair play this season.
Award-winning veteran SBJ writer and columnist John James Marshall pointed out to the group that the relationships between the Bossier coaches and football staffs are exceptionally cordial, and that adds value to the matchups as they unfold during the season. Tuesday there were Benton Tigers mingling with Bossier Bearkats, Haughton Bucs laughing with Parkway Panthers, and the ever-friendly Lion from Plain Dealing, head coach Clint Walker, making the rounds with his big smile and firm handshake.
And there were friendly jabs. Recounting a few of the memorable prep football stories that Journal writers have produced recently, JJ cited the incredible 2022 score war won 78-71 by Benton over Haughton, looking out at Tigers’ offensive-minded coach Reynolds Moore.
Immediately, Marshall winced as he looked at second-year Bossier coach Gary Smith – who previously was Haughton’s defensive coordinator, and good-naturedly ducked his head and grimaced.
But Smith popped right back. “Yeah, but the year before, we won 7-0,” he said, grinning.
Fact. You could look it up. Journal prep sports guru and historian Lee Hiller did.
Moore and Smith recounted that slugfest in the rain a few minutes later, with Moore claiming Haughton’s touchdown came on a play when Benton had only 10 defenders on the field.
It was that kind of fun-filled gathering Tuesday night.
More of the same is anticipated when Caddo Parish coaches gather Thursday evening.
HEAD COACHES: (From left) Reynolds Moore of Benton, Bossier’s Gary Smith, Matthew Sewell of Haughton, Parkway’s Coy Brotherton and Clint Walker of Plain Dealing shared plenty of laughter Tuesday evening. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
BOSSIER PARISH KICKS IT OFF: Football coaches from the six Bossier Parish high school programs, including Airline and Parkway, will be guests tonight as the Shreveport-Bossier Journal teams with Origin Bank to host the first of its two appreciation dinners for head football coaches of the 19 local teams. (Journal file photo)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Doing a first-year event is great. Repeating it the following year is really good. When it’s held for a third straight time, that makes it traditional.
Tonight and Thursday evening, tradition is tasty for the local high school football coaches, and their guests.
Origin Bank will host its third annual appreciation suppers for the 19 local coaches at the bank’s downtown Shreveport location on Market Street. “Kickoff” is 6:30. Tonight, coaches from Bossier Parish will convene. Thursday evening, the Caddo Parish head coaches get a free supper and a chance to visit.
The events are coordinated by the Shreveport-Bossier Journal, which is preparing for another season of award-winning, comprehensive prep football coverage – free for everyone to read.
School officials with any questions, contact Doug Ireland at sbjdoug@gmail.com for information about the events and to share team rosters.
MOST WINS: Calvary Baptist posted the most wins the last 10 football seasons among Shreveport-Bossier schools. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Calvary Baptist’s 98 wins on the football field over the last 10 years tops the list of Shreveport-Bossier schools’ success in the last decade.
The Cavaliers have a 98-25 record with three state championships spanning the years 2014-2023. The school record for a 10-year period is 104-26 from 2006-15. Calvary also has the best playoff record with a 19-7 win-loss mark.
Benton is next with 76 wins, Byrd has 73 and Haughton 70. Benton’s best 10-year stretch is 97 wins from 1999-2008, while Byrd posted a 90-29 record from 2006-15. Haughton’s best 10-year span was from 2002-11 when it was 87-29.
Evangel Christian has the Shreveport-Bossier record for a 10-year stretch with a 133-13 mark from 1993-2002. The Eagles won eight of their 14 state titles over the 10-year period, another area best. Calvary’s 104 wins is second most followed by Benton and Woodlawn with 97 wins and Parkway with 92.
Here is the list of the 18 Shreveport-Bossier high schools with their record over the last 10 years. Magnolia Charter is not listed because it has only competed five years.
BACK AT IT: James Simon and his teammates at reigning state Select Division III champion Calvary Baptist gets going on preseason camp today at 5 p.m. (Journal photo by KEVIN PICKENS)
JOURNAL SPORTS
From dawn nearly to dusk today, nearly all of the 19 local high school football teams are kicking off preseason camp.
A handful will get going on their first day of school Thursday.
Huntington, since the Raiders did not stage a spring practice, got started last week and will be in full pads ahead of the competition this week.
Some schools open workouts at 6 a.m. today, while others are waiting a bit later and many won’t take the field until the early evening.
The regular season starts Thursday, Sept. 5 with two games, Benton at Northwood and Loyola going to Monroe to face St. Frederick. The rest of the local teams kick off a night later on Sept. 6.
Jamboree action is on the final Thursday, Friday and Saturday in August.
ON A ROLL: Evangel enters the 2024 season with a Shreveport-Bossier record 33 straight playoff appearances. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Evangel Christian enters the 2024 football season with a Shreveport-Bossier record 33 straight playoff appearances, making the postseason every year since 1991.
The Eagles are followed by Calvary that has a 19-year streak that began the first year it was eligible for the LHSAA playoffs.
Byrd leads public schools with 14 consecutive, third overall, and Loyola is not far behind on the local overall count at 11. The Yellow Jackets’
current streak is a school record. The Jackets have made the playoffs 25 times since 1993. The Flyers’ school record is 15 straight from 1991-2005.
Haughton had its Bossier Parish record of 26 consecutive appearances stopped last season. Bossier held the previous parish record of 20 from 1990-2009.
Benton has a current streak of three and is third on the parish list, with 16 straight from 1996-2011. Airline has been playing extra games in November the past two seasons. Its school mark is 10 straight (2008-17).
Parkway is currently on a three-year streak and on the overall consecutive playoff seasons list locally, is tied with Plain Dealing with nine straight. The Panthers’ school-record stretch of playoff appearances was from 2005-13 while the Lions’ best extended run went from 2011-19.
Northwood is the next Caddo Parish school (still in existence) behind Byrd with a school-record seven straight playoff appearances. Captain Shreve and Huntington follow with best strings of six straight postseason appearances. For the Raiders it is a school best while the Gators’ longest playoff season streak of eight came from 1979-86.
North Caddo had its school record of nine straight playoff appearances stopped last season.
Woodlawn’s record is eight and came from 1984-91. It also has two other stretches of seven consecutive, the last occurring from 2012-18. Green Oaks has been the last two seasons and has a school record of seven in a row (1979-85).
Booker T. Washington made the playoffs last season for the first time in seven years. The Lions’ school record for back-to-back-to back postseason appearances is five (2004-08).
Southwood’s last trip to the postseason came in 2004. The Cowboys’ longest streak was a run six straight times from 1973-78.
The current leaders statewide for consecutive appearances also are expecting to expand their state record, 49 straight by John Curtis and Kentwood. Haynesville is next with 45, Oak Grove 40 and St. Thomas More 36. Evangel and Lutcher both have streaks of 33 straight playoff appearances.
Somewhere along the way, the summer Olympics (read: the real Olympics) jumped the shark. Part of the reason for that is because shark jumping could very easily become the next Olympic sport.
Yes, the Olympics are too political but then they’ve always been too political. Jesse Owens sticking it to Adolf Hitler in ’36, John Carlos/Tommie Smith with the black fist salute in ’68, the Munich massacre in ’72 are all examples of the politicization … and that was before entire countries started not showing up to make whatever point the thought they needed to make.
Face it – you’re never going to get rid of that; you just hope it can be kept to a minimum.
What you’d really like to see – and will never happen – is ditching a few of these sports. To me, the granddaddy of them all was when they implemented synchronized swimming in 1984.
Uh-oh.
I knew right then that we were in the wrong end of the pool (pun intended). And by the way, it’s not even called synchronized swimming anymore because somebody got mad and thinks that “artistic swimming” better represents what it’s all about.
When it comes to swimming, watching Katie Ledecky win a race by 10 seconds is all the artistry I need.
You don’t even want to know some of the sports that are being held in Paris right now. In 1976, there were 21 sports; this year there are 32 so as to include one of everyone’s favorites — breakdancing. (When the 1980s finds out about that, it won’t be pretty.)
But if you want to know the real reason why I’m pining for the Olympics to be run like it was in the 1970s, it should come as no great surprise as to why – the potential for free food.
In those days, McDonald’s had the greatest promotion known to mankind – “When the U.S. wins, you win” — and I have spent the last few decades hoping against hope that it would come back.
The contest was simple. Whenever you’d place an order, you’d get an Olympic scratch-off card after the transaction. The card contained a gray circle that you would use a coin to scratch off the covering. If the USA won gold in that event, you won a Big Mac. Silver got you free fries and a bronze was good for a free soft drink.
Operative word in all of those was, of course, free!
Get the right track and field event and it’s dinner time! However, if you got stuck with some obscure weightlifting event, you might go hungry.
The promotion started in 1976 and hardly anyone noticed, except hungry 17-year-olds, of which I was one. There was a big board near the counter that had the medal winners so you could check to see if you had won something. (Without the internet, how else were we supposed to find out?)
With the USA boycott of the Moscow Olympics in 1980, the joy of free food took a massive hit, but McDonald’s brought the promotion back in 1984 in a big way because (1) Los Angeles was the host city and (2) McDonald’s was a major sponsor.
Big mistake.
In 1976, the USA finished third in the medal standings behind the USSR and East Germany. But in 1984, once the Rooskies and their allies made it known they weren’t showing up, the USA started racking up the medals like never before. Good for us, bad for the McDonald’s bottom line. A few franchises reported that they literally ran out of food because of the promotion.
It should have been named “When the U.S. wins, we go bankrupt!” because that’s about what happened. The United States won nearly twice as many medals in 1984 as it did in 1976. “Mindboggling” is the word used to describe the financial losses that McDonald’s took over that one.
McDonald’s tried the promotion again in 1988 and 1996, but it was a dumbed-down version that never really got the enzymes flowing.
We all know the world is a different place than it was in Olympics past. But there’s nothing wrong to getting back to the basics. At its core, this is a track and field meet, a swim meet, a gymnastic meet, and a basketball tournament with a little room left for some sports that still provide the essence of true competition.
Especially when that competition has the possibility of resulting in free food.
HIS TURN: New Loyola football coach John Sella takes over a Flyers’ program rich in playoff history. (Photo courtesy Loyola College Prep)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
High school football teams around the state are starting preseason practices with a goal of getting to the playoffs, something Loyola College Prep has done the most by any Caddo-Bossier school with 43 appearances.
The Flyers’ first trip was in 1961 when the school was known as Jesuit. They played Neville, who leads the entire state with 61 playoff trips. Haynesville is second statewide with 59 and Homer is tied for third with Kentwood with 57. Ruston follows those two with 55.
Byrd High is right behind them with 42 appearances with the Yellow Jackets’ initial postseason game coming in 1926. The Jackets made 13 appearances before 1961.
Haughton is third locally with 41 beginning in 1963.
Bossier follows them with 38 appearances, with seven of those before 1961. Bossier, Byrd, Plain Dealing and now-closed Fair Park are the only local schools to have playoff games before 1961. Fair Park had 11 of its 25 before 1961. Only four of Plain Dealing’s 35 trips were before 1961.
Benton’s first playoff game occurred in 1966. Now the Tigers have 36 total. Airline is two behind with 34 total, its first appearance resulting in the school’s only state championship in 1967.
List of local schools with total number of playoff appearances, years listed
SUMMER FUN: Calvary coach Rodney Guin reels in another one while Parkway coach Coy Brotherton spent the summer watching as his seven-year-old son Broox won the Futures Golf Tournament in Mississippi. (Submitted photos)
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
As every local high school football coach knows, it’s about time to put away the fishing rods and the golf clubs. No more beach sand between your toes. All of that disappears next week as another prep football season is set to begin with pre-season workouts.
Hope you enjoyed the summer while you could. Because all of that is over.
For some local coaches, the summer was exciting. For some it was adventurous. For others, it was simple and relaxing. Maybe even boring. There was a premium placed on family time, because you’ve got to get as much of that while you can before that first practice whistle blows.
“Most importantly I spent about every free minute with my family going to Chuck E. Cheese and playing games, bowling and visiting my family back home and lots of swimming,” Airline coach Justin Scogin said.
“The whole summer was exciting,” said Parkway coach Coy Brotherton. “Played a lot of golf, watched my son play a lot of golf, swam with the family, traveled a little bit and enjoyed every minute with the family.”
“I got to escape to the mountains in Arizona for a week and got to relax a little and the temperature never got above 82,” Plain Dealing coach Clint Walker said. “As you get older, you tend to appreciate those things a little more.”
“I spent the summer hanging out with my 1-year-old daughter,” new Haughton coach Matthew Sewell said. “Watched a lot of golf and Major League Baseball. Went to the Bahamas to celebrate mine and my wife’s five-year wedding anniversary.”
For others, there was a mixture of football and non-football activities. “We played a lot of 7-on-7, ran our fireworks store, had our family beach trip and fished every day possible,” veteran Calvary coach Rodney Guin said. “It was a great summer!”
“I’ve actually spent a lot of time with my family and our youth group at church,” Reynolds Moore of Benton said. “Obviously, we spend a lot of time with the players at workouts and 7-on-7 stuff, but I don’t think we did anything really exciting.”
“I honestly spent most of my summer with football related activities,” said Huntington coach Stephen Dennis. “It was really cool, though, that this was the first summer my boys were old enough to participate in some of the elements of our Freshman workout. They had their own rack and the varsity players taught them technique. It was really fun watching them participate as much as a 10 and 12 year can be expected to.”
“I put up an 80-foot retaining wall in front of my house, but I was constantly interrupted with practice so it took me the whole summer,” Northwood’s Austin Brown said. “This was also my soon-to-be 5-year-old daughter’s first summer off, so I got to spend some really good quality time with her. Can’t wait for 13 more summers with her.”
Projects around the house – and of the football variety – seem to be a common theme. “Summer workouts and projects at home,” said Byrd coach Stacy Ballew. “The most exciting thing was fireworks on the lake on July 4.”
“We made some improvements to our facility and spruced it up a little,” Walker said. “That was ongoing for most of the summer. We had summer workouts with the kids and getting them back towards playing shape.”
Coaches are always mindful that this time of year is exciting not only for football, but also for the start of school. Especially if school isn’t just a place around the corner.
“This time of year gets exciting and eventful as school and football start and we move three kids back to college,” Moore said.
“For some reason this summer has flown by,” Walker said. “I can’t believe school is starting next week.”
The young man we’re focused on today might become the best offensive lineman in the modern era from Shreveport-Bossier.
I’ve covered and scouted football players around Louisiana since 1990 in person and on film, and obviously have seen some great talent around the boot and certainly in the local area.
Devin Harper, currently committed to LSU, is going to play his senior season at Calvary Baptist for the reigning Select Division III state champions. By the time he’s done – I’ll predict, with any luck, many years from now – Harper has a chance to have an incomparable legacy among local O-linemen since at least the American Football League merged into the NFL in 1969.
With a 6-foot-5 frame, Devin is a lean 300 pounds. He moves like a NFL lineman and goes after defensive linemen like a college starter.
He showed gifted hands, feet and tremendous athletic ability in a breakout junior season helping Captain Shreve to the District 1-5A championship behind a prolific run game.
He’s in the same mold as LSU O-line starter Emory Jones, who I project as a future first-round NFL Draft pick. Jones was extremely impressive while he played for Catholic High of Baton Rouge and has rapidly developed into a top-shelf SEC performer. I think Devin moves better than Emory at this stage.
Harper is projected to be an offensive tackle at LSU. I would not be shocked if he started as a true freshman like Will Campbell and Jones have done at the tackle spot. Those two will probably both go pro after their junior seasons this fall, so more than likely Harper will have a chance to go to Baton Rouge and be a starter on Day 1.
I had a chance to meet Devin and interview him for our TV show on YouTube before his junior season at Shreve in 2023 and was impressed how mature he already was. He seems like a great young man.
A two-year starter for since-departed coach Adam Kirby at Captain Shreve, Harper was offered Division I FBS scholarships after his sophomore season. It was obvious he had the goods at that point.
“As a sophomore I had to keep my head on straight and continue to improve,” said Harper, who did exactly that.
“Recruiting was crazy man, very hot and cold from some schools,” he said. “I just had to separate the real from the fake and find a home.
“I picked LSU because of my relationship with offensive line coach Brad Davis. He is one of the most genuine human beings I’ve met, who wants to see people succeed. We have built a great relationship.”
Harper is nobody’s fool. He can see that for a top-level in-state prospect, choosing LSU has great advantages not only for the short term, but for years to come.
“Baton Rouge is a premier city with a lot of influence. The passion for LSU sports is unmatched,” he said. “I know I would be appreciated and loved while being a Tiger.”
Making the move over to Calvary was easier because of how veteran coach Rodney Guin handles his players. Guin is the winningest active local coach, and has been a mentor to other top prospects, including current Cavaliers’ senior RB James Simon, and Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott back in the day at Haughton High School.
“Coach Guin is a loving and caring coach. The moment I stepped on campus, coach Guin embraced me as a family member and hasn’t stopped since,” said Harper. “He holds us to a championship level standard every day.”
Guin is obviously very pleased to have Harper on his squad.
“A very good player whose great footwork and wide body makes him special,” said the Cavs’ coach. “We had over 50 schools on campus in the spring. Big linemen with his skill set are hard to find.”
Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on Twitter @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.
TIGERS’ TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW: Benton running back Greg Manning had three games of four or more touchdowns during his senior season in 2023. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Running backs Greg Manning of Benton and Byrd’s Malachi Johnson led the Shreveport-Bossier list of top individual scoring games in 2023 by posting 30 points – five touchdowns – on Friday nights last fall.
Manning ran for four touchdowns and had a pass reception for another in Benton’s 62-41 defeat of Haughton. Johnson led Byrd with five rushing touchdowns in its game with Huntington in the second week of the season. Manning also had a four-touchdown game in the Tigers’ opening season win at Northwood and a win at home against Southwood.
Captain Shreve quarterback Quortni Beaner joined Manning to lead the area with three games of four touchdowns, while helping the Gators set a school record for points per game in a season (38.1 per game). Beaner had three games with four rushing touchdowns in District 1-5A wins over Airline, Benton and Haughton.
Calvary’s James Simon joined Manning with two entries on the 2023 high single-game scoring list. Simon had four touchdowns against D’Arbonne Woods and in a quarterfinal playoff win over Parkview Baptist. He finished second behind Manning in total points scored in the area for the second consecutive season. Cavalier receiver Aubrey Hermes had a four-score game against Captain Shreve in the second week of the season.
Parkway sophomore running back Antonio Gladney ran for four touchdowns in the Panthers’ 43-41 in over Minden.
Airline quarterback Ben Taylor led the area with 49 touchdown passes. He topped the area with seven touchdown passes against Benton. He also had six against Union Parish, five against Northwood and Haughton and four in wins over North DeSoto, Natchitoches Central, Byrd and Southwood.
Calvary signal caller Abram Wardell tossed 45 on the season with a season-high six against Green Oaks. He tossed five in a win over Lakeside and four against Captain Shreve, Byrd, North Caddo and Newman.
Evangel’s Peyton Fulghum threw for six touchdowns in consecutive games against Booker T. Washington and Belaire. He also had five in a district win over Bossier.
TOP CATCHER: Evangel’s Parker Fulghum led a list of top single-game receiving yardage totals recorded by a talent-laden collection of local wideouts in 2023. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Evangel wide receiver Parker Fulghum’s top two games in his senior season head the list of the best local single-game receiving yardage totals from last fall’s high school football action.
Fulghum, who moved on to the program at Clemson, capped a very productive career with more of his trademark big Friday night performances. The biggest came when he took in six passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 49-0 win over Bossier. The yardage total is among the most at Evangel. He opened the season against always-powerful Neville with 11 catches for 236 yards and three scores.
The local list of 2023’s best pass catching single-game totals is filled with some of the best receivers to ever play in the area.
Airline’s Jarvis Davis had a season-best 203 yards on nine catches with two going for scores against Haughton. Davis led the area with 94 catches on the season and had a single-game high of 12 (in the playoffs against Mandeville) to lead Caddo-Bossier. Sophomore teammate Kenny Darby started the season with 10 catches for 186 yards against North DeSoto. Bryson Broom had a couple entries on the list with his top game of 157 yards and three touchdowns coming against Benton. He had 146 yards on seven receptions against Captain Shreve.
Calvary receiver Aubrey Hermes tied Fulghum with the most entries on the list with four. Hermes had a pair of 150-yard games, with 154 against Menard and 153 against Captain Shreve. He led all receivers locally last year with four touchdown catches in the Captain Shreve game.
Benton’s Trey Smith also had a couple of 150-yard games. His season high of 158 yards came against Byrd and he ended his career with 157 yards in the playoffs against Walker.
2023’s Top 20 receiving yardage games
6-252, Parker Fulghum, Evangel, vs. Bossier, 3 TDs, Sept. 22
11-236, Parker Fulghum, Evangel, vs. Neville, 3 TDs, Sept. 1
9-203, Jarvis Davis, Airline, vs. Haughton, 2 TDs, Oct. 12
10-186, Kenny Darby, Airline, vs. North DeSoto, 2 TDs, Sept. 1
4-177, Kaleb Tucker, Huntington, vs. Byrd, 3 TDs, Sept. 7
9-164, Jarvis Davis, Airline, vs. Union Parish, 1 TD, Sept. 8
10-158, Trey Smith, Benton, vs. Byrd, 2 TDs, Sept. 28
6-157, Trey Smith, Benton, vs. Walker, 1 TD, Nov. 11
6-157, Bryson Broom, Airline, vs. Benton, 3 TDs, Sept. 21
7-154, Aubrey Hermes, Calvary, vs. Menard, 1 TD, Nov. 17
SIMON SAYS GO: Calvary running back James Simon had the top rushing game of 2023, a performance that was also a school record. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Calvary Baptist won its fourth state championship in 2023 and junior running back James Simon was a big reason as the Cavaliers’ star had his biggest game of the season in the playoffs — a school-record rushing performance in a quarterfinal win over Parkview Baptist.
Simon, a University of Texas commit, ran for 324 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns in the Cavs’ 49-28 defeat of Parkview in the quarterfinals. His total eclipsed the Calvary record held by Kordavion Washington who had 322 yards in a 44-40 win over Peabody in 2016. Simon’s total is ninth on the all-time Shreveport-Bossier single-game list.
Second on the 2023 list is Jamarlon Otis’ 313 yards, a Captain Shreve record for a single game. Otis set the mark with 21 carries and scored three touchdowns in the season-opening win over Loyola. His total is tied for 15th on the Shreveport-Bossier list.
Parkway sophomore Antonio Gladney had a pretty good start to his season with last fall’s third-best rushing total of 266 yards on 23 carries. He also scored four times in a wild 43-41 defeat of Minden in the season opener.
Haughton running back Chris Mayes had only 12 yards on 12 carries entering his senior season and did not have a carry in 2023 when the Bucs’ starting back fell ill in warmups for the Southwood game. Mayes’ opportunity came and he responded with scoring runs of 96 and 97 yards on his way to 241 yards, the third most in Haughton history.
Top 20 rushing performances for 2023
22-324, James Simon, Calvary, vs. Parkview Baptist, 4 TDs, Nov. 24
21-313, Jamarlon Otis, Captain Shreve, vs. Loyola, 3 TDs, Aug. 31
23-266, Antonio Gladney, Parkway, vs. Minden, 4 TDs, Sept. 1
