The final major step in parish teams’ preparations for the 2025 season is here with two jamborees set for Friday night.
Five teams are competing in the annual Pineland Jamboree at Lakeside.
Minden plays Homer at 6:30 p.m. followed by Minden vs. Haynesville, Homer vs. North Webster, Lakeside vs. Haynesville and Lakeside vs. North Webster.
Each “game” will be 15 regulation minutes.
Three teams are competing in the The b1BANK Apache Jamboree at Glenbrook.
Glenbrook faces Loyola College Prep at 6 followed by Loyola vs. Montgomery and Glenbrook vs. Montgomery.
While fans won’t see everything teams have to offer, the jamborees are a chance for them to get a little preview of their teams.
Of course, everyone wants to win. But that’s not really the most important thing. Every team will still be 0-0.
Coaches want to see improvement from last week’s scrimmages. They can also use the video to make any necessary tweaks for the season openers.
Of course, ask any coach what he hopes to get out of the jamboree and he’s likely to say no injuries.
For new starters, it’s a chance to play in front of a big crowd for the first time and maybe get rid of some of the jitters before the season openers.
Both jamborees feature some teams looking to build on last season’s success and others looking to bounce back from tough seasons.
Minden is coming off an 8-3 season. The Crimson Tide have a three-year starter at quarterback, Hudson Brown, and several experienced running backs including Caylien Aubrey, Lucas Owens and Kaiden Shine.
Homer went 5-6 and finished third in District 1-2A last season behind Calvary Baptist and Union Parish.
North Webster went 3-8 last season. The Knights have many new starters on both sides of the ball.
Haynesville has one of the state’s top players, LSU commit Isaiah Washington, at quarterback. The Tors are coming off a 13-1 season with their only loss in the non-select Division I championship game.
Lakeside is also coming off a very good season. The Warriors went 9-3 and reached the second round of the non-select Division III playoffs, falling to eventual state champion Sterlington.
Kentravion Miller is coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season and Brock Case is a three-year starter at quarterback.
Greg Tibbitt has taken the reins as head coach at Glenbrook. It’s his second stint at the school after serving in the position in 2012-13.
The Apaches are looking to continue the success they have enjoyed since joining the LHSAA in 2021.
Junior Ryan Reagan takes over at quarterback. Sophomore Darron Hollingsworth is expected to be one of his top targets.
Loyola went 7-5 last season and reached the second round of the select Division III playoffs playoffs.
The Flyers have an experienced quarterback, Bryce Restovich, and running back, Mason Drake.
Montgomery is coming off a 7-5 season. The Tigers fell to Haynesville in the second round of the playoffs.