Month: September 2022
All kinds of fireworks likely tonight when Shreve visits Parkway
By TEDDY ALLEN, Journal Sports
Parkway jumped from the ice chest into the frying pan last week when District 1-5A play opened against Haughton.
Didn’t take but a few minutes into what would be a nail-biting 17-14 Panthers win to knock off the chill and feel the heat.
“It was the first time we’d faced any adversity,” said Parkway coach Coy Brotherton, whose team had beaten its first three opponents by a combined score of 131-20 and had pitched two straight shutouts. “Felt it was a little easy for them. We got woke up the first half against Haughton, that’s for sure; that really brought us back to reality.”
It keeps on being for real tonight when Parkway, 1-0, 4-0, welcomes Captain Shreve, 0-1, 3-1 to newly-turfed Preston Crownover Stadium at 7.
While Parkway won a close one last week, Shreve rallied from being down 17-0 at the half to Byrd before losing, 25-20. That’s old news now to the Gators, who’ve had to think on their feet just to get through a challenging pre-district schedule.
“One thing about this team is they buy into the ‘one play won’t win you the game, and one play won’t lose you the game; one game won’t win district for you, and one loss won’t lose it for you,’’’ Shreve coach Adam Kirby said. “This week we’ve had three of our best practices so far. They’re focused, and our goals are still in reach.
“I’m so proud of their effort in the second half (last week),” Kirby said. “They could have folded. I’m seeing the hunger, the desire to want to get back at it.”
To do it, the Gators will have to slow the fastest player on the field in running back Jaylan White (43 carries, 495 yards, 7 TDs), who finished tied for No. 17 in the state in the 100 meters.
“He’s electric,” Kirby said. “Coy does a fantastic job of getting the ball into his hands in all sorts of different ways. Fans are going to see two of the fastest players in the state between him and (Shreve receiver) Macho (Stevenson, 10 catches, 177 yards, 2 TDs).”
Parkway’s defense has its own challenges, starting with containing Gator quarterback Kenyon Terrell, who’s thrown just one interception in 86 attempts.
“He extends a lot of plays and can hurt you either running or throwing,” Brotherton said. “You think you’ve got him bottled up and, somehow, he makes a good play.”
Whatever happens, it will be in an atmosphere that illustrates “big boy football,” Kirby said.
“It’s tough over there man,” Shreve’s rookie head coach said. “They’ve done a good job. Hat’s off for finding something and getting it really going. They’ll have fireworks before the game, a deejay … It’ll be a playoff atmosphere. I’ve told our guys, you’ve got to treat this like a district title game. (The Panthers) play hard and it’s tough.”
“There’s the new turf, a lot of buzz, 4-0, and we’re playing a team we’re familiar with, separated by only a river,” Brotherton said. “I think a lot of people are going to be there. It’s a big game, our band is top notch … it’s going to be loud. For even the casual football fan, I believe this will be the place to be.”
Contact Teddy at teddy@LaTech.edu
Captain Shreve (0-1, 3-1) at Parkway (1-0, 4-0), Bobby Marlow Field at Preston Crownover Stadium
Series: Captain Shreve 30-16
Last year: Parkway 30-23 in playoffs
Last week: Captain Shreve lost to Byrd 25-20; Parkway beat Haughton 17-14
Rankings: Captain Shreve is No. 3 in SBJ Top 10; Parkway is No. 2 in SBJ poll
Radio: Captain Shreve (KLKL 95.7 FM)
Notable: Head Coach Adam Kirby insists losing the district opener has not put any additional pressure on the Gators. “Our job is to control what we can control. We’ve got six weeks of football left. As long as we continue to play hard, our goal is still within reach” … the last two weeks, Shreve has shown they have two productive running backs in Jayden Edwards and Jamarlon Otis. “I think it’s a huge advantage, because both are extremely talented,” Kirby said. “It helps you in-game, and in game preparation, to have two guys that can get you positive yards every time they touch the ball” … Friday’s game is against the team that knocked Shreve out of last year’s playoffs (second round). “None,” Kirby said, when asked about the loss being motivation for this year’s team. “We treat each game the same, regardless of who it is. We really try to focus on ourselves and how we play, and focus on what we can do better day-to-day. It’s 2022, and what happened last season doesn’t affect this season.”
Parkway quarterback Ashton Martin will face his former team … the teams split last year – Shreve won 46-21 in the regular season, but the Panthers took a 30-23 second-round playoff victory … running back Jaylan White needs 262 rushing yards to break the school’s career record … White is averaging 11.5 yards per carry this season.
Natchitoches Central (1-0, 2-2) at Airline (1-0, 1-3), M.D. Ray Field at Airline Stadium
Series: Airline leads 24-15
Last year: Natchitoches 28-7
Last week: Natchitoches Central beat Southwood 27-0; Airline beat Benton 75-59
Rankings: Airline is No. 5 in SBJ Top 10 poll
Radio: NCHS (95.9 FM, Kix Classic Country, http://69.64.65.171:8192/kixstl)
Notable: Airline set a school record for points scored in the Vikings’ 75-59 victory at Benton last Friday night and earned the title of “Team of the Week” by the Shreveport-Bossier Journal … QB Ben Taylor threw seven TDs and Daxton Chavez caught five … Junior RB Tre’ Jackson had 15 carries for 173 yards and 1 TD … Sr RB Kylin Jackson had 120 yards on six carries with 1 TD … but the Secret Weapon was an offensive line that did the dirty work: LT Jackson Warren, LG Reid Hawsey, C Hunter Kendrick, RG Hunter Howard, RT Artis James, and backups Malik Word and Nathan Hill. SBJ Hat Tip … Special teams got in on the scoring too: JoJo Johnson returned a kickoff 85 yards for a TD … not to be dismissed, the Vikings gave up 59 points, but that’s something Airline HC Justin Scogin wasn’t overly concerned about. “One (TD) was a kick return, and there was kind of a lull in the game when we got a little too comfortable,” he said. “And there are still a few things schematically we’re trying to get installed. Our defensive coaches were upset, but minus a handful of things, I think we’ve been pretty good defensively all year. Our defensive staff does a fantastic job.” … Scogin also isn’t worried about a letdown after last week’s record-setting result. “Practice has been upbeat and all that, but not any more than usual,” he said. “I think they understand last week was just one game and we’ve got to keep our foot on the pedal as far as getting better to build this program.” … Taylor ranks third in the state with his 1,090 passing yards, according to GeauxPreps.com … the Chiefs have been playing a pair of sophomore quarterbacks since senior standout B.J. Young suffered a shoulder injury early in the jamboree against Loyola.
How do I know if I am getting a fair lease offer?
By DAVID SMITH, Louisiana Manager, Argent Mineral Management
With oil and natural gas prices at such high levels, the market may be ripe to lease mineral rights. When presented with a lease offer, I and my colleagues at Argent Mineral Management recommend a two-step negotiation process.
The first part involves negotiating the primary term of the lease, bonus per acre, and royalty rate. Generally, the first offer is not the best, and other potential parties may also be interested in leasing the same tract.
It is also helpful to research the area around your minerals to determine if any companies (and which companies) are actively operating in that area to consider if competing offers can be generated. If possible, another tool to maximize your leverage is to determine if you can act in concert with other mineral owners in the area. These other owners can help to increase the size of the fractionalized interests while also offering insight into the terms they have been presented. Mineral managers or legal professionals who actively negotiate in the area also should be consulted for their opinion of market conditions.
While negotiating the primary term, it is in your best interest to keep it as short as possible. Terms of three years or less are preferred, and I strongly discourage an option period (also known as a “kicker”) for extending the term. Negotiating a high bonus per acre is a priority, but do not let the promise of a higher bonus sacrifice your royalty rate (percentage paid on production). Leases typically last for as long as oil and gas are produced in paying quantities.
To maximize the long-term value of your payments, a higher royalty rate is the leading consideration when negotiating terms.
Once terms have been agreed to, the second step is to negotiate the governing document surrounding the lease. Lease documents, as presented, almost always favor the operator. This contract determines how you are paid and the amount of activity on your minerals. Some important clauses to consider adding include:
• Royalty valuation should be free of costs and valued at the higher of “market value” or “proceeds” at the point of sale or use (“no deduction clause”)
• Right to inspection, records, information, and audit
• Limiting the lease to certain depths (“depth clause”)
• Limiting the amount of acreage an operator can maintain with one well (“pugh clause”)
• Limiting the amount of acreage that can be pooled with other owners in the area
• Do not warrant title
A properly negotiated lease can help secure the wealth-generating power of mineral assets to benefit owners and their future generations, as well as ensure that you are getting a fair lease offer.
Find Out Today
500 East Reynolds Drive
Ruston, Louisiana 71270
318-251-5800
Falcons pleased with (almost) everything in win over Bossier
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
It’s hard to complain when your team goes over 200 yards in both rushing and passing and has five different players score a total of seven touchdowns, as the Northwood Falcons did Thursday night in a 48-12 win over Bossier at the Bearkats’ Memorial Stadium.
Northwood coach Austin Brown was even able to look past his kickoff team allowing a pair of returns for touchdowns. But he did notice. “Oh well,” he said.
Increased kickoff coverage practice is sure to be on the practice agenda, but for now the Falcons will take the outcome to move to 3-2 at the halfway point in the regular season (and 1-1 in District 1-4A).
“We wanted to be efficient, have good numbers and make sure we made the right calls,” Brown said.
There was a lot the Falcons did right.
Northwood gave up more yards on two kickoff returns for touchdowns (162) than it did in total offense for the entire game (147).
The offense rushed for 232 yards and passed for 219. Northwood had 10 running plays of at least 10 yards. Seven of the eight pass completions were for first downs.
More than that, the Falcons took control of this game from the outset. Northwood had consecutive rushes of 15, 13, 14 and 20 yards to get into the end zone with less than two minutes gone on a run by Quintavion White.
The next time they had the ball, there was a 19-yard pass to White, then a 14-yard run by Fabien Sanders before Mason Welsh found Marc Denison behind the Bearkat defense for a 54-yard touchdown strike.
Northwood gained at least 10 yards on eight of its first 11 offensive plays.
“We preached all week about having fun and playing with joy,” Brown said. “I thought the sideline did a great job of doing that and celebrating.”
That was obvious on the Falcons’ final score. An 18-yard touchdown run by John Sneed, a freshman who had just been called up to the varsity, set off a wild celebration by the Falcons.
Part of that celebration might have been because they didn’t have to watch the ensuing kickoff go the distance in the opposite direction, as had already happened twice before.
Bossier’s Ja’karvis Guice took one back 87 yards in the first half and Keyshun Johnson followed that with a 75-yard return to end the third quarter.
There wasn’t much to smile about for Bossier coach De’Aumante Johnson, but he was pleased with his special teams.
“We worked on kickoff return hard this week,” Johnson said. “The work we put in really showed tonight.”
The Bearkats (0-2, 0-5) were able to generate offense in spots, but there was an interception and a sack on possessions inside the Northwood 30 in the first half and a fumbled snap at the Bossier 4 in the fourth quarter.
“I feel like we moved the ball well at times,” Johnson said. “We just have to learn how to capitalize when we get down there. With a young team, you kind of figure those mistakes are going to happen.”
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
Northwood 48, Bossier 12
Score by quarters
Northwood | 13 | 14 | 14 | 7 | – 48
Bossier | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | – 12
Scoring summary
NW – Quintavion White 20 run (kick failed)
NW – Marc Denison 54 pass from Mason Welch (Willie Martinez kick)
NW – Desmond Harris 22 run (Martinez kick)
NW – Fabien Sanders 6 run (Martinez kick)
B – Ja’karvis Guice 87 kickoff return (run failed)
NW – Denison 59 pass from Hutson Hearron (Martinez kick)
NW – Harris 4 run (Martinez kick)
B – Keyshun Johnson 75 kickoff return (run failed)
NW – John Sneed 18 run (Alexander Williams kick)
Individual Leaders
Rushing – Northwood (33-232), Sanders 10-94, White 7-69, Harris 7-52, Sneed 3-22, Hearron 1-7, Tomarcus Keith 2-minus-2, Mason Welch 3-minus-10. Bossier (32-120), LeBrandon Davis 15-71, Caleb Jones 5-21, Quintarion Scott 2-55, Johnson 3-10, Tre Christor 5-minus-14, Team 2-minus-23
Passing – Northwood (8-19-0-219), Welch 7-15-0, 160 yards, Hearron 1-3-0, 59 yards, Jaxon Bentzler 0-1. Bossier (5-15-1-27), Christor 5-13-1, 27 yards, Scott 0-2-1.
Receiving – Northwood, Denison 3-124, Harris 2-33, Sanders 1-38, White 1-19, Elijah Crawford 1-5. Bossier, Guice 2-15, Johnson 2-17, Kerel Woods 1-minus-5.
Prep football scoreboard, tonight’s schedule
JOURNAL STAFF
Thursday’s result
District 1-4A
Northwood 48, Bossier 12
AREA
Jonesboro-Hodge 20, Pineville 10
Ouachita 48, Ouachita Christian 28
Wossman 38, North Webster 6
Tonight’s games
District 1-5A
Natchitoches Central (1-0, 2-2) at Airline (1-0, 1-3), M.D. Ray Field at Airline Stadium (95.9 FM Kix Classic Country)
Byrd (1-0, 4-0) at Benton (0-1, 1-3), Newman-Mason Field at Tiger Stadium (The Light 92.1 FM)
Captain Shreve (0-1, 3-1) at Parkway (1-0, 4-0), Bobby Marlow Field at Preston Crownover Stadium (KLKL 95.7 FM)
Southwood (0-1, 0-4) at Haughton (0-1, 2-2), Harold E. Harlan Stadium
District 1-4A
BTW (0-1, 0-4) at North DeSoto (1-0, 4-0)
Evangel (1-0, 2-2) vs. Woodlawn (1-0, 2-2), Lee Hedges Stadium
Minden (0-1, 1-3) vs. Huntington (1-0, 2-2), Independence Stadium (Real Country, 104.5 FM)
District 1-1A
Haynesville (0-1, 3-1) at Plain Dealing (0-1, 0-4)
Arcadia (0-0, 4-0) at Glenbrook (1-0, 4-0)
Ringgold (1-0, 1-3) at Homer (1-0, 3-1)
Non-District
Green Oaks (2-2) at Alexandria (2-2)
North Caddo (3-1) at West Ouachita (4-0) (KNCB 1320 AM, K104 FM)
Mansfield (0-4) at Calvary (2-2), Jerry Barker Stadium (Miracle 90.7 FM)
Magnolia (0-4) at Westgate (4-0)
Raiders look to keep momentum going against Tide
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
Winning a big, district-opening, come-from-behind game is all well and good, but there is one thing Huntington coach Stephen Dennis hopes his team remembers – there is another game this week.
Like many teams, the Raiders have been using the mindset of “going 1-and-0” every week, but nowhere in that theory do wins carry over from week to week.
And Dennis knows that the Minden Crimson Tide is not exactly the type of team his Raiders need to be playing if they haven’t put last week’s win over Northwood behind them. Huntington and Minden will meet tonight at Independence Stadium at 7 o’clock in a District 1-4A game.
“I think that any time you are dealing with high school kids, you have to learn how to put one game behind you and focus on what next week is going to be,” Dennis said. “That’s part of any natural growth for kids. We went 1-0 last week. We accomplished that goal. Now we have to do it again.”
Huntington, Northwood and North DeSoto are considered to be the District 1-4A favorites, but even though Minden is 1-3, Dennis knows what a challenge the Tide can be.
“They are a team that their record does not reflect their talent and their coaching staff,” Dennis said. “(Minden coach) Spencer Heard is a very good football coach who has won a whole lot of games for a long time. By no means is this a walk in a park for us.”
Four weeks into the season, most coaches have already figured out what they have in terms of personnel. For Dennis and the Raiders, the adjustments from this point forward are more subtle.
For example, Huntington has allowed touchdowns in the last two weeks in the two-minute drill before halftime.
“With high school kids, sometimes it’s hard to keep their attention in practice and even in games,” Dennis said. “So you have to make them understand why we do the drills and specific scenarios that we do. I stopped during practice and said ‘This is why we are doing this. Under no circumstances can we be giving up a touchdown right before half.’ We have to understand why we do these drills because they will come up in a game.”
Of course, tackle-the-guy-with-the-ball is a scenario that always works, especially on the last play of the game. As Northwood was attempting to drive for a potential tying score, sophomore defensive end Nehemiah Barrett, who had two sacks in the game, ended the contest with an open field tackle as the horn sounded.
“We thought he was going to be a running back,” Dennis said. “But he is just now starting to figure out how to play defense and he is going to be a problem for people when he fully figures it out.”
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
Minden (0-1, 1-3) vs. Huntington (1-0, 2-2), Independence Stadium
Series: Minden 17-9
Last year: Huntington 40-7
Last week: Minden lost to North DeSoto 40-12; Huntington beat Northwood 28-20
Rankings: Minden is not ranked; Huntington is ranked No. 6 in SBJ poll
Radio: Minden on (Real Country 104.5 FM)
Notable: Dennis pointed out the play of running back John Solomon (“He had a huge fourth quarter”), quarterback Kam Evans and junior linebacker Derrick Edwards, who led the team last week with 11 tackles … Edwards (42 tackles) and Dylan Holmes (44) lead the Raiders … wide receiver Jarvis Davis had seven catches in last week’s game … Evans ranks second in the state in passing yardage (1,107), according to GeauxPreps.com.
BTW (0-1, 0-4) at North DeSoto (1-0, 4-0)
Series: North DeSoto 6-3
Last year: North DeSoto 54-0
Last week: BTW lost to Woodlawn 38-8; North DeSoto beat Minden 40-12
Rankings: North DeSoto is ranked No. 9 in LSWA 4A poll
Radio: none
Notable: The Lions have a challenge going on the road to take on North Desoto (4-0) Friday in Stonewall. “We’ve got a daunting task ahead of us,” BTW coach Tony Reliford said. “We are young and have a tough schedule, so we are just trying to keep them encouraged” … Kendrick Pratt and sophomore linebacker Cedric Dennis continue to give outstanding performances for BTW, according to Reliford … first-year senior starter La’Devin Jackson remains at quarterback for BTW … Reliford doesn’t expect any players back from injury this week, but top offensive lineman Jamarion Edwards should be back soon from a leg injury.
Evangel (1-0, 2-2) vs. Woodlawn (1-0, 2-2), Lee Hedges Stadium
Series: Evangel 2-1
Last year: Evangel 13-6
Last week: Evangel beat Bossier 33-14; Woodlawn beat BTW 38-8
Rankings: Evangel is ranked No. 9 in SBJ poll
Radio: none
Notable: Woodlawn had a rare two-win week. On the field, the Knights got in the win column with a 38-8 win over BTW. Later in the weekend, Coach Harris was informed that Southwood would have to forfeit both of its wins, which came during the first two weeks of the season … on The Tim Fletcher Show, Coach Harris attributed the Knight’s success in the red zone to moving some personnel around … last week, Woodlawn and BTW came into their meeting with identical 0-3 records. This week, it will be more of the same as both Woodlawn (2-2) and Evangel (2-2) will try to break .500 … the Eagles are 2-1 the past three seasons vs. Woodlawn, including a 13-6 victory last season … school officials hope the Eagles’ new artificial turf surface will be ready next month … starting quarterback Peyton Fulghum missed Week 4, but has been cleared to play Friday. Backup Rodrigo Ballesteros tossed 4 TDs against Bossier.
Benton hopes Byrd doesn’t come to pass
JOURNAL STAFF
Benton will host Byrd in a District 1-5A game tonight and the Tigers defense will be glad to play an opponent that doesn’t throw the football much. At least, the Yellow Jackets don’t pass nearly as much as Benton’s previous two opponents, Arch Manning-led Newman and the air show from Airline.
The Tigers have had a difficult time guarding against the pass in the last two games, giving up 129 points, mostly through the air. The Yellow Jackets have thrown the ball a little more than previous years – they have completed 20 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns.
Byrd (1-0, 4-0) at Benton (0-1, 1-3), Mason-Newman Field at Tiger Stadium
Series: Byrd 2-0
Last year: Byrd 45-17
Last week: Byrd beat Captain Shreve 25-20; Benton lost to Airline 75-59
Rankings: Byrd is ranked No. 1 in SBJ Top 10, No. 7 in LSWA 5A Top 10; Benton is No. 8 in SBJ poll
Radio: Byrd (The Tiger 1130 AM, 103.3 FM); Benton (The Light, 92.1 FM)
Notable: Byrd’s Stacy Ballew has won 13 of his first 15 games as head coach. To find a Byrd coach who has had a better start you’d have to go back to 1935 and Lee Dobson. Dobson’s team went 11-1 that season. The next season, the Yellow Jackets posted a record of 7-1-1, only losing a 6-0 game to Haynesville … the Byrd defense gives up an average of 14 points per game. Benton’s offense has averaged 55 points in the last two weeks … Byrd is one of 39 teams in the state who remain undefeated through four weeks of the season.
The Tigers have allowed at least 50 points in consecutive games (75 to Airline, 54 to Newman) for the first time since 1992 (61 to Haynesville, 54 to Springhill). Including last year’s playoff game, the Tigers have allowed at least 50 points in three of the past five (at least 45 points in four of five) … in two meetings vs. Byrd, the Tigers have lost 45-17 (2021) and 48-35 (2019).
Southwood (0-1, 0-4) at Haughton (0-1, 2-2), Harold E. Harlan Stadium
Series: Haughton 14-4
Last year: Haughton 34-0
Last week: Southwood lost to Natchitoches Central 27-0; Haughton lost to Parkway 17-14
Rankings: Haughton is ranked No. 7 in SBJ poll
Radio: none
Notable: With the forfeiture of their two victories (14-12 over Green Oaks and 9-0 over Woodlawn) because of player eligibility issues, the Cowboys go into the District 1-5A matchup against the Bucs 0-4 overall … “We will work with whatever decision is handed to us,” Southwood head coach Jesse Esters said prior to the LHSAA’s announcement of the forfeitures … both teams are coming off of district-opening losses as Southwood fell to Natchitoches Central 27-0 and Haughton lost a nail-biter to Parkway 17-14 on Aeron Burrell’s 50-yard game-winning field goal with 3 seconds left … the Cowboys put up a fight against the Chiefs last week, trailing just 6-0 at the half before giving up 21 second-half points … the Cowboys were shorthanded with seven starters out due to injury (in addition to the two held out for possible compliance issues) … “We are a far better team than our record suggests,” said Esters, “but we have to find ways to not hurt ourselves on the field.”
Plain Dealing tries to spoil Haynesville’s visit
JOURNAL STAFF
Haynesville will travel to Bossier Parish to face Plain Dealing in a District 1-1A game tonight. The Golden Tornado (0-1, 3-1) will try to get back on the winning track after dropping their district opener at Glenbrook (56-17) and are playing their third consecutive road game. The Lions (0-1, 0-4) dropped a tough overtime district game against Ringgold (36-34) at home.
Non-district games on the schedule for tonight include Calvary hosting Mansfield, Green Oaks at Alexandria Senior High, North Caddo at West Ouachita and Magnolia visiting powerful Westgate.
Haynesville (0-1, 3-1) at Plain Dealing (0-1, 0-4)
Series: Haynesville 38-2
Last year: Haynesville 47-0
Last week: Haynesville lost to Glenbrook 56-17; Plain Dealing lost to Ringgold 36-34 in OT
Rankings: Haynesville is receiving votes in LSWA 1A poll
Radio: none
Notable: Plain Dealing head coach Clint Walker said he and the Lions “had our chances” in the 36-34 OT loss to Ringgold last week. “It didn’t help that we had two touchdowns called back,” he said … the Lions also fumbled on the 8 … the crowd was good which “just shows that the community is showing up to watch us play. Hopefully it keeps going like that,” he said … though PD is winless, Walker said “we knew it’d be like this. And we’ve got the beef of our schedule coming up (with Homer next week). We’ve just got to persevere and make it through the next couple of weeks. We’re just trying to build a program” … after traveling to play the defending 1A state champs next Friday, the Lions are at Magnolia … the Golden Tornado has almost hit for the cycle in ‘game variety’ and it’s not even October yet. Haynesville beat North Webster 29-28 in the opener (nail-biter), beat Harmony Grove 33-26 (one-score game), beat Junction City 41-13 (rout) and got beaten in the 1-1A opener by Glenbrook 56-17 (reverse rout).
Green Oaks (2-2) at Alexandria (2-2)
Series: Alexandria 2-0
Last year: Did not play
Last week: Green Oaks lost to Peabody 18-13; Alexandria beat East Ascension 40-28
Rankings: None
Radio: None
Notable: With Southwood’s forfeiture of its two victories, Green Oaks’ record improved to 2-2 this week … “This is going to be a huge test for us,” Giants head coach Chadwick Lewis said of the matchup against the Class 5A powerhouse. “We want to make sure we go down and compete to the best of our ability” … after losing its first two games, ASH came back with wins over Natchitoches Central (54-6) and East Ascension (40-28) … “We have to limit the mistakes we make,” added Lewis. “This is a very good ASH team” … in last week’s 18-13 loss to Peabody, the Giants erased a double-digit halftime deficit to take the lead in the third quarter but couldn’t hold on … “The game started rocky defensively, but we settled down there in the second quarter and basically held them scoreless until the fourth,” said Lewis … the Giants’ offense held onto the ball better, losing just one fumble … the comeback was spearheaded by Tovoras Lee passes to Amarion Dorsey and Delarrious Marshall … “We had better offensive production – gaining over 350 total yards – which is by far our best game this year,” said Lewis, “but we are still not producing in crucial situations (particularly in the red zone). That must get cleaned up in district.”
North Caddo (3-1) at West Ouachita (4-0)
Series: First meeting
Last year: Did not play
Last week: North Caddo lost to Neville 50-24; West Ouachita beat Grant 40-21
Rankings: North Caddo is ranked No. 6 in LSWA 2A poll
Radio: North Caddo on (KNCB 1320 AM), K104 FM)
Notable: North Caddo’s Omarion Miller had 7 catches for 243 yards in the Titans’ loss to Neville. Miller also added a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown … this visit to West Ouachita is the last of a three-game road swing on the Titans’ schedule. North Caddo will return home and host Calvary in Week 6 … since West Ouachita’s Week 1 win 14-7 over Caldwell Parish, the Chiefs have scored no fewer than 27 points.
Mansfield (0-4) at Calvary (2-2)
Series: Calvary 3-1
Last year: Did not play
Last week: Mansfield lost to Logansport 52-8; Calvary beat Wossman 52-20
Rankings: Calvary is ranked No. 4 in SBJ Top 10, No. 8 in LSWA 2A poll
Radio: Calvary (Promise, 90.7 FM)
Notable: Mansfield has lost nine straight games. The Wolverines’ last victory was 14-9 at Bossier on Oct. 22, 2021 … Cavaliers are 3-1 in past four meetings with the Wolverines and won the last matchup, 27-16, in 2018 … Calvary running back James Simon has 340 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season (also one receiving TD).
Magnolia (0-4) at Westgate (4-0)
Series: First meeting
Last year: Did not play
Last week: Magnolia lost to Homer 47-0; Westgate beat St. Martinville 55-20
Rankings: Westgate is No. 1 in LSWA 4A poll
Radio: None
Notable: For the second week in a row, the Mariners will go up against a defending state champion – proving just how difficult their 2022 schedule is … in its District 1-1A opener last week, Magnolia fell to defending Class A champion Homer 47-0 … this week’s non-district matchup against Westgate pits Magnolia against the defending Class 4A champion and the LSWA’s No. 1-ranked team … the Tigers have outscored their opponents 160-53, while the Mariners have been outscored 201-30 … Magnolia will resume district competition next week at home against Glenbrook.
How it should be: One man, one beer, no phone
You’ve never heard of Mark Radetic, but perhaps you should. He may be our last shot at a civilized society.
In a world filled with people who aren’t Mark Radetic, we should be thankful that an actual Mark Radetic does still exist. He may be hard to find, but he’s out there.
Back in May, when the PGA Championship came to Southern Hills in Tulsa, Tiger Woods was hitting his second shot from the spinach left of the 1st fairway. In the background, there was a picture of dozens of doofuses – literally almost everyone in the picture — holding up their phones to take a cell-phone shot or video of Woods as he hit his shot.
Except for our guy Mark.
He was standing there watching Woods hit his shot while holding a Michelob Ultra bottle so strategically placed it was as if he had been photoshopped in by the beer company’s PR firm. No phone. My man had his priorities in order.
So what were all those people (except Mark) going to do with that picture/video? Put it on eBay? Use it as part of a pick-up line on the waitress at the 19th hole?
Two weeks ago, when Arizona was playing the Las Vegas Raiders, Cardinals defensive back Byron Murphy had an impressive scoop-and-score from 59 yards out to win the game in overtime.
As he ran through the end zone, all the fans lined up in the first row were busy shooting the moment on their phones. OK, so that might be a nice thing to have if you were a fan and the winning touchdown came right by you.
But the game was played in Las Vegas. These were Raiders fans who had grabbed their phones to capture the moment. The moment their team lost.
When I say this has gotten out of control, that’s not even the half of it. Everybody wants to “capture the moment” instead of actually enjoying the moment. Or, in the case of the Raiders fans, despising the moment.
I’m sure someone missed Aaron Judge’s 61st home run Wednesday night because they were too busy making sure the aperture setting was set correctly or trying to decide whether to shoot it vertically or horizontally.
At just about any high school baseball game, you’ll have no trouble figuring out which parent belongs to which player. Just wait until a phone appears through the backstop netting. Look at the stands at a high school football game; the phones are everywhere. On every play.
All of this just in case little Jimmy hits a home run or returns a kickoff for a touchdown. Which, by the way, you probably can’t see anyway because you are too far away and the lighting is bad.
I used to worry about people who never have an unspoken thought as being a nuisance. Now I worry about sports fans who have no un-filmed moment. Capturing the moment through your own eyes is so much greater than the eye of a lens.
I know these are personal memories and that’s great. But let’s be realistic here. You aren’t going to get a picture to rival Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston or Mickey Mantle throwing his helmet away in disgust during his final year with the Yankees.
I get the phone shots in life’s great moments. But in sports? You don’t have to shoot a video from the 33rd row to let me know you saw Steph Curry make a 3-pointer. I believe you.
And as we circle back to our boy Mark Radetic, it will come as no great surprise to you that literally he stood out from the crowd so much that the Michelob folks took notice. So they did another thing that should come as no surprise.
They put him in a commercial. And on social media. And on T-shirts.
Look, if you happen to shoot the modern version of the Zapruder film, I’ll be the first to come to you and apologize.
And you’ll probably film it.
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
Turner’s starting job for Tigers is a long time coming
By RYNE BERTHELOT, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE — Charles Turner has spent a lot of time on LSU’s sideline.
He came to Baton Rouge as a 245-pound, three-star recruit, too undersized to find a home immediately along the Tigers’ offensive line. He’s bided his time, filling in as a stopgap option all across the line in his first three seasons.
While trying to find a spot, he almost never has been a starter: There was a 58-play stint against Missouri in 2020 where Turner took over for Cam Wire at guard, after Wire left the game with an injury. There was a start at right tackle against McNeese in 2021, but he spent most of the season backing up Liam Shanahan at center.
In 2022, amidst the chaos of an ever-changing offensive line that seems to have a new face every week, Turner’s earned the last two starts at center, while incumbent Garrett Dellinger moved to right guard (before breaking his hand against New Mexico).
It was Turner’s first start at his natural position, an accomplishment that the two true freshmen tackles he shares the line with earned in their first three games.
It’s taken Turner until his fourth season.
“It kind of put everything in a full perspective for me,” Turner said. “I’ve been here three years, it’s my fourth year now. I just think it spoke volumes about me and my work ethic. I came in here at 245 pounds. I’m 295 now. You don’t see guys gaining that much weight and looking the way that I look. You rarely see that. For me, I think it was partly my work ethic and staying consistent. Mentally, consistency is the best thing for a center.”
Even with the 50 pounds of muscle he put on, Turner’s frame is still slight compared to his other teammates. That hasn’t stopped him from becoming LSU’s most versatile offensive lineman, capable of playing all five spots along the line. His role at center focuses more on his mental strengths while hiding his physical limitations, something that Kelly pointed out in his press conference Monday, though he admitted that Turner’s spot on the line is still up for grabs in practice each week.
Turner has served as one of the elder statesmen for a relatively young offensive line: Freshmen Jones and Campbell have settled in as the right and left tackles, while Dellinger, a sophomore, and redshirt sophomore Miles Frazier filled in at guard. That’s been the most consistent iteration of the Tigers’ offensive line, though Dellinger will miss at least one game due to his broken hand.
Turner’s presence has been valuable, said his coach.
“First of all, he’s a great communicator,” Kelly said. “He knows what he’s doing up front, getting people in the right place. It’s going to get harder, it’s going to get harder. The competition is going to be that he’s going to be in the mix every week. He knows, and he’s up for the challenge.
“I think we’re putting him in a situation where he’s got two guards next to him that are big guys, big physical guys. The center’s always working in combinations. Most centers today are not the biggest, they’re usually the smartest and they’re usually guys that can move. Charles can do that for us.”
In some cases Turner may be too effective of a communicator. When he was thrust into the starting role against Mississippi State, Turner spent a lot of the game trying to identify the JACK linebacker in the Bulldogs’ 3-3-5 defense.
“I was maybe trying to communicate too much,” Turner said. “Sometimes I do have to trust the guys in there with me that they’ll be able to pick up everything without a call. The clock’s running down, so I may not be able to get a call out, and I’ve just got to go. That’ll get cleaned up. That’s on me. I just have to trust my teammates better.”
The continuity that Kelly’s searched for along the offensive line has finally started to come to fruition. There are common bonds growing among the unit, especially around the table: Dinners at Sushi Masa, breakfasts at Another Broken Egg, and lunches at Roul’s Deli have become important exercises in chemistry building.
Coming from the sideline, that continuity looks a little different to Turner.
“My thing about continuity is, I think that, no matter who’s in there, we should all be able to play well together,” Turner said. “Continuity then comes from us just being around each other in the meeting rooms or even outside of football.”
There’s no telling how long Turner will keep his starting spot.
There’s no denying he’s earned it.
Contact Ryne at rgberthelot@gmail.com
Mudbugs’ Goldie is a second-generation power forward
By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports
Even though Jaden Goldie had spent his entire junior career in Canada, he wasn’t completely in the dark about what it was going to be like to play hockey in Shreveport.
Goldie’s father, Jeff, enjoyed a seven-year professional hockey career. Jeff was a member of the New Mexico Scorpions for two seasons (1998-2000) and the Odessa Jackalopes for one season (2003-04).
The Scorpions played the Shreveport Mudbugs for the Western Professional Hockey League championship in 2000. Shreveport clinched the President’s Cup in overtime of Game 6 at Hirsch Coliseum. Jeff Goldie had six goals and nine assists in 15 playoff games for New Mexico that season.
Jaden Goldie will make his second appearance in the same building as the current Mudbugs (1-4-1) franchise faces Oklahoma (4-1) on Friday and Saturday. This Goldie will play for the home team.
“Coach Soupy took a chance on me,” the 6-foot, 190-pound forward said. “The thing that sticks out down here is the physicality of the hockey. Guys are bigger, faster, stronger.”
Born in Bakersfield, Calif. (while his father played there), Goldie, who has an early team lead in assists (three), was selected by the Mudbugs in the fifth round of the 2022 North American Hockey League Entry Draft.
In 2003-04, Jeff Goldie played for the Odessa Jackalopes. He faced a Scott-Muscutt coached Mudbugs squad just once that season (in Odessa). In 1992-93, Jeff Goldie was teammates with Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell for the Owen Sound Greys.
“Jaden has progressed well so far,” Campbell told The Journal. “To me, he most resembles his dad as an all-situations power forward. Five on five, penalty kill, power play — put him where you need him and he’ll do the job. I’d say Jaden has the edge on his old man in the skating and skill department but don’t tell him I said that. He’d probably agree, too.”
BUGS BRIEFS: Shreveport head coach Jason Campbell is expected to miss Friday’s game so he can escort his daughter, Aly, at Airline High School’s football game. Aly Campbell, a senior, is a member of the school’s homecoming court … Mudbugs netminder Simon Bucheler, who has missed every game due to injury, could see action this weekend … Shreveport looks for its first victory since the season opener. The Bugs are tied for last place in the South Division.
Bugs vs. Warriors
Friday, Saturday, 7:11 p.m.
George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum
Contact Roy at roylangiii@yahoo.com
Final in a series: Local ‘sleeper’ kickers
By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
We’ve talked about two big-time national recruit kickers so far this week in Parkway’s Aeron Burrell and Byrd’s Abram Murray. Today we spotlight several kickers locally who have a chance to become college kickers at some level before they are done with football.
Let’s start with Class 2023 Christobal Dario Gonzalez Cruz, a senior at Bossier High. Cruz is someone who has made many sacrifices to be on the team. He is from Hidalgo, Mexico — San Agustin Tlaxiaca, to be exact.
He moved to the United States in 2016 to North Carolina, moved back to Mexico for a year, and moved to Louisiana with his parents in 2018. He had to learn English from scratch to try and fit in. Cruz has a good leg and could land at a Division II or Division III school. The coaches at Bossier love his leadership and his strong leg.
“Since I was a child I have always worked, and here was no exception,” he said. “On the contrary, I was about to not attend high school because of our economic situation, but thank God we were able to stay on our feet and I was able to continue playing soccer, which opened the door to the beautiful sport of football.
“I remember my father telling me he didn’t want me to play, but after an intense talk with my former coach (Mike) Concillio and (soccer) coach Orlando Medellin, they managed to convince my dad at the beginning of my freshman year of high school,” Cruz said. “I did not know anything about the sport; they taught me everything from scratch and I thank all the coaches who were very hard on me because if it weren’t for them and all the things I experienced within the school, I could never have forged a mentality and leadership I have now.”
Cruz is 5-6, 150 pounds and has a GPA of 3.13. Cruz told me he learned a lot of what he does by watching kicking videos by himself.
Cruz’s hobbies: “I love learning about cars and playing soccer. Soccer comes from my dad; he loves it and that’s where the love of sports comes from. I don’t have much free time since I also have to work outside of sports.”
Cruz told me he would like to major in mechanics and continue to learn about cars.
Next is a late bloomer in the Class 2024, junior kicker John Hoyet Chance (6-2, 195) from Captain Shreve. Chance has a strong leg and could end up a big-time player in college.
“My first instruction came from coach Jimmy Martin,” said Chance. “He was Captain Shreve’s all-district and all-city kicker in 1985. Also, three former teammates helped me out a lot in Thomas Murray (2021 graduate), Mason Ingram (2021 graduate), and Alex Auer (2020 graduate).”
Chance’s favorite colleges: “Honestly I don’t have one favorite school. My dad graduated from Baylor and my mom from LSU so I’ve always pulled for them, but growing up in Dallas, I also follow the Longhorns and Aggies too,” he said.
So far this year Chance has made four field goals and looks to finish strong for a team with the ability to go deep in the playoffs. Chance has a 3.4 GPA and plans on majoring in engineering in college. His dad played basketball for Captain Shreve. Hobbies include playing golf with friends and watching Formula 1 racing with his dad.
There’s such a deep group of kickers in Shreveport-Bossier, and there are more to mention.
Calvary Baptist kicker Garrett Little is in the Class of 2023. He is one tough kicker with a strong leg. Garrett has been a part of the program for four years and improved every year; I think he’s a college prospect.
Haughton has a talented kicker in Carter Ebarb (5-9, 170). Ebarb is a Class of 2024 player with a 3.0 GPA. He made all-district in soccer in 2021 and really loves the Arkansas Razorbacks program.
Also keep an eye on punter/kicker Ben Jump from Airline. He has a big-time leg and started playing as a freshman. He is a Class of 2025 prospect.
Another sleeper you will be hearing about in the upcoming years is a Class of 2025 kicker from Evangel Christian, Kaegan Kent, who started as a freshman for Evangel in 2021. He already has a leg for over 45 yards. His dad is former Louisiana Tech kicker Marty Kent, who trains many kickers in the area.
HOT OFF THE PRESS, QUICKLY ON YOUR SCREEN: For previews of every Louisiana high school and college football team, info on the state’s top senior prospects, and more, you can order the 2022 Louisiana Football Magazine at LaFootballMagazine.com – offering North Louisiana and South Louisiana editions, printed or digital. Magazines are ready for shipping now.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
Perfect Sunday keys another winning week
By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports
Swept the NFL with three plays on Sunday and our winning streak is a month long. Here are this week’s touchdown scorer plays.
Just before kickoff: Check out my Facebook (Roy Lang III) and/or Twitter (@roylangiii) for the bonus NFL play(s) around 11 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Notes
All bets are measured in units. For instance, if your normal bet on a game is $100, that is one unit. If the bet is listed as .2 units, it’s a $20 bet.
Best line (as of Tuesday) is listed in parenthesis. Find the best price, one key to being a successful sports bettor! Shop around!
Remember this is a VALUE-based system, so don’t settle for a price significantly less than the one listed. And jump on better prices!
Sportsbook legend
CAE: Caesar’s
FD: Fan Duel
MGM: Bet MGM
DK: DraftKings
BS: Barstool
LANG’S LOCKS
Season total: +40.7 units
THIS WEEK’S SELECTIONS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
To score a touchdown
(.5-unit plays)
Jordan Byrd, San Diego St., +220 (FD)
Tre Mosley, Michigan St., +280 (FD)
Beaux Collins, Clemson, +200 (FD)
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa, +320 (FD)
Evan Hull, Northwestern, +140 (FD)
NFL
To score a touchdown
(.5-unit plays)
Antonio Gibson, Commanders, +170 (CAE)
Davante Adams, Raiders, +120 (CAE)
Josh Jacobs, Raiders, +110 (DK)
(.3-unit plays)
New York Jets defense/special teams, +1000 (FD)
Tennessee defense/special teams, +1000 (FD)
Atlanta defense/special teams, +1000 (FD)
(.1-unit plays)
Hassan Haskins, Titans, +2200 (DK)
Nick Vannett, Saints, +1900 (CAE)
Phillip Dorsett, Texans, +1400 (DK)
Contact Roy at roylangiii@yahoo.com
Meeting someone again for the first time
By JOSH BEAVERS
I graduated high school close to 30 years ago. In that time, I’ve never been to a class reunion or a homecoming. I don’t know why. Just kinda left that world and never thought much about going back.
So, I really don’t have much experience with homecomings. Meeting people for the first time again. What I mean by that is when we go years between seeing someone, talking to them, those people become strangers to us once more.
Even if you were the closest of friends for years, let a decade go by and that bond will wither and likely die. There’s nothing to keep it alive.
I guess that’s why people like reunions. Homecomings. Class gatherings after so many years apart. I saw that this past Friday when I went to a local high school’s homecoming. It wasn’t my school. I was there for the football game and to take pictures for social media.
Before the game, the classes of 1962, 72, 82, 92, 02, and 12 were honored. The further back you went, the fewer returnees there were. Taken by time, or distance, or loss of interest.
Because that’s what life is. A series of gains and then losses. Of highs and then the inevitable lows. Of either going into a crisis, currently enduring one, or living that sweet life where you’re in the blissful bit after coming out of one.
The reunion gives you a glimpse into a good part of your life. Makes you feel warm from the fuzzy memories it kindles. Why would people go if they didn’t get that good feeling?
And while this wasn’t my homecoming, and I’ve not been to my own since graduating back in 97, I still had that happy feeling when I met someone again for the first time.
Out of the crowd came bounding a red-headed memory. It was an old friend and colleague who had gone on to brighter lights and bigger things. She was at the game to cheer on her niece.
When I saw her, so many memories flooded back of long-ago battles in the reporter bullpen, of court cases, of an alcohol referendum and the bitterness it brought out, of lawsuits between political bodies, of especially dirty elections and dirtier politicians who we ended up help put behind bars, of five-alarm fires, of explosions, and interviews with CNN which ended with the quote “it was a big boom.”
And as she told me what the past 10 years had brought to her life, all I could think of was one of my favorite words.
The word “sonder” means having a “Profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one’s own, which they are constantly living despite one’s personal lack of awareness of it.”
Tim McGraw also summed it up in “Where the Green Grass Grows.”
Six lanes, tail lights
Red ants marching into the night
They disappear to the left and right again
Everyone on the field had their own unique lives with hopes and dreams and fears and accomplishments and failures and strengths and weaknesses. They are just as strong and powerful and varied as yours.
From 10 to 50 years apart, the ones gathered for homecoming joined to share in that human bond, the need and desire for belonging and calling others your own.
It wasn’t mine, but it gave me the chance to meet someone again for the first time. I sorta understand now why people go to class and family reunions.
It felt good to meet again. It was a lesson learned and a small bit of growth given to me by God.
I may even mosey on up to Haynesville in the Fall of 2027 when my 30th-anniversary class reunion rolls around.
Wow.
30 years.
Don’t they go by in a blink?
Josh Beavers is a teacher and a writer. He has been honored five times for excellence in opinion writing by the Louisiana Press Association.
Notice of Death – September 29, 2022
W. D. ‘Step’ Martin
November 18, 1933 — September 23, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 9333 Linwood Avenue, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 9333 Linwood Avenue, Shreveport.
Thomas ‘Tommie’ Edwin Frost
July 30, 1945 — September 27, 2022
Funeral Service: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 211 Murrell Street, Minden.
Interment: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Fellowship Cemetery, 5025 State Rte 531, Dubberly.
Bety Free Inman
December 28, 1934 — September 27, 2022
Graveside Service: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Marthaville Cemetery, Marthaville.
Urie Clark
March 1, 1946 — September 24, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
James C. Richardson
March 22, 1929 — September 27, 2022
Visitation: Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Pinecroft Baptist Church, 8002 Jewella Avenue, Shreveport.
Pamela Davis
February 4, 1957 — September 26, 2022
Viewing: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Forest Park Cemetery West, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Shirley Moore
November 30, 1940 — September 25, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at New Bethel MBC, 3300 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 4670 Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Shiloh Cemetery, Mooringsport.
Willie Harris
November 4, 1961 — September 20, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Memorial Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at St. Abraham B.C.
Latoya Kellum
August 26, 1992 — September 17, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 12:00 p.m. at New Jerusalem Christian Church.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Lincoln Cemetery, 6917 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Clarence Wilson
September 3, 1966 — September 17, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 12:00 p.m. at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Lane, Shreveport.
Jimmy Ray ‘Jim’ Kelly, Sr.
December 21, 1931 — September 21, 2022
Visitation: Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Jackie Paul Russell
September 19, 1945 — September 25, 2022
Viewing: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2565 Airline Drive, Bossier.
Funeral Service: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2565 Airline Drive, Bossier.
Visitation: Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Scott’s Funeral Home, 2425 E. Main Street, Gatesville, Texas.
Funeral Service: Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Scott’s Funeral Home, 2425 E. Main Street, Gatesville, Texas.
Interment: Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, following service at Ater Cemetery, 145 Co Rd 107, Gatesville, Texas.
Darleen Reggio
January 28, 1962 — September 25, 2022
Mass: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Atlantic Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, following service at Haughton Cemetery.
Louise B. Bonnett
December 21, 1931 — September 21, 2022
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at Greater Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1500 Grigsby Street, Shreveport.
Lucy Hearron
September 19, 1942 — September 23, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 4:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
David Everett Norcross
June 22, 1931 — September 24, 2022
Celebration of Life: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Shreveport Community Church, 5720 Buncombe Road, Shreveport.
George L. Jackson
March 30, 1952 — September 24, 2022
Viewing: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Forbing Union Cemetery, 9700 Wallace Lake Road, Shreveport.
Christopher Lynn Rock
August 21, 1979 — September 23, 2022
Viewing: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at New Greenwood Baptist Church, 7480 Greenwood Springridge Road, Greenwood.
Gerald ‘Jerry’ W. Harris
July 25, 1937 — September 26, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 10:00-10:30 a.m. at Bethel Assembly of God Church, 5801 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Bethel Assembly of God Church, 5801 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport.
William Jeremiah Googe
September 5, 1942 — September 22, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 3715 Youree Drive, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 3715 Youree Drive, Shreveport.
Lauren Michelle Rosone Bess
April 5, 1986 — September 22, 2022
Memorial Service: Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Mildred Hildebrand Edwards
April 4, 1923 — September 21, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Noble Cemetery, Noble.
Mary Ethel Newsom Miller
August 25, 1930 — September 27, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 211 Murrell Street, Minden.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at City on a Hill-First United Pentecostal Church, 612 State Rte 531, Minden.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Minden.
James ‘Jimmy’ Louis Behan
April 25, 1947 — September 24, 2022
Memorial Service: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Edward Allen Tesnow
April 27, 1936 — September 24, 2022
Funeral Service: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 12:00-12:30 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville.
Anthony ‘Tony’ Tuminello
August 15, 1940 — September 26, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 9:00-10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 522 E. Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 522 E. Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier.
Sharon Hunter
February 2, 1959 — September 16, 2022
Wake: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 6:00 p.m. at Colquit Baptist Church, Hwy 71, Miram.
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Avenue Baptist Church, 901 West 70th Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Lincoln Cemetery, 6917 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Kenneth Heard
June 28, 1959 — September 20, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Bossier Baptist Church, 809 Hamilton Road, Bossier.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at New Hope Cemetery, Bossier.
Patricia Clark
February 24, 1960 — September 21, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Memorial Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Red River Baptist Church, 1831 Scott Street, Bossier.
Dorothy Player
March 18, 1928 — September 23, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 2:00-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Elizabeth B.C.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Carolina Bluff Cemetery, Benton.
Lenora Harvey
August 30, 1928 — September 21, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 12:00 p.m. at Union Springs Church.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Lincoln Cemetery, 6917 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Katie Lee Oneal
September 19, 1930 — September 24, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Synder Cemetery.
Helen Marie Mosley
October 13, 1960 — September 25, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at New Star B.C., Carver Cemetery.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 2:30 p.m. at New Star B.C., Carver Cemetery.
Interment: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, following service at Lincoln Cemetery, New Bethel.
Linette Dotie
July 21, 1971 — September 20, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Round Grove Memorial Gardens, 2869 Round Grove Lane, Shreveport.
Jerry Wayne Sullivan, Sr.
July 6, 1943 — September 13, 2022
Memorial Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Trenton Pentecostal Church.
Billie Edgar Barnes
July 21, 1930 — September 23, 2022
Graveside Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Forest Park East Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport.
Carol Bennett Simmons
June 12, 1959 — August 10, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Memorial Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Edward Allen Tesnow
April 27, 1936 — September 24, 2022
Funeral Service: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 12:00-12:30 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville.
Earle Gene Labor
March 3, 1928 — September 15, 2022
Memorial Service: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Brown Memorial Chapel of Centenary College, 2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport.
Bennie L. Lee
December 1, 1939 — September 20, 2022
Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Russell Road Church of Christ, 1852 Russell Road, Shreveport.
D’Shundre Rodrickus Harris
November 2, 1993 — September 20, 2022
Viewing: Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Shreveport Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 5307 Alex Lane, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Bright Star Baptist Church, 3300 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Patsy J. Friddle
November 29, 1937 — September 19, 2022
Memorial Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 12:00 p.m. at Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road West, Ruston.
Michael Patrick Redel
January 3, 1955 — September 10, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier.
Memorial Service: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 3:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $90. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
September 29, 2022
Falcon football focused on fun
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
You’d think if there were one word Northwood coach Austin Brown would have on his mind this week, it would be “sleep.”
With a week-old baby boy added to the family, trying to juggle pass coverages and diaper changes might not leave much room for sack time.
But Brown, whose family already had two daughters, says that has not been the case. “I’m lucky to have a great coach’s wife,” Brown said. “She’s great about taking care of things.”
However, there is a word to describe what Brown’s football family is focusing on this week — fun.
“I saw a video of (New England Patriots coach) Bill Belichick talking about his team celebrating and having fun with each other,” Brown said. “And I’ve got this daily character app that gives us lessons that we do before every practice and the motto it showed was fun. Sometimes when things get tight, you might stop having fun. We are looking to have fun this week.”
Brown’s Falcons will take on Bossier tonight at Memorial Stadium beginning at 7 in a District 1-4A game, shifted from its original Friday date. “Coach (DeAumante) Johnson called and asked about switching,” Brown said. “We were all on board with it. We will be the only game in town and it gives us a chance to get started on next week a day early.”
The Falcons (2-2) are coming off a 28-20 loss to Huntington in the district opener.
“We held an explosive offense to seven points for three quarters,” Brown said. “If you had told me that before the game, I would have said we were going to win by 20.”
The Raiders scored three touchdowns in the final quarter to come away with the win, but Brown said that hasn’t deterred his team’s focus.
“The district championship is still in the picture,” he said. “I don’t know if anybody is going to go undefeated in the district this year. Everything is still in front of us. We just have to do our part.”
Which means a continued reliance on running back Quintavion White. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior has scored seven touchdowns and run for 389 yards in the last two weeks.
“Our best players have to be our best players,” Brown said. “At the end of last year, we decided Q needed more touches. We knew going into this season, he was going to have to get the ball more. He’s proved he can handle that.”
Bossier (0-4) has moved up to Class 4A this year. The Bearkats lost to Evangel 33-14 last week.
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
Northwood (0-1, 2-2) at Bossier (0-1, 0-4), Memorial Stadium
Series: Bossier 19-14
Last year: did not play
Last week: Northwood lost to Huntington, 28-20; Bossier lost to Evangel 33-14.
Rankings: Northwood is tied at No. 9 in SBJ poll
Radio: Northwood (Miracle, 89.1 FM)
Notable: Junior defensive end Tadarius Collins had three quarterback sacks again last week, raising his total to six for the season … Northwood has converted more than twice as many third downs as its opponents (48 percent to 23 percent) … Slot receiver Marc Denison has almost three times as many catches as any other Falcon and five times as many receiving yards. The 6-0, 180-pound senior is averaging an impressive 26.1 yards per catch … Northwood’s next five opponents are a combined 5-15.
Christian Johnson led the Bossier defense last week. Johnson had seven tackles, one sack, and two tackles for a loss … The record of Bossier’s first four opponents is 13-3. Two (Parkway and Glenbrook) are undefeated through four weeks, and only one (Evangel) does not have a winning record … Bossier’s average points given up per game during the first three weeks of the season was just over 45 points. Last week, the Bearkat defense limited Evangel to 33 points.
C.E. Byrd alum is first woman to head College of Science at LSU
Today’s installment features the incredible story of a Shreveport native – a protein biochemist — who has made significant strides in the field of science. What a great read!
When Cynthia B. Peterson was named dean of the LSU College of Science in 2014, she became the first woman to hold that position. She also holds the Seola Arnaud and Richard Vernon Edwards, Jr. Professorship in the Department of Biological Sciences.
She leads a college of five departments and the Museum of Natural Science with about 250 faculty and more than 2,900 undergraduate and graduate students. Peterson earned a bachelor’s degree of science in biochemistry at LSU followed by a PhD in biochemistry from the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport.
Peterson then pursued postdoctoral training at the University of California, Berkley before assuming an assistant professor position at the University of Tennessee in 1992. Promoted to associate professor with tenure in 1997 and then to full professor in 2002, she held the Kenneth and Blaire Mossman Professorship in Biomedicine at UT and served as the associate dean of academic personnel in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Peterson (class of 1975) is one of six individuals – five alumni and one faculty member — who will be inducted into the C.E. Byrd 2022 Hall of Fame. The other inductees include Jericho Brown (class of 1994), a Pulitzer Prize winner in poetry; Stephen D. Porter (class of 1973), a decorated artist and educator; William Peatross (class of 1961), a successful attorney and community leader; Merrilee Leatherman (class of 1960), an acclaimed journalist and community leader; and former faculty member Roy Thomas.
Every two years, the C.E. Byrd Alumni Association honors former students and faculty members who illustrate great success in their careers, communities, and made an impact during their time at C.E. Byrd High School. This year’s Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Thursday, Oct. 6th, 2022, with the cocktail hour starting at 6:00 p.m. and the ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. at East Ridge Country Club.
When did you develop your love for science?
I was someone who always loved school and I had very broad interests for a long time. I guess I still do. When I got to college, I had a couple of key experiences that shaped my future in science. When I was a senior in college, I was given the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for freshman chemistry laboratories. That was a big responsibility! And it gave me keen insight into the hard work that teaching required – and also to the great joy that comes when your students succeed. I also was given an unexpected opportunity to do undergraduate research as part of a junior-level chemistry lab. Half of the semester was devoted to an independent project that each of the students worked out individually with a faculty member. This was an important encounter with the social nature of science – and how it really works. I learned that science is mostly a team venture. I was part of a group of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and the professor – all working toward a common goal. It was exciting to be part of the discussion about experiments and the big overarching research question. These two seminal experiences – teaching and research while I was an LSU undergraduate – opened my eyes to science as a career and set me on the path to graduate school, postdoctoral work and a faculty career of my own. In my profession and in my personal life, I still have broad interests and embrace the idea of lifelong learning.
How did Byrd High School help prepare you for your academic success?
I had an outstanding math and science education at Byrd High School. To be clear, I had outstanding education across the board. I enjoyed Biology as a sophomore and then took Chemistry as a junior from an infamous teacher – Major Larmoyeux – who said: “You think this is hard? Just wait until you get to Organic Chemistry in college.” I took that as a personal challenge, I believe. When I got to LSU, I combined my interest in Biology and desire to rise to Major Larmoyeux’s challenge with a decision to study Biochemistry. I stuck with it and have loved that combination ever since. Science majors need strong Math skills. Quite frankly, Math was always my very best subject. I am grateful to all my teachers for Geometry, Algebra I and II and Advanced Math – Mr. Harkness, Ms. Malone and Ms. Moody. The trigonometry and pre-calculus preparation I got at Byrd from Ms. Moody paved the way for me in college for Calculus and beyond. I will never forget the time she asked me to teach our advanced math class! That obviously was my very first experience in teaching – and I learned that teaching is the best way to master a subject.
What are some of your fondest memories from Byrd?
I remember my time at Byrd so fondly. These were such happy times. I love thinking back to pep rallies, football games, flag raisings, homecoming festivities, senior parties, cheerleading practice, debate trips, Mu Alpha Theta competitions, and more. It all seems like a whirlwind of fun now. I was encouraged and supported by outstanding faculty who kept me motivated. My favorite times really boil down to hanging around with my friends, enjoying time together in and away from school. I had a great group of friends who have lasted a lifetime – we pushed each other to do our best and to enjoy life at the same time!
How did you feel when you were told of your induction into the Hall of Fame?
Humbled. I learned that Mike Griffith had spearheaded my nomination, and he had worked behind the scenes to gather information. I got to know Mike in my current position as dean of the College of Science at LSU. Mike earned his PhD at LSU and enjoyed an illustrious career in industry afterwards, working for DuPont, Owens-Corning and ARCO Chemical. He is a highly accomplished scientist and generous philanthropist. For him to have taken time to nominate me for this award just bowled me over. I am very grateful – and I am so excited to celebrate this lovely evening with Mike, my family and so many friends from Byrd.
What is your advice to kids who want to pursue a career in science?
A key piece of advice is that science is based on curiosity – learn to ask questions and then decide what is needed to get answers to those questions. I hope that people understand that science is more about what we do not know than what we know. It goes beyond a set of facts and is about solving problems that have not been answered. I remind prospective and current college students of three things – science is fun; science is important; and science will take you places. While “fun” may not be the first word that comes to everyone’s mind, it is for me. That word underscores how engaging and rewarding it can be to work at the cutting edge – learning new things and working with interesting people all the time. Science allows us to address the most important issues of our time. It is at the beginning of the innovation ecosystem that translates science to solutions for our society. A current example comes from the pandemic. I have had several individuals who trained in my laboratory as graduate students or postdocs go to work at Pfizer. One of them was the lead for the RNA team on the COVID vaccine! While I myself do not study viruses or vaccines, this individual trained with me and learned to ask questions and harness technology to answer those questions. As scientists, we are always looking forward to new, important questions – and we keep abreast of emerging technologies that are the best to tackle those questions. Finally, science does take us places – literally. Science is a global enterprise. One of the great joys in my life has been working with individuals from around the world and traveling for collaborations and conferences in some of the most interesting locations. This work has taken me across the US and to Europe, Asia, Central America and Australia. What a journey!
What is your all-time favorite movie? Favorite book?
Movies – I love the oldies. Dr. Zhivago stands out.
Books – it is hard to come up with one book. Here are a few of my favorites:
Personal History by Katharine Graham
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
What do you like to do to relax?
I love to read and love to travel. The way our family travels is action-packed – not the definition of relaxing – but so rewarding and broadening.
Contact Harriet at sbjharriet@gmail.com
Cousin Kevin: USA’s secret weapon in Presidents Cup win
He doesn’t talk about himself much, likes to keep quiet in his retirement from high school coaching, prefers to get on the mower at his home course, Royster Memorial at City Park, in his hometown, Shelby, N.C., and quietly work his part-time job with no more fanfare than a bump on a tee box.
So you didn’t read about what Kevin Allen did this weekend at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, an hour’s drive from Shelby and a golf universe or two removed from Royster Memorial — 9 holes, 2911 yards (from the tips!), par 35.
But for two crucial matches in last weekend’s Presidents Cup, he was a standard bearer, the guy who walks inside the ropes with that Big Huge Sign that the gallery can see, the sign denoting the players and scores of the match they are watching.
Cousin Kevin. My man. America’s Man, a man you didn’t read about for two reasons.
One, the Americans pretty much spanked the Internationals, 17.5 to 12.5, which is equivalent to you (the American) firing a light-running 68 and me (the foreign guy) turning in a bulky, bloated 89.
Not a tremendous amount of drama.
The other reason is Cousin Kevin’s humility. “I just wanted to help the team,” he told me Tuesday, when his knees had quit aching long enough for him to walk to his car and find his phone.
He’s a regular volunteer down in Greer, S.C. at the annual Korn Ferry event, the BMW Charity Pro-Am, so this was nothing new. He loves it. He’d be a professional standard bearer if there were such a thing.
But it was the Presidents Cup, at updated and lush Quail Hollow, (and all I heard about all summer).
So …
Thursday, the event began. Cousin Kevin had America’s Tony Finau and Max Homa against Foreign People Taylor Pendrith and Mito Pereira. Kevin and Finau and Homa won, 1 up.
America led, 4-1, when the day ended.
“3-2 makes it a longer night,” Cousin Kevin said. “Felt like I helped us push through there late. Big point.”
I’ll say.
His next shift was the biggie: Sunday. The US had a comfortable but not insurmountable lead. So Cousin Kevin drank an extra Red Bull, grabbed his standard and headed out to seal the deal.
His singles group was Xander Schauffele (Us) against Corey Conners (Them). Schauffele closed out Conners with a putt on 18 that gave America all the points it needed; the rest was for show.
But here’s the story behind the story:
Earlier in the round — Schauffele was putting on 6, a challenging 249-yard par-3 — and Cousin Kevin and his standard are behind the green. He gets a tap on the arm.
It’s Davis Love III, the team captain.
Keep in mind that the volunteers like Cousin Kevin are told in no uncertain terms that they aren’t to speak to the competitors unless spoken too. Gentleman’s agreement.
But Davis Love III, captain of the whole team, for crying out loud, in the heat of the battle, the middle of competition, spoke to my cousin, who recreated for me their conversation, word for word.
Love: “Is Xander’s putt for birdie?”
Cousin Kevin: “Yessir, Captain.”
Swear to Arnold Palmer it’s true.
“Felt like that was another point right there,” Kevin said. “Look, he could have called Zach Johnson. He could have called Steve Stricker. He could have called — who’s the other co-captain?”
Me: “Webb Simpson?”
Kevin: “Webb Simpson! But he asked me. Felt I helped us get another point.”
Dang straight.
I almost forgot to ask: Did Schauffele make the putt?
“Not even close,” Kevin said. “Made his par.”
Not even close to Cousin Kevin’s double-eagle weekend. We thank him for his service.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
Byrd’s Murray another high-level local kicker
By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
My first article in this week’s series featuring local kickers focused on junior Aeron Burrell (Parkway), who some think might be the best young kicker in the country, and is a prime Class of 2024 national recruit.
Today we feature another great kicker, C.E Byrd’s Abram Murray, who some believe is one of the best kickers in the country. He is also as good as it gets in the Class of 2024. Yes, he’s also just a junior.
I saw Murray in warmups before a game very early in his career and was super impressed with his leg strength. That’s going back three years when he was at Calvary, before he transferred to Byrd.
I spoke this week with area kicking guru Marty Kent, a former all-conference kicker for Louisiana Tech, and he thinks Murray is a special national recruit.
“Abram, like Aeron Burrell, is one of the most talented kickers I have seen at the high school level, and it’s scary how good he can be in college,” said Kent. “He has a tremendous future ahead of him.”
I talked to Murray and he answered some questions about his future, schools he likes, and many other points.
“Mr. Brecheen, I really would say my favorite things about playing football are the competition and being a part of a team,” Murray said. “I have so many great relationships from competing and playing with others over the years.
“My strengths right now as a kicker are accuracy, distance, and the craft of kicking,” he said. “Understanding that kicking is so much more than kicking the ball hard as you can at the uprights is lost on most kickers, especially those with stronger legs. There is a craft to kicking that takes years to develop, and I continually work to get better.”
Murray’s thoughts on playing at Byrd:
“My head coach is Stacy Bellew and my special teams coach is coach Jason Pope. Both have been very supportive of me as a player and my craft. I’m thankful for all they do for our Byrd football family and the trust they have in my kicking. They have gone out of their way to support me, such as opening the field for my extra kicking work, developing plays specific to my special teams contributions, and scheduling special teams work to optimize my leg recovery before a game. I could not ask for better coaches on our Byrd staff.”
Murray has a vast interest in many colleges and universities.
“I grew up in Texas, and having family from Louisiana, we watched a lot of Texas football, such as TCU, Baylor, UT and A&M, and a lot of SEC football, including Arkansas, LSU and Ole Miss, which all were in my ‘favorites’ list. I was also drawn to Oregon, Miami, Notre Dame, and Ohio State to name a few. So thankful to have offers to play football from so many of my favorite teams. I am currently committed to the University of Miami.
“The season so far has gone well (Byrd is 4-0) and we continue to improve. We have the potential to go deep in the playoffs and have a shot at the state title,” he said. “Our students and fans are the best as well, so I hope to make them proud for supporting us when I get the opportunity.
“My longest field goal I’ve had this season was a 49-yarder against our area rival Captain Shreve. Although you will not hear me on the sidelines after these kicks yelling about being great or ‘look at what I’ve done,’ or boasting on social media, I am always thankful to make a difference for my team and proud of the work I’ve put in to do it. Long field goals are exciting, but character and the greater good, the team, are more important.”
Notes on Abram Murray:
“Both my brothers, Asher, 14, and Thomas, 19, play football and kick as well,” Murray said. “My dad was very athletic in high school and my younger sister grew up in Dallas-Fort Worth playing every sport we could pick up or organize.”
Murray has a 4.7 GPA. “I would like to major in pre-med in college, then attend medical school,” he said. “I hope one day be an orthopedic surgeon and make a difference in the lives of others while being around athletics.”
His hobbies are playing other sports, like golf, tennis, and basketball. “I’m more of an active and outdoors person. I played Development Academy Soccer (attacking midfielder) in Dallas, but these days it is just for fun with my siblings and friends.”
As you can tell, kicking is far from the only area where Murray is exceptional.
STILL A GREAT READ: For previews of every Louisiana high school and college football team, info on the state’s top senior prospects, and more, you can order the 2022 Louisiana Football Magazine at LaFootballMagazine.com – offering North Louisiana and South Louisiana editions, printed or digital. Magazines are ready for shipping or online access now.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
Week 5 prep football schedule, updated standings
JOURNAL STAFF
Southwood has forfeited its first two wins of the season due to an ineligible player. Woodlawn and Green Oaks were awarded wins in those games. The standings below are updated to reflect the forfeits.
| DISTRICT 1-5A | Dist. | All |
|---|---|---|
| Byrd | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Parkway | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Natchitoches | 1-0 | 2-2 |
| Airline | 1-0 | 1-3 |
| Captain Shreve | 0-1 | 3-1 |
| Haughton | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| Benton | 0-1 | 1-3 |
| Southwood | 0-1 | 0-4 |
| DISTRICT 1-4A | Dist. | All |
| North DeSoto | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Evangel | 1-0 | 2-2 |
| Huntington | 1-0 | 2-2 |
| Woodlawn | 1-0 | 2-2 |
| Northwood | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| Minden | 0-1 | 1-3 |
| Bossier | 0-1 | 0-4 |
| BTW | 0-1 | 0-4 |
| DISTRICT 1-2A | Dist. | All |
| D’Arbonne Woods | 0-0 | 3-1 |
| Lakeside | 0-0 | 3-1 |
| North Caddo | 0-0 | 3-1 |
| Calvary | 0-0 | 2-2 |
| Green Oaks | 0-0 | 2-2 |
| Loyola | 0-0 | 1-3 |
| DISTRICT 1-1A | Dist. | All |
| Glenbrook | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Homer | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Ringgold | 1-0 | 1-3 |
| Arcadia | 0-0 | 4-0 |
| Haynesville | 0-1 | 3-1 |
| Magnolia | 0-1 | 0-4 |
| Plain Dealing | 0-1 | 0-4 |
Week 5 Schedule (all 7 p.m. kickoffs)
Today’s game
District 1-4A
Northwood at Bossier, Memorial Stadium
Friday’s games
District 1-5A
Natchitoches at Airline, M.D. Ray Field at Airline Stadium
Byrd at Benton, Newman-Mason Field at Tiger Stadium
Captain Shreve at Parkway, Bobby Marlow at Preston Crownover Stadium
Southwood at Haughton, Harold E. Harlan Stadium
District 1-4A
BTW at North DeSoto
Evangel vs. Woodlawn, Lee Hedges Stadium
Minden vs. Huntington, Independence Stadium
District 1-1A
Haynesville at Plain Dealing
Arcadia at Glenbrook
Ringgold at Homer
Non-District
Green Oaks at Alexandria
North Caddo at West Ouachita
Mansfield at Calvary, Jerry Barker Stadium
Magnolia at Westgate
Woodlawn product Donovan Wilson keys Cowboys Week 3 win vs. Giants
By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports
Donovan Wilson made Woodlawn High School proud in primetime Monday night. The Dallas Cowboys’ cornerback was instrumental in a 23-16 victory against the New York Giants.
Wilson posted a team-high 11 tackles, including a sack, added two quarterback hits and a pass defended while playing 100 percent of the snaps on defense.
For the season, quarterbacks are 2-of-6 for 9 yards and an INT while targeting Wilson.
LOCAL NFL STARS: 2022 Week 2
Terrace Marshall Jr., Carolina (22, WR, Parkway)
After playing just six offensive snaps in Week 2, Marshall was a healthy scratch in Week 3. He has not recorded a catch this season.
Israel Mukuamu, Dallas (22, S, Parkway)
Played a career-high 33 percent of the Cowboys’ snaps on defense and made two tackles against the New York Giants on Monday night.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (29, QB, Haughton)
Sidelined after surgery to repair a broken bone in his throwing hand suffered in the opener, Prescott hinted he may be just a week or two away from taking the field.
Robert Rochell, Los Angeles Rams (24, DB, Fair Park)
Made one tackle Sunday at Arizona during 18 total snaps (eight on defense, 10 on special teams).
L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City (25, DB, Minden)
Another solid performance in Week 3. Made seven tackles, including one sack, and added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. On the season, quarterbacks are 16-for-19 for 178 yards and one touchdown when throwing Sneed’s way.
Marquez Stevenson, Buffalo (23, WR, Northwood)
On injured reserve after a foot surgery.
Trent Taylor, Cincinnati (28, WR, Evangel)
Quarterback Joe Burrow has yet to target Taylor on offense, but the former LaTech star averages more than 9 yards in eight punt returns.
Jerry Tillery, Los Angeles Chargers (25, DL, Evangel)
Saw a slight increase in snaps (played 45 percent) and recorded two tackles.
Ar’Darius Washington, Baltimore (22, S, Evangel)
Started the season on the Ravens’ practice squad.
Devin White, Tampa Bay (24, LB, North Webster)
Proved he was actually human in Week 3. It was his first game without a sack, but had five tackles against Green Bay.
Tre’Davious White, Buffalo (27, DB, Green Oaks)
He is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and must miss at least four weeks.
Greedy Williams, Cleveland (24, DB, Calvary)
Tumultuous start to his NFL career continued when he was placed on the injured reserved list (hamstring) prior to Sunday’s opener.
Rodarius Williams, New York Giants (26, DB, Calvary)
Like his brother, LeeLee (IR) will miss at least the first four games of the 2022 regular season.
Brandon Wilson, Cincinnati (28, DB, Calvary Baptist)
On the PUP list.
Donovan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys (27, S, Woodlawn)
One of Wilson’s best efforts of his career in Game 3. Tallied 11 tackles, including a sack, added two quarterback hits and a pass defended while playing 100 percent of the snaps on defense. Quarterbacks are 2-of-6 for 9 yards and an INT while targeting Wilson.
Contact Roy at roylangiii@yahoo.com
Wesley Miller: Nurse, deer hunter, turned crappie guide
Forty-four-year-old Wesley Miller is a busy fellow. He lives along Dorcheat Bayou between Doyline and Sibley in Webster Parish. As a professional, Miller is a registered nurse who happens to be a serious outdoorsman and has made his name in at least two ways.
Two years ago, Miller put an arrow through a huge 13-point buck that scored 165 6/8 inches, a buck that stands in fourth place on the all-time trophy list for archery in Louisiana.
As much as he loves to deer hunt, there is another passion that is taking most of his time now to the point that he has put his nursing career on hold for the time being. He is one of north Louisiana’s most popular and busiest crappie guides.
“I decided that if I was going to be serious about guiding, I elected to lay my nursing job aside to see how guiding works out. So far,” said Miller, “I have been as busy as I want to be guiding clients on several lakes and waterways across the state.”
We caught up with Miller recently to pick his brain a bit on what it is like to be a full-time fishing guide and how he manages to put clients on big crappie on a regular basis on our area lakes and waterways.
“Right now I’m finding fish in different places and different situations in every lake we fish. Some lakes I’m finding fish on brush piles, and on others the fish are suspended in open water. I have to hunt them differently every day,” Miller said.
A recent guide trip to Grand Bayou Reservoir near Coushatta is an example of how a guide who knows his business has to adapt to changing conditions.
“I was on Grand Bayou awhile back and found schools of fish out in open water with 40 to 50 fish in each school. Using my Live Scope, we would catch a couple out of one school, move around and find another school and catch a few active fish out of it.
“We were down there again the following day and every fish we caught was over a brush pile. With this new technology, you go to a spot and if there aren’t active fish there, you go to another spot and try something else. It can change from day to day,” he said.
What about looking for crappie now that the weather is beginning to cool down? Is there a pattern you can depend on to fish for early fall crappie?
“I have found that crappie will move some when weather changes but in reality, the only time when fish really change locations is during the spring spawn. Other than that,” Miller added, “crappie will be generally in the same spot all year, maybe a little deeper or more shallow but they won’t move very far.”
Miller has some favorite jigs he and his clients use and these are jigs he ties himself. They seem to work well day in and day out.
“When I tie my jigs, I use hackle feathers instead of straight-tail feathers. They look more like the gills on a bait fish than the straight ones. I also make my jigs quite small, usually less than two inches long because they look more like bait fish than larger ones,” he said.
Switching gears, Miller deer hunts on family property in Webster Parish, an area where he got the big one.
“I live 10 minutes from my family farm and since I’m guiding so much, I probably won’t get to deer hunt as often as I’d like,” he said. “I should still be able to hunt afternoons and those mornings when the weather is so bad we can’t fish. Bad weather days are often your best hunting days anyhow.”
If you’re interested in booking a guide trip with Miller, you can reach him at 318-465-1668 or find him on Facebook at Big Sasquatch Outdoors.
Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com
Another Blessing
By Robert St. John
This morning I read a Business News Daily article that listed the most stressful jobs in America. Enlisted military personnel came first, firefighter, second, and airline pilot, third. Police officer landed in fourth place. I wouldn’t argue with any of those rankings.
Broadcaster came in fifth. I’m not sure I agree with that. Before I got into the restaurant business, I spent four years as a radio station disc jockey. I can tell you that, other than the first couple of shifts— when I was so nervous, I was physically shaking— it was one of the easiest jobs I’ve ever had. With apologies to all my friends in the media, I’m not sure broadcaster even belongs in the top 50 of most stressful jobs (with the definite exception of war correspondents in the field). Newspaper reporters came in seventh. I don’t agree with that one either. Public relations executives also made the top ten. Sorry but I must argue again. I am sure they were thinking of crisis management in a PR sense, but that is situational. Taxi driver came in at number 10. Last week I was in several taxis in New York. Those guys didn’t seem worried about anything.
There was no mention of restaurateur. It just goes to show you that, Simone Johnson, the author of the article for Business News Daily, has no clue as to what is involved in the opening a restaurant, or its daily operations.
Event coordinator did come in at number six. I get it. I’ve done a lot of catering over the last 40 years, and in addition to the hundreds of little things that can go wrong during a major catering event (we almost blew up the garage of a wedding reception once— another story for another day), you are typically dealing with people at their most anxious. Most people don’t entertain very often so it’s a stressful thing. In turn it becomes a stressful thing for the event coordinator. So, for the purposes of this column, I will assume that event coordinator also includes restaurateur, which puts those of us crazy enough to be passionate about this profession as the sixth most stressful job.
I’m in the middle of my 24th restaurant opening in the past 40 years. I believe it’s truly one of the most stressful things anyone could ever do (or at least sixth most stressful). I imagine from an outsider’s perspective one would look at opening a restaurant as, “why not just teach the cooks the recipes, tell the front-of-the-house staff how you want them to serve the tables, and just let guests file in.” How awesome it would be if it were that simple.
The opening of a new restaurant is demanding, taxing, tiring, fraught with potential disaster around every corner, and I love every minute of it. There are so many moving parts and so many opportunities to drop the ball. Though the older I get— and the longer I stay in this business— I see those as opportunities to win guests over. Mistakes are going to happen, and especially during the honeymoon period in the early stages of a restaurant. It’s not about the mistakes, it’s about how the mistakes are handled. If four decades in the restaurant business has taught me anything, it’s that a bad guest experience, handled properly at the table, can turn into a situation that wins a customer over, and sometimes more so than if they just enjoyed a flawless meal. It’s not about the mistake. It’s about how the mistake is handled.
This most recent opening was a unique one. We took over an existing restaurant in Ridgeland, Mississippi that had been in business for 12 years. They shut the doors one day, and we took over the entire restaurant the next day. Two weeks later— after a major deep-clean, some redecorating, re-concepting, service training, and recipe and menu development— we reopened with a new concept.
Our primary goal, from day one, was to retain all the current team members. We paid them through the entire two-week shutdown, and I am proud to say that we were able to keep every member of the team employed. That made this opening a little easier than most, but when you get down to it, everything is new because we brought in new recipes, new menu items, new cocktails, new systems of service, new point of sales systems, and new culture. Ultimately, it’s a new deal.
The restaurant is named after my friend, Enzo Corti, who lives in the small town of Barberino-Tavarnelle in the heart of the Chianti region of Tuscany. Enzo is a fourth-generation wine and olive oil merchant who embodies everything I love about Italian food and culture. We have patterned our restaurant— and its approach— after his zest for living, exuberant charm, and infectious personality.
The food at Enzo is part American-Italian and part authentic Italian. I decided to pare down the inaugural menu due to all the restaurant-opening reasons I stated above. We’ll start off with limited offerings and work our way into a more extensive menu. The main items we will be adding in the coming weeks will be more authentic Italian dishes. Many of those dishes are ones I learned during my travels to Italy. Some came from my son who worked as a chef over there, and others I learned from restaurateurs across the country, but mostly in Tuscany.
I am tired. At 60, I don’t quite have the stamina I did when I was in my 20s. But that’s not going to stop me. I do, however, believe I work smarter these days. I don’t know how many more restaurant openings I have in me, but we have a few more concepts in the works and even more on the drawing board. We want to keep creating opportunities for our team members to advance and move up.
In the end, I consider myself fortunate to have found a career that is also my hobby. It’s not work to me, it’s just what I love to do. I am weary, but more importantly, I am grateful, and I am blessed.
Onward.
Porcini Mushroom Soup
3 quarts Mushroom stock, heated
8 TB Unsalted butter, divided
¼ cup All-purpose flour
¼ lb. Dry porcini mushrooms (soaked and reserved from the mushroom stock recipe)
½ cup Shallots, minced
2 TB Brandy
2 TB Kosher salt, divided
½ TB Ground white pepper
1 TB Fresh thyme, chopped
2 TB Sherry vinegar
In a one gallon stock pot, melt 4 TB of the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk constantly to combine thoroughly and prevent scorching, about 2 minutes. Slowly add the heated mushroom stock 1 cup at a time, combining thoroughly each time until all the stock has been added. Continue to heat this on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced to 2 quarts.
Meanwhile, melt the remaining 4 TB of butter over medium heat. Add the shallot and stir until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, 1 TB salt, white pepper and thyme and continue cooking for 6 minutes. Deglaze with the brandy and continue stirring until brandy has cooked out completely, about 3-4 minutes.
Transfer this mixture to a food processor and pulse for 1-2 minutes. Return to the pot with the reduced stock and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. Puree this mixture until smooth with a stick blender or in the food processor. Finish with remaining 1 TB salt and the sherry vinegar.
Yield: 1 gallon
Robert St. John is a chef, restaurateur and cookbook author.