Football season kicks off with jamborees

By Tom Dodge
The high school football regular season doesn’t begin until next Friday, but the jamborees will give the local fans a preview what they can expect from their respective teams.
The fourth annual Joe Nagata Memorial jamboree will be held on Friday at St. Edmund's Blue Jay Field.
Eunice High will take on Notre Dame at 6:30 p.m.
St. Edmund will face Sacred Heart of Ville Platte at 8 p.m.
“It is a big dress rehearsal,” St. Edmund first year coach Andy Hargroder said. “When you play in a jamboree you get that Friday night lights atmosphere.
“The fans are in the stands and the boys are excited to play,” the coach said. “It is a great way to start the season.”
Hargroder said the jamboree will help the coaches evaluate the team to set the starting lineup for next week.
The Acadia Parish Jamboree will be held tonight at Iota High School.
Church Point will face Crowley at 6 p.m.
Iota will take on Rayne at 7:30 p.m.
The Evangeline Parish Jamboree will held Friday at Mamou.
Ville Platte will battle at Pine Prairie at 6 p.m.
Basile will face Mamou at 7:30 p.m.
The St. Landry Parish jamboree will be held Friday at Donald Gardner Stadium in Opelousas.
Eunice will take on North Central at 6 p.m.
Port Barre will face Beau Chene at 7:15 p.m.
Northwest and OHS will kickoff at 8:45 p.m.
“Lack of experience will be our biggest problem,” Eunice High head coach Paul Trosclair said, “because we lost so many good players.
“But I like that they are focused and dedicated.”
Eunice splitting its squad between the parish jamboree and the Nagata Jamboree has its advantages and disadvantages, according to to Trosclair.
“I think it is great for the kids,” he said. “A lot of them get to play and that is a plus.
“It is difficult to split the coaching staff between the two games, but we will get it done.”