The high school football season in Louisiana is a lot of things. It’s rarely boring.

This one started with Hurricane Francine right after the Week 1 games and ended with a storm of games in the LHSAA Prep Classic played at Caesars Superdome.

Many actions took place in three days. There were dramatic endings. The stunning margins of victory in Saturday’s two matches provided an unexpected contrast.

Central’s shutout of defending champion Ruston was an incredible feat and gave the school its first LHSAA football title in 58 years.

Dunham’s loss to Catholic-NI resulted in an incredible comeback for the Tigers and was a showcase of talent. St. James fought to the end in an old-fashioned game with Sterlington’s rushing attack exposed.

Two New Orleans area teams, South Plaquemines and Shaw, won titles for the first time in years.

This reminds me of a line from a column I wrote in 2006: “There’s no place like the Dome. »

It was the year after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Superdome and sent the Prep Classic to Shreveport’s Independence Stadium.

The Prep Classic’s return to New Orleans in 2006 drew record crowds. It was a party.

While scrolling through social media posts last week, I saw threads from mostly North Louisiana teams/fans that weren’t celebrations. There were complaints about the LHSAA’s first event at the Superdome.

Too far to travel, too expensive for fans and families and basically a burden for some. Listen, I understand. Ticket prices are higher. The same goes for hotels and food. Unfortunately, everything is higher these days.

But should we put a price on the experience of a lifetime? All 16 teams in last weekend’s Prep Classic played on the field where the Super Bowl will be played in less than two months.

Fans who follow certain successful teams expect to see more title games. For many players, the chance to play where the Saints play is an unforgettable memory, much like the game itself.

Louisiana is one of nine states to play preseason championship football games on fields used by an NFL team. Louisiana was probably the first to do so in 1981.

The Prep Classic is the brainchild of the late Superdome publicist and high school football fan Bill Curl. Curl floated the idea of ​​having all four LHSAA title games under one roof.

Yes, the roofing part played a key role. Rain, lightning and cold would not be a factor. This meant identical playing conditions for each team.

Having lived in Louisiana for over 40 years, I understand the self-centeredness at play. It’s north versus south and sometimes east versus west. Like it or not, Louisiana’s population is in the South. This is the logical reason why events are taking place in South Louisiana.

Trust me when I say that self-centeredness is alive and well in other states. Yet, most play title games on a single site.

The Florida Championships are played at a university site near Miami… a few hours from many schools. My home state of Kentucky plays its title games in Lexington. It is centrally located but is still four to five hours from the far east and west points.

Every year, I go down to the field to watch at least one pre-game warm-up. Just like I did in 1981.

I remember the joy on the players’ faces that day. And I see it every year.