Everyone has a story.

Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Tony Taglavore takes to lunch a local person — someone well-known, influential, or successful — and asks, “What’s Your Story?”           

By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services

Professionally, I’ve known Lisa Janes a long time.

I trust her, but I don’t believe her, when she says her days are not always good days.

I’ve never, ever seen Lisa without a cheek-to-cheek smile. I’ve never, ever heard her without a hearty laugh. I’ve never, ever been around anyone with a more positive attitude.

But she insists there are those days.

“Sometimes my cup gets empty. It sucks a lot of energy out of me to be angry. It sucks a lot of energy out of me to be negative. I’m just wired a little more to be up and positive…For me to get really, really angry, or really, really upset, it really, really zaps me. It affects me personally.”

With her blonde hair spiked a bit, and wearing a comfortable-looking, sleeveless black outfit, Lisa told me her story over lunch at The Oyster Bar & Grille on Line Avenue in Shreveport. “I haven’t been here in a long time,” Lisa said loudly, which wasn’t a surprise. She had a Puffy Taco, telling the server, “I’m a puffy taco kinda girl.”

I had a grilled chicken salad, but didn’t tell our server I’m a grilled chicken kinda guy.

For 30 years and counting, Lisa has enjoyed a highly successful career in media sales. She is Director of Sales for Townsquare Media—a national company which owns a cluster of local radio stations. Lisa has won numerous awards, including a spot in Townsquare’s President’s Club, for her job performance. She is also active in several business and civic organizations. Lisa has been a Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman nominee, and an Athena Leadership nominee.

But hard as it is to believe, the sun hasn’t always shined on Lisa.

1993 had all the makings of a very dark year. She was finishing her fourth year of teaching. Lisa enjoyed her students but realized that $1,010 a month paycheck wasn’t going to get her through what was around the corner.

“I knew I had a really, really, really bad divorce coming. I was driving home after dance line (she was the group’s sponsor) one day. I heard an ad on the radio that said, ‘Is it really easy for you to talk to people? Do you enjoy a challenge? Are you ready to make more money? Call me.”

Lisa called – a call which prompted Lisa to change her life.

“In one year, I got a divorce, lost 60 pounds, converted from Baptist to Catholic, and cut my hair.”

She also got a new career. More on that, later.

Lisa enjoyed a happy childhood in north Shreveport. Her mother worked some and stayed home some. Lisa’s father was in both the banking and insurance business.

But the real fun came when it was time for Lisa, at a very young age, to go to work. Her parents owned the concession stands at Municipal Auditorium.

“I was at wrestling when it was on Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night, Monday night, and Thursday night  — whenever Mid-South Wrestling was there. Cowboy Bill Watts, Dick Murdock, Skandor Akbar. All those people I grew up watching.”

But that wasn’t enough to interest Lisa in becoming a professional wrestler. After graduating from Trinity Heights Christian Academy — she was one of just 38 people in her class — Lisa went to Baton Rouge to make her dreams come true.

“All of my life, I was going to LSU. I was going into the Pre-Law program. I wanted to be in corporate or business law. I was very interested in politics. I wanted to be the first female governor of Louisiana.”

She lasted two weeks.

“These people all wanted to argue about something, and that’s not my thing. I couldn’t do that for 12 years before I would begin my career path.”

Lisa had been a student teacher in high school, so her advisor suggested Lisa switch to Education. Ironically, in a field where sometimes you have to discipline others, Lisa disciplined herself.

“I had a phenomenal time in Baton Rouge. I was 18, therefore I could legally go and do anything. I had such a great time there. I came home to graduate.”

Coming home was completely her choice. Lisa knew she wasn’t applying herself to her classwork. So, Lisa finished her undergraduate and master’s degree at LSUS while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

She got a job teaching second graders. But being an only child, she wasn’t used to, well, everything which comes with a room full of second graders.

“I cried every night…Fun fact: Everything you learn in four or five years of undergraduate, when you’re in your classroom the first day, in about 10 minutes, that’s gone.”

Lisa found happiness when she began teaching older kids. But life forced a new career, one she never dreamed would bring so much success.

“I started out making $2,000 a month in radio.”

Remember, she was making just over $1,000 a month teaching.

“I thought, ‘What am I going to do with this money? How am I going to spend all of this money?’”

Years later, it’s safe to assume Lisa makes more than $2,000 a month. These days, she spends her money on LSU season football tickets, trips to the beach where she “thinks, prays, and ponders”, and on bedsheets.

That’s right. Bedsheets, which Lisa says she slides under around 7pm.

“I go to bed earlier than anybody you know…My most favorite place on earth is my bed. I have great bedding. I like high-end sheets. My bedroom is my sanctuary and my calming space.”

But Lisa’s most important expenditure came almost four years ago. Planning for the future of two aging parents, Lisa did something very selfless. She gave up a significant amount of personal space. Lisa, along with her parents, sold their homes, bought two side-by-side lots in a Bossier City subdivision, and built two connecting houses. Lisa lives in one, mom and dad in the other. They all live together, except they don’t.

“There are days I know they do not like being that close to me. There are days I know I need a break. But you know what? We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be, doing exactly what we’re supposed to be doing. We will never get this time back. 10 years from now, I’m not going to say, ‘I wish I had more time with my parents.’”

Nor will Lisa say she wished she had spent more time serving her hometown area. A few years ago, Lisa’s plate of volunteerism was overflowing. Now, her portfolio includes fewer organizations, but ones in which she feels she is making a difference:

-President of 2024 Mudbug Madness

-Board member of the Commission for Women of Bossier City

-Board member of Goodwill Industries

-Board member of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters

Not to mention Past Chair of Better Business Bureau, and a Krewe of Centaur member.

“I think we all need to leave it better than we found it,” Lisa says of why she is so giving of her time. “Be it our relationships, be it our communities, be it our marketplaces, be it our co-workers. We’ve got to leave it better than we found it.”

My final question, as always: “What is it about your story that can be an inspiration to others?”

“You have to do the work, no matter the situation. Be it spiritual, financial, or personal. You have to put in the work to get the product you want.”

Do you know someone who has a story to tell? Contact Tony at: SBJTonyT@gmail.com

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Having graduated 23 seniors, and replacing 16 starters, the Northwood Falcons looked nothing like a championship team early this season.

Here they are again, playing for another District 1-4A championship Thursday night, at home against North DeSoto.

The Falcons are 5-1 in district after an 0-3 start – two opening losses by a combined seven points, before a drubbing at Airline, who can drub with the best of them. That 48-14 loss was not so close.

“It put a bad taste in our mouths,” said coach Austin Brown. “(Since then) the kids have been locked in, getting after it. We’re still a very young team, a lot of sophomores, now with nine games of experience they didn’t have.

“We want to be peaking at this time of year, and Friday night was us peaking, jumping out 28-0 in about seven minutes of game time. I think we’re peaking at the right time,” he said.

Friday night was a 48-18 final over a very solid Woodlawn team, Northwood’s third straight win, by a combined 125-42 margin.

That late-season surge and surprising blowout victory earns the Falcons the Week 10 Shreveport-Bossier Journal Team of the Week honor.

The evolution of senior quarterback Hutson Hearron has set the tone, said Brown. Hearron was the backup the last three seasons to prolific Northwood passer Mason Welch.

“Hutson coulda been the starter at a bunch of places. Instead, he played a lot of positions for us, filled in at quarterback as needed, and this fall he had a rough patch in the first couple games. But he’s turned it around,” said Brown.

“He’s been the reason we have been winning and playing so efficiently on offense. We knew this was coming. We knew he had the leadership and all the skills to right this ship, and he’s done it.”

More Falcons have stepped up and led the surge. Just like the Northwood coaches believed Hearron was up to the task, they thought senior receiver Elijan Crawford could fill the huge shoes left by the graduation of All-State safety and Swiss Army knife Marjavious Moss.

“Elijah is our athlete, kick returner, punt returner, offense, defense. He had to replace Marjavious, a four-star player, and he’s done that,” said Brown. “In his first year at safety, he’s got 50-plus tackles, four interceptions, a punt return for a touchdown, a pick six, rushing and receiving touchdowns, so he’s scored four different ways.

“He’s been a revelation this year. We’ve always known it was in him,” said Brown.

“Honestly, we’ve been kicking ourselves in the butt for not having two All-State players back there at safety the last couple of years. What could have been,” he said.

Then there’s senior middle linebacker Jamarcus Walker.

“He does every single thing right. It’s been fun to see him excel, and have a good year. We’re really proud of him, his growth and maturity, and his love for the game is infectious.”

A couple more Falcons – alumni – are key cogs. They’re Brown’s coordinators, in their third seasons with him.

“I get a lot of credit, especially for the defense, but I haven’t called a defense in two years,” he said. “Jarrett Taylor is my protégé, who learned under me for 5-6 years and he’s doing a tremendous job. Offensively, coach (Jared) Little is finding ways for us to be successful. I couldn’t do my job without them. They’ve been huge parts of our success.

“They are proud alumni. They love the school. I think that’s not to be understated, the passion they bring for Northwood.”

There’s one other underlying inspiration, a receiver with one catch, who has gotten in on only about 20 snaps in nine games, playing her first season of football. Yes, HER.

Hannah Mouton, a basketball player of note, moved from Southside High in Lafayette and sought out Brown, asking to play football.

“She’s been amazing. She’s a tremendous basketball player, one of the best in the state. We all cannot wait to watch her play this winter,” he said. “She was coming off an ACL surgery, said she didn’t want to be scared of it, she wanted to be tough.

“If you didn’t know she was a girl, you’d watch her and think she was an average boy, holding her own. She’s very, very athletic. She’s taken some contact at practice and hopped right up,” said Brown. “The boys absolutely love it and have so much respect for her. She fits right in.”

With everybody playing their roles, the Falcons are flying high just when it matters most.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always hungry reporter visits a different restaurant and tells you about the experience.

By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Restaurant Reviewer

When in school, I didn’t spend much time at the library, and I had the grades to prove it.

So maybe that’s why I had never been to The Library on Fern (8660 Fern Avenue, Shreveport). The thought of going to the “library” didn’t do much to stimulate my appetite.

But on a recent Wednesday night, with mist falling and cooler weather just a day or two away, a friend and I decided to check out not a book, but dinner, at this restaurant with the interesting name.

We pulled into the crowded parking lot just before 7. I didn’t think we would need a mid-week reservation and became concerned we might be in for a long wait. By the way, you can make a reservation online, but to do so, you have to scroll down to the bottom of the site. There isn’t a place on the site’s menu to reserve a table. Also, there is a glitch in the website which doesn’t let you see all of the dinner items.

Turns out, our longest wait was to be acknowledged. We stood at the front for maybe a minute before someone greeted us. By the way, am I the only person who is bothered by a host/hostess asking, “Just Two?” Or if I go out to eat alone, “Just one?” How many people was I supposed to bring?  In any event, we were taken to our table. There weren’t many available, but we needed “Just one.”

Looking around, it didn’t take long for us to hope the food was as good as the atmosphere. The restaurant appeared new, even though it’s been open a couple of years. From tables and chairs, to the bar area, to the couches where you can relax and enjoy a beverage, we liked everything about The Library’s modern ambiance.

Speaking of “a beverage”, The Library on Fern has something we thought was really neat, even though neither of us are beer drinkers. There are 20 self-serve beer taps in the back of the restaurant. So, when you’re thirsty, you don’t have to wait for a server to bring you a beer. You buy a card and put whatever amount on it you would like. We were told the beer is a little less expensive buying it that way. If you don’t spend the amount you put on the card, you can take the card with you to use on your next visit.

We learned all of that by asking our server, Logan. He was extremely cordial throughout the evening. Once we were seated, Logan told us about that evening’s “Special”.  But here’s what I appreciated. Not only did he give us a description, but he told us the price. I’m not sure I have ever had a server tell me the price of the restaurant’s “Special.” That’s why I hardly ever order it. I don’t know how much it’s going to cost!

We also asked Logan about the restaurant’s name. He explained the owners study the culture of other countries and try to incorporate those cultures into The Library’s menu. That’s why there are Italian, Greek, and Asian items sprinkled throughout.

Our dinner began with an appetizer. There were several from which to choose, but here again, The Library does something we really liked. Sure, you can order a full-size starter and share, or you can order a couple of half-order starters – for half-price. That’s what we did, taking the opportunity to share the Crawfish Arancini ($6) and the Fried Green Tomato Caprese ($6).

On the plate were three deep-fried Sicilian rice balls stuffed with crawfish and topped with pickled red onion and served with spicy aioli. We thought they were excellent! And FYI, the spicy aioli lived up to its name. There were also two fried green tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, basil, bruschetta, and port balsamic glaze. They were also very good. My friend really liked them.

For my meal, I chose Blackened Redfish ($30). It was described as Pan-seared, to be served with stone ground grits and corn maque choux. The fish was very good, light, and without the fish taste. Unfortunately, the grits were lukewarm at best. I don’t like eating food that’s supposed to be hot or cold, and it’s just the opposite. However, instead of sending it back, I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. Don’t get me wrong, my meal was good. It just would have been better if it was hot.

Remember Logan telling us about the “Special”? That’s what my friend chose, Sauteed Salmon with grits and goat cheese, grilled asparagus, and hollandaise sauce ($34). She really enjoyed it. My friend said her grits were warm, and she could tell a difference in texture between her grits and my grits.

My friend also enjoyed a glass of wine ($12) with her dinner. She said it was a dry wine and had a fruity taste. She was pleased with her selection.

We were both full but knew you would be disappointed if we didn’t try one of The Library’s desserts. We had three from which to choose: Crème Brulee, Bread Pudding, or Lemon Cheesecake. We are suckers for cheesecake, and you don’t find lemon cheesecake often, so that was our selection ($9).

We were a little disappointed. Neither of us tasted lemon. Frankly, I didn’t taste any flavor. My friend said the dessert tasted more like key lime pie than anything. We did think the crust was good.

The cost of our dinner, excluding tax and tip, was $85. High for dinner? Yes, but we thought that was a fair price for what we ate and for the service we were given.

All in all, it was an enjoyable visit to The Library, which is more than I can say for my previous visits to a library. I give Four Forks to The Library on Fern. I would return and go out of my way to do so. It wasn’t a flawless experience, but those are few and far between. The atmosphere, service, and food (next time, I would ask my server to please make sure my food is hot) were enough to make me look forward to my next visit.

Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to review? Email: SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com

1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so

By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services

You won’t find her name on the 26-player World Series roster.

But as a member of the Texas Rangers Six Shooters Squad, Bossier City native Isabella Michels feels every bit a member of the ball club.

“I do. I do because I think the team really thrives off the energy of the stadium,” Michels told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. “A big part of the energy of the stadium feeds off us because we are throwing t-shirts, and we’re getting the crowd excited to be there.

Michels is one of 20 young women who make up what she describes as “a promo squad that dances.”

Arriving at each home game two hours before first pitch, the Six Shooters interact with fans, dance on top of the dugouts, take pictures with children, and hand out goodie bags.

“It’s insane. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of. I was on (the TV show) Dance Moms when I was 14 years old. Being on stage and knowing that millions of people were watching a reality show was scary. But dancing on the field in front of 45,000 people, including FOX television recording our intro dance…There are millions of people who watch the World Series, so thinking about how many people are watching you at any given second is terrifying. But also, it’s so exhilarating, knowing that the training I’ve had since I was four or five years old has led to this moment.”

Training which began in Shreveport-Bossier.

“I started cheer really young. Really, really young. Probably when I was three or four. My mom said I would dance around the house a lot, and anytime she played a song, I would start dancing. So, she said, ‘Maybe we should put you in dance, and not cheer.’ She put me in Power and Grace (School of Performing Arts) and I did tap and ballet. Then, I started with the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet. From there, I just became obsessed with ballet…I just fell in love with it.”

Michels attended Sun City Elementary School through second grade. Her family left the area when the General Motors plant where her father worked closed. But Michels continued to take dance lessons in Ohio, Mississippi, and Texas. Now 21 years old and preparing to earn her master’s degree in anesthesiology, she’s finishing her first year as a Six Shooter.

“I had gone to a Rangers game in 2021. I saw girls on the field doing the dot race…I was like, ‘That is so cool!’ I started watching the game more, and I saw them get up on the dugouts to dance. I said, ‘Are you kidding me? Baseball and dancing? I want to do that.’ I decided the next year I was going to audition.”

For the first round of tryouts, Michels sent in an application and a dance video. The second round included in-person dancing.

“I was super, super nervous. I had no idea what to expect. I had never been on the field at Globe Life (the Rangers’ stadium). That was another thing I had to be worried about. What is the ground made of? Is it going to be hard to dance on? I was very nervous.”

But Michels didn’t have to wait long before knowing if she had made the squad.

“That night, I got the email saying they wanted me to be a part of the Rangers Six Shooters. It was very, very exciting.”

You can call the Six Shooters cheerleaders, but there’s a big difference in their look, and that of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

No skin.

“The Texas Rangers is a very family friendly organization. Since we work so much with children, they want everything to be family friendly. Being modest, and wearing a uniform that is modest, is very important for the organization. We wear skirts with shorts underneath, and a jersey that we tie right above our skirt.”

For Michels, the recent American League Championship Series understandably had a bigger feel than a regular season game. And the World Series – of which the first two games were played in the Rangers’ ballpark – has an even bigger feel.

“There is so much going on at one time. The amount of people who are in the tunnels preparing for media, or pictures, or any different type of things…it can get chaotic, but it is so much fun and exciting. The feel of being a part of not just the post-season, but of the World Series, is so, so crazy to me, because most people didn’t expect this.”

If Texas wins the Series, Michels expects she and her Six Shooters teammates will receive a championship ring to add to their jewelry collection. If not, the 2023 season will still be one Michels will remember.

“It’s so cool to see that we’ve made it so, so far, and people are finally saying, ‘The Texas Rangers, they have a future.’ It’s so exciting. It’s history, and it’s really exciting to be a part of that history.”

Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com

Taking stock of sports stuff, a day before Halloween, when weird and spooky is status quo.

Early 2025 World Series contenders to watch:  Colorado, Kansas City and the team currently in Oakland. Why? They all lost at least 103 games this season.

Two years ago, Texas and Arizona had triple-digit losses. Now they are tied 1-1 for the greatest prize in their sport.

Remember when in the middle of the 2014 season, Sports Illustrated anointed the pathetic Houston Astros as the 2017 World Series champions? The Astros, who at that point were 187-358 since the start of 2011?

You ‘Stros fanatics, and lots of the rest of us, recall who won that 2017 Series crown 4-3, over the Dodgers? For the first of four World Series appearances in the next six years? Those trash-can banging Astros (sorry, the truth stings). They also won it while not using garbage receptacles in 2022, a year after losing in the Series. They’ve played in the last seven American League Championship Series.

So much for the infamous SI cover jinx.

Sports are weird. Take this year’s Series. With 90 regular-season wins, Texas looked up at Atlanta, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, and the LA Dodgers, all with 99 or more W’s. Arizona? The Snakes were barely above .500, with 84 wins. They were 16 games back of the Dodgers in the National League West.

Does not compute.

Neither does Sunday’s NFL final in the snowy Mile High City. Sean Payton’s first huge win as Denver’s coach, 24-9 over the mighty Kansas City Kelce-Swifts. Taylor wasn’t there. Good call by her. Neither was the Chiefs’ offense.

Broncos fans couldn’t have expected to beat the Chiefs for the first time in 17 games, since Peyton Manning’s last season in 2015, in their “Wildest Dreams.” But at 3-5, they need to heed her 2019 hit “You Need to Calm Down.” As for Kansas City, of course, “Shake It Off.”

“You miss off an inch in this league,” said KC coach Andy Reid, “and it’s a mile.”

The NFL means “Not For Long.” Count on inconsistency. Look for the Saints’ logo next to that word in Websters’.

Sunday, New Orleans rang up 38 points while outracing the Colts 38-27. Same Pete Carmichael-designed offense that hadn’t cracked 20 points in five games, and was averaging 22 only on the strength of that divine 34-0 slaughter of New England.  Granted, the Dolts have surrendered 37, 39 and now 38 in their last three outings, but doubt many bet the 43.5-point over in this one.

Sports. Cannot predict them with much accuracy. Witness my ALCS Game 7 pick (Houston) right here last week (but I did say, Astros fans should not feel good about that prediction).

I’ve been around sports all my life. I have 8mm home movies of Mother Ireland throwing me BP when I was 2. She had a pretty good heater. I eventually caught up, when I was 15.

Sports give us entertainment, inspiration, life lessons, loyalty tests, disappointment and joy, just to mention a few. We get to read folks like John James Marshall, Teddy Allen, Ron Higgins – three of the greatest scribes ever in our state – telling us about sports, and that’s just right here in the Shreveport-Bossier Journal.

Sports brings us unforgettable moments, and with Halloween tomorrow, in this neighborhood, the fabled Billy Cannon 89-yard punt return to lift top-ranked LSU over No. 3 Ole Miss 7-3 on Oct. 31, 1959 in Tiger Stadium is THE iconic moment.

Cannon wasn’t supposed to field it, not that close to the end zone, per coach Paul Dietzel’s standing orders. Ole Miss punter Jake Gibbs wasn’t supposed to give him the chance, per Rebels’ coach Johnny Vaught’s specific order to punt it out of bounds.

But it happened, and after breaking seven tackles on that classic run, Cannon went on to win the Heisman Trophy.

I didn’t see that. So here’s my favorite Halloween sports memory.

Halloween night, 2008. Sixth Street, Austin. My Northwestern Demons were teeing it up the next afternoon down in San Marcos, in what was a 34-31 overtime victory at Texas State.

That Friday night, we were sightseeing on Sixth Street. Think Bourbon Street, but tamed to family-friendly levels. Most people, adults and kids were in costume – but only one of us, the late, great Jack “Britt” Brittain Jr., in his standard Scream gear.

I looked across the street, and on the corner, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Flash were having a conversation.

I’ve never, ever, ever felt safer. Hope I find them tomorrow night.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

JOURNAL STAFF

NATCHITOCHES – While McNeese State commemorated homecoming Saturday without its scheduled home football game against longtime rival Northwestern State, more shock waves rolled away from Thursday’s decision to cancel the Demons’ final four games this fall.

Demons’ starting quarterback Tyler Vander Waal took issue with the decision and its explanation in a heavily-viewed Saturday social media post, prompting a response from the NSU athletic department.

NSU president Dr. Marcus Jones issued a statement Thursday halting the season in the wake of the shooting death Oct. 12 of junior safety and business administration major Ronnie Caldwell Jr.

Jones said the cancellation was because of Caldwell’s death and cited “the mental health and well-being of its student-athletes as the primary reason.” NSU cancelled its Oct. 14 game at Nicholls, but played Oct. 19 at home against Southeastern with a series of tributes to Caldwell during the evening.

Since then, Jones said in Thursday’s announcement NSU officials “learned that the hurt on our team was too deep. Now it is in the best interest of our players, coaches and staff to pause and to take this time to mourn, to heal, and to support Ronnie’s family.”

Jones also announced the resignation of head coach Brad Laird. In subsequent communication, Jones affirmed NSU had begun a search for a new coach and would play football in 2024.

Friday, Caldwell’s parents and their attorneys held a press conference in Houston to announce plans to sue the university, Laird and the Quad Apartment Complex, and perhaps others, for contributing to their son’s killing. Laird had spoken at Caldwell’s funeral the previous Friday in Austin, Texas, an event attended by dozens of teammates and football-related staff members using two full-sized buses and a mini-bus.

Saturday, Vander Waal shared his contention that Jones and athletics director Kevin Bostian “have failed the players immensely” and called the decision “a cop out.”

Vander Waal, who was playing his final season of eligibility at NSU after arriving in the transfer portal in January from Idaho State, said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that the move was “never about Ronnie. They used his unfortunate passing as a cop out….

“Most of if not all of the players in that locker room wanted to play” the rest of the season, he said, and he later expanded on his perspective in an interview on the “Billy West Live” podcast distributed to readers of the Shreveport-Bossier Journal and Natchitoches Parish Journal.

He noted that while the remaining games were cancelled, the players have been told that offseason training to prepare for next season will begin Monday.

Another NSU player, sophomore kicker Brett Money, said in a social media post that he was “frustrated with how our season ended but I know God is in control! I love this team and appreciate the lifelong friendship we will have. I know we have each other’s backs.”

The NSU athletic department issued a response — apparently to Vander Waal’s eye-opening post that drew nearly 250,000 views by midnight Saturday and attracted national media attention — releasing it Saturday afternoon to some media outlets.

“We understand and respect the feelings of our players. They are fierce competitors and no doubt some wanted to get back on the field of play. At the end of the day we had to take the health and welfare of players and coaches into consideration when making this difficult decision. While not easy, we are confident we made the right call.”

Meanwhile, no additional progress has been reported by the Natchitoches Police Department in its investigation of the shooting. Law enforcement personnel indicated the probe is deliberate and more arrests are expected, but may not be imminent.

Two men have been arrested related to the investigation, but neither has been charged with any capital offense for the shooting. Both a 27-year-old non-NSU student, John McIntosh, who was one of three roommates of Caldwell’s at the Quad, and former NSU teammate Maurice Campbell were charged with possession of guns and drugs, and Campbell drew an additional obstruction of justice charge.

LISTEN

Podcast: 2023 NSU quarterback Tyler Vander Waal joins Billy West and speaks about cancellation of football season

Podcast: Dr. Marcus Jones, President of NSU joins Billy to discuss the cancellation of the remainder of the 2023 NSU Football Season

JOURNAL SPORTS

JOURNAL SPORTS

CLASS 5A   

1. Edna Karr (8-0) beat Rummel, 39-31
2. Destrehan (9-0) beat East St. John, 23-13
3. Zachary (8-0) beat Liberty, 54-16
4. Ruston (9-0) beat Ouachita Parish, 49-7
5. Carencro (8-1) lost to Acadiana, 27-26
6. John Curtis (6-2) beat Brother Martin, 26-7
7. Catholic-Baton Rouge (6-2) beat Scotlandville, 55-23
8. Brother Martin (6-3) lost to John Curtis, 26-7
9. Acadiana (7-2) beat Carencro, 27-26
10. East St. John (7-2) lost to Destrehan 23-13 

Others receiving votes: West Monroe (8-1) beat Alexandria, 28-23, Captain Shreve (8-1) beat Benton 65-33, Holy Cross (7-2) beat Jesuit, 30-0, Terrebonne (6-3) lost to Thibodaux, 26-21, Airline (8-1) beat Parkway, 33-16, Southside (7-2) beat Lafayette, 56-38, Rummel (4-5) lost to Edna Karr, 39-31, St. Paul’s (8-1) beat Ponchatoula, 20-19, Central (6-3) beat Woodlawn-Baton Rouge, 35-0, Walker (7-2) lost to St. Amant, 31-28. 

CLASS 4A 

1. St. Thomas More (9-0) beat Westgate, 31-21
2. Lafayette Christian (8-1) beat North Vermilion, 56-7
3. Neville (8-1) beat Franklin Parish, 58-14
4. North DeSoto (8-1) beat Bossier, 55-8
5. West Feliciana (8-1) beat Broadmoor, 57-0
6. Shaw (6-2) beat L.W. Higgins, 55-6
7. Cecilia (8-1) beat Livonia, 50-0
8. Warren Easton (4-5) lost via forfeit
9. Lutcher (6-2) beat Morgan City, 48-0
10. Teurlings Catholic (6-3) beat Northside, 38-20 

Others receiving votes: Westgate (5-4) lost to St. Thomas More, 31-21, Evangel Christian (5-4) lost to Huntington, 34-29, Assumption (7-2) beat Vandebilt Catholic, 55-30, Tioga (7-2) beat Peabody, 33-32 (OT), Opelousas (6-3) beat Breaux Bridge, 51-7, St. Michael (7-2) beat Istrouma, 49-34. 

CLASS 3A   

1. University (8-1) beat Collegiate-BR, 56-0
2. E.D. White (9-0) beat Sam Houston, 45-31
3. St. James (8-1) beat Berwick, 54-13
4. Sterlington (8-1) beat Amite, 24-18
5. Jena (9-0) beat Caldwell Parish, 60-7
6. Parkview Baptist (8-1) beat Port Allen, 49-12
7. John F. Kennedy (8-1) beat Patrick Taylor, 51-0
8. St. Louis (7-2) lost to Iowa, 26-21
9. Union Parish (5-4) lost to Wossman, 12-7
10. Wossman (8-1) beat Union Parish, 12-7

Others receiving votes: Madison Prep (6-3) beat Glen Oaks, 48-0, Amite (5-3) lost to Sterlington, 24-18, Bunkie (8-1) beat Bolton, 59-6, Iowa (7-2) beat St. Louis, 26-21, Pine (7-2) lost to Bogalusa, 42-21, Jennings (7-2) beat Lake Charles Prep, 30-28.

CLASS 2A 

1. Calvary (9-0) beats Lakeside, 52-0
2. St. Charles (9-0) beats Country Day, 49-7
3. Newman (8-0) beats M.L. King Charter, 47-12
4. Oak Grove (7-2) beat General Trass, 49-12
5. Dunham (7-2) beat Baker, 48-6
6. Notre Dame (6-3) beat Grand Lake, 46-7
7. Many (6-2) beat Red River, 52-18
8. Episcopal-BR (7-2) beat East Feliciana, 50-14
9. Catholic-NI (7-2) beat Loreauville, 14-0
10. South Plaquemines (7-2) beat Helix Mentorship, 44-0 

Others receiving votes: D’Arbonne Woods (7-1) beat Green Oaks, 42-16, Loreauville (6-3) lost to Catholic-New Iberia, 14-0, Welsh (7-2) beat Vinton, 47-6, Ascension Episcopal (6-3) beat Delcambre, 49-14, Northlake Christian (6-2) beat St. Helena, 23-22, Pope John Paul II (7-2) beat Springfield, 41-38, Oakdale (6-3) lost to Holy Savior Menard, 13-12. 

CLASS 1A 

1. Vermilion Catholic (9-0) beat Central Catholic, 48-17
2. Ouachita Christian (8-1) beat Grant, 56-0
3. Southern Lab (7-1) beat Kentwood, 33-31
4. Kentwood (7-2) lost to Southern Lab, 33-31
5. Riverside Academy (8-1) beat Varnado, 49-0
6. Homer (7-2) beat Glenbrook Academy, 38-28
7. Logansport (8-1) beat St. Mary’s, 20-3
8. Haynesville (8-1) beat Ringgold, 51-6
9. St. Martin’s (7-1) beat Cohen, 56-12
10. St. Mary’s (6-2) lost to Logansport, 20-3

Others receiving votes: Ascension Catholic (7-2) beat White Castle, 67-26, Glenbrook (7-2) lost to Homer, 38-28, St. Frederick (5-3) did not play, Jeanerette (7-2) beat Covenant Christian, 20-14, Opelousas Catholic (6-3) beat Sacred Heart, 52-21.