By Shawn White

(Under the Radar NWLA)

Claiborne Parish continues its rich history of football this coming weekend.  For the fourth consecutive year both Homer and Haynesville will represent Claiborne Parish in the quarterfinals LHSAA in the playoffs.   Not impressed… Claiborne Parish has had a team in the quarterfinals every year since 2012.   Haynesville carried the sole torch from 2012-2018.  The Golden Tornado fell in the second round and looked to have the Claiborne Parish streak broken, but the Pelicans picked up the torch in 2019.  Both teams have shared the honor since 2020.  

The two teams are facing two teams that have totally different histories.

Haynesville (10-1) will be hosting the Jeanerette Tigers (9-2).  The Tigers have the longest drought short of Walker, who has never been in the quarterfinals, of being in the third round.   The last time the Tigers made the quarterfinals the first Gulf War had not started yet.   The senior George Bush was the president.  1990 was the last time that Jeanerette had been in the quarterfinals.   Jeanerette has never been to a state championship and will have to face a Haynesville team that is searching for its 18th state title.   Haynesville knows better than to know that the history of a team is just a trivial matter.   Haynesville ability to have a two prong offense now with not only its ground attack which it is always known with  via Alonzo Jackson, Jr., Donnie Critton, and Byruss Burns.   Quarterback Isaiah Washington is not only dangerous with the new passing offense but also loves the quarterback keeper.     

Homer (9-3) will be traveling down south to a team that has been a thorn in fellow Claiborne Parish Haynesville teams in the past, the dreaded No. 2 Kentwood Kangaroos (9-2).  Haynesville and Kentwood have faced each other eight times in the playoffs since 2005.  The ‘Roos have not lost to Haynesville (or in this instance any Claiborne Parish team since 2015.  One thing for sure is that Homer ain’t Haynesville… Homer is trying for a third consecutive trip to the state championship.   The road just went straight uphill and bumpy for the Pels.   Kentwood has always fielded teams that are strong.   Homer will have to have all the key players play their “A” game including quarterback Zyan Warren, Katrevick Banks, Spencer Dunn, Jermaurian Pickens.

If you are waiting for Claiborne Parish Superbowl 2023 II, you’ll have to wait for a state championship matchup and that will be in New Orleans on the Caesar’s Superdome field.  Good luck to our Pelicans and Golden Tornado.