The 10th annual U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl was played Dec. 17 at Zachary High School, with a 2:30 p.m. kick-off, just after the Army's 101st Airborne Screamin' Eagles parachuted the game ball into Bronco Stadium from 9,500 feet.

The Red Stick Bowl matches area high school all-star football players from 48 high schools in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas for a competitive but friendly game of football.

Neil Weiner, Zachary High School head football coach, led the Rough Riders and Eric Held, head coach of St. Michael’s, was the head coach of the Black Knights.

Although the Riders led 10 - 9 going into half time, the Knights were victorious with a 31 - 16 win.

The Rough riders included Zachary's Taylor Mayeaux, Mason Pace, Byron Stevens and Ladarrius Vessell; Northeast's Ronnie Davis and Jalen Snowden; Baker's Brenton Tolliver; and East Feliciana's Ellis Eubanks, Kelvin Woods, Wando Stampley and Christopher Matthews.

Area player on the Black Knights was West Feliciana's Dayne Denham.

The Rouge Riders were comprised of players from Southern Lab, East Feliciana, Zachary, Port Allen, Albany, Northeast, Livonia, Tara, Scotlandville, Ascension Catholic, White Castle, Donaldsonville, Central, Denham Springs, Broadmoor, Lutcher, Springfield, Live Oak and Baker.

The Black Knights consisted of players from Parkview, Woodlawn, Brusly, U-High, Catholic, McKinley, St. Amant, Glen Oaks, Christian Life, Capitol, St. John, East Ascension, Belaire, Episcopal, Plaquemine, Dutchtown, Redemptorist and West Feliciana.

“This is all about giving back to the community,” said Lt. Col. Jose Torres, commander of the Baton Rouge Army Recruiting Battalion. “Zachary High School not only offers great facilities, but it gives us a chance to partner with one of the best school systems in the nation to help spread the word about our educational programs.”

Pre game activities included the Army Interactive Area, featuring a Rockwall and football toss. The football toss was won by Baton Rouge's Michael Bell, who competed against Landon Clement from Denham Springs for a Wii.

During halftime, Maj. Gen. David Mann, United States Recruiting Commander, and Torres conducted an oath of enlistment ceremony for area communities’ newest recruits.

Tournament MVP's included Dex Templet (E. Ascension) and Devante Davis (Woodlawn) for the Black Knights. Joey Jarreau (Central) and Mark Lewis (Livonia) were MVP's for the Rough Riders.