Several members of the athletic department of Red River High School traveled to Baton Rouge this week. The delegation, lead by Athletic Director Billy Henry, Jr, took part in the Louisiana High School Coaches Association annual conference.

The Journal went along representing the RRHS soccer program and after a thee-plus hour trip to Baton Rouge the first people I encountered at the hotel were from Winnfield. Lyn Bankston is their head football coach and it is his first year at Winnfield.

Bankston said, “It is an honor to be in our new district with Red River and other great schools. This district has a reputation for being one of the most competitive district in 2-A.” Winnfield is Red River’s first district opponent.

Topics presented during the three-day conference included sessions on coaching various sports including football, basketball, track & cross country, soccer, dance and cheer, powerlifting and other sports offered by high schools in the state. There were also sessions on sports administration and conditioning for athletes.

A highlight of the two day event was a presentation on defense in the college game by LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron. He said, “My objective is to keep our best high school players here in the state” He probably meant to add keep them playing for LSU! Orgeron generously shared the LSU defense with the high school coaches. Orgeron closed his remarks by saying “I wish everybody a tremendous season. Do your best!”

Two ballrooms at the Crowne Plaza hotel were filled with vendors offering game and practice equipment, uniforms, shoes, protective gear sports hydration and nutrition products, and the latest technological innovations in sports. Attendees came away with an arm load of catalogs and samples.

Attendees from Red River High in addition to Athletic Director Billy Henry, Jr. were head football coach Scott Hale, Track coach Billy Henry, Sr., Cheer and Dance coach Alice Everett, and soccer coach John Brewer. Coach Hale left the conference early Tuesday morning.