I Got Slapped In Press Box Calling High School Playoff Game 4 Years Ago By An Angry Cajun

Four years ago, I was calling a 2nd round Louisiana 5A Playoff game between the #12 Seed Airline Vikings & #5 Seed St Amant Gators at the legendary Pit in Gonzales, Louisiana in the sticks of Cajun Country when all hell broke loose. 

I was the voice of Airline High School in Bossier City for four years and still miss it even at Barstool Sports. The Vikings caught fire late in the 2018 season and came in as a red hot underdog against the 10-1 Gators.  

Airline Coach Bo Meeks emptied the kitchen sink with onside kicks and trick plays in a hostile environment. The Vikings were leading 20-13 late in the 3rd quarter when the shit hit the fan. 

Airline star WR Coby McGee (now at Northwesten St.) took a jet sweep 78 yards for a TD to take a 27-13 lead. I was on the 2nd floor of the home press box and my voice went to a 30 I was so fired up! I used to get so pumped during those games I made Gus Johnson look quiet.

A couple of Airline assistant coaches were sitting by me and jumping up and down. We caused quite a racket and the natives were restless. Fans in rural Louisiana do not mess around during the playoffs! 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an older Cajun man walking towards me but paid him no mind while I was on the air. He got close to me then slapped the crap out of me!

I was in shock and I got flustered on the air with my voice going from a 30 to a 3. The hot radio mic picked up this tirade from the old Cajun man! 

“Boy! I don’t care if you are on the radio or not! They can hear you hollering all the way in N’Awlins!”

After I stumbled badly to get to commercial break, I looked up at my broadcast partner Mac Ledbetter who was literally in tears on the floor of the booth laughing so hard. I wondered for a minute if I was going to get out of The Pit in one piece.

St. Amant came roaring back to tie the game at 27 with 3 min left in 4th quarter.. The rowdy crowd at The Pit was bonkers.

Then Airline faked a jet sweep anf the St. Amant safety bit. The Airline QB hit the a wide open right end running free for an 82 yard TD with 1:40 left to win my favorite high school football game I have ever been apart of 34-27!

To this day, this pic with Airline QB Brad Fream and WR Coby McGee on the field at The Pit postgame is one of my fondest memories.