A pair of 318 programs with annual title aspirations will help open Louisiana’s second weekend of high school football action.
Union Parish (0-1), the No. 8 team in the LSWA’s Class 2A poll, will visit Alexandria (1-0), No. 7 in the Class 5A poll, in a battle between physical, defensive-minded squads.
The LHSAA Network will broadcast the matchup with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at J.L. “Butch” Stoker Stadium.
Alexandria made the trek up to Farmerville in 2024 and came home with a 41-12 victory.
The Trojans graduated a great senior class that helped lead the program to its first-ever undefeated regular season and second-ever state-championship game appearance.
But senior linebacker Xzavier White, senior defensive lineman Peyton Hobbs, junior defensive lineman Jaden Bayonne, junior edge rusher Bryson Phoenix, junior linebacker Jackson Townsend, senior defensive backs Jay Frazier and Kerrick Gaines and junior defensive backs Jakyrin Griffin and Jaytun Terry help headline a stout defensive group.
And the junior quarterback-receiver duo of Karsen Sellers and Alex Fontenot lead an offense with a strong line and good young running backs Kason Williams and Noble Williams that all combined for an explosive 54-7 performance in last week’s opener against West Feliciana.
Union Parish will try to rebound from a tough 46-3 loss to North DeSoto (1-0) to start the season.
The Farmers boast two-way lineman Ari Slocum (Arkansas), currently the highest-profile prospect in the game, among a slew of talented players that includes senior linebacker/running back J’veon Henderson, junior quarterback Braxton Patterson, senior defensive lineman Robert Hambrick, junior defensive end Jonte Lee, junior outside linebacker Jamar Nelson, senior defensive backs Javion Island and Khaidyn Johnson and junior defensive back/receiver Marcus Ross.
