75 Catskin games, generations of memories

School Pride Never Graduates

By A. Guillot

The 75th Catskin game; that’s a lot of school colors, nervous kickoffs, celebrations and final scores that some folks would rather forget. It’s also a lot of memories shared by generations of students, players and alumni who know that when Bunkie meets Marksville, parish bragging rights are on the line.

On Nov. 6, the Panthers and Tigers will meet for the 75th Catskin Game, adding another chapter to a tradition that reaches well beyond the football field. For both schools, this is a game students look forward to and alumni keep following long after graduation. The players change. The loyalty stays.

Bunkie Magnet High School athletic director and head football coach Jimmie Hillman has experienced the rivalry from both sidelines. He credits its longevity and the closely contested overall series with making the Catskin Game such an important part of parish football.

“Both communities take this game very seriously and talk about it all year round,” Hillman said. That attachment lasts, he added, with many former players still remembering their high school Catskin records. Among his own standout memories are Kyle Johnson’s performances, which included an interception returned for a touchdown in each of his sophomore, junior and senior Catskin games.

Looking toward the 75th meeting, Hillman expects a competitive contest after the teams tied in the preseason jamboree. “Both teams will play hard looking to take that win into the playoffs,” he said.

As a Bunkie High School graduate from the Class of 1999, I wanted to hear from someone who shared those years. Former Panther and fellow classmate Rodney Riche didn’t need much prompting to recall his Catskin games. “Sure thing, I remember them well. We lost all four years,” he said with a chuckle.

He offered a little defense of our Panthers, recalling the talent on Marksville’s teams, including Chad Lavalais. When I replied, “at least we tried,” Riche answered, “We did and we were good our Senior year. They were unfortunately better.”

Leave it to an old classmate to bring back the memories and keep the record straight.

Nearly three decades later, there we were, still talking about those games and still defending our team. A final score becomes part of your high school story, something you share with the people who were there. Even a loss can bring a smile when enough years have passed.

The rivalry followed us into the family, too. My sister and I, both Panthers, married Marksville Tigers. When we’re together reminiscing, the old school loyalties still come up. Our husbands may have their own version of things, but my sister and I remain convinced: Panthers are better than Tigers. Some debates apparently don’t get settled at the altar.

Multiply those memories across the years, and this anniversary belongs to more than the two teams taking the field. It belongs to former players who remember a particular play, classmates who remember cheering together and families whose school loyalties have carried through generations.

On Nov. 6, today’s students will get their own Catskin story to tell. Years from now, someone may ask them what they remember.

If Rodney’s response is any indication, they’ll remember perfectly. Whether they’ll still be explaining the score is another matter.