While Claiborne Parish’s three football-playing high schools might be at different points in their season, there is one thing each program has in common.
There’s a zero in the loss column.
Homer and Haynesville kick off their regular seasons this week while Claiborne Academy has steamrolled its way to a 2-0 start.
Claiborne plays its first home game Friday against Dermott (Ark.).
Haynesville plays its customary opening week game against North Webster as they head to Webster Parish on Friday.
Homer takes aim at Haughton after nearly upsetting the Bucs in 2024.
CLAIBORNE ACADEMY
The Rebels have wrecked their first two opponents by a combined score of 98-12, including a 48-6 win against Tallulah Academy this past week.
In each game, Claiborne bolted to a huge first-quarter lead and put the game away early.
Quarterback Kyler Monk combined for seven touchdowns through two games while the receiving duo of Cade and Nate Smith accounted for five receiving touchdowns and running back Dylan Buckner adding another four on the ground.
The Rebels get a Dermott team that’s lost both of its games to the tune of 56-48 and 36-6.
HAYNESVILLE
The list of Haynesville players who made an all-state team that graduated is long from a team that made a state title appearance and ran the table in the regular season.
Six players, including district defensive MVP Desmon Sturdivant, must be replaced.
But perhaps the most important two names are still donning Haynesville black and gold – quarterback/safety Isiah Washington and head coach David Franklin.
The cupboard is far from bare, which is always seems to the case at Haynesville.
All-State running back Donnie Critton is back, and Yasin Meadors is another veteran ball carrier.
There’s still beef on the lines led by all-stater Treyvion Fielding.
Haynesville will be Haynesville, and they’ll be looking for their fourth straight win against a North Webster program that’s still coming into its own.
HOMER
Greg Williams, one of the most dynamic running backs in the entire state, is gone.
But a lot of the guys who paved the way like Stanley Williams are back, and Homer is otherwise a relatively experienced bunch.
Quarterback Kevin Williams leads an offense that returns a lot of their playmakers outside of Greg Williams.
Many of Homer’s players play both ways, and those experienced guys will flip around and play defense as well.
After losing five of their first six games in a brutal schedule this past season, Homer won its last four only to lose a first-round home playoff game.
Homer nearly missed a season-opening upset of Class 5A Haughton to start this past season in a 48-46 defeat, and the Pelicans hope they can find that magic again to give themselves a chance late.