Note to Our Readers: This story was sourced in its entirety by Mr. Glenn Parrish, Director of Communications, Booneville Schools. Mr. Parrish is a RNN Sports contributor.

If Booneville at Dollarway sounds like a playoff game, that’s because it has been. Twice actually.

Between them Booneville and Dollarway have won nine state titles and 60 conference titles. They have combined for 132 postseason wins.

The Bearcats and Cardinals, who will battle it out Friday night at Cardinal Stadium in Pine Bluff in the season opener for both teams, last met in the semifinals of the 2013 playoffs, a year in which both won their respective leagues.

In that game, which was played at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff’s Simmons Field, current Bearcat assistant Cody Harrel ran for 167 yards and the Bearcats won 43-12 then went on to win the Class 4A state title the following weekend over Warren. The other meeting between the two schools occurred in 2005, also a semifinal game played at Cardinal Stadium, Dollarway claimed a 22-21decision.

The Bearcats prepared for this year’s game by blasting Dardanelle 30-14 in two quarters of football on Tuesday as Trace Hall ran for 172 yards and scored on all three of his carries.

Dax Goff also ran for 61 yards and a touchdown Tuesday.

Booneville is coming off a 13-2 season in which they reached the Class 3A semifinals. Dollarway was also a playoff team in 2021, finishing 5-5 overall with a first round loss to Glen Rose.

Dollarway is projected as a Conference 3A-6 playoff team again in 2022 and Booneville is eyed as a state title contender.

On a warm and sunny August day, the Paris school district welcomed its students back to school for the 2022-23 school year on August 15. Schools in the district opened their doors to students on a “staggered basis” with some grades reporting on different days on Monday and Tuesday of the first week of school. All students reported to classes across the district on Wednesday, August 17.

The 2022-23 school year is the first in a few years where students are not returning to school amid COVID regulations that require masks and other measures that were aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus. In fact, this year’s opening of school is the first “normal”opening to the school year since 2019 with respect to the absence of COVID regulations and oversight.

The first student holiday of the new school year will be Labor Day. The district will be closed on Monday, September 5.

If you were to ever think about how many different student groups and activities there are in the typical high school, it is amazing at how many “working parts” are going on, often simultaneously, each year. One very important group to any school is the high school band program. Students in high school band have often been in music and / or band classes since their later years of elementary school. And when you think of it, it is awesome to think that these students must first learn how to play their instruments, play increasingly difficult and complex songs, and, be able to march and concentrate on their formations and movements while playing an instrument. As someone who has absolutely no musical ability myself, I have tremendous respect for the students that do and are willing to work so hard to perfect their talents.

The Paris band is the backbone of the Eagles’ game atmosphere and home field advantage. And last week, I had the pleasure of attending one of their practices. It was a very warm day with temperatures in the mid-90s, bright sunshine, and very little, if any, shade. But the Marching Eagles were out practicing their show and formations on the hot parking lot asphalt of Eagles Stadium. For those of us who have never been in marching band and have not gone through this phase of summer practice, we just can’t understand the sacrifice and dedication of these students. But, I have tremendous respect for them, and each year, I look forward to seeing and hearing their halftime entertainment and music.

Band can be a great source of financial aid for students wishing to go to college, and more students should take advantage of the opportunities. Not to say that it is easy by any means, but for students who may prefer the fine arts over athletics, it is a great path to college. And also, a great path to unique college experiences, such as playing in a college band like the Marching Razorbacks Band or the Hogwild Band. Travel, television, and financial aid are all benefits of working hard in their public school days and then going on to play in college. In my opinion, band is an opportunity that more students should take advantage of from their middle school years through high school.

Paris had one of their best performances last year at the annual state marching contest that is held at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. Head band director, Matt Shewmaker, is doing a great job at Paris, and the future of the program appears to be bright. Although it was a very hot day for practice, all of the members of the band seemed to be having a good time and were very close to each other as a team.

The band will travel to Waldron on August 26 when the Eagles play the Bulldogs in the opening of the 2022 high school football season. The Marching Eagles’ first home performance will be the following week on September 2 when Paris hosts Mansfield in the Eagles’ home football opener.

Thanks to all of the Paris band members and their directors for their hard work, and we can’t wait to see them perform this fall!