Byrd ready to sting in the Superdome
“I’ve been there before and swore I wouldn’t return unless I was there with the Byrd Yellow Jackets.”
That’s been my blanket statement to anyone who has asked if I’d ever been to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association/State Farm Prep Classic in the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Back in 1991 when I was living in Thibodaux, I saw the Thibodaux Tigers win the newly created Class 5A state championship with an 18-15 overtime victory over the Neville Tigers. Dennis Lorio’s Thibodaux team finished the year 13-1.
Earlier that season, I had called some of Thibodaux’s games on the radio. It was great to see the Tigers go on to win the state title. I had also broadcast some of E.D. White Catholic High School’s games that season as well. The Cardinals played in the Superdome against the Brother Martin Crusaders. Raion Hill, who would later go on to play at LSU and in the National Football League, would star in the game.
I’ve had many offers over the years to return to the Superdome to see the Prep Classic, politely declining each offer. I’ve watched the Prep Classic on television and have listened to some of the games on the radio and/or Internet. But, I’ve never returned to New Orleans to witness the Prep Classic in person.
When I became the “Voice of the Byrd Yellow Jackets” 16 years ago, I made a vow that I wouldn’t return to the Superdome unless the Yellow Jackets were playing there. Two years ago, I thought I’d be making reservations in New Orleans for that second weekend in December, but the Carencro Bears had other plans when they put an end to Byrd’s 12-0 season with a 34- 21 win over the Yellow Jackets in the Class 5A semifinals.
However, that all changed on Friday, Nov. 29.
The 2013 Byrd Yellow Jackets, who are the No. 2 seed in the newly-created LHSAA Division I, defeated the Holy Cross Tigers, 14-10, in the semifinals and will now play for the state championship Dec. 12, in the Superdome. It’ll be Byrd’s first visit to the state finals since 1962 and the school’s first visit to the Superdome.
The semifinals were a grueling, hardfought but thrilling victory over an outstanding Holy Cross Tigers’ football team. The outcome was still in question until sophomore Andrew Suggs’ punt sailed into the crisp, chilly, fall night air and landed on the artificial grass of Tad Gormley Stadium as the clock showed 0:00. It set off a celebration in the City of Byrd a half-century in the making.
During a break in our postgame show, I allowed myself a few fleeting moments of reflection. I thought back to 1998 and how a new coach (Mike Suggs), a booster club and a principal (R. Lynne Fitzgerald) allowed a young man from Lafayette to take over the reins of calling its football games. Anyone who knows me knows that I get a bit emotional when talking about people and things I’m passionate about. Byrd Yellow Jackets football is very high on that list. If you were listening closely, you may have heard my voice crack a little bit.
Hopefully, each of you has something that you do that provides you with great rewards. I do and have done many rewarding activities, but they all take a back seat to the recompense I get from Byrd football. The sheer joy and pleasure I get from doing the play-by-play on the radio is enough, however, the enduring relationships that I’ve built with so many wonderful people, some of which are my closest friends, have came about because of my affiliation with Byrd.
Just one small example is my broadcast partner and color commentator Christopher Eldredge. Chris is a former Yellow Jackets quarterback, who I had the privilege of calling during his days at Byrd. Chris’ parents, Elizabeth and Mark Eldredge, have become dear friends of mine. Admittedly, they spoil me! From the smallest gesture to the grandiose, they’re always going out of their way to make sure I’m included in everything purple and gold. A few years back they purchased a brick for the Byrd alumni walkway with my name and “Voice of the Byrd Yellow Jackets” inscribed on it. As I stated above, that’s just one small example of the opportunities afforded to me because of Byrd.
Don’t you think you would get a little choked up, too?
Since that glorious night in New Orleans, I’ve had more time to reflect back on the relationships I’ve enjoyed with Byrd coaches, players, staff, students, parents and fans throughout the years. I thought about the late Ray Doyle and how happy he would be for his coaching brethren. I read so many tweets on Twitter from former players stating how proud and excited they are for the current Yellow Jackets as well as for the City of Byrd.
A few years ago, I was embroiled in a discussion with my friends Archer Frierson and Steve Baker, both whom I met through my affiliation with Byrd, to explain why Byrd is such a special place. I tried to explain to them that I had never seen a public school in which the students, alumni, etc. all hold in such reverence as they do C.E. Byrd.
There is a genuine love of school that permeates deep into the souls of anyone who’s ever graced the halls of the venerable old school on Line Avenue that I’ve never before seen in a public school.
Regardless of the outcome of the Division I State Championship game, I’m just honored, privileged and excited to be able to finally be calling a game from the ‘Dome.
And, as always … Sting ‘em Jackets!
Charlie Cavell may be reached at [email protected].
