New Orleans East revives 'Battle of the East' to spark community pride
Source: Nola Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
On Friday night, the roar of the crowd at Joe Brown Park will not just be about football. It will be a declaration that New Orleans East is still standing, still fighting, and still proud. The 'Battle of the East' between Abramson and Sarah T. Reed is back, and this time, it carries a deeper meaning.
The rivalry, long a fixture in the eastern part of the city, took a hit when Sarah T. Reed's Michoud Boulevard campus closed after last school year. But rather than let the tradition fade, Collegiate Academies, the charter network that runs both schools, decided to reinvent it. Livingston Collegiate, located on Dwyer Road, adopted the Reed name and identity, keeping the Olympic flame alive. Now the two schools, both under the same umbrella, are rekindling the matchup with a renewed sense of purpose.
On Tuesday, coaches and administrators gathered at Reed to celebrate the upcoming game. The mood was electric, a stark contrast to the narrative of decline that often surrounds the area. "We think about New Orleans East and the negative connotation around it," Reed coach Devon Francois said. "What Collegiate Academy is doing in New Orleans East is amazing. 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 took over as head coach at Livingston in 2021 and stayed through the rebranding, knows the matchup intimately. He described the excitement among students, players, and the community, noting that the schools frequently collaborate off the field. "They're excited, just with the history that we have in New Orleans East," he added. "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 is in his second season leading the Commodores. A former Carver coach, he quickly grasped the significance of the rivalry after his first year. "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." He emphasized that while alumni cherish the rivalry, 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 will experience the game on a deeply personal level. Brothers Malcolm Riley, a sophomore running back and linebacker for the Commodores, and Brice Perrier, a senior wideout for the Olympians, will line up on opposing sidelines. Their sibling rivalry adds a layer of intimacy to the contest. But as Francois pointed out, the bonds between the two schools extend far beyond the gridiron. "These kids compete in the classrooms against one another; they go to NOCC together. We do things as a network together," he said. "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."
The marching bands, too, are gearing up for a battle of their own. Chartian praised the Abramson band, calling it "next level." He noted the community's involvement elevates the entire experience. "When I got here, the experience of the Abramson band, honestly it's next level," Chartian said. "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."
Friday's kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Joe Brown Park, with Reed designated as the home team. For the students, alumni, and residents of New Orleans East, this is more than a game. It's a chance to reclaim a narrative, to celebrate resilience, and to prove that the spirit of the East is far from forgotten.
Article commentary
High school football in America has long been a mirror of community identity, and nowhere is that more evident than in New Orleans East. The revival of the 'Battle of the East' between Abramson and Sarah T. Reed is not just a sports story; it's a case study in how schools can use tradition to heal and unite neighborhoods facing systemic challenges. What makes this particular revival noteworthy is the role of the charter network, Collegiate Academies. In an era where school closures and mergers often lead to fractured communities, this network has chosen to preserve a rivalry rather than let it die. By rebranding Livingston Collegiate as Sarah T. Reed, they kept the school's name and legacy alive, even as the physical location changed. This decision reflects a strategic understanding that athletic rivalries are more than just games—they are repositories of collective memory, pride, and social capital. Yet, the context of New Orleans East cannot be ignored. The area has experienced decades of disinvestment, population loss, and natural disasters. Schools have been shuttered, and many residents feel overlooked by the city's broader recovery. In this environment, the football game becomes a stage for reclaiming visibility. Coach Francois's comment about the 'negative connotation' around New Orleans East is a direct acknowledgment of the stigma that residents fight against. The game, then, is a form of counter-narrative—a way to broadcast the talent and spirit of the community. Interestingly, the sibling rivalry between Malcolm Riley and Brice Perrier adds a human dimension that transcends the usual high school sports narrative. It reminds us that these young men are not just opponents; they are part of the same fabric, growing up in the same neighborhood, attending the same network events. The game becomes a celebration of family, both literal and figurative. This is a powerful antidote to the isolation that often accompanies urban decay. From an educational perspective, the emphasis on 'scholars' in the classroom alongside athletes is a refreshing shift. Coaches and administrators are careful to highlight academic achievement, not just athletic prowess. This aligns with the charter network's mission and suggests that the rivalry is being used as a motivational tool for broader success. The inclusion of the marching bands further underscores the community-wide involvement—music, like football, is a unifying force. However, one must also consider the precariousness of this revival. The game is only possible because both schools are under the same charter network. In a city where school governance is fragmented, such unity is rare. The challenge will be sustaining this momentum beyond a single season. Will the rivalry continue to grow, or will it fade as the memory of the original Reed campus dims? The answer lies in the community's ability to invest in these traditions. Critically, the story also highlights the resilience of New Orleans East. That a neighborhood often labeled 'forgotten' can muster such enthusiasm for a football game is a testament to its people. The 'Battle of the East' is not just about touchdowns; it's about dignity, belonging, and the refusal to be erased. For the players, the bands, and the alumni, Friday night at Joe Brown Park will be a moment of collective pride—a reminder that even in the face of closures and mergers, the spirit of the East endures. In the end, this is a story about the power of reinvention. It shows that with thoughtful leadership, a community can turn a loss into a gain, a closure into a reopening. The outcome on the scoreboard is secondary to the message being sent: New Orleans East is still here, and it has a lot to cheer about.