The build-up to Friday’s Loyola Prep at Calvary Baptist high school football game was significant but few were expecting U.S. Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson to add his presence to the festivities.
A Shreveport native who lives in Benton for part of the year, Johnson is no stranger to appearing at events in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. His wife, Kelly, was celebrating her birthday and Johnson’s brother-in-law is on staff at Calvary Baptist Church while his mother and brother attend nearby Ellerbe Baptist.
“This is the game of the week. You’ve got Calvary and Loyola here and it’s been an offensive shootout,” Johnson told the USA TODAY Network. “The crowd’s into it. The weather’s beautiful and everybody’s having a good time. It’s a blessing to be here.”
Johnson delivered the opening prayer before the kickoff on a near perfect night for high school football. He spent most of the first half near the press box on the home side, but took plenty of time to stop and visit with fans in the stands going up and coming down.
What he witnessed was a dominant performance by the Cavaliers (5-0), the top-ranked team in the LSWA Class 2A poll, who won 52-24 thanks to a four-touchdown, 194 rushing yard effort by tiny Z’ryan Mills. The Cavs’ Hudson Price completed 13 of 18 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns with Brylon Huglon scoring twice.
Loyola’s Bryce Restovich was 19 of 31 for 261 yards and two TDs.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: US Speaker Mike Johnson attends Calvary football game
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