The Haynesville-Homer Rivalry: A Century-Old Battle for Claiborne Parish Bragging Rights
by: Hunter Bower // GeauxPreps.com Contributor
Tonight, two of Louisiana’s most storied high school football programs will clash once again, adding another chapter to the state’s longest-running rivalry.
The Haynesville Golden Tornado (2-0) will host the Homer Pelicans (0-2) at Red Franklin-Memorial Stadium in the 116th meeting between these teams. Separated by just 13 miles, these two small towns in Claiborne Parish have been competing on the gridiron since 1907, creating a football series as fierce as it is enduring.
The rivalry, which began more than a century ago, has since grown into an essential part of the communities of Haynesville and Homer. It all started with one game in the winter of 1907. M.M. Morelock, a Claiborne Parish school board member, approached Haynesville High School principal L.D. McCollister with a simple but bold request—form a football squad to compete against parish rival Homer High School. At the time, football in North Louisiana was still in its infancy, but Morelock’s enthusiasm for the sport and a showdown with Homer sparked a movement.
With Morelock’s vision and McCollister’s help, a group of ragtag locals—most of whom weren’t even of high school age—were gathered. The team made their way down to Homer in a horse-drawn carriage to play Haynesville’s first-ever football game. On December 14, 1907, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the first high school football contest in Claiborne Parish was played at the Homer fairgrounds. Admission was 25 cents, and the crowd that assembled that day witnessed history. Homer claimed the victory, 10-5, but the game accomplished far more than determining a winner. Morelock and McCollister had laid the groundwork for what would become a tradition of pride, camaraderie, and competition—a legacy of molding young boys into strong men.
Over the next century, the Haynesville-Homer rivalry only grew stronger, with each new generation adding its own stories to the lore. The two programs would go on to win a combined 21 state championships—17 for Haynesville and four for Homer—further cementing their place in Louisiana football history.
One of the rivalry’s most storied periods came in the 1940s and 1950s when the two teams met annually on Thanksgiving Day. The “Turkey Day” game became a must-see event in North Louisiana, attracting families, fans, and football lovers from across the state. After a hearty Thanksgiving meal, locals would don their coats and hats and head to the stadium, eager to see who would emerge victorious in the battle for Claiborne Parish bragging rights. For many years, this game was the most attended event in the region, a celebration of family, food, and football that created lifelong memories for those fortunate enough to witness it.
Of course, no conversation about the Haynesville-Homer rivalry would be complete without revisiting the unforgettable 1971 state championship game. That year, the two programs met in Homer for the Class AA state title in front of a packed stadium. Fans from both towns flooded the stands, and curious spectators from around the state came to witness the showdown. In a contest that remains etched in the minds of both communities, the two teams battled to a 7-7 tie at the end of regulation.
In an era before overtime, the championship would be decided by first downs. Homer entered the fourth quarter leading in first downs, 9-3, but Haynesville staged a remarkable comeback. Needing eight first downs in the final 12 minutes, the Tornado mounted two gritty drives that culminated in a pair of critical plays by running backs Eddie Anglin and Greg Daily. Anglin converted a fourth-and-six with a nine-yard run, and moments later, Daily broke free for 10 yards on a third-and-six, giving Haynesville the decisive first down advantage, 10-9. With the clock running out, the Tornado secured their second consecutive state championship and fifth overall.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Homer coach Ronny Beard praised Haynesville’s legendary coach “Red” Franklin, a testament to the mutual respect that has always defined this rivalry. It was a reminder that while the competition is fierce, the bond between these two football programs runs deep.
The rivalry’s history is filled with moments of triumph and heartbreak, including a stunning turn of events in 1997 when Homer finally ended a long losing streak. After suffering defeat in seven consecutive meetings, the Pelicans upended the four-time reigning state champion Golden Tornado by a score of 27-8. The victory was monumental for Homer and their young coach Glen Kyle, who notched his first win against Haynesville. “It’s a great feeling,” Kyle said after the game. “This bear has been on our back since 1989.” Homer stormed to a 21-0 lead in the first half, and although Haynesville tried to mount a comeback, the Pelican defense held strong, sealing a signature win in the rivalry.
Another memorable showdown came in 2008 when Haynesville found redemption in dramatic fashion. Homer, having won the previous two meetings, appeared poised to continue its dominance until the Golden Tornado engineered a last-minute drive. Lance Reeves connected with Dextrell French on a 25-yard touchdown pass, completing a thrilling comeback to give Haynesville a 21-14 victory. The stadium erupted in one of the loudest moments in Red Franklin Memorial Stadium’s history, a fitting scene for a rivalry known for its dramatic finishes.
For the people of Haynesville and Homer, this game is more than just a contest between two football teams—it’s a living, breathing part of their identity. These are communities where high school football isn’t just a pastime, it’s a lifeline. On Friday nights, the towns come alive with pride, passion, and a sense of unity that transcends the sport itself. In towns this small, where industry and opportunities may be limited, football provides a shared purpose and a source of inspiration. Without this rivalry, without this game, both towns would lose much of what keeps them vibrant and connected. Football is the thread that ties generations together, the heartbeat of each community.
For those who have played, are playing, or will play in this rivalry, it is something that shapes them for life. The memories of wearing the Golden Tornado or Pelican colors, of competing in front of the home crowd, and of feeling the weight of more than a century of history on their shoulders stay with these young men long after they’ve hung up their cleats. It’s a tradition that’s passed down from fathers to sons, a legacy that binds past, present, and future players in a brotherhood like no other.
Tonight’s matchup is more than just a game; it’s the continuation of a legacy. Haynesville and Homer may be rivals for one week each year, but they share a unique connection built on over a century of hard-fought battles. As the next generation of Golden Tornado and Pelican players take the field, they will be playing for more than a win—they’ll be honoring the history and tradition of Claiborne Parish football.
When the lights shine bright at Red Franklin-Memorial Stadium tonight, and the fans fill the stands, the echoes of past battles will be felt by all. Families and friends from both communities will gather once more to witness another chapter in this century-old rivalry, one that continues to shape not just the towns of Haynesville and Homer, but the fabric of North Louisiana football itself.
Without this game, these towns would be smaller, quieter, and less proud, but with it, they remain bound by a shared sense of purpose and the undeniable power of tradition.
Haynesville-Homer Series Results (HAY leads 74-36-5)
1907: Homer 10, Haynesville 5
Haynesville 5, Homer 0
1908: Haynesville 0, Homer 0
Haynesville 16, Homer 0
1909: Homer 20, Haynesville 5
1911: Homer 6, Haynesville 5
1912: Haynesville 6, Homer 6
Haynesville 6, Homer 6
1920: Haynesville 19, Homer 0
Homer 42, Haynesville 6
1923: Homer 20, Haynesville 0
1924: Haynesville 6, Homer 0
1925: Haynesville 13, Homer 0
1926: Haynesville 28, Homer 0
1927: Homer 12, Haynesville 7
1928: Homer 7, Haynesville 6
1929: Haynesville 7, Homer 6
1930: Homer 34, Haynesville 0
1931: Haynesville 0, Homer 0
1932: Haynesville 13, Homer 0
1933: Haynesville 13, Homer 0
1934: Haynesville 7, Homer 6
1935: Homer 14, Haynesville 7
1936: Haynesville 13, Homer 7
1937: Haynesville 7, Homer 3
1938: Haynesville 13, Homer 0
1939: Haynesville 6, Homer 0
1940: Haynesville 25, Homer 0
1941: Homer 32, Haynesville 7
1942: Homer 21, Haynesville 16
1943: Homer 18, Haynesville 0
1944: Haynesville 14, Homer 0
1945: Haynesville 20, Homer 7
1946: Haynesville 20, Homer 7
1947: Haynesville 27, Homer 0
1948: Haynesville 35, Homer 13
1949: Homer 32, Haynesville 6
1950: Haynesville 34, Homer 13
1951: Haynesville 19, Homer 6
1952: Haynesville 34, Homer 6
1953: Haynesville 31, Homer 20
1954: Haynesville 58, Homer 0
1955: Haynesville 20, Homer 6
1956: Haynesville 33, Homer 14
1957: Homer 18, Haynesville 6
1958: Homer 26, Haynesville 7
1959: Haynesville 6, Homer 0
1960: Haynesville 21, Homer 6
1961: Homer 19, Haynesville 6
1962: Haynesville 19, Homer 0
1963: Haynesville 20, Homer 12
1964: Haynesville 19, Homer 7
1965: Homer 33, Haynesville 6
1966: Haynesville 14, Homer 13
1967: Homer 14, Haynesville 7
1968: Homer 13, Haynesville 0
1969: Homer 36, Haynesville 6
1970: Haynesville 12, Homer 0
1971: Haynesville 7, Homer 6
Haynesville 7, Homer 7 (Haynesville wins on first downs, 11-9)
1972: Haynesville 15, Homer 7
1973: Haynesville 23, Homer 0
1974: Haynesville 21, Homer 0
1975: Haynesville 20, Homer 0
1976: Haynesville 7, Homer 0
1977: Haynesville 10, Homer 7
1978: Homer 21, Haynesville 19
1979: Haynesville 21, Homer 0
1980: Haynesville 46, Homer 0
1981: Haynesville 41, Homer 0
1982: Homer 12, Haynesville 7
1983: Haynesville 14, Homer 0
1984: Haynesville 23, Homer 0
1985: Homer 13, Haynesville 0
1986: Homer 14, Haynesville 13
1987: Homer 7, Haynesville 6
1988: Haynesville 34, Homer 8
1989: Homer 34, Haynesville 16
1990: Haynesville 6, Homer 0
1991: Haynesville 38, Homer 0
1992: Haynesville 35, Homer 0
1993: Haynesville 40, Homer 6
1994: Haynesville 47, Homer 7
1995: Haynesville 23, Homer 7
1996: Haynesville 28, Homer 6
1997: Homer 27, Haynesville 8
1998: Haynesville 38, Homer 0
1999: Haynesville 17, Homer 6
2000: Haynesville 32, Homer 0
2001: Haynesville 20, Homer 0
2002: Homer 21, Haynesville 14
2003: Homer 20, Haynesville 13
2004: Haynesville 20, Homer 7
2005: Haynesville 14, Homer 7
2006: Homer 14, Haynesville 13
2007: Homer 33, Haynesville 6
2008: Haynesville 21, Homer 14
2009: Haynesville 16, Homer 6
2010: Homer 20, Haynesville 12
2011: Haynesville 50, Homer 26
2012: Haynesville 40, Homer 32
2013: Haynesville 54, Homer 6
2014: Haynesville 55, Homer 16
2015: Haynesville 52, Homer 0
2016: Haynesville 55, Homer 6
2017: Haynesville 36, Homer 14
2018: Haynesville 42, Homer 14
2019: Haynesville 21, Homer 6
2020: Homer 36, Haynesville 8
2021: Homer 49, Haynesville 0
Homer 40, Haynesville 0
2022: Homer 28, Haynesville 27
2023: Haynesville 23, Homer 0