More Than a Game: Black Joy, Culture, and Excellence on Display at St. Aug–Karr Championship
This was one of the most anticipated championship football games in the history of Louisiana.
Two of the best high school football programs in the state—St. Augustine High School and Edna Karr—met on the biggest stage possible, the Louisiana Superdome. While the game itself did not remain as competitive as St. Aug fans hoped, the spectacle surrounding it was unforgettable.
And what happened outside the Dome may have mattered just as much as what happened inside.
A Celebration Before the First Whistle
Hours before kickoff, the scene around the Superdome looked like a citywide reunion. Tailgating stretched across generations. Grandparents, parents, alumni, students, and young children filled the space with grills, boiled seafood, music, and laughter.
The weather was warm. The energy was joyful.
Karr fans dressed in black and St. Aug fans dressed in white mingled freely. They joked, debated the matchup, shared food, and celebrated the fact that two New Orleans teams were about to play for a state championship. There was pride on display, not tension.
An estimated 7,500 people gathered outside the Dome for hours, enjoying what can only be described as Black joy and excellence in its purest form.
Yet there were no television cameras documenting it.
The Story That Rarely Gets Told
Too often, the narrative surrounding Black New Orleans is shaped by tragedy. Gun violence. Fights. Chaos. Discord. When those moments occur, legacy mainstream media arrives quickly, cameras rolling.
But on this day, there were no crews focused on the mass gathering of families, alumni, and students celebrating achievement, discipline, and tradition. There were no headlines about unity or joy.
That absence matters.
This championship represented the success of two programs led by strong Black men—Aulston Taylor, president of St. Augustine High School, and Jamar McNeely, president of the Inspire Charter School Network, which includes Edna Karr—who are shaping young Black boys into disciplined students, athletes, and leaders. That story deserves amplification.
This is the New Orleans we should show the world.
Bands, Pageantry, and Tradition
Inside the Dome, the cultural excellence continued.
Both bands delivered standout halftime performances that reminded everyone why New Orleans high school football is unmatched.
St. Augustine’s band presented a traditional downfield processional, anchored by Earth, Wind & Fire’s “In the Stone,” a song the band has made unmistakably its own. As they exited the field, they played the anthem Purple Knights proudly sing: “I’m so glad I am a Purple Knight.”
Edna Karr’s band played Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics and marched with precision, moving like a series of arrows pointed toward victory—sharp, intentional, and confident.
It was not just halftime entertainment. It was heritage on display.
Related: St. Aug versus Karr
Respect in Victory, Pride in Participation
On the field, Karr ultimately won the game going away. They are clearly the best team in Louisiana and one of the best in the country. But former WBOK morning host, current Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs at SUNO and proud Karr alum, Dr. Ashonta Wyatt, summarized the event by saying
Saturday night wasn’t just about football—it was a mirror of Black excellence in motion. St. Aug and Edna Karr carried their communities onto that field, showing us what happens when discipline, culture, and love for our people collide. That game was bigger than football; it was a testament to who we are. WE ARE NEW ORLEANS!!
Dr. ashonta wyatt
“These guys are fearless,” said Karr head coach Brice Brown.
Prominent New Orleans businessman and St. Aug alum Troy Henry summed it up plainly:
Troy Henry
“It was like St. Aug was playing a D1 college club. They were bigger, stronger, and faster.”
longtime supporter supporter and alum Roy Cyprian offered perspective.
“St. Aug is a young team. We are playing sophomores and juniors.”
And legendary Purple Knight running back Melvin Howard spoke with honesty and love for the program.
Former Superstar Running SA back Melvin Howard
“It’s a shame our quarterback had his worst game of the year in the championship game. But the bottom line is that we all witnessed Black joy and excellence yesterday.”
But the New Orleans Councilman Oliver Thomas, himself a former high school and college star athlete put it most succinctly.
New orleans city councilman oliver thomas
“The whole city should be proud.”
The Real Victory
Yes, Edna Karr won the championship. They earned it.
But the larger victory belonged to New Orleans.
Two elite Black institutions filled the Superdome. Thousands gathered peacefully in celebration. Bands performed with excellence. Young Black men competed at the highest level. Families showed up. The city showed out.
Even if the final score was lopsided, the moment was not.
This is the side of New Orleans that deserves to be seen, remembered, and celebrated.
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of Executive Appraisers Louisiana, an MBE-certified real estate appraisal firm, and EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of Executive Appraisers Louisiana, an MBE-certified real estate appraisal firm, and EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Thank you for the accurate and well written prospective. A moment in New Orleans to be proud of.
St. Augustine ‘78
Ditto for me, Mr. Malone. First off, kudos to Coach Brice Brown and his Staff. I have always respected the way he runs his program. He does so much behind the scenes to ensure the well being of his Student Athletes. 15 Division-1 signees doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a testament!
This weekend was truly a Coronation of Black New Orleans Culture. Being a part of it was an awesome experience for me and my family. Yes we are a young Purple Knight football squad, one thing I know for sure is that we have definitely found ourselves a coach in Coach Valdez.
Proud Purple Knight from the Class of 1979!
The largest gathering of St. Aug Alumni in one place and at one time ever….until next time..
Kudos to Karr and Coach Brice Brown on their convincing win. I’m so happy that St Augustine football is back on the state-wide map under our new head coach Robert Valdez. Coach, you have made tremendous strides in just two years. Can’t wait to see what we do next year with the stockpile of young talent you are developing.
David Soublet ’79