Expectations are high for the 2023 Evangel Christian Academy Eagles football team.
Understandably, considering the talent returning for coach Denny Duron from a state quarterfinalist team last season.
Friday night’s performance in the Bayou Jamb staged at West Monroe High School gives more reason to rank Evangel not only among the better teams locally, but as contenders for a state championship in December.
The Eagles posted a 21-14 victory over the Ouachita Parish Lions, a perennial Class 5A playoff program.
Tyreek Robinson was the MVP for the Eagles with two touchdowns. He turned a bubble-screen pass into a 76-yard touchdown after he returned the opening kickoff 86 yards. Damarion Drake scored the game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard run. Peyton Fulghum hit brother Parker Fulghum on the 2-point conversion for the final margin.
ECA opens the regular season next Thursday with another drive east on I-20.
The Eagles face state 4A power Neville, which won a rain-soaked 8-0 decision in Shreveport in the 2022 opener, a game that was the last played on Evangel’s grass field at Rodney Duron Stadium. It was mangled so badly that the school installed artificial turf and played away from home for seven straight weeks, sacrificing three homefield appearances.
INTO THE CLEAR: Huntington receiver Preston Summage raced downfield on this play Friday night against Southwood. (Photo by GAVIN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Explosive offenses have been the hallmark of Huntington football recently under coach Stephen Dennis.
But record-shattering passer Kamron Evans is playing college ball now, so the Raiders will lean on their defense early this season, at least. They did Friday night in a jamboree battle against Southwood at Independence Stadium.
Huntington hung goose eggs not only in the varsity contest, a 14-0 Raider victory, but also in the freshman (12-0) and junior varsity (18-0) games.
“We all played really well,” said Dennis. “We had a lot of holding penalties in the varsity portion, and they killed momentum and cancelled big plays.
“Our quarterback, Lorenzo White, played really well tonight. He operated our offense really well. Kaleb Tucker, a junior receiver, had a good night, with a touchdown catch.”
Standouts on the Raiders’ defense included 290-pound senior Brian Rodriguez up front and senior linebacker Derek Edwards. Dennis also liked the performance of his defensive backs.
The Cowboys, under new coach Mike Green, earned praise from the Raiders’ coach.
“He has his numbers (of players) way up. Coach Green has a tremendous amount of energy and his team reflected that. They play really hard, disciplined football,” said Dennis. “I think Southwood is on the rise.”
Huntington is back in Independence Stadium next Friday, hosting Mansfield. Southwood opens the regular season Thursday night meeting Green Oaks in a matchup on the new turf at Northwood.
GREEN OAKS 6, BOOKER T. WASHINGTON 0; GREEN OAKS 6, NORTH CADDO 0; NORTH CADDO 20, BTW 6: The Giants pitched a pair of shutouts and squeezed out narrow decisions in the BTW Jamboree held at Leonard C. Barnes Stadium.
North Caddo was much more productive offensively in its matchup with BTW, scoring 20 points.
All three teams have first-year head coaches. None was happier than Green Oaks’ James Bradford Jr., who had plenty of cause to be pleased about this weekend.
“The boys gave me a great start to my birthday tomorrow (Saturday),” he posted on Facebook. “Competed well in the jamboree … . Good luck to Chase (Thompson, the Titans’ new coach) and Coop (Gary Cooper, the Lions’ head man) this season!”
North Caddo begins the regular season next Friday at Bossier. Green Oaks plays Thursday night, again at Jerry Burton Stadium, against another team with a new head man, Mike Green and his Southwood Cowboys. BTW opens in Monroe against always powerful Wossman.
How Did He Do That, under the schooling of the nation’s all-time winningest thoroughbred trainer, has been tabbed as the 2-1 morning line favorite for Super Derby 41 presented by Lip Chip, LLC, next Saturday, September 2, at Louisiana Downs.
As the Journal first reported Friday morning, Steve Asmussen committed to bringing the Iowa Derby winner to Bossier City for the $200,000, non-graded race over a-mile-and-an eighth on the dirt.
Post positions were drawn Friday, with the favorite slotted for the number 5 post in the seven-horse field.
At second-best odds is Promise Me A Ride (5-2), trained by Brad Cox. This year, Cox is the country’s leading trainer in money earned (18.8 million). Asmussen is second.
The Super Derby is returning for the first time since 2019. Asmussen-trained horses have won the last two.
Two of the top eight jockeys at Louisiana Downs’ current meet have Derby mounts — Joel
Dominguez (How Did He Do That) and J.P Vargas (Donegal Arrow).
The seven-horse field (from 32 nominations) is scheduled to break from the gate just before 5 p.m. next Saturday.
HARD TO CONTAIN: Senior receiver/returner Smoke Harris gives Louisiana Tech one of the country’s more explosive threats in the open field. (Photo courtesy Louisiana Tech)
JOURNAL SPORTS
RUSTON — After a pair of 3-9 seasons, the Louisiana Tech football team couldn’t wait to open its 121st season of play.
The Bulldogs start their second fall under coach Sonny Cumbie on “Week Zero,” getting a jump on the vast majority of college squads, tonight in an 8 o’clock Conference USA clash inside Joe Aillet Stadium against Florida International.
The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network and broadcast on the LA Tech Sports Network that includes 101.1 FM KRMD in Shreveport.
FIU prevailed in Miami last year, 42-34 in double overtime.
The Bulldogs have a massively revamped roster with 65 newcomers, including 31 transfers in the offseason to complement their 48 returnees. Tech returns 13 total starters — seven offensive, four defensive, and two from special teams. A total of 54 lettermen did not return.
“Our football team is much improved,” said Cumbie. “A lot of transfers have done a good job of coming in and integrating themselves into what we have already established from last year and the foundation that we have built since they arrived in January.”
Quarterback Hank Bachmeier makes his Louisiana Tech debut after transferring from Boise State, where he threw for 6,605 yards and 41 touchdowns during his four seasons as a Bronco. Bachmeier’s career average of 227.8 passing yards a contest ranks 14th nationally and leads all CUSA quarterbacks.
Wide receivers Smoke Harris and Cyrus Allen are the Bulldogs’ top returning targets in the passing game.
Harris enters the season as one of the most decorated active FBS players in the country. Harris has tallied 224 career receptions for 2,112 yards and 19 touchdowns during his five years at Tech. The St. Francisville native’s streak of 32 games with a reception is the seventh-longest streak nationally. In the return game, he is one of two returning FBS players who tallied 500 kickoff return yards and 200 punt return yards in 2022. Harris was tabbed as the CUSA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year, ahead of this season.
Allen is coming off a breakout 2023 season with 22 receptions for 500 yards and four touchdowns. His 500 receiving yards ranked sixth nationally among all FBS freshmen, while his 22.7 yards per reception ranked second among all FBS players.
Preseason Jim Thorpe Award Watch List selection Willie Roberts will be one of the leaders of the Tech secondary. Roberts made 11 starts a year ago while leading the Bulldogs and ranking 22nd nationally with four interceptions.
Defensive lineman Deshon Hall Jr. garnered preseason recognition from numerous media outlets. A 2023 Conference USA Preseason Watch List selection, Hall was named Third-team All-CUSA by Phil Steele and earned second-team honors from Athlon Sports. The senior had 29 tackles a year ago, including four for loss, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, and a blocked kick.
FIU is coming off a 4-8 campaign that featured a 2-6 mark in CUSA play during head coach Mike MacIntyre’s inaugural season in 2022. The Panthers return 15 starters from last season’s squad, with six offensive, five defensive, and four special teams starters returning in 2023. FIU has 57 lettermen returning and 55 newcomers (32 freshmen, 23 transfers).
MacIntyre is in his 11th year as a head coach with an overall record of 50-73, including a rough stretch as coach at Colorado (2013-28) following three impressive seasons at San Jose State (2010-12).
During the event, high schoolers can tour campus facilities and get information on financial aid, living on campus, housing, meal plans, campus involvement and amenities, such as the Wellness, Recreation and Activities Center and the Esports Lounge. Faculty are on hand to answer questions or discuss opportunities in their academic departments and current students answer questions about student life.
“We are excited to welcome prospective students and their parents to the Northwestern State for NSide View Day,” said Director of Enrollment and Director of Recruiting Van Erikson. “There is no better way to find out what Northwestern State has to offer than visiting our campus and the city of Natchitoches and meeting people whose top priority is to ensure our students have a successful college experience and become college graduates.”
BOOT UP: Captain Shreve kicker John Chance, shown kicking an extra point earlier Thursday night, banged through a game-winning 47-yard field goal on the final play of a Caddo Parish Jamboree with Byrd at Independence Stadium. (Photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Byrd and Captain Shreve rival each other in just about anything and everything, even when it’s a football jamboree that doesn’t go on either team’s record.
Thursday night at Independence Stadium, Shreve kicker John Chance’s 47-yard field goal on the last play gave the Gators the edge on the scoreboard 23-21 — but it is nothing more than a little bragging rights that will carry into the regular season when the teams play for real in Week 4.
“I was just really proud of our fight and how we battled the whole game,” said Shreve head coach Adam Kirby. “There were back and forth moments and our kids never quit, they played to the end. Even when we went down with 24 seconds left, our kids still believed we could win.”
Chance’s last-second kick came after Byrd seemed to secure the decision itself in the closing seconds. The Yellow Jackets tackled the Gators’ punter at his own 21-yard line with 57 seconds left. Malachi Johnson’s 13-yard run on second down gave the Jackets a first and goal at the Shreve 8. Three plays later quarterback J.D. Gallman scored on a 5-yard run and Abram Murray’s extra point with 24 seconds left gave the Jackets a 21-20 lead.
Shreve running back Jamarlon Otis scooped up a short kickoff and returned it to the Jackets’ 38 with 14 seconds left. A short pass from Quortni Beaner to Keaton Flowers and a scramble by Beaner to the 30 with three seconds left set up Chance’s kick on the final play.
“It showed us what we need to work on. Every week we come out we want to improve,” said Byrd coach Stacy Ballew. “This week everybody is talking about Byrd-Shreve but to us it wasn’t about Captain Shreve, to us It was about us and trying to get better, so we’ve got to improve special teams wise, and on offense and defense.”
Until the final minute, the second half was anti-climatic after Shreve led 20-14 in an exciting, back-and-forth first period.
The Gators celebrated on the second play of the varsity contest when Beaner hit Jordan Wiggins for a 71-yard score.
Byrd answered right away. It only needed two plays to go 41 yards on its second possession to tie the game at 7-7. Malachi Johnson ran 28 yards to set up Desmond Simmons’ 13-yard scoring run.
Shreve went back ahead as Otis started the next dive with a 35-yard run and finished it with a 21-yard score.
Byrd knotted it back up as Johnson sprinted 48 yards to cap an 80-yard drive.
The Gators needed just one play to regain the lead as Brodie Savage hit Wiggins with a short pass that he turned into an 80-yard touchdown. Chance’s extra point was no good and Shreve led 20-14.
“We’ve got to cut out the penalties — too many penalties on us — and defensively we’ve got to run to the ball and tackle well,” said Ballew. “It wasn’t so much we were out of position or anything like that. We’ve got to get everybody running to the ball and we got to make tackles. A lot of times the first guy there is not gonna make the tackle, it’s the second guy. That is what we gotta preach this week as we get ready for Pleasant Grove.”
The Yellow Jackets open the season on the road in Texarkana, Texas facing the Hawks. Captain Shreve returns to Independence Stadium Thursday to meet Loyola.
There wasn’t a highlight reel of plays produced from Thursday night’s Northwood-Woodlawn jamboree football contest at Jerry Burton Stadium.
The Falcons prevailed 14-8, with the Knights getting the brightest highlight on a fourth-down touchdown play by Brandon Henderson, who leaped above a couple defenders in the back of the end zone to snag an Isaiah Kennedy pass from about 30 yards out.
“He may be the best athlete in the city, and hardly anybody knows about him. He sure looked like it on that play,” said Northwood coach Austin Brown.
The catch and a two-point conversion moved Woodlawn up 8-0. Northwood pulled within 8-7 by halftime, and notched the decisive TD later.
Otherwise, fans saw a fairly solid performance by both teams.
“It was a good night. Pretty uneventful. We didn’t get to run too many plays because they were huddling and taking their time running their offense, which worked against us,” said Brown.
“We were good on pre-snap penalties – we had none. We had no major issues like that which usually crop up at this time of the year. Defensively we played well, but we just got out-athleted a couple times,” said Brown. “We were live in special teams and had no problems.”
The Falcons’ new starting quarterback, Hutson Hearron, went 10 for 14 for 148 yards. He didn’t throw a TD pass and was intercepted once, but Brown said it wasn’t his QB’s fault.
“We were just throwing the ball up so we don’t count that as an interception. It is one, but that one was on the coaches, not Hutson,” he explained.
Jalil Wainwright caught three passes for 78 yards. John Sneed ran for a touchdown and had 64 total yards. Defensively, the Falcons’ leader was Elijah Crawford with seven tackles.
“We didn’t make a big jump from the scrimmage (last week) but we did take a small step or two, so we’re pleased with tonight,” Brown said.
Northwood kicks off the regular season at home next Friday night against Benton.
Woodlawn is also at home for its opener, hosting Natchitoches Central next Friday.
It was the night some Centenary supporters have dreamed about for years, maybe decades.
It almost had a dream finish for the upstart Gentlemen.
Centenary, reinstating football this fall and hosting an intercollegiate competition in the sport for the first time since 1941, missed connections on two passes into the end zone in the closing seconds of a Thursday night scrimmage at Mayo Field, dropping a 7-0 decision to an established Division III East Texas Baptist program.
Hundreds of students, supporters and curious onlookers ringed the field in temporary bleachers and lawn chairs, watching the Gents’ defense contain what in recent years has been an explosive ETBU offense.
While the ending wasn’t perfect, Centenary coach Byron Dawson thought almost everything else was.
“I believe that football is the greatest unifier and tonight we witnessed that on Centenary campus. People from all walks of life came together to support college football in a family-friendly setting,” he said, in a statement the school released late Thursday night. “Tonight I am so happy for all of the people who worked so hard to make this special night possible. I am blessed and humbled to be entrusted to lead Centenary into a new football era. I would like to thank everyone that took out the time to come support our Gentlemen.”
Centenary is developing an NCAA Division III program. This fall the Gents are playing a series of scrimmages. They will officially usher in football next fall, when scrimmages give way to games with wins and losses that enter the record book.
But until then, the excitement of Thursday night will be hard to forget.
Steve Asmussen, North America’s all-time leading thoroughbred trainer with more than 10,000 wins, has committed to running one of his horses in next Saturday’s Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.
Thursday afternoon, Asmussen told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal he plans on running How Did He Do That in the $200,000, mile-and-an-eighth, non-graded stakes race for three-year-olds on Sept. 2.
“How Did He Do That is capable of winning the Super Derby, but has been inconsistent,” Asmussen said. “He needs to run the same race as in the Iowa Derby to win this.”
In the July 8 race at Prairie Meadows, How Did He Do That pulled off the upset. At odds of 48-1, the colt finished in a dead heat with One in Vermillion. However, the Judy and J. Kirk Robison-owned horse, bumped in deep stretch, won by way of disqualification. How Did He Do That has run once since, a sixth-place finish in the Ellis Park Derby August 13.
In six starts this year, How Did He Do That has a first and second place finish, while earning $208,745. For his career, How Did He Do That has 12 starts — with three first and one second place finishes, earning more than $300,000.
How Did He Do That will be a first-time starter at Louisiana Downs. Joel Dominguez — who leads the Downs’ jockey colony with 50 wins in 261 starts — will get the mount.
Post positions for Super Derby 41 will be drawn today.
Angela Heard February 8, 1966 — August 18, 2023 Visitation: Friday, August 25, 2023, 5 pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
William “Bill” Ted Roberts November 30, 1959 — August 20, 2023 Services: Friday, August 25, 2023, 10 am at Rose-Neath Shreveport.
Thomas Leander Festervan August 31, 1947 — August 19, 2023 Service: Friday, August 25, 2023, 10 am at Christ Lutheran Church, Shreveport.
Mary Henderson Jobe July 5, 1935 — August 24, 2023 Service: Saturday, August 26, 2023, 11 am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Ernest J. Betzing December 23, 1928 – August 20, 2023 Service: Monday, August 28, 2023, 10 am at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Thomas “Tommy” C. Stokes Jr. October 26, 1938 — July 20, 2023 Service: Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 2 pm at Stokes Residence.
Jo Ellen Land December 3, 1946 – August 10, 2023 Service: Saturday, September 2, 2023, 1:30 pm at First Baptist Church of Logansport.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. 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)
Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a Bossier City woman for making unauthorized electronic transactions from a Caddo Sheriff’s Office banking account, said Sheriff Steve Prator.
Aleshia Williams, 35, of the 1200 block of Dot Avenue in Bossier City, was arrested after investigators discovered she used another person’s identity without consent to obtain two credit cards. Detectives said Williams made several purchases with the credit cards and then used a bank account routing number belonging to the Sheriff’s Office to pay the bills.
Detective Roosevelt Tadlock said they were able to trace three electronic payments made from the Sheriff’s Office account to Williams’ Discover and Capital One cards. The total amount of these transactions was more than $5,500. Williams was booked into Caddo Correctional Center and charged with one count of Access Device Fraud, a felony offense.
The Caddo Sheriff’s Office has received restitution of $5,698.91.
Steve Scott’s apartment building and car were destroyed in the Lahaina, Hawaii wildfires. (Submitted photo)
By TONY TAGLAVORE
The devastating wildfires in Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, have killed at least 115 people.
Thousands of survivors were left without homes, cars, and personal belongings.
Many lost everything, including someone who grew up in Bossier City.
After his father was transferred to Barksdale Air Force Base, Steve Scott went to Plantation Park Elementary, Greenacres Junior High, and Airline High School. After graduating Louisiana Tech, Scott moved to Dallas and began a sales career. Eventually, he moved to Maui.
Below is Scott’s first-hand account of what happened the morning of August 8th, as told to the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. The soon-to-be 70 year-old answered questions via email, because of limited cell service on the island. His description has been edited for brevity.
“My wife, Patricia, woke me early telling me of high winds. I awoke to 70 mph winds and shortly started to smell smoke. Soon, we saw flames shooting up close to us. I saw the historic Plantation Inn go up in flames, so I grabbed a water hose and tried to wet down our four-story apartment building. Soon, my wife and I were trapped by flames on all three sides, so we ran to the seawall on the famous Front Street. Our neighbor, Etina, took my next-door neighbor, Freeman, and followed us to the seawall, where we propped Freeman up on the seawall per his instructions. He passed away due to the toxic air and dense black smoke. Patricia and I ran to Lahaina Harbor.”
“As we started to run from the seawall on Front Street, there were many people jumping into the ocean to escape the roaring and fast-moving flames. One boat moored in the harbor was on fire moored and leaking oil and gas into the water, causing other boats to catch fire. It is my understanding that many (people) perished in the ocean.”
“Before leaving the harbor area, I instructed Patricia to run to Prison Street and hook-up with a friend who had a car and to get out of Lahaina Town and West Maui. I went back to the intersection and watched Mick Fleetwood’s restaurant, many art galleries, souvenir shops, and other famous restaurants
like Kimo’s and Lahaina Grill, go up in flames.”
“After a very short time, the fire turned and headed south. It quickly passed through Kamehameha Elementary School, took out the tennis courts, and we watched a literal wave of fire consume the Salvation Army complex. It turned and came at us at the 505 shopping complex, burning all the restaurants and a well-known luau – Feast at Lele.”
“A police officer asked me to help him with several elderly folks who were in wheelchairs, walkers, and who were sick. So, I helped several other locals move them south toward Puamana. The flames quickly followed us. Once at the gate of Puamana community, we stopped near two vacated cars. The flames were quickly approaching, so the officer had one lady take one car and three elderly locals to the hospital on the other side of the island in Kahului. He instructed me, against my will, to take the other car and take several others with me to safety and the hospital. So, I did just that, barely escaping the quick-moving flames.”
“I did not know where Patricia was, or if she was alive. I tried to rest and sleep a bit but was extremely exhausted and thirsty. The next morning, I began my quest to find my wife. I asked numerous people if I could use their cellphone, as I ran from my apartment without grabbing my cellphone, wallet, money, or any identification. I had nothing of a personal nature. Several locals refused to let me use their cellphone, as they had limited battery life, and connections to cellphone carriers were poor. Into the afternoon, I finally found a man with 6% battery and one phone call left. He let me make the one call his phone would make as he had no family and no one to call.”
“Patricia had made her way, somehow, to Olowalu – then to Kahului. She walked to Wal-Mart to get a phone charger. I had been calling for many hours and her phone always went to voice mail. She charged her phone as I made my last phone call, and she answered my call. I told her to be silent and just listen: ‘Somehow, get to the McDonald’s in Wailuku.’ No matter how long it would take her to get there, I would be waiting for her.”
“So, I drove to Wailuku and waited at the closed McDonald’s parking lot for several hours wondering if she was going to show up. Finally, a big diesel tractor trailer rig maneuvered into the parking lot and Patricia jumped out of the cab. I waved to the driver, and we were finally united.”
“We then drove back to Maalaea Harbor and spent the next four nights together in a car that we had no idea of the identity of the owner. But locals began to bring water and sandwiches to those stuck in the parking lot, as the single road to the west side of Maui was closed to all traffic due to the continuing fires.”
“My son and daughter-in-law’s house was damaged but may be repairable. It is on the edge of Lahaina Town, and while others around it are heavily damaged and destroyed, their home may be livable.”
(Scott and his wife spent several nights in a car of which they do not know the owner.)
“Presently, I am housed at the Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Resort, and Patricia is housed in a room at the Maui Sands resort. My son and daughter-in-law are housed at Mahinahina in Kahana. We are alive and have food available, with no idea of the future.”
If you would like to help Scott and Patricia, their Venmo handle is “steven-scott-272.” Their PayPal handle is “Big Wave Taffy.”
It’s getting to be late August and people of a certain age all have this “I can’t believe they start school this early” feeling when that happens. For me, not being in school at this time is a reminder of that horrific ritual of football two-a-days – a friend recently reminded me that he can still remember the “smell of cut grass and fear” — but even before that, there was another August event that marked my calendar.
This marks the time when the City Tennis Tournament was played. A great part of my pre-teen summers were spent at Querbes Tennis Center. No lessons or personal instruction; just go out there and play.
I wasn’t any good, but it was something to do. We’d play challenge matches or hit against the backboard or anything we wanted as long as we kept the tomfoolery to a minimum. Upstairs, they had the world’s greatest Slushes for a couple of quarters.
But there at summer’s end, it was always capped off by The City. And you had to play in it, because everybody else did.
I don’t think I have ever been so nervous as the first match I ever had in the 12-and-under boys singles. I was still a few weeks away from turning 10, but I was thrown into the bracket with kids who were about to start shaving.
They stuck me with the top seed – let’s call him “Scott” – and I got dusted. It was Men against Boys, only both of us were boys. Not only did I not win a game, I’d bet I didn’t win a total of 10 points the entire match.
But Scott was The Dude and everybody knew it. It was my first year to play tennis and he was probably born with a racquet in his hand.
The next year, I avoided Scott in the draw and actually won a match in the 12s. Even at age 11, Scott coasted to the title that year.
Which brings us to the next year, when I was in my final year of the 12-and unders. My high hopes were quickly dashed on the opening day of the tournament. Not by Scott, but by another kid (who would also go on to become a sports writer), 6-1, 6-1.
I didn’t enter the doubles, so that was it for me in the tournament. I had looked forward to it all summer and after one day, I’m done.
Until …
Two days later, I get a phone call. It’s Scott, who wants to know if I wanted to be his partner for the 12-and-under doubles. There were only two teams entered and because Scott was ranked so high, we would have a bye to the finals.
I’m pretty sure Scott didn’t know who I was (and still doesn’t), so it was a complete trophy-grab for him. But I was a willing participant.
When our match arrived, there on the other team was the same future sportswriter who had just dominated me in singles a few days earlier. Revenge!
We start playing and I’m acting like I’m John Newcombe or Rod Laver. Going after every shot, serving as hard as I can, working on my spin game. The only problem is that none of it worked. I would have been better off playing left-handed.
We lost 2-6 in the first set. Scott’s trophy was in real jeopardy and I could sense that he knew he could have called anybody else and done better than this.
So let me tell you what happened next. I remember it so vividly that I could take you to the exact spot at Querbes Tennis Center on Court 2 where it happened.
Scott walked over to me and whispered in my right ear these fateful words:
“Just stay out of the way from now on.”
And let me assure you that I did just that. I did the minimum I had to do – no double faults and somehow managed to return any serve that came my way – and after I did that, I might as well have been on the next court over while Scott finished the point.
How did that strategy work out for us? Second set — 6-0. Third set – 6-1 (I’m sure I had something to do with us losing that one game.)
I was – and am – happy to remind people that I was once a City Tennis Champion. Yes, I still have the trophy.
Until today, there were only four people who knew this story. And I can assure you, Scott isn’t one of them.
STARTING WITH A BANG: One of the hottest rivalries around will be contested tonight at Independence Stadium in an abbreviated jamboree format as the Captain Shreve Gators and coach Adam Kirby tangle with the Byrd Yellow Jackets. (Photo by KEVIN PICKENS, Journal Sports)
JOURNAL SPORTS
It’s dress rehearsal weekend for Louisiana’s high school football teams, competing in jamboree action, with all of the Caddo-Bossier squads lining up in full game gear and playing in game-like conditions – just not the 48 minutes or more needed for a regular-season contest.
There will certainly be hydration timeouts aplenty beginning tonight as jamborees unfold.
The severe heat has forced teams to practice as the sun rises, as it sets, and while taking copious breaks in mid-afternoon workouts.
This week, it has resulted in slight time changes for the start of jamboree competition involving some local teams.
TONIGHT
Caddo Parish Jamborees
At Independence Stadium
Captain Shreve vs. Byrd, 6 p.m. (Freshman, JV, Varsity)
At Northwood, Jerry Burton Stadium
Woodlawn vs. Northwood, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Bossier Lions Club Jamboree
At Airline
Airline vs. Haughton, 6:15 p.m.
Bossier vs. Plain Dealing, 7:45 p.m.
Benton vs. Parkway, 9:15 p.m.
Caddo Parish Jamborees
At Booker T. Washington, Leonard C. Barnes Stadium
Green Oaks, North Caddo, BTW, 6 p.m.
At Independence Stadium
Huntington vs. Southwood, 6 p.m. (Freshmen, JV, Varsity)
Bayou Jamb
At West Monroe
Evangel vs. Ouachita, 6 p.m.
Ruston vs. West Monroe, 8 p.m.
Natchitoches Parish Jamboree
At Harry Turpin Stadium, Northwestern State
Lakeview vs. St. Mary’s, 6 p.m.
Loyola vs. Natchitoches Central, 7:30 p.m.
Union Parish Jamboree
At Farmerville, Union Parish HS
Calvary at Union Parish, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
Delhi Jamboree
At Delhi
Magnolia Charter vs. Franklin Parish JV, 4:30 p.m.
Note: All games are varsity unless noted otherwise. Most times are approximate and subject to change due to high temperatures.
I recently had a chance to visit practice at Calvary Baptist and catch up with coach Rodney Guin after I watch the team for close to two hours after driving up from Baton Rouge on August 15.
I confirmed something I already knew: this team has a great senior group and great team chemistry. They are strong, fast, quick and while some are sleepers in recruiting, others are known prospects. I was able to dive into the the film room, watch weight room workouts and practice, and came away super impressed with this staff and the Cavs’ program. How well run and organized they are.
Let’s take a look at this talented Calvary Baptist football team that is primed for a deep postseason run, and has a lot of college-level Class of 2024 prospects.
That Class of 2024 doesn’t include junior receiver/athlete John Simon, already committed to Louisiana Tech. He may be upwardly mobile by this time next season.
There will be plenty of recruiting eyes on the Cavaliers, which bodes well for college prospects like receiver Aubrey Hermes (6-2, 185), cornerback/strong safety Landon Sylvie (5-11, 170), DE/OLB Tre Houston (6-2, 225), LB Hutch Grace (6-2, 220), and WR/SS Christopher Jackson (6-1, 180) all have a chance to sign at the Division 1 level, possibly FBS.
Then there’s another group that will have a chance to go Division I FCS, Division II or D-III – OL Jimmy Wright (6-3, 260), CB Chaz Whitaker (5-10, 160), DB Tre Davis (6-0, 170) DB, OL Layton Terrell (6-3, 295) and LB Heath Gross (6-1, 210).
It’s worth watching a couple of late bloomers, new starting LB Cole Miller (6-1, 195), and WR Taylor Guerrero (5-10, 165).
That’s 12 total players in the senior group at Calvary Baptist High School that could potentially sign during the early signing period in December or the later one next February.
Here are my thoughts on all the prospects above, starting with the junior, John Simon. Cavs’ coach Rodney Guin says he’s the most improved player on the roster, a WR with 4.5 speed, hands and his route running is off the charts. His dad, also John Simon, played for Louisiana Tech.
Aubrey Hermes in the last two years has 108 catches with over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. He’s got 4.5 speed and the whole package of athleticism and smarts. I think he’s LSU good – and he’s a baseball prospect, too, who likes Louisiana Tech a lot.
Landon Sylvie has seven interceptions in the last two years and also possesses 4.5 speed in the 40. His first offer was from Grambling and many more will come. Christopher Jackson made 29 catches for 510 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. He has put on some good weight going into his senior year and has been offered by Centenary College. A few more offers should come as he has really improved.
Tre Houston posted 34 tackles with two sacks as a junior. He doesn’t have an offer yet, which is insane to me. This kid has 4.55 to 4.6 speed coming off the edge and has put on lean muscle. With his size (6-2, 225) he looks like a big time D-I sleeper to me.
Hutch Grace has added 10 pounds and is an inch taller since 2022. Hutch is a tackling machine with 100 last season. He’s one of the strongest players on the team — I saw this in the weight room — and he runs a 4.6 in the 40.
There are a pair of sleepers in the second group. On the offensive line, Jimmy Wright has good size (6-3, 255) with good feet and could make a really good center or guard in college. Chaz Whitaker moved to cornerback from WR/RB where he played in 2022, because they had too many playmakers offensively. He has 4.5 speed and will show his skills this fall.
Big Layton Terrell looks like a college guard or center. He will get after you. Tre Davis is a hidden gem among a collection of athletes on the team with 4.59 speed. He is a three-year starter at cornerback, and is a good leader.
The Calvary program has a winning tradition that Guin didn’t start but has improved. The veteran coach knows the path to championships and I won’t be surprised if the Cavs make a deep run toward the Superdome, based on the talent on hand and the excellent coaching staff.
Lee Brecheen has operated Louisiana Football Magazine for over 30 years and is one of the state’s foremost experts on high school football and especially recruiting. Based in Baton Rouge, Lee travels statewide to watch practices and games and has broken down film and tape since the late 1980s. He has converted the printed product to an online website (Lafootballmagazine.com) that will preview every high school and college football program in the state before kickoff this fall. Lee also hosts a football-centric TV show on YouTube, The Sports Scouting Report, on weekdays. He recently visited Shreveport-Bossier taping segments with local players and coaches.
HERE, FINALLY: After over 80 years, a Centenary football team will host an intercollegiate competition this evening on campus after a successful scrimmage debut at Millsaps College last Saturday. (Photo courtesy Centenary Athletics)
JOURNAL SPORTS
The last time this happened was before Pearl Harbor was attacked to ignite the Pacific theatre conflict in World War II, at the end of 1941.
The Centenary football team will make history as it welcomes the East Texas Baptist University Tigers to town this evening for a scrimmage set for 6:30 p.m. at Mayo Field on the south side of the Kings Highway campus.
The Gents, led by head coach Byron Dawson, scrimmaged the Millsaps College Majors last Saturday in Jackson, Miss, and feature a roster of 70 players including several from the Shreveport-Bossier area in addition to 15 out of state players. Centenary’s scrimmage last weekend marked a return to the gridiron for the first time since November 1941, and this will be the first home intercollegiate competition since then.
Centenary’s previous football history began with the Gents’ first game in the fall of 1894 and after WWII, it was dormant until a brief attempted revival in 1947 and again in the 1960s. More than a half-century later, the sport is back on campus. This season will feature scrimmages and exhibition contests before the Maroon and White play official NCAA Division III contests in 2024.
Admission is free to the scrimmage. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with a tailgate including live music. The “Gents Walk” is set for 6 p.m. as Dawson and the Gents will enter Mayo Field for the first time. The first portion of the scrimmage will be a situational style followed by a live game-type competition for two quarters.
Record hot temperatures are predicted in Shreveport-Bossier City on gameday, so fans are encouraged to hydrate and seek shade when possible. The Gold Dome will be open for fans to cool down if needed.
Concessions will available on a cash-only sales basis, and fans are permitted to bring their own water.
Seating is very limited due to the ongoing construction at the athletic complex, so fans can bring their own chairs.
Parking is also very limited. Please park on the west side of the Gold Dome in either the grassy or gravel lots.
Please enter through Shehee Stadium (baseball stadium) and walk around to Mayo Field. Signage will be present to direct fans.
A 76-day Louisiana Downs thoroughbred meet, consisting mostly of Sunday-Wednesday racing, will be proposed Sunday by the Racing Days Committee of the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC).
If adopted, the Downs’ schedule would start May 19 and end September 24. Racing would begin some three weeks later than this year, and not tie in opening day to the Kentucky Derby (May 4), which it has done in years past, including this year. Racing would end 12 days later than in 2023.
The 76-day meet would be 15 days more than this year’s meet. There would be seven days which overlap with racing at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas. The committee has been focused on limiting the number of times state tracks race on the same day.
The committee will also recommend that there be a minimum of 8-9 races each day.
The meeting is scheduled one day after a meeting of the Infrastructure Compliance Committee. Each of the state’s four tracks are expected to give progress reports and projected timelines on infrastructure plans previously approved by the LSRC.
Both meetings will take place at Evangeline Downs.
LOOKING AHEAD: Sixth-year Northwestern State football coach Brad Laird will preview the Demons’ 2023 season today at a luncheon at Superior’s Steakhouse in Shreveport. (Photo by CHRIS REICH, Northwestern State).
JOURNAL SPORTS
Veteran head coach Brad Laird is the featured speaker today at the annual Northwestern State/Independence Bowl Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by John and Lynne Manno, at Superior’s Steakhouse on the corner of Line and Pierremont avenues in Shreveport.
The Demons’ football coach will be in the spotlight at the luncheon, which was jointly launched by the I-Bowl Foundation and NSU in 1994, when he was a junior quarterback on his way to becoming NSU’s career passing leader. He still holds that mark and other school records.
The luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m. today, nine days ahead of NSU’s Sept. 2 season opener at UL Lafayette.
Cost for the all-inclusive lunch is $20 and includes salad, a plated meal and dessert. Reservations are being accepted by contacting the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at 318-221-0721. Attendees are asked to bring cash or check to the event.
“This is something that continues to excite our staff here at Northwestern State,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl has been a longtime partner of NSU Athletics, and we have a mutually beneficial relationship with the (Independence Bowl Executive Director) Missy Setters and her staff. Beyond the partnership, this is a signal that football season has arrived and gives our expansive alumni base in Shreveport a chance to get an inside look at the 2023 Demons.”
“Hot enough for you?’ That’s something we are hearing a lot these days as our temperatures have been consistently in triple digits. I suppose you can just forget about fishing when temperatures are baking our brains, right? Hold on; in case you don’t know it, you can catch crappie, big slab crappie, when temperatures are as hot as what we’re experiencing.
Most perch jerkers know that crappie tend to bunch up in deep water in winter and lots are caught by anglers willing to brave the cold. However, what about the blistering days of July and August? Do anglers seriously fish for them while risking heat stroke? You bet your best Bobby Garland Electric Chicken jig they do.
I had the privilege of fishing with a crappie expert, Bill Pettit, several years ago and came away with a tackle box full of valuable information about summertime crappie fishing from this dyed-in-the-wool perch jerker.
I met Pettit on Ross Barnette Reservoir just out of Jackson, Miss., where I was fishing as a guest of the B&M Pole Company. Pettit, a retired postal employee in Jackson, was a veritable walking encyclopedia of crappie knowledge and while we caught fish, he shared tidbits of lore that has helped me over the years to know a bit more about these popular and sought-after fish.
One thing that stood out in my mind was Pettit’s comments about fishing for and catching crappie in the heat of summer.
“In spring, you can find crappie on most any lake in shallow water where spawning takes place. However,” Pettit noted, “once hot weather gets here, you can forget about fishing for them in skinny water. They’re going to be suspended in deep water and it takes some searching to locate them. Once you locate them, you can catch one big old slab after another, provided you can stand the heat.
“Lots of times, I’ll get so hot sitting out there under the broiling sun that I’ll quit fishing for a while, crank my big motor and tear out across the lake at full speed with one purpose in mind, and that is to cool off. After I cool down a bit, I’ll go back and start catching crappie again.”
As Bill Pettit and others attest, crappie fishing can be downright super in summer, provided you know where to locate the fish. In general, once the spawn is over and the weather begins heating up, crappie head for cooler water, which is usually deep water. Being school fish, once you catch a crappie this time of year, chances are excellent that plenty more are where that one came from.
In big open water bodies, such as rivers and reservoirs like Toledo Bend and Ross Barnette, crappie congregate in or near channels. The moving water will attract pods of shad that the crappie will follow for easy feeding opportunities.
In most deeper lakes in Louisiana, crappie will gather around structure that is located next to deep water. Drop-offs that lead to deep water that has structure near its edge are prime target areas.
In the heat of summer, one of the most productive areas to find the crappie stacked up is around the deeper piers and bridge pilings that may dot the lake you’re fishing.
When fishing bridge pilings, it helps to know where the bridge crosses the channel or the bayou or river. The pilings nearest the deep channels are where you’re more likely to find the fish bunched up because likely as not, schools of shad will have taken a liking to the cooler depths as well. When you find shad, no matter the time of year, you’re likely to find crappie as well.
It’s August and I don’t have to remind you that the heat is on. However, if you follow this expert’s advice and if you can handle the hot sun beating down on your head, you stand a good chance of bringing in a box of slabs.
Send resumes to: Kennith Starnes, Executive Director 3022 Old Minden Rd. Suite 206 Bossier City, LA 71112-2454 or email: Kennith@la190.org
Bossier Parish Police Jury Section 8 Housing Job Title: Housing Inspector Department: Section 8 Housing Reports To: Deputy Director FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Salary Range: 9 Revised By: Gwen Martin Prepared Date: April 26, 2004 Approved By: Bossier Parish Police Jury Approved Date: January 19, 2005
SUMMARY Inspects new and existing buildings and structures to enforce conformance to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Housing Quality Standards (HQS).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DISCLAIMER: This description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job. The description shall not, however, be construed as a complete listing of all duties which may be required from day-to-day. • Inspects proposed housing to ensure components meet provisions of HUD’s HQS. • Observes conditions and issues notices to the person/companies responsible for conformance. • Obtains evidence and prepares reports concerning violations, which have not been corrected. • Keeps inspection records and prepares reports for use by administrative or judicial officials. • Conducts surveys of existing homes and buildings to determine lack of prescribed maintenance, housing violations, or hazardous conditions. • Performs follow-up, annual, and special inspections.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE One-year certificate from college or technical school, three to six years related experience and/or training. Also, must have a working knowledge of electrical, structural, sanitary, plumbing, and household appliance requirements used during housing inspections, have a working knowledge of Internet (accessing HUD website), and Microsoft programs to include calendars, databases, and other related programs. The Incumbent of this position must also possess the ability to work well with property owners, managers, and tenants.
LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, house/building plan/blueprints and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before families, groups, or employees of the parish.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid State Drivers License, HUD Certification Lead Paint Assessment, Lead Inspector Training Course, Louisiana State University Certification Lead Hazard Inspector, Housing Quality Standards Inspection Certification, Lead Sampling Technician training course.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear. The employee is required to stand and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. A consistent presence on the job is required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Highway 3 (Benton Road) at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad crossing immediately north of Shed Road in Bossier City will be closed Sunday, Aug. 27 from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. according to an announcement by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).
This closure is necessary to allow DOTD crews to perform roadway maintenance at the location.
Total road closure is necessary at the location and all vehicles will need to detour.
Andrew John Cascio June 23, 1956 — August 18, 2023 Service: Thursday, August 24, 2023, 11:30 am at St. Jude Catholic Church, Benton,.
Martha Nan Edmonds Carr August 19, 1930 — August 18, 2023 Visitation: Thursday, August 24, 2023, 4 pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Angela Heard February 8, 1966 — August 18, 2023 Visitation: Friday, August 25, 2023, 5 pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
William “Bill” Ted Roberts November 30, 1959 — August 20, 2023 Services: Friday, August 25, 2023, 10 am at Rose-Neath Shreveport.
Thomas Leander Festervan August 31, 1947 — August 19, 2023 Service: Friday, August 25, 2023, 10 am at Christ Lutheran Church, Shreveport.
Thomas “Tommy” C. Stokes Jr. October 26, 1938 — July 20, 2023 Service: Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 2 pm at Stokes Residence.
Jo Ellen Land December 3, 1946 – August 10, 2023 Service: Saturday, September 2, 2023, 1:30 pm at First Baptist Church of Logansport.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. 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)
