The final major step in parish teams’ preparations for the 2025 season is here.
The 72nd Bossier City Lions Club Jamboree is set for Friday at M.D. Ray Field at Airline Stadium.
Parkway faces Benton at 5:45 p.m., Bossier takes on Plain Dealing at 7:15 and Airline faces Haughton at 8:45.
Of course, the jamboree has always been about more than the action on the field.
Each school has a jamboree queen. Dance groups and cheerleaders will perform.
For the teams, it’s a chance to build on their performances in last week’s scrimmages.
For coaches, it’s the last chance see how their teams are coming together. They can use the video to make any necessary tweaks for the season openers.
Of course, ask any coach what he hopes to get out of the jamboree and he’s likely to say no injuries.
While everyone will be 0-0 after the jamboree, winning is still important. After all, it’s competition among rivals and many of the players have been going against each other since youth football.
There’s also a chance to build some confidence.
Two head coaches will have their first Bossier Jamboree experience, Benton’s Stephen Dennis and Plain Dealing’s Jerry Byrd Jr.
Both have taken over teams coming off rough seasons. The Tigers went 1-9 last season and the Lions 0-9.
Benton will take on a Parkway team expected to contend for the District 1-5A championship after finishing second last season.
Both teams have experienced quarterbacks expected to have big seasons — Parkway senior Kaleb Williams and Benton junior Malachi Zeigler.
Plain Dealing did not score in its final eight games last season. In an interview at the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Media Day, Byrd said scoring touchdowns is the focus more than winning at this point.
So if the Lions get one against Bossier it will be a big deal regardless of the outcome.
The Bearkats are also coming off a challenging season and are looking to perform well.
Haughton is another team that struggled last season. Defending 1-5A champion Airline went 10-0 in the regular season.
So if the Bucs can have some success it will be a confidence-booster.
Airline, of course, wants to show it’s the team to beat again. The Vikings have a new starting quarterback, Chase Deon Williams, and feature two of the area’s top returning players, senior receiver Kenny Darby and senior running back David “DJ” Allen.