Schedule
Thursday
Airline at Northwood, freshman 5, JV and varsity 6
Haughton at Minden, 7
Red River at Bossier, 6:30
North DeSoto at Benton, 7
Evangel at Parkway, 7
Friday
Plain Dealing vs. Arcadia and North Caddo at North Caddo, 7
Last year, the Parkway Panthers and Evangel Christian Academy Eagles played for the District 1-5A championship on the final day of the regular season.
That won’t happen this year. Both teams are going into the 2026 season with high expectations again. But under the district’s six-game schedule format, they won’t be facing off this season.
However, the Panthers and Eagles will go head-to-head in a scrimmage Thursday at Bobby Marlow Field at Preston Crownover Stadium.
All six parish schools are having scrimmages, the next step in preparation for the regular season. The scrimmages follow the first official day of practice and the first day of practice where pads can be worn and precede next week’s annual Bossier Parish Lions Club jamboree.
In the other scrimmages Thursday, Haughton visits Minden, Bossier hosts Red River, Benton hosts North DeSoto and Bossier hosts Red River.
Plain Dealing is playing North Caddo and Arcadia and North Caddo at North Caddo Friday.
In past years, Scrimmages have generally started around 6 p.m. Because of the extreme heat, starting times are later this year.
Scrimmages vary in format but most include a series of plays featuring the first and second teams and sometimes freshman. Some include a segment working on goalline offense and defense. Some also conclude with a regulation 12-minute quarter.
Parkway has the distinction of going up against two of the nation’s best quarterback in a three-week span. Evangel senior Peyton “Pop” Houston has committed to LSU.
In their season opener, the Panthers will go up against defending select Division III state champion and Alabama commit Elijah Haven, generally considered the top college prospect in the nation in the class of 2027.
The Evangel scrimmage will be good preparation for a Parkway defense that lost nine starters off last season’s 11-2 season.
Parkway fans will also get another look at new quarterback Bryston McCoy, who transferred from Arkadelphia, Ark., after leading the Badgers to a 2024 state championship and 11 wins last season.
Evangel won last season’s district championship game 55-27. The Eagles reached the quarterfinals of the select Division I playoffs, falling to eventual state champion Edna Karr 49-20.
The Airline-Northwood scrimmage features two programs that have enjoyed success in recent years. The Vikings went 7-4 last season and the Falcons went 8-3.
Airline senior quarterback Chase Williams is entering his second season as a starter. Northwood has a new starter at the position. One of his receivers is Duntavious Young, a second-team All-District selection last season.
Benton’s opponent North DeSoto has won or shared four straight District 1-4A championships and is expected to make it five straight this season.
The Griffins finished 13-1 last season and reached the non-select Division II championship game. Luke Delafield, a four-year starter at quarterback, is now at Nprthwestern State. Freshman Mason Smith, who has already received an offer from LSU, has taken over the position.
Benton senior quarterback Malachi Zeigler, an SMU commit, is entering his third year as a starter. The Tigers are coming off a 2-8 season in Stephen Dennis’ first year as head coach.
Haughton should get a good test against Minden. The Tide, which went 5-6 last season, has a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2023, sophomore Kaiden King. Junior Jaden Johnson saw significant action at quarterback last season but will primarily be a receiver this year. He was first-team All-District at receiver last season.
Haughton is coming off an 8-2 season. The Bucs have three of the best offensive players in the area, senior quarterback Taylor Weathersby, senior receiver Ethan Johnson and senior running back/receiver Brandon Craig.
Bossier and Red River both made the playoffs last year. The Bearkats finished 4-7 and the Bulldogs 6-5.
Bossier junior quarterback Montrevell Lewis had almost 3,000 yards rushing and passing combined last year.
Plain Dealing, North Caddo and Magnolia are looking to rebound from tough 2025 seasons. The Lions are entering their second season under Head Coach Jerry Byrd Jr.