Shreveport, La. – On Friday at 5 p.m., Independence Stadium will host one of the most anticipated high‑school football matchups in the state. The Parkway Panthers, ranked No. 1 in District 1‑5A, will take on the defending Division III Select state champion Dunham Tigers, who sit atop the 2A preseason poll.
Local pride and national talent collide
Both programs have built strong community support this season, and the Stars and Stripes Border Classic promises to showcase the depth of Louisiana’s football talent. Parkway head coach Coy Brotherton said his team has spent the offseason preparing not only for Dunham’s formidable defense but also for the heightened attention this game will draw.
Elite recruits headline the showdown
The game’s marquee storyline pits Dunham quarterback Elijah Haven, a five‑star recruit and Alabama commit, against Parkway wide receiver Gary Burney, an LSU commit. Haven, standing 6‑foot‑5 and weighing 220 pounds, is listed by ESPN as the nation’s No. 1 quarterback, the top overall recruit in Louisiana, and the fifth‑best player nationally. He set a state record with 62 passing touchdowns last season, including a memorable victory over Calvary in the Superdome.
Burney, a 6‑foot‑4, 180‑pound three‑star recruit, is ranked No. 32 among Louisiana receivers by ESPN. He logged 78 catches for roughly 1,300 yards last season, the second‑most receptions in the area. This season, Burney will be paired with new quarterback Bryston McCoy, an Arkansas state champion who transferred to Parkway from Arkadelphia.
Game details and broadcast
The contest kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, with coverage continuing during the Southern Classic Chicken Friday Football Fever broadcast on KPXJ‑CW 21 at 10:30 p.m.
Local fans are encouraged to arrive early for parking and to support their high‑school athletes, who represent the heart of their communities and the future of Louisiana football.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
