The highly anticipated football season kicks off with a bang as the Byrd Yellow Jackets host the Captain Shreve Gators in a Shreveport showdown. This fierce cross-town rivalry will ignite the atmosphere at Lee Hedges Stadium on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. Fans from both sides are gearing up for a high-stakes battle that will set the tone for the rest of the season.
What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Captain Shreve Gators (LA) vs Byrd Yellow Jackets (LA)
When: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Where: Lee Hedges Stadium
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
This article, part of our extensive coverage of Louisiana High School Football events, provides an in-depth look at the upcoming matchup, player profiles, and what’s at stake for these two local powerhouses.
The Byrd Yellow Jackets, coming off a strong 9-4 season in 2024, are determined to build on their success. They secured the No. 10 seed in the LHSAA’s Select Division I Playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinals before a tough loss to the Alexandria Senior High Trojans. The team’s 5-3 district record showcased their resilience, but they’ve got a new challenge ahead with a significant number of departed seniors. The 2025 squad will be a new mix of returning talent and fresh faces, as they lost 10 offensive starters and seven defensive starters from the previous season.
Leading the charge for the Yellow Jackets is head coach Stacy Ballew, who begins his fifth season at the helm. With a career record of 30-17, Ballew has consistently guided his team to success. His experience will be crucial in integrating new players and maintaining the high standard of play that Byrd fans have come to expect.
The Yellow Jackets’ home field, Lee Hedges Stadium, is expected to be electric. With a seating capacity of 8,500, the stadium is a hub of high school football in the area, and the crowd’s energy will undoubtedly play a factor in the game. This season marks the 101st season of Byrd football, adding to the tradition and legacy that this storied program carries.
Player Spotlight: A New Generation Steps Up
With many key players from the 2024 season graduating, the spotlight now falls on the emerging stars of the Yellow Jackets. Look for the younger players to step into leadership roles on both sides of the ball. The offensive line will be tasked with protecting their quarterback and creating running lanes for the running backs, while the defense will need to be disciplined and aggressive to stop the Gators’ attack. The ability of these new starters to perform under the pressure of this intense rivalry will be a major storyline.
The Gators’ Bite: Captain Shreve Seeks a Strong Start
The Captain Shreve Gators finished the 2024 season with a 6-5 record, concluding their run with a tough first-round playoff loss to district rival Evangel. While the team’s record may not have been as dominant as Byrd’s, the Gators have proven they can compete with the best. This year, they’re hungry for a fresh start and a statement victory against their crosstown rival.
Coached by former LSU player and long-time Captain Shreve coach Lee Hedges, the team has a strong foundation built on disciplined play and a history of success. Hedges, who had a remarkable 146–52–4 record during his 18-year tenure, has built a legacy of winning with the Gators, securing eight district championships. The current Captain Shreve team carries on that winning tradition and will be looking to re-establish themselves as a top contender.
For the Gators, this opening game against Byrd is more than just a season opener; it’s an opportunity to gain an early edge in the district and build confidence for the challenges ahead. The team will be playing on the road, but with the game at a neutral site like Lee Hedges Stadium, the atmosphere will feel more like a true home-away-from-home contest for both sides.
Player Spotlight: The Gators’ Offensive and Defensive Core
Captain Shreve’s success will hinge on the performance of its veteran leaders. The offense will rely on a mix of a strong passing and rushing attack to keep the Byrd defense on its toes. On the defensive side, the Gators will need to be relentless in their pursuit of the ball and effective in their tackling to slow down the Yellow Jackets’ ground game. The early stages of the game will be a test of which team’s core players can make the big plays when it matters most.
The Common Thread: A Look at Shared Opponents
One way to gauge the relative strength of two teams is to compare their performance against common opponents. Both Captain Shreve and Byrd will face a number of the same teams throughout the 2025 season. These matchups will provide a secondary, long-term narrative for the rivalry, as fans can compare how each team fares against the same opponents.
The shared opponents for the 2025 season include:
- Huntington: Captain Shreve will host Huntington on September 12, while Byrd will host them on October 9.
- Natchitoches Central: Captain Shreve travels to Natchitoches Central on September 19, and Byrd will host them on October 17.
- Benton: The Gators host Benton on September 25, while the Yellow Jackets host them on October 24.
- Airline: Captain Shreve will be on the road to Airline on October 3, while Byrd will host the Vikings on October 31.
- Evangel Christian Academy: The Gators will play at home against Evangel on October 10. The Yellow Jackets will host Evangel on September 19.
- Parkway: Captain Shreve hosts Parkway on October 24, and Byrd will face them on the road on October 3.
- Haughton: The Gators will travel to Haughton on October 30, and Byrd will host Haughton on September 12.
These games will be a key indicator of each team’s progress and will add another layer of intrigue to the rivalry. The second half of the season will be particularly exciting as the teams’ records against these common opponents begin to take shape.
A Rivalry for the Ages
The rivalry between Captain Shreve and Byrd is a cornerstone of Shreveport high school football. It’s a matchup that brings out the best in both teams and their fans. This season opener is just the beginning, as the two teams are set to face off again on Thursday, November 6, at 7 p.m., this time at Captain Shreve’s home field.
The first game of the season for both teams will be a critical test. For the Yellow Jackets, it’s about proving they can remain a top-tier team despite losing a large senior class. For the Gators, it’s about making an early statement and setting a new course for the season. Both teams come into the contest with identical 0-0 records, making this a true “clean slate” matchup.
This game is more than just a football match; it’s an event that unites the community. It’s a chance to cheer on your school, reconnect with old friends, and witness the future of Louisiana High School Football. Don’t miss out on the action as these two storied programs clash on the gridiron.
For those unable to attend in person, the game will be available to watch live on the NFHS Network. Whether you’re in the stands or watching from home, you’ll be part of a tradition that runs deep in the heart of Shreveport. The Captain Shreve vs. Byrd rivalry is a spectacle you won’t want to miss.
