District play moves high school football into Week 7
“No way! It can’t be. How’s it possible?” That was my reaction when I looked at the calendar and realized we were over halfway through the high school football season. It seems like just yesterday it was the beginning of August and we were anxiously waiting the players to report to begin practicing. Believe it or not, we’re now heading into Week 7. Besides District 1-4A, which has already begun district play, most of the other area districts started last week. Here are some of my thoughts on two of the top teams in the area and the family feud it has created.
Parkway Panthers – Coach David Feaster’s Panthers have annihilated each of their opponents and left a path of destruction in their wake. Led by quarterback Brandon Harris, who is an LSU commitment, Parkway is averaging just under 60 points a game. The Panthers put up 79 points against Bastrop and beat Calvary by 42 points. That’s six touchdowns, folks! Currently, Parkway is ranked second in Class 5A by the Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association. Parkway should be undefeated when it plays host to District 1-5A rival Byrd Oct. 25.
Speaking of the Byrd Yellow Jackets, they entered Week 6 and district play last week with a 5-0 record and were ranked fourth by the LSWA. Coach Mike Suggs may have his most complete team in his 16 years as the Yellow Jackets’ front man. That is saying a lot considering the 2011 Jackets were a win away from reaching the Superdome and the Class 5A title game. That team was led by quarterback Richard Carthon, who was an exceptional playmaker. This year’s Byrd team features four running backs, including fullback Louis Mills, who are a threat to score every time they touch the football. Byrd is averaging 56 points per game, and its average margin of victory is 35 points. If Byrd can get by Airline and arch rival Captain Shreve, the Yellow Jackets will set up a monumental clash with the Parkway Panthers Oct. 25 at Preston Crownover Stadium in south Bossier City.
I know one teenager who is hoping and praying both teams will be undefeated heading into that late fall Friday contest. Frequent readers of my column know my oldest daughter, Katelyn, is a sophomore at Parkway High School, and I am the radio play-by-play man for the Byrd Yellow Jackets.
This little family feud began last year when Katelyn was a freshman at PHS and in the pep squad. The Panthers entered the game with a perfect 6-0 record, while Byrd was 5-1, having lost to then topranked West Monroe in the season opener.
My lovely daughter and I decided to put a friendly wager on the game. The loser would have to go down to the field, stand in the end zone while wearing the winning team’s colors. And, of course, be teased and ridiculed like only family members can do but especially the Cavell clan.
Parkway jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Byrd came back to tie it in the second quarter. Harris would score on a 13-yard run to give the Panthers a 20-14 halftime lead. I was feeling pretty good about my chances because the Jackets would get the ball to start the second half, and I thought the contest would continue its back-and-forth flow of the first half.
To borrow a line from the movie Bull Durham – “Don’t think. You can only hurt the ballclub!” The Yellow Jackets would come out in the second half and turn the football over on four consecutive possessions. Three of those turnovers led directly to Parkway touchdowns, and the Panthers cruised to a 44-14 win over the Yellow Jackets. Time to pay the piper – my daughter.
As I was finishing up the postgame show, I look out over an empty Lee Hedges Stadium, and all I see is this flash of red running across the field. Sprinting across the turf and up the stadium steps like someone was giving away free One Direction tickets was my not-so-little anymore “love bug.” Never before had I witnessed Katelyn move with such swiftness and dexterity as she did that night.
Anyone who knows me knows I don’t take losing well. If Byrd, LSU or the New Orleans Saints lose, I’m not a fun person to be around. My friend Marc Wilson said, “Charlie takes it personally.” I’ll admit it; I hate losing.
After I signed off the radio, I had to put on a red PHS shirt and take that excruciatingly, long walk down the steps and to the end zone of Hedges Stadium where my daughter could gloat in her father team’s defeat. And gloat she did! I had to pose for pictures while holding a PHS football all the while getting a hearty dose of teenage scorn. Seeing the joy, happiness and excitement on Katelyn’s face somehow made the loss somewhat palatable.
Hopefully, I can exact some revenge Oct. 25.
Charlie Cavell may be reached at ccavell12@hotmail.com.
