HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Separated by 22 miles on Arkansas State Highway 22, Paris (2-3, 0-1) and Charleston (1-3, 0-0) are certainly no strangers to each other. Over the last two seasons, the two teams have met in preseason benefit scrimmage games. Despite their close proximity, this will be the first regular season game between the two schools since 2019, a 34-12 Charleston victory.
Historically, the series is tied at 20-20, but Charleston has won the last 16 contests dating back to 2000. The last time Paris beat Charleston was a 34-6 victory in 1978.
Paris went 7-4, 5-2 in 2025, and finished second in the 3A-4 conference. The Eagles lost to Drew Central in the first round of the playoffs 43-6. Paris joins the 3A-1 conference for the 2026 season after the departure of Booneville.
Both teams have had a mixture of struggles and success early in the 2026 season. Paris had two losses against Gentry and Lamar, both 47-0, but also had a 21-12 victory over Clarksville and a 27-26 win over Hector. In Paris’ debut 3A-1 conference matchup, the Eagles fell short at Cedarville 35-21.
Charleston started non-conference play 0-3 against 4A-4 competition Booneville, Pottsville, and Ozark, which hold a combined 12-0 record, but found the win column last Friday at Clinton in a come-from-behind road victory 24-21. The Tigers were trailing 21-10 at halftime, but scored 14 unanswered points in the second half, capped off with a fourth-quarter defensive goal-line stand and a blocked field goal attempt.
Following the victory over Clinton, Charleston had a much-needed bye week. Charleston head coach Ricky May used the bye week to the Tigers’ advantage.
“We had a chance to work on a lot of individual things that we really don’t have time to do if we’re preparing for an opponent,” May said. “It also helped us get a little healthier.”
Health and depth have been an issue for the Tigers, who have been struggling with a lack of numbers since week 1 due to a large 2025 graduating class. But the bye week was able to aid in this some.
When asked how the team was doing health-wise, Coach May responded: “Getting better. Have a couple of guys with nagging injuries all year because of the nature of it, but overall we are healthier than we have been.”
Coach May also acknowledged that Paris will bring a heavier passing attack than what the Tigers have seen so far this season. Paris will be led by senior quarterback Josh Honea, who is a threat in the air and on the ground. In their 27-26 victory over Hector, Honea passed for 125 yards, and added 130 yards rushing and all four Paris touchdowns.
“They have a good QB, Honea,” May said. “And they have two really good receivers along with some really big guys. They throw it a lot, and we haven’t seen that in the previous four games.”
Charleston will look to junior quarterback Lukas Burleson to lead the offense once again, following his success against Clinton. Burleson took over the game late with a strong performance on the ground, and added a deep passing touchdown to Matteo Gaona in the third quarter. Charleston has been much more run heavy this year than in previous years, so also expect a heavy workload from junior running back Finn Schmalz.
Defensively, the Tigers had their strongest performance of the season in the second half against Clinton. Charleston was down 11 at halftime, but held Clinton scoreless in the second half to help secure the victory, including a late blocked field goal attempt that would have tied the game.
The action will start at 7 p.m. on Friday at Eagle Stadium in Paris.
All photo credits to Sharon Baumgartner Dewitt.
