Well, football fans, it's back! We've got a brand new season ahead of us with new beginnings everywhere. Every team is undefeated and optimism abounds. I'm just looking forward to being at a game somewhere with the sights, sounds and even the smells of a good high school concession stand filling the night air.
I wish your team all the best this season and may the ball bounce your way!
Game of the Week - Christian Collegiate at Bowling Green. These two teams did not play last season but the Bulldogs had a solid season, with an 8-3 record. Their three losses were by a total of fourteen points. Quarterback DJ Biggs, who was a huge part of their offense in 2022 returns to lead them. The Bucs have their quarterback, Maddox Magee back as well. This win would go a long way for either team in the power points. Should be a good one.
Notes and Quotes
Cole Holden has been named as head football coach at Central Private school. Holden is a graduate of Franklinton High and was most previously an assistant at Oak Forest. He has also previously been the head football coach at Ben's Ford. Central Private is a former member of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools but moved over to the LHSAA a few years ago. The Redhawks were 4-7 last season and are a 1A school in the district with Kentwood.
Of note from our neighbors in Mississippi (MHSAA) is that all their football games will begin at 7pm. Last season they were played at 7:30 in an attempt to beat the heat.
"We are looking for someone to become our defensive stopper and offensively to get more consistency in our run game. Most importantly, stay injury free." Franklinton coach Nick Saltaformaggio
"Our depth on the defensive line. That to me personnel wise is the biggest thing we are trying to accomplish, pre season. We've got a lot of guys coming back that we know can play but we need some depth on the defensive line. You want to get out of it with some rhythm on offense and get out of it injury free and get some depth out of it, and we've kind of got a log jam at linebacker and we'd like to get those guys some reps and evaluate them." ---Pine coach Bradley Seal
"We are still evaluating talent. We only have two seniors, so we have a lot of competition going on at the skill positions which is a good thing. I'm really grateful for this group of kids. A lot of them are young and a little inexperienced, but they have had good attitudes so far and have continued to improve. The one thing I'm looking for more than anything is who is going to be physical and tackle. Football is a physical game. I need guys who are willing to hit people. That's what I feel like we need to improve on the most. I want our kids to have fun and enjoy themselves in a great atmosphere. That's what it's all about." --Varnado coach Adam Brumfield
"Our kids played hard last night. We had a lot of bright spots with the guys playing physical. We moved the ball well but we just can't have the fumbles that we had. We left 21 points on the field because of turnovers that stopped drives. We will get to work Monday and build on the positives and repair the mistakes. I believe in my team and like our culture." --Bowling Green coach Jason Johnson
"We are excited to open things up at home this coming Friday. We haven't had a scrimmage or jamboree this year. Our boys are just ready to hit somebody else and think we will be ready to go this coming Friday." --Bens Ford coach Destin Pittman
"We are excited about the opportunity to compete. We are anxious to get our guys some live reps and experience against an opponent and get some questions answered on the areas we need to improve leading into the season opener." --Central Private coach Cole Holden
•Last Week’ss Action
Adams Christian 41 Bowling Green 2
•This Weeks Action
Regular season August 18
Christian Collegiate at Bowling Green
PPCA at Bens Ford
Scrimmages
August 17
Franklinton at Kentwood
Central Private vs Varnado at SLU
Woodlawn at Denham Springs
Belle Chasse vs Pearl River
Douglas at Amite
BT Washington at Bogalusa
August 18
Pope John Paul at Pine
