Shreveport's Southside Titans roll through Gumbo Bowl | Community Spirit

During the Christmas Break, the Southside Titans' 10 & 12-year-old football teams headed to New Orleans for the Gumbo Bowl. Youth football teams from across the south came to New Orleans for the tournament. The Titans come from Shreveport and Bossier City and play in the Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation youth league.

The following is a note from Titans' Coach Rod Brooks on how the kids did and what they experienced while in New Orleans. He also provided the attached video. We've also got video from the kids late November trip to Memphis.

Friday night (Dec. 21) the 10-year-olds played the Mississippi Yellow Jackets. The Titans rolled passed them with a final score of 26-0. Detraylen Maxie (Speedy) & Darrell Fleming each scored on long runs to help the Titans to the semi-final round on Sunday.

The 12 year-old Titans played at Tad Gormley Stadium on Friday night and ended up in a dog fight against the Eastside Raiders from Miami, FL. The game stayed tied 7-7 through the first half, then the Raiders took the lead in the fourth quarter. We made some adjustments, and with four minutes to go in the game Jamal Portis finally broke lose for a score. We were tied 14-14, but with four seconds left in the game, the Raiders dropped back to pass. Corey Broadmore got to the quarterback and forced a fumble. Jamal Portis scooped up the loose ball and ran it in to the end-zone, giving the Titans a 20-14 win in a thriller of a game. The team (12-year-olds) would play Sunday in the semi-finals.

Saturday the teams went to the Superdome to watch the ULL Ragin' Cajuns beat Eastern Carolina Pirates 43-34 in the New Orleans Bowl. Later a few of our kids took part in the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competition. Hyden Swan placed third for the 10-year-olds while Azariah Coleman took fourth place.

Sunday's semi-final game for the 10-year-old team was against the Alabama 8-Mile Giants. The Giants managed to score on the first play of the game. Detraylen Maxie did have a 50-yard touchdown, but the Titans couldn't keep up with the Giants and lost 26-6.

The 12-year-olds played their Sunday’ semi-final game against the New Iberia Falcons at Tad Gormley Stadium. The Titans posted a shut-out with a final score of 24-0 and advanced to the Gumbo Bowl against the Crescent City Storm.

The Titans had a 13-0 until the fourth quarter. Officials called pass interference on Jacoby Moore at the 1-yard line. The Storm would score with a minute left in the game but they missed the extra point. The Storm went for an onside kick and got the ball back on the Titans 40-yard line. With less than minute to go the Storm tried a running play but the quarterback was sacked in the backfield by the Titans' defense. As the crowd counted down the clock the Storm got off one last snap and went for a hail mary pass, but it was picked off by Jacoby Moore. The Titans won the Gumbo Bowl 13-6.

This year was very special to me because myself & Coach Mark McCray were able to take some the kids from other teams we played, giving more kids a chance to represent Shreveport/Bossier City in one of the biggest youth football tournaments in the south. After the tournament win, some kids are now being followed by recruits from other states.

I accomplished my goals and we will compete next year in Atlanta, Georgia to defend our title. Most of all, this rewards these kids with something positive. I want them to do better in school and at home. We're not just teaching football players - we also work to build character. I hope they enjoyed this year as much as I enjoyed coaching them.