lakobe1
06-16-2011, 12:04 PM
One has to wonder will the classic rivalry between the Panthers and Tigers lose its luster
The Catskin classic football game between the Bunkie Panthers and the Marksville Tigers has been a trademark annual event in Avoyelles parish for many years. These two schools share a unique relationship in that the coaches and players are very familiar with one another. Some share friendships away from the game, while others prepare for this game all summer long as a motivational tool to prepare themselves for the approaching season. The history of the Catskin game dates back several decades, with some of the most memorable battles that we as fans, could ever hoped to have seen between these parish rivals. Regardless of where the game was played, you were guaranteed to be part of an over flow crowd, that was vocal in their support of their favorite team.
During the history of this classic many past coaches for these two schools have went their separate ways, the same as many players that have graduated from these respective schools, but the one thing that has always remained in place, is the competitive nature between these two programs. Also there were always lots of bragging rights earned by the victorious team that would have possession of the catskin banner for at least that year.
The competitive nature of this classic was not limited between these schools, it extended deep into the communities with lots of friendly trash talking between many of the two towns residents.
With the Bunkie Panthers now leaving class 3-A and moving into a new era of time, playing the 2011 season in 2-A classification, coupled with the fact that the Panthers and Tigers will play on September 1st in an opening day non district game, you have to wonder if both the Tigers and Panthers may be closing the book on what has been classic novel, that ‘William Shakespeare’ himself would have been proud to have written. This is a story that has been filled with many life long memories, for lots of different people. It has been a tradition like no other.
As both these programs part ways in 2011, and work hard in hopes of winning their own perspective districts, as a sign of the class football programs that these schools have, you have to believe that they are rooting for one another as a gesture of respect, under their breath.
Good luck to the coaching staffs of both schools.
Kobe East
Baton Rouge Louisiana
kobeeast@cox.net
The Catskin classic football game between the Bunkie Panthers and the Marksville Tigers has been a trademark annual event in Avoyelles parish for many years. These two schools share a unique relationship in that the coaches and players are very familiar with one another. Some share friendships away from the game, while others prepare for this game all summer long as a motivational tool to prepare themselves for the approaching season. The history of the Catskin game dates back several decades, with some of the most memorable battles that we as fans, could ever hoped to have seen between these parish rivals. Regardless of where the game was played, you were guaranteed to be part of an over flow crowd, that was vocal in their support of their favorite team.
During the history of this classic many past coaches for these two schools have went their separate ways, the same as many players that have graduated from these respective schools, but the one thing that has always remained in place, is the competitive nature between these two programs. Also there were always lots of bragging rights earned by the victorious team that would have possession of the catskin banner for at least that year.
The competitive nature of this classic was not limited between these schools, it extended deep into the communities with lots of friendly trash talking between many of the two towns residents.
With the Bunkie Panthers now leaving class 3-A and moving into a new era of time, playing the 2011 season in 2-A classification, coupled with the fact that the Panthers and Tigers will play on September 1st in an opening day non district game, you have to wonder if both the Tigers and Panthers may be closing the book on what has been classic novel, that ‘William Shakespeare’ himself would have been proud to have written. This is a story that has been filled with many life long memories, for lots of different people. It has been a tradition like no other.
As both these programs part ways in 2011, and work hard in hopes of winning their own perspective districts, as a sign of the class football programs that these schools have, you have to believe that they are rooting for one another as a gesture of respect, under their breath.
Good luck to the coaching staffs of both schools.
Kobe East
Baton Rouge Louisiana
kobeeast@cox.net