No. 1 Ruston hosts No. 3 Rams to kick off 2024 season
Ruston senior running back Jordan Hayes (4) gets a block from fullback Lander Smith (10) during the Bayou Jamb against Neville Saturday. Photo by Tom Morris
All the summer sweat under the sweltering heat is history and the Ruston Bearcats will begin their state championship defense Friday at L.J. “Hoss” Garrett Stadium.
The matchup will put Class 5A No. 1 Ruston vs. No. 3 Acadiana, with the Louisiana Sports Writers Association releasing its first prep football poll Monday. You can see the entire poll on Page 6.
Ruston is riding a 14-game winning streak into Friday with perhaps the toughest game in the state with the Rams coming to town.
Tickets to the game can be purchased online through the GoFan app. General admission is $10 and your ticket can be shown at the gate via your phone.
“This will eliminate ticket purchases at the stadium,” Ruston principal Dan Gressett said earlier this summer. “You purchase via the app and your ticket will be on your phone.”
The Bearcats enter Friday’s battle off the heels of a 20-15 Bayou Jamb victory over No. 8 Neville. The last time Ruston took the field in a game that counted was last December in the Caesars Superdome, where they defeated Zachary 31-17 to win the school’s first state title since 1990.
The Rams were also at the Superdome that weekend, playing in the Division I Select championship game. Acadiana was defeated by Catholic of Baton Rouge 55-31, but returns 18 starters off that team.
Friday night will be Junior High Recognition Night at the stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Following this contest, the Bearcats will enter a four-game stretch against teams from outside the state of Louisiana.
After hosting Cabot, Arkansas, Ruston will travel to Longview, Texas Sept. 20 before traveling to Arlington, Texas on Sept. 28 for a Saturday matchup with Midland (Texas) Legacy at Choctaw Stadium. The Texas swing will wrap up on Oct. 5 for another Saturday matchup with Stephenville (Texas) in Longview at Lobo Stadium.
