High School Football: 2017 Battle on the Border Review

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

It was another successful high school football showcase as thousands of high school fanatics poured into Independence Stadium to watch 10 teams from six different states compete in the annual Battle on the Border showcase in Shreveport, Louisiana. The teams provided thrilling endings, highlight plays, and games to remember.

2017 Battle on the Border Events

West Monroe (LA) Rebels 30, Booker T. Washington (OK) Hornets 21

Junior running back Cameron Wright was the star of the show in the Rebels win as he ran the ball 19 times for 117 yards and three total touchdowns. Quarterback Slade Bolden contributed with 124 rushing yards and threw one touchdown pass to Wright on 22-yard play in the first half.

On defense, West Monroe kept the Hornets in check by snagging two interceptions, one by Ayinde Robinson and one by Brooks Miller.

In the loss, Hornets quarterback Phillip Weatley threw for three touchdowns, the first to Mahcel Johnson, second to Dewayne Cooks Jr., and the third to Javian Hester to try and keep his team close. However, West Monroe’s explosive plays were just too much to overcome.

Pearl (MS) Pirates 50, Parkway (LA) Panthers 27

The story coming out of this game was the injury to Parkway wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. Marshall, the top ranked wide receiver prospect in the country, suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle. He is scheduled to be out six to eight weeks which is another huge blow for the Panthers after they lost four-star 2018 quarterback Justin Rogers for the season due to a dislocated knee the previous week.

Pearl senior quarterback Jack Smithhart put up great numbers in his team’s win throwing for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns were to fellow senior Tylan Knight. The Pirates used their rushing attack to control the game finishing with 323 yards to secure their victory in Shreveport.

In defeat, Parkway was led by senior running EJ Williams who finished with 172 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Amani Larry finished with 167 passing yards and one touchdown.

Brentwood Academy (TN) Eagles 21, Bishop Dunne (TX) Falcons 14

In a tough grinding game the Eagles clawed their way to victory in Shreveport. Brentwood used their impressive rushing attack to run for a total of 211 yards as a team led by running back Tomario Pleasant, who had touchdown runs of 75- and 46-yards.

Bishop Dunne kept the game close with on a 3-yard run by Terrance Shaw and on a 24-yard pass play from quarterback Peyton Culberson to junior wide receiver Marquez Beason in the third quarter. The Falcons could only manage 37 yards on the ground in the loss.

Grayson (GA) Rams 22, John Curtis (LA) Patriots 9

In a matchup between two perennial powerhouse programs, Grayson used their skill and ability to get past John Curtis, 22-9. The Rams were led to victory by the talented duo of quarterback D.J. Irons and running back Ronald Thompkins. Irons was accountable for all three of Grayson’s touchdowns as he finished with 126 passing yards and two passing touchdowns and 89 rushing yards and one rushing score. Thompkins contributed 90 rushing yards on eleven carries.

Quarterback Collin Guggenheim scored the lone touchdown for John Curtis on a 1-yard keeper in the third quarter. Overall, John Curtis finished the game with 146 rushing yards and 116 passing yards.

C.E. Byrd (LA) Yellow Jackets 28, Moss Point (MS) Tigers 19

In the main Battle of the Border event, the local squad, C.E. Byrd, took down the visitors from Mississippi, 28-19. The star of the Yellow Jackets victory was senior running back Jalin Thomas who had 173 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.

The Tigers were led by running back Devin Simpson who had two rushing touchdowns in the contest. Moss Point’s last touchdown came when Dwayne Sipp recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to make the score 21-19 with four minutes remaining in the contest but the Tigers could not overcome Byrd’s rushing attack.

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Photo Credit: FloFootball.com; Grayson QB D.J. Irons dives over John Curtis defenders