The Hooper Trophy: Rivalry on the Western Border

Samuel Lewis and Charles Owen have created a book that captures the history of the football rivalry between DeRidder and Leesville High Schools in Louisiana. The Hooper Trophy, Rivalry on the Western Border is a compelling story of the family who established an award that goes back and forth between the winning school in the annual football fete and the results of all the games between the schools. Buck and Agnes Hooper were good citizens and loyal graduates and natives of Leesville and DeRidder, respectively. They grew up anticipating the annual football contest between their schools and established a trophy that would be presented to the winner of each year’s game. Since 1962 the schools have battled for the Hooper Trophy. Lewis and Owen tell the story of the Hoopers and document the results of all the games. The commemorative book is filled with pictures from as far back as 1910 and will be a hit with any DeRidder or Leesville native or high school football fan. Local legends like Tommy Allen, Cecil Doyle, Deshazor Everett, Ted Paris, Michael Ford, and many others fill the pages of the book, and a plethora of pictures from long ago bring the stories to life.

Proceeds from the sale of these books go directly to Leesville and DeRidder High School.