Big fish in a smaller pond

The people of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association began arriving in force on Tuesday, and commissioner Tommy Henry was pleased with the attention the state championship games are getting in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.

"We're a fairly big fish in a smaller pond, but I love it," Henry said.

The bigger pond is New Orleans, where the title games have been played since 1981, but big stories such as the New Orleans Saints, LSU and Tulane and more have sometimes taken the spotlight away from high school football there.

Having the games in Shreveport is a novelty for local fans and media, and The Times is doing its part to showcase the event.

Be sure to buy a copy of The Times each day during the Classic. On Thursday, a 12-page section including rosters of all the teams will be included in the paper. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, a four-page "wrap" will surround the sports section with news about the games of the day and the next day's games.

- Brian McCallum