Friday night will bring another chapter in a rivalry that has defined high‑school football in Claiborne Parish for more than a century. The Homer Pelicans travel to Haynesville to face the Tornadoes in a contest that, despite both teams’ early‑season records, promises the same passion, community pride and family‑focused competition that has long united the parish.
Coaches stress tradition and character
Homer head coach Richie Casey reminded his players that the game is about more than wins. “First thing you think of is the tradition, the winning, the championships,” Casey said. “They just recently won a championship. But I also think back to a lot of the great memories that I had of playing them and growing up watching them.” His remarks underscore the importance of honoring the past while preparing the young men for the challenges ahead.
Haynesville’s coach David Franklin echoed that sentiment, noting that a 1‑1 record does not dictate the outcome. “You look at the records of them (0‑2) and us (1‑1) and you think, ‘Well, this is not going to be a good game.’ That’s certainly not the case at all. They’ve got a really good football team and I’m hoping that we’ve got a good enough football team to play with them on Friday night,” Franklin said.
Scheduling cooperation reflects community spirit
Both coaches highlighted the collaborative effort that goes into preserving the rivalry. Casey explained, “Every year before when it’s time to redo the schedules, Coach Franklin and I are calling each other and make sure we take care of that game first.” This mutual respect demonstrates how local schools can work together for the benefit of their students and families.
Preparing the players for the moment
Casey stressed the need for focus: “To get our guys prepared for that, we deal with it every year. So, they just got to understand that you can’t let the moment get too big. You got to go out there and you got to play ball, execute and do what we know we can do.”
Franklin added, “It’s just you’re not making mistakes, not getting caught up in the moment. There’s a lot of factors that go into this. There’s a lot of distractions that go with this. But I think it’s just playing a sound football game and just give yourself a chance to win is all you can do.” Both coaches are urging their players to rely on discipline, teamwork and the values taught at home.
Where to watch
The game will be broadcast as part of the Southern Classic Chicken Friday Football Fever Scores and Highlights Show on KPXJ at 10:30 p.m. Central Time, alongside other high‑school contests from Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.
Why the rivalry matters
Beyond the scoreboard, the Homer‑Haynesville matchup serves as a gathering point for families, churches and local businesses. Friday night lights bring neighbors together, reinforcing the traditional family and community bonds that are the backbone of Claiborne Parish. As the coaches and players step onto the field, they carry the hopes of parents, alumni and the wider parish, reminding everyone that high‑school football remains a vital expression of local pride and shared values.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
