Rivalry Renewed: 'Battle of the East' Ignites New Orleans East Spirit
Source: Nola Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
For years, the 'Battle of the East' was more than just a football game — it was a heartbeat for New Orleans East, a neighborhood that has weathered its share of hardships. But after school closures and administrative shifts threatened to dim that spirit, the Collegiate Academies charter network decided to rekindle the flame. This Friday, Abramson High School will face Sarah T. Reed High School at Joe Brown Park, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. — a contest that represents not just a rivalry, but a deliberate community celebration.
The recent history of Sarah T. Reed High School is a story of adaptation. Following the closure of its Michoud Boulevard location last year, Livingston Collegiate on Dwyer Road absorbed the Reed legacy, rebranding under the iconic name. This merger, part of the Collegiate Academies network, created an opportunity: to revive the 'Battle of the East' with renewed energy. On Tuesday, coaches and administrators from both schools gathered at Reed to discuss the upcoming game, emphasizing that this matchup is about more than touchdowns.
'We think about New Orleans East and the negative connotation around it, and what Collegiate Academy is doing in New Orleans East is amazing,' said Reed coach Devon Francois. 'To have us two come together and broadcast the talent of our scholars on the playing field but also in the classrooms is amazing.'
Francois, who was hired as head coach at Livingston in 2021, stayed on when the school rebranded. He has fully embraced the rivalry, even though it's new to him in its current form. 'They're excited, just with the history that we have in New Orleans East,' he said. 'In the past, we were Livingston; it's a game that we absolutely wanted for the regular season and now we have it. It's amazing that we are under one umbrella so we can do it in a family-oriented style.'
Across the field, Abramson coach Gil Chartian brought a different perspective. Having coached at Carver before taking over the Commodores last season, he quickly grasped the deep community roots of the rivalry. 'I really found out the importance of the game and for the neighborhood community,' Chartian said. 'It really brings both schools out to the game; it's a whole lot of spirit for the community. The kids get involved. The atmosphere in the school building is lively. I think this is a great thing for New Orleans East.'
Chartian also noted that while alumni view the game through a lens of tradition, the current players are building something new. 'It's a rivalry for the alumni and stuff like that, but for the kids, we're just trying to build something special. We're trying to make it important. Because it's a network thing this year, we're trying to make it a family thing.'
One family, in particular, will experience the rivalry in a deeply personal way. On opposing sidelines, brothers Malcolm Riley and Brice Perrier will line up against each other. Riley, a sophomore, plays running back and linebacker for Abramson; Perrier, a senior, is a wide receiver for Reed. The sibling matchup underscores the close-knit nature of the schools, which compete academically and socially through programs like the New Orleans Career Center. 'These kids compete in the classrooms against one another; they go to NOCC together. We do things as a network together, and it's just amazing to not only see them compete but then also have a bond that they're there to help each other out as well,' Francois said.
Beyond the gridiron, the marching bands are preparing their own showdown. Chartian praised the Abramson band, saying, 'When I got here, the experience of the Abramson band, honestly it's next level. It's on a different scale when the community comes out, talks about it, supports it. The kids are excited, the football team is excited and it just brings a different outcome and a different element when you talk about Abramson bands.'
Alumni from both sides have been actively involved, spreading the word about the game's significance. The energy has been building in hallways and locker rooms, as students and staff alike lean into the tradition. With Reed serving as the designated home team, the game at Joe Brown Park promises to be a showcase of athletic talent, school pride, and community resilience — a reminder that in New Orleans East, the spirit of the 'Battle of the East' is far from forgotten.
Article commentary
The revival of the 'Battle of the East' between Abramson and Sarah T. Reed is more than a nostalgic nod to high school football; it represents a strategic effort by Collegiate Academies to reshape the narrative of New Orleans East. This community has long battled stereotypes of neglect, economic decline, and educational instability. Recent school closures, including the shuttering of Reed's Michoud Boulevard campus, could have deepened that sense of loss. Instead, the charter network has chosen to use athletics as a rallying point — a savvy move that acknowledges the powerful role sports play in urban communities. What stands out is the deliberate framing of the game as a 'family-oriented' event. Coaches from both schools emphasize collaboration over competition, highlighting that students attend the same programs, share classrooms, and even compete in the same academic leagues. This approach softens the traditional rivalry while still honoring its history. The inclusion of a sibling matchup — Malcolm Riley and Brice Perrier on opposing sides — humanizes the story and underscores the tight bonds within the network. From a broader perspective, this game illustrates how charter school networks can leverage local traditions to build institutional identity. Collegiate Academies has been a significant player in New Orleans' education landscape since Hurricane Katrina, often operating in areas where traditional public schools have struggled. By merging Livingston into the Reed name, the network preserved a historic brand while consolidating resources. The football game becomes a vehicle for community engagement, alumni buy-in, and student morale — all critical for long-term retention and academic success. However, the celebration should not overshadow the underlying challenges. The closure of Reed's original location was a painful event for the neighborhood, and not all residents may feel the same enthusiasm for a rebranded school. Some critics argue that charter networks, while effective in some metrics, can erode the democratic oversight of public education. The 'family-oriented' rhetoric may also mask the competitive pressures within the network, as schools vie for students, funding, and prestige. Still, the coaches' comments reveal a genuine desire to uplift the community. Devon Francois's reference to 'broadcasting the talent of our scholars' suggests a focus on positive representation, countering the 'negative connotation' often associated with New Orleans East. The involvement of marching bands and alumni adds layers of cultural significance, turning a football game into a community festival. Ultimately, the 'Battle of the East' is a microcosm of larger trends in urban education: consolidation, branding, and the use of extracurriculars as tools for social cohesion. Whether this revival will lead to sustained community investment or remain a temporary boost depends on how Collegiate Academies navigates the complexities of school identity and local trust. For now, the game offers a rare moment of unity — a reminder that even in a landscape of change, the spirit of rivalry and pride can still bring people together.