Month: October 2023

Airline-Parkway matchup, top offense vs. best defense: but is it pivotal?

/ NPJ
MAKING A POINT:  Parkway coach Coy Brotherton gestures during his post-game talk with the Panthers last Friday night after a last-play 27-26 win at Natchitoches Central. (Journal photo by KEVIN SHANNAHAN)

By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports

The story line for tonight’s Parkway-Arline game is pretty obvious: one team’s offense vs. the other team’s defense.

Only not in the way you might think.

Sure, Airline has as good of an offense as you would want to see and Parkway is clearly the most dominant defense in Shreveport-Bossier. No doubt that will be a fun matchup.

But this game (7 p.m. at Parkway’s Preston Crownover Stadium) might well be decided on the other side of the ball.

“It’s really all about how well our defense plays and how well their offense plays,” said Airline coach Justin Scogin.

“Part of why our defense has been good this year is because what our offense has done,” said Parkway coach Coy Brotherton. “Our offense has been able to eat up the clock and keep the other team off the field. And that keeps our defense fresh. That’s what is going to have to happen to slow down Airline Friday night.”

Both coaches will admit that this game takes on more meaning than just an important District 1-5A game.

“We are fighting for a good position in the playoffs,” Brotherton said. “We can control that if we win these last two. That’s kind of been our goal; to be at home in the first round.”

“It’s only Week 9,” said Scogin, “but this is our Super Bowl as far as the playoffs are concerned. If we want to get a bye in the first round and be at home in the second round, we have to win. But it’s coming against a really good team.”

Parkway’s offense wouldn’t exactly be described as plodding with two explosive sophomores in quarterback Kaleb Williams and running back Tony Gladney. But the Panthers are less of a quick-strike offense than Airline, which features the state’s leading passer in junior quarterback Ben Taylor (2,866 yards, 37 touchdowns).

Brotherton said his team is averaging almost 16 more plays per game than their opponents because of their ball control.

“We have to play smart and not give up home run after home run,” Brotherton said. “They (the Vikings) are built on the big play and we know that’s going to happen. The key for us is to not panic.”

There are a lot of story lines at play here, not the least of which is that Airline coach Justin Scogin is a former Parkway assistant.

And please, let’s don’t label this as a SoBo vs. NoBo. Parkway (South Bossier) embraces the SoBo tag; Airline (North Bossier) wants nothing to do with NoBo.

“Something will have to give, that’s for sure,” Brotherton said. “We are excited to get to play in a big game like this … it’s pretty cool.”

“I don’t care if we win 7-3 or 42-38,” Scogin said. “I’ll take it and get out of there.”

They may share the same city, but across the river there’s another matchup between two schools that share the same neighborhood. Evangel and Huntington are only 2.1 miles apart and they also have an important game when they meet tonight at Jerry Burton Stadium.

It’s the highlight matchup in District 1-4A.

“These are the kinds of rivalries that start when you are playing pee-wee ball,” said Evangel head coach Denny Duron. “Everybody passes by the other school on the way to their school. Our kids all know their kids. Games like this are timeless.”

Evangel is 5-3 and currently in a tie for second place in the district. The Eagles have won four of their last five games.

Huntington comes into the game at 5-3 and 3-2 in the district. The Raiders need a win to stay alive for a home playoff berth.

“They are really good,” Duron said of the Raiders. “Stephen Dennis is a great football coach and he has really turned that program around.”

In other 1-5A games, Southwood plays Byrd at 5 p.m. at Independence Stadium and Haughton travels to Natchitoches Central.

Other 1-4A games are Northwood vs. Woodlawn at Independence Stadium (8:15 p.m.), Bossier at North DeSoto and Minden at B.T. Washington.

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

AIRLINE (7-1, 4-1) at PARKWAY (7-1, 4-1)  

Where: Preston Crownover Stadium 

Series: Airline 23-17 

Last year: Airline 41-20 

Last week: Parkway beat Natchitoches Central 27-26; Airline beat Byrd 42-28 

Rankings: Airline #3, Parkway #4 in SBJ Top 10 poll 

LHSAA power rankings: Parkway #16; Airline #4 Non-Select Div. I 

Radio: none 

Notables: Airline averages 47.9 points per game, Parkway gives up only 3 a game … Airline might need to win to keep its No. 4 power rating with a winless Southwood team scheduled for next week … Parkway will finish its regular season at Benton … Airline QB Ben Taylor continues to lead the state in passing with 2,866 yards and 37 touchdowns … WR Jarvis Davis Jr. is second in the state in receiving yards with 967 … Parkway sophomore quarterback Kaleb Williams has thrown for 1,267 yards to rank third in the Bossier Parish … Antonio Gladney has 827 yards rushing on 128 carries and 10 touchdowns. 

EVANGEL (5-3, 4-1) vs. HUNTINGTON (5-3, 3-2)  

Where: Jerry Burton Stadium 

Series: Evangel 10-1 

Last year: Evangel 21-14 

Last week: Huntington lost to North DeSoto 50-24; Evangel beat Minden 56-0 

Rankings: Huntington #6 SBJ Top 10, Evangel #5 SBJ poll 

LHSAA power rankings: Huntington #13 Select Div. I; Evangel #12 Select Div. II 

Radio: none 

Notables: Evangel is scoring 38.1 points per game, Huntington 31.8 … ECA quarterback Peyton Fulghum has completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,972 yards and 20 touchdowns … Parker Fulghum has caught 48 passes for 943 yards and 10 touchdowns … Senior Jamal Jordan has 108 total tackles and sophomore Damari Drake 105 tackles … Gabe Reliford leads the team with 18 tackles for loss among his 77 total … Huntington QB Lorenzo White has thrown for 1,311 yards …. Marcus Willis led the Raiders with 625 yards on 78 carries … Kaleb Tucker and Preston Summage both have 30 receptions with Tucker accumulating 594 yards and eight touchdowns and Su.mmage 375 yards … Derrick Edwards is the Raiders leading tackler with 72, eight for loss … Joemiah Robinson is next with 51 stops … Nehemiah Barrett has eight sacks. Next year, both teams are expected to move up to Class 5A.

Woodlawn hosts Northwood needing a win to secure playoff spot 

/ Megan Lowe
GOING UP TOP:  Northwood quarterback Hutson Hearron ranks among local passing leaders. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)

JOURNAL STAFF  

Woodlawn hosts Northwood tonight in the second game of a doubleheader at Independence Stadium and could be a deciding factor on whether the Knights make the playoffs in Select Division II. Kickoff is projected for 8:15.

The Knights are currently No. 19 with the top 24 teams making the playoffs in Select brackets. A win would secure a spot for Woodlawn and another win in the final game of the regular season might just move them up three more spots to No. 16, which would give them a home game in the first-round.  

A loss would have them watching the teams ranked 20 and above to see how that might put them in a position of waiting to see how the schools below them finish. Woodlawn’s final game is at Minden, who currently has one win, and defeating them would provide a needed 10-plus points but may not be enough, with the Tide only having the one win and not providing much strength of schedule value.

Both teams come into the game with identical 4-4 records, but the Falcons have a 4-1 district record. A win over Woodlawn would set up a Week 10 game with league leader North DeSoto (5-0) for a share of the district championship. Last year the Falcons defeated the previously undefeated Griffins to finish as co-champions.  

Northwood’s defense has been one of the best in the district allowing only 76 points, giving up no more than a couple scores in each of its four wins. Sophomore defensive back Jeremiah Johnson leads in tackles with junior linebacker Chrisian Blackmon and senior Jamarcus Walker all close behind. Elijah Crawford is a two-way player that is making plays on both offense and defense. 

The two starting quarterbacks are among the best in the area.  

Offensively quarterback Hutson Hearron has passed for 1,180 yards hitting on 101 of 167 passes with 13 touchdowns. Desmond Harris tops the team with 309 rushing yards, averaging 8.8 per carry and 238 yards receiving on 20 catches. Tucker McCabe is the leading receiver with 505 yards on 35 catches and eight touchdowns. Jalil Wainwright has 25 catches for 301 yards.  

Woodlawn looks for quarterback Isaiah Kennedy and running back Quintin Wilson to provide most of its offense. Kennedy has 1,060 yards through the air on 57 of 84 passes  and has 473 yards rushing, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Wilson is the leading ballcarrier with 538 yards, averaging 8 yards per carry. Junior receiver Brandon Henderson Jr. is a dynamic deep threat with 375 yards, averaging 31.3 yards a catch.     

NORTHWOOD (4-4, 4-1) vs. WOODLAWN (4-4, 2-3)  

Where: Independence Stadium, 8:15 p.m.  

Series: Northwood 18-8 

Last year: Northwood 48-0  

Last week: Woodlawn beat Bossier 46-21; Northwood beat BTW 35-8  

Rankings: Northwood #7 in SBJ Top 10 poll, Woodlawn receiving votes in SBJ poll  

LHSAA power rankings: Woodlawn #19 Select Div. II; Northwood #17 Select Div. I  

Radio: none  

Notables: Northwood is third in District 1-4A in points scored with 166 and second in points allowed with 76 in league games… Senior quarterback Hutson Hearron has thrown for 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns … Jeremiah Johnson leads the defense averaging a little more than seven tackles a game and has three interceptions … Isaiah Kennedy has passed for more than 1,000 yards for the Knights … Woodlawn ended a three-game losing streak with last week’s win.  

Byrd hosts Southwood, Haughton travels to Natchitoches Central

/ Megan Lowe
YELLOW JACKET WEAPON: While Byrd’s running game is productive, the Jackets’ most consistent weapon is senior kicker Abram Murray, who is one of the nation’s better senior high school kickers. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)

JOURNAL STAFF  

Byrd will be celebrating its homecoming in cavernous Independence Stadium as it plays host to Southwood in a District 1-5A game, the first of two games scheduled on the state fairgrounds at 5 p.m. today.

The Yellow Jackets are a 16 seed in the Select Division I power ratings that would give them a first-round home game in the playoffs. The top eight teams receive byes and the next eight home games host in the first round. Southwood is winless and not in a position to make the playoffs.  

Haughton travels to play Natchitoches Central in another District 1-5A game. Both teams are working to finish the season strong as neither are in a position to make the playoffs. The Chiefs are a 38 seed and Bucs 39 in the Non-Select Division I ratings with the top 28 teams making the playoffs.  

SOUTHWOOD (0-8, 0-5) vs. BYRD (2-6, 2-4)  

Where: Independence Stadium, 5 p.m.  

Series: Byrd 34-17  

Last year: Byrd 58-0  

Last week: Byrd lost to Airline 42-28; Southwood lost to Captain Shreve 42-6  

Rankings: Byrd #9 in SBJ Top 10 poll  

LHSAA power rankings: Byrd #16; Southwood #31 Select Div. I  

Radio: Byrd (The Tiger 1130 AM, 103.3 FM)  

Notables: Byrd celebrates its homecoming kicking off a rare doubleheader at Independence Stadium … The Yellow Jackets average 286.5 yards a game on the ground … Desmond Simmons ran for a career high 205 yards last week as the Jackets rushed for 389 yards against Airline, the fifth time to run for more than 300 yards in a game … Kaiden Abraham Miller got his third interception of the season last week … Southwood has lost its last (and or forfeited) 34 straight games. Its last win came on Nov. 1, 2019 against Parkway 18-16 .. Jeremy Tyler led the Cowboys last week with 116 yards rushing … Detonion Arkansas had the lone touchdown in last week’s loss to Captain Shreve.  

HAUGHTON (3-5, 1-4) at NATCHITOCHES CENTRAL (2-6, 1-4)  

Where: Turpin Stadium, NSU  

Series: Haughton 4-0 

Last year: Haughton 56-20  

Last week: Natchitoches Central lost to Parkway 27-26; Haughton lost to Benton 62-41  

Rankings: Haughton #10 in SBJ Top 10 poll  

LHSAA power rankings: NCHS #38, Haughton #39 Non-Select Div. I  

Livestream:  NCHSChiefs.live  

Notables: Haughton quarterback Christian Turner accounted for four of the Bucs touchdowns, passed for 149 yards and ran for another 89 yards and two touchdowns last week … Senior RB Chris Mayes ran for 130 yards on 20 carries … John Ochoa had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery … The Bucs average 34.4 points per game, Natchitoches Central 28.5 … NCHS has lost each of its last three games by eight points or less and led two in the fourth quarter, at Benton and last week against Parkway … the Chiefs’ Cam Davis leads the state in receiving yards with 1,004 on 67 receptions and 14 touchdowns, but left the Parkway game early in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and his status is uncertain tonight.

BTW hosts Minden, Bossier at North DeSoto, Plain Dealing at home Magnolia on road

/ Megan Lowe

JOURNAL STAFF  

Booker T. Washington plays host to Minden in a District 1-4A game but more importantly a game that will go towards whether the Lions make the playoffs. 

BTW is a 22nd seed in the Select Division II power rankings with the top 24 teams making the playoff bracket. The Lions have to play at district power Evangel the last game of the regular season riding the line of making or missing the postseason.  

District 1-4A leader North DeSoto hosts Bossier, Magnolia Charter plays at Arcadia in 1-1A and Plain Dealing welcomes Beekman Charter in a non-district matchup.    

MINDEN (1-7, 1-4) at BTW (3-5, 1-4)   

Where: Leonard C. Barnes Stadium  

Series: Minden 7-2  

Last year: Minden 43-26  

Last week: BTW lost to Northwood 35-6; Minden lost to Evangel 56-0  

Rankings: none  

LHSAA power rankings: BTW #22 Select Div. II; Minden #35 Non-Select Div. II  

Radio: Minden (KBEF 104.5 FM, www.kbef.com) 

Notables: BTW managed only 68 yards in the loss to Northwood … Von’Travious Moore had the only score for the Lions on a pass from Damion O’Neal … the Lions had scored 72 points the previous two games to last week …with a win, BTW will have four wins on the season for the second time in three seasons, third time in 15 years.  

BOSSIER (1-7, 0-5) at NORTH DESOTO (7-1, 5-0) 

 Where: Griffin Stadium  

Series: North DeSoto 5-2  

Last year: North DeSoto 56-16  

Last week: North DeSoto beat Huntington 50-24; Bossier lost to Woodlawn 46-21  

Rankings: North DeSoto #8 LSWA 4A poll  

LHSAA power rankings: North DeSoto #1 Non-Select Div. II; Bossier #38 Non-Select Div. II 

Radio: none  

Notables: Bossier has scored in each of its last three games after not scoring in the previous three … the Bearkats have scored 55 points the last three games … ND quarterback Luke Delafield is one of four statewide to pass for more than 2,000 yards (2,011) … WR Cole Cory is fourth in the state, in all classes, in receiving yards with 921.  

BEEKMAN CHARTER (4-3) at PLAIN DEALING (0-8)  

Where: Plain Dealing  

Series: Beekman 1-0  

Last year: Beekman 46-12  

Last week: Plain Dealing lost to Glenbrook 70-20; Beekman beat Ringgold 40-6  

Rankings: none  

LHSAA power rankings: Plain Dealing #38 Non-Select Div. IV 

 Radio: none  

Notables: Plain Dealing has lost 22 straight games … the Lions gave up a season-high 70 points last week … PD scored 20 or more points for the third time last week and has posted 46 the last two games … opponents are averaging 55.8 points per game … Beekman has won its last two by a combined 78-12.  

MAGNOLIA (1-7, 1-3) at ARCADIA (5-3, 1-3)  

Where: Arcadia  

Series: Arcadia 3-0  

Last year: Arcadia 54-0  

Last week: Arcadia lost to Homer 44-12; Magnolia lost to Haynesville 42-0  

Rankings: none  

LHSAA power rankings: Arcadia #11 Non-Select Div. IV; Magnolia #27 Select Div. IV   

Radio: none  

Notables: Magnolia was shut out for the third time in four games last week … The Mariners had to forfeit their first four games of the season (games they lost) … Arcadia has lost its last two and three of the past four after winning its first four… its three losses have come to the top three teams in District 1-1A.  

Loyola plays at North Caddo, Calvary and Green Oaks travel 

/ Megan Lowe

JOURNAL STAFF 

Loyola has a spot in the Select Division III playoffs but a win at North Caddo tonight would give them a huge boost in playing a first-round home game. 

The top eight teams in the playoff bracket have byes and next eight (seeds 9-16) have first round home games. The Flyers are a 16 seed and a win could move them up going into the final game of the regular season.  

Undefeated and Non-Select Division III top-seed Calvary will travel to Minden to play Lakeside. Green Oaks is on the road to Farmerville to face D’Arbonne Woods.   

LOYOLA (3-4, 2-1) at NORTH CADDO (2-6, 1-2) 

Where: Sanders-Prudhomme Stadium  

Series: Loyola 32-18-1 

Last year: Loyola 41-22  

Last week: North Caddo lost to Green Oaks 32-18; Loyola beat Lakeside 52-0  

Rankings: none  

LHSAA power rankings: NC #27; LCP #16 Select Div. III  

Radio: none  

Notables: Loyola has scored 108 points in District 1-2A games and allowed 41 … the Flyers are averaging 35.8 points a game the last four … last week’s shutout was the first since a 2021 first-round playoff game with Haynes Academy (41-0) … Evan Litette had a career-long 37-yard field goal and seven extra points in the Lakeside win … QB Bryce Carpenter is averaging 144 yards a game passing and 54.5 rushing … Jude Gaitan is the second leading receiver with 19 catches, 252 yards and four touchdowns and is second on the defense with 57 tackles … Rowan Guthikonda continues to top the defense with 65 tackles. North Caddo couldn’t hold on to a first half lead in falling to Green Oaks … the Titans average 23.8 points per game and give up 41 a game.  

CALVARY (8-0, 3-0) at LAKESIDE (3-5, 0-3)   

Where: Minden  

Series: Calvary 3-0  

Last year: Calvary 63-0   

Last week: Lakeside lost to Loyola 52-0; Calvary beat D’Arbonne Woods 35-0  

Rankings: Calvary #1 LSWA Class 2A Top 10 poll, #1 SBJ Top 10 poll  

LHSAA power rankings: Lakeside #37 Non-Select Div. III; Calvary #1 Select Div. V   

Radio: Calvary (Promise 90.7 FM)  

Notables: Calvary has handed four of its opponents their only loss on the season … The Cavs have allowed only six points the last three games and six or less points in four games overall … Landon Sylvie leads the team with 67 tackles, Cole Miller has 50 and 13 for a loss … offensively they average 45.5 points a game …James Simon has 11 touchdowns and scored 66 points, Aubrey Hermes 10 TDs and a 2-point conversion for 62.   

GREEN OAKS (2-6, 1-2) at D’ARBONNE WOODS (6-1, 2-1)  

Where: Farmerville  

Series: D’Arbonne Woods 1-0  

Last year: D’Arbonne Woods 28-14  

Last week: D’Arbonne Woods lost to Calvary 35-0; Green Oaks beat North Caddo 32-18  

Rankings: none  

LHSAA power rankings: D’Arbonne Woods #7, Green Oaks #26 Select Div. III  

Radio: none  

Notables: Green Oaks scored a season-high 32 points (two more than it scored the previous seven games combined) to snap a six-game losing streak with last week’s win over North Caddo … the Giants produce a pair of 100-yard rushers in Stedtravious Brister (17 carries, 171 yards) and Delarious Marshall (11-115) last week … the Green Oaks defense shut out North Caddo in the second half. 

Notice of Death – October 26, 2023

/ NPJ

Mr. Lonnie Clarkson
June 6, 1958 ~ October 20, 2023
Service: Saturday, October 28, 2023, 11am at Chapel of Heavenly Gates, Shreveport.

Hayden Tyler McCrocklin
July 17, 2003 — October 23, 2023
Service: Saturday, October 28, 2023, 2pm at Henrietta Congregational Methodist Church, Converse.

Thomas McDonald
December 6, 1950 — October 21, 2023
Service: Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 1pm at Calvary Baptist Church, Homer.

Robert Aldine Posey
November 16, 1934 — October 18, 2023
Service: Thursday, November 2, 2023, 1pm at Bellaire Baptist Church, Bossier City.

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)

Countdown begins for wide range of Independence Bowl game-week events

/ Megan Lowe
THROW ME SOMETHIN’:  Beads and other keepsakes that delight people of all ages are part of the Explore Louisiana Mardi Gras Parade during the Independence Bowl’s Rally on the Red event on Dec. 15 in Bossier City. (Photo courtesy Independence Bowl)

JOURNAL SPORTS

The 2023 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl is right around the corner, and the week of the game will feature exciting and fun events for fans of all ages.

The FCA Breakfast will kick off the public event schedule on Thursday, December 14 at 7:30 a.m. at Riverview Hall.

The following night, the eve of the 2023 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, local and traveling fans will all gather in the East Bank District for the free Rally on the Red. The Rally on the Red will feature four free events and runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, December 15.

On game day on Saturday, December 16, the week of public events will culminate with Coca-Cola Fan Fest from 12-7:30 p.m. in the Silver Lot outside of Independence Stadium – leading fans into the 8:15 p.m. kickoff of the 47th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.

The annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast is presented annually for the participating teams and their coaches and administration. Hosted by the NWLA FCA Chapter, this event annually hosts hundreds of guests, offering breakfast and featured speakers who give their testimonies. Tickets to the FCA Breakfast, scheduled for Thursday, December 14 at 7:30 a.m. at Riverview Hall, are $10 and can be purchased at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/fan-events/.              

The Rally on the Red gets fans ready for game day with four free events for fans of all ages on Friday, December 15. The Explore Louisiana Mardi Gras Preview Parade will get the night started at 6:30. The parade will feature floats from local Mardi Gras Krewes and the two participating school’s bands and spirit squads. It will begin at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets and roll through the East Bank District in Bossier City.

Following the conclusion of the parade, the two school marching bands will play in a Battle of the Bands at 7:15 in the East Bank District Plaza. After the two bands duke it out, there will be a fireworks show at 7:45 behind Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District.

Culminating the night at 8 will be a free concert from a Taylor Swift Tribute Band in Hurricane Alley – located behind Beauxjax Crafthouse, Frozen Pirogue and Bayou Axe Co. Hurricane Alley is a great outdoor music venue with access to all three restaurants and bars for food and drinks.

The fun starts early on game day, Saturday, December 16, and goes all day leading up to the game with the free Coca-Cola Fan Fest from 12-7:30 p.m. on the northeast side of Independence Stadium in the Silver Lot. Coca-Cola Fan Fest will have entertainment for all ages – featuring live music all day from two bands, a DJ, cornhole, inflatables, face painting, a gaming bus, local food trucks, drinks, and a special appearance from Santa Claus.

The 47th edition of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl is set for Saturday, December 16 at 8:15 p.m. between the Big 12 Conference and Pac-12 Conference. Various ticket options are on sale now for the Saturday night playing of Shreveport-Bossier’s annual bowl game.

Endzone Bench, Sideline Bench and Sideline Chairback tickets are available at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/tickets. Great ticket packages – including group tickets, Family Four-Packs, Small Business Fan-Packs and premium options – are available online or by calling the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at 318.221.0712 or toll-free at 888.414.BOWL.

Shreve’s Kirby put off by playoff talk, focusing on Benton

/ Megan Lowe
GATORS GATHER: The explosive Captain Shreve offense huddles with head coach Adam Kirby (in shorts) and offensive coordinator John Mitchell. (Journal photo by KEVIN PICKENS)

By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports

With two weeks to go in the regular season, Captain Shreve coach Adam Kirby knows his team will be in the playoffs. Other than that, there’s not a whole lot of thought going into what all of that is going to mean.

He’s not thinking about current rankings or power points or what side of the playoff bracket he’d like to be on.

“Not at all,” Kirby said. “That’s so unimportant to us right now. What’s important to us is that we’ve got to go win a game.”

That game will be tonight when the District 1-5A-leading Gators (7-1, 5-0) take on Benton (4-4, 3-2) at 7 p.m. at Jerry Burton Stadium.

“Nobody is going to care what happened Week 2 or Week 3 if we don’t take care of business now,” Kirby said. “We aren’t looking at a district championship, playoff seeding or being No. 1 or 2 or 3. I couldn’t care less. When we get to the playoffs, we will regroup and start going at it again.”

The matchup with Benton didn’t seem like it would be much a few weeks ago when Shreve was coming off a big win over Airline to assume first place in the district and Benton had lost four straight and given up 60 points in back-to-back games.

Since then, the Tigers have rattled off three straight wins, averaging more than 50 points in those victories.

“I knew they’d start winning,” Kirby said. “(Benton’s) Reynolds (Moore) is too good of a coach and they have too good of a staff. They were young. They all knew it, and everybody who has been there knows you go through growing pains early in the season when you are young. Hats off to them for being able to withstand some tough times. Now they are playing as well as anybody in the district.”

The game will feature two of the area’s top running backs in Benton’s Greg Manning and Shreve’s Jamarlon Otis – the top two in Caddo-Bossier in rushing this season.

Manning has rushed for 1,201 yards on 193 carries and 19 touchdowns and has 27 catches for 354 yards and two scores. He has a chance to move into the Top 5 in Caddo-Bossier history for career rushing in this game.

Otis leads with 1,256 on 142 carries and 14 touchdowns.

“They are sitting in first place in the district right now for a reason,” Moore said. “Maybe the most athletic team in the district. They always have a solid defense. But I do believe we are as talented. It’s just taken us longer to come together, but I think our guys are up for the challenge. We have found our rhythm, and they know what’s at stake. We have to win one of these last two games to guarantee a playoff spot.

“But I know Coach Kirby has them motivated,” he added. “They love playing for him and they really want that district championship.”

A win by the Gators would clinch at least a share of the district title, and Shreve has already defeated both of the teams that have one district loss. 

Benton is at No. 27 in the Division 1, Non-Select power rankings. Shreve is at No. 3 in the Division 1, Select power rankings. 

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com 

BENTON (4-4, 3-2) vs. CAPTAIN SHREVE (7-1, 5-0)

Where: Jerry Burton Stadium

Series: Captain Shreve 3-1

Last year: Benton 22-21

Last week: Captain Shreve beat Southwood 42-6; Benton beat Haughton 62-41

Rankings: Captain Shreve #2 in SBJ Top 10 poll, receiving votes in LSWA 5A poll; Benton #8 in SBJ poll

LHSAA power rankings: CS #3 Select Div. I; Benton #27 Non-Select Div. I

Radio: CS (KLKL.fm; 95.7 FM); Benton (streamed on The Benton Tiger Sports Network)

Notables: Both teams on win streaks with Benton having its last three, CS last six … The game will feature the top two running backs in the area. Benton’s Greg Manning has rushed for 1,201 yards, second to Captain Shreve’ Jamarlon Otis who has 1,253 yards. Manning has 19 rushing TDs, Otis 14 … Benton quarterback Jeff King has thrown for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns … Trey Smith has 35 receptions for 592 yards and seven scores … Cole Austin leads the defense with 90 tackles, nine for a loss. Miller Malley is next with 72 stops and Brayden Jackson has 57 total tackles and 10 for a loss … Shreve QB Quortni Beaner has run for 504 yards and 11 touchdowns … Junior linebacker Peyton Houston leads the defense with 74 tackles, eight for a loss … Kyron Wilson has 54 stops, while Landon Lee and Amarion Storey both have 51 total tackles… EJ McDonald is among area leaders with five interceptions. 

Williams brings physical play, smooth moves as LSU freshman

/ Megan Lowe
SMOKIN’: Freshman Mikaylah Williams, a former Parkway High School star, has impressed veterans of LSU’s 
defending national championship women’s basketball team. (Photo courtesy LSU Athletics)

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – It’s just the first exhibition game of the 2023-24 season for top-ranked and defending NCAA women’s basketball national champion LSU when it welcomes East Texas Baptist tonight at 7 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

But for Lady Tigers’ true freshman Mikaylah Williams, it’s more than just a glorified practice that doesn’t count in the won-loss column.

“This is something I’ve dreamed of,” said Williams, the former Parkway High School star who was the 2022 and 2023 Miss Louisiana basketball honoree and the 2023 Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year. “Now, I’m just living out my dream.”

On a team full of stars – four of LSU’s projected starters are on the All-SEC preseason first and second teams – Williams is taking the humble approach at the start of a college career that figures to lead to her playing professionally.

“I’m just being an open book and learning from everybody, especially the vets like Hailey (Van Lith), Angel (Reese) and even Flau’jae (Johnson),” Williams said. “Just taking that in and putting into the game.

“Coming in, everybody accepted me and my role and what I can do here. I don’t feel like there’s any pressure.”

And what exactly is Williams’ role? She’s listed as a 6-foot guard, but LSU head coach Kim Mulkey already projects Williams in multiple spots.

“She can also play any position on the perimeter and that may not be fair to her,” Mulkey said of Williams. “Because I may one day have her playing point guard, the next day I may have her at off-guard. That’s tough, particularly if you’re having to learn the point guard position.”

With Mulkey able to plug in Williams just about anywhere on the court, the key prize in LSU’s No.1 incoming nationally-ranked recruiting class gives the Lady Tigers a myriad of lineup options it didn’t have last season in capturing the school’s first national title in the sport.

“I’ll play whatever position that’s best for us to win,” Williams said.

Williams is the third player Mulkey has signed during her coaching career who won back-to-back Miss Louisiana basketball awards.

In Mulkey’s previous job as Baylor’s head coach, she signed center Kalani Brown of Salmen High in 2015 and guard Moon Ursin of Destrehan (La.) High in 2017.

Brown was Miss Louisiana Basketball in 2014 and 2015, and Ursin won the honor in 2016 and 2017. They were starters on Mulkey’s third and final Baylor national title team in 2019.

Previous LSU women’s coach Nikki Fargas signed one Miss Louisiana basketball – Walker’s Tiara Young in 2019 – in her 10 seasons guiding the Lady Tigers. Young transferred after two seasons to Houston.

Williams said LSU was on her list of schools she considered before Mulkey was hired in April 2021, but she put LSU higher on the list once Mulkey took over.

“I love Coach Mulkey,” Williams said. “She’s real fired up and feisty. I know that she has my back, and I have hers. I came in here looking forward to her getting on my butt so I can get to the next level.

“Her compassion and the passion she has for the game makes her somebody I want to play for.”

Parkway won 58 of 61 games in Williams’ final two years in high school. The more Mulkey watched, the more she knew Williams could step into a major college playing rotation from day one.

“Mikaylah brings a physical body that’s ready for this level,” Mulkey said. “The first thing you’ll notice is she’s pretty physical.”

After a few weeks of preseason practice, Williams already didn’t seem like a freshman to her more seasoned teammates.

“Mikaylah is going to be a problem (for opponents),” said Reese, LSU’s returning junior first-team All-America forward. “Have y’all seen her moves? She has smooth moves. She works really hard, and I think she comes in super confident like Flau’jae was last year.”

And speaking of Johnson, last season’s SEC Freshman of the Year, she has enough confidence for herself and Williams.

“Mikaylah is going to have her freshmen things like all freshmen do because you’ve got to learn the system,” Johnson said. “But I told her she’s at a standard where she needs to be National Freshman of the Year. You know what I mean? Like she’s THAT good. I told her that.

“She was like, ‘I want to be SEC Freshman of the Year.’ I told her `You’re going to be National Freshman of the Year if you keep playing like you’re playing.’”

Van Lith, the top-rated player in the transfer portal from Louisville, also has been suitably dazzled by Williams.

“She’s very talented and very strong,” Van Lith said. “She can pass and score at three levels. It’s very rare to see a freshman with that type of skill level.”

Since Williams had made trips to Baton Rouge before she enrolled to watch Mulkey’s practices – which are often extremely competitive considering the amount of talent and trash-talking that permeates the Lady Tigers’ on-court persona — Williams’ transition has been seamless.

“There’s a lot of it,” Williams said of the verbal back-and-forth in practices and scrimmages. “I feel like I knew what I was getting into with all this talent. With this team, the starting five doesn’t really matter.

“I love competitive people. We all push each other, which will lead us back to that national championship stage.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

Vikings’ success showcases plenty of potential college players

/ Megan Lowe

By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/YouTube TV

The Airline Vikings are having a great year again, sitting 7-1 with one of the state’s highest-scoring offenses, one that will get a good test Friday night against crosstown rival Parkway because the Panthers’ defense is the best around. 

A big reason the Vikings are riding high is because of the leadership in the senior and junior classes. The roster has several players who have a chance to play college football.

Today we will talk about the Class of 2024, this fall’s senior class for Airline High School.

I think the team has four sleeper FBS players in WR Bob Patterson (6-1, 200), CB Jeremiah Boudreaux (6-2, 175), OLB Sincere Walker (6-2 200), and athlete/RB Trevon “Tre” Jackson (5-10, 186). 

Patterson is a Swiss Army knife for the team playing tight end, receiver and punter. Patterson is quick, a good blocker, and is nimble for a player 195 to 200 pounds. He has nice hands and a good burst of speed. He has scored running the ball as well as catching it. Patterson has an offer from Harding but could be a steal at the FCS and FBS level as a walk-on or TOPS guy.

Boudreaux has the length and athletic ability colleges look for, and attracting interest at 6-2 with 4.5 speed. His track and field resume’ establishes him among the state’s better performers — 21.5 in the 200 meters, 10.8 in the 100 meters, and Boudreaux is a state meet scorer in the high jump. He will have choices, and if he chooses football, keep an eye on him at the next level.

Walker has come on in his senior year, and with his great size he can still cover ground with 4.65 speed. He is a big-time hitter for the Vikings.

Jackson is a three-year starter that coach Justin Scogin says is a cornerstone in the two-year turnaround of the program. He has breakaway speed (4.59), and a great burst colleges look for in a running back. He runs with power for a smaller back and is tough as nails.

There are two other Vikings whom Scogin thinks highly of in the 2024 class, both as productive players and leaders.

WR/DB Bryson Broom (6-0, 175) has 4.55 speed with good hands and the ability to create and exploit space. He has 12 TD catches, best in the Caddo-Bossier area. 

All District in basketball, linebacker Champ Endris (5-10, 200) is a tough tackling machine for the Airline defense. They’ve given up a lot of points because with that offense getting off the field fast, the defense is out there a lot – but the defense makes a lot of plays, too.

Those are going to be some significant graduation departures, but Airline’s Class of 2025 has several players with college ability. 

It starts, of course, with one of the top quarterbacks in Louisiana in Ben Taylor. He is leading the state in passing this year, makes all the throws, has excellent touch and vision, and will be among the state’s top QB recruits next season.

He’s not alone, but that group will get attention down the road. Now, the Vikes have that big game with Parkway, and soon, begin the playoffs trying to make a run instead of the shocking first-round exit they suffered last year at the hands of District 1-5A rival Haughton.

Working in their favor is the variety of schemes and approaches they see in the district, and the depth of talent on the roster and on the coaching staff.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

Benton’s Manning gaining ground on Shreve’s Otis for rushing lead

/ Megan Lowe
IN THE ZONE:  Airline’s Bryson Broom leads all local receivers with 12 touchdown catches. (Journal photo by KEVIN PICKENS)

JOURNAL STAFF

Jamarlon Otis of Captain Shreve continues to lead the area in rushing as he has all season but Benton’s Greg Manning has closed the gap considerably the last couple weeks and is within 55 yards of Otis in the latest list of football statistical leaders through eight games.

Their teams collide tonight in a District 1-5A game.

Manning has outgained Otis 334-146 the past couple weeks and after trailing Otis by one rushing touchdown for much of the season has taken over that lead 19-14 by scoring seven times to Otis’ one.

State passing leader Ben Taylor of Airline continues to stretch out his lead in passing yards with a gap of 490 yards. Taylor has thrown for an average of 365 yards the past two weeks and has 2,866 yards on the season. Calvary’s Abram Wardell is second with 2,376 yards and has averaged 293.5 the last two games.

Airline receiver Jarvis Davis Jr. still leads in receptions with 60 and yards with 967. Parker Fulghum of Evangel has 48 catches or 943 yards and 10 scores. Bryson Broom of Airline leads receivers with 12 touchdowns.

RUSHING  

Name, school, Att-Yards-TDs

Jamarlon Otis, Captain Shreve, 142-1,256-14

Greg Manning, Benton, 193-1,201-19

Antonio Gladney, Parkway, 128-827-10

James Simon, Calvary, 92-716-10

Mason Jackson, North Caddo, 77-679-0

Malachi Johnson, Byrd, 68-660-12

Marcus Willis, Huntington, 78-625-6

Quintin Wilson, Woodlawn, 67-538-0

Desmond Simmons, Byrd, 102-512-1

Quortni Beaner, Captain Shreve, 70-504-11

Christian Turner, Haughton, 42-493-7

Tray Morris, North Caddo, 69-474-0

Isaiah Kennedy, Woodlawn, 52-473-2

Chris Mayes, Haughton, 40- 467-2

Patrick Gosslee, Loyola, 79-432-4

Tre’Von Jackson, Airline, 60-427-5

CJ Dudley, Parkway, 54-316-2

Damari Drake, Evangel, 34-312-5

Devontay Moss, Haughton, 28-311-3

Desmond Harris, Northwood, 35-309-3 

PASSING  

Name, school, Com-Att-Int, Yds, TDs

Ben Taylor, Airline, 202-275-6, 2,866, 37

Abram Wardell, Calvary, 154-198-1, 2,376, 26

Peyton Fulghum, Evangel, 123-184-9, 1,972, 20

Jeffrey King, Benton, 103-176-4, 1,434, 14

Lorenzo White, Huntington, 85-153-8, 1,311, 15

Kaleb Williams, Parkway, 114-166-1, 1,267, 11

Hutson Hearron, Northwood, 101-167-7, 1,197, 16

Christian Turner, Haughton, 73-132-0, 1,093, 12

Isaiah Kennedy, Woodlawn, 57-84-8, 1,060, 7

Brodie Savage, Captain Shreve, 44-71-3, 708, 7

Bryce Carpenter, Loyola, 39-83-4, 576, 7

Jason Jackson, North Caddo, 49-85-3, 545, 6

Bryce Restovich, Loyola, 44-82-8, 498, 5

Tovoras Lee, Green Oaks, 31-74-5, 396, 4

RECEIVING  

Name, school, Rec-Yards-TDs

Jarvis Davis Jr., Airline, 60-967-7

Parker Fulghum, Evangel, 48-943-10

Tre’Von Jackson, Airline, 41-563-7

Aubrey Hermes, Calvary, 40-829-10

Bryson Broom, Airline, 40-645-12

Jalen Lewis, Haughton, 40-511-1

Tyreek Robinson, Evangel, 39-566-10

Kolby Thomas, Calvary, 39-470-5

Jayden Lewis, Parkway, 35-611-5

Trey Smith, Benton, 35-592-7

Tucker McCabe, Northwood, 35-505-8

Chris Jackson, Calvary, 32-421-4

Kaleb Tucker, Huntington, 30-594-8

Preston Summage, Huntington, 30-375-2

John Simon IV, Calvary, 29-567-6

Jamarion Montgomery, Haughton, 28-382-5

Antonio Gladney, Parkway, 28-237-3

Greg Manning, Benton, 27-354-2

Jackson Jones, Benton, 25-319-4

Jalil Wainwright, Northwood, 25-301-1

Jamarion Washington, Huntington, 23-405-6

Keaton Flowers, Captain Shreve, 23-315-5

Reagan Coyle, Loyola, 23-274-1

Bob Patterson, Airline, 23-233-5

Chancellor Washington, North Caddo, 22-275-0

Desmond Harris, Northwood, 20-238-3

Phat Mayweather, Parkway, 20-200-0

Jordan Wiggins, 19-439-5

Jude Gaitan, Loyola, 19-252-4

Kenny Darby, Airline, 18-300-5

Jake Black, Loyola, 15-257-3

Cody Wilhite, Benton, 14-190-2

Zu’Moundis Davis, Haughton, 13-304-4

Brandon Henderson Jr., Woodlawn, 12-375-3

Amarion Dorsey, Green Oaks, 12-169-1

Is there reason for a bear season? Many are eager to see it

/ Megan Lowe

I saw my first black bear in Louisiana several years ago when I was on a deer hunt in Madison Parish. My host had dropped me off at my deer stand for an afternoon hunt when we looked down the foot plot and saw a bear.

Grabbing my camera, we slowly walked in his direction and as we closed the distance to about 100 yards, the bear stood up, checked us out giving me the opportunity to snap a couple of photos before he turned and ambled away into the thicket.

Two years ago, my wife and I were visiting the Tensas National Wildlife Refuge as we spotted a female bear and two cubs a few yards from our car. I was able to snap a few photos before they disappeared into the woods.

Seldom does a day go by that I don’t read on Facebook and see photos of bears all around north Louisiana, mostly bears captured on trail cameras as they take advantage of deer feeders, often dragging them to the ground and destroying them.

Property owners and those who deer hunt in the Tensas and Madison Parish area often see their hunting camps broken into as bears search for food. Many have long called for a hunting season for bears and are hopeful that the recent news coming out of Baton Rouge will reach fruition.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is expected to vote in its November meeting on the possibility of establishing a bear season for 2024-25.

The situation regarding the growing number of bears has created spirited discussions from those who can’t wait for a season to curtail the numbers of bears that are showing up all across north Louisiana, along with others who are opposed to the idea.

Is the possibility of a bear season something new for Louisiana? I found a listing of hunting seasons for Louisiana for the 1939-40 season that includes bears that could be hunted from November 1 through January 1 with a daily limit of one; season limit of five.

Reading comments by some in response has been interesting. One respondent wrote …”My family has had land on the Tensas River in Madison Parish since the 1930s and there was always bears there and they were always a nuisance.” Another wrote…”I grew up along the Tensas River and there have always been bears there. They are protected, they breed and they spread out.”

The protection of bears in our state has to do with the assumption that Louisiana black bears we have are a sub-species. Some argue that the DNA of our bears is the same as those in other states. A black bear is a black bear, they contend.

We know that we have had bears as early as 1902 when President Teddy Roosevelt came on a bear hunt to Mississippi and Louisiana. In order for the President’s hunt to be successful, a bear was cornered and tied to a tree so he would have an easy target. He refused the offer, news spread and as a result, the warm cuddly stuffed animal, the Teddy Bear, was named in honor of the President.     

Will Louisiana once again have a bear hunting season? Will everybody be happy should the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approve? Some for sure will be happy but there are others who believe bears should forever be protected.

Next week we’ll discuss preparing bear for the table, processing the meat and hide, comments from some who love it; some who gag at the thought of eating bear meat.

Stay tuned.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Henderson named as Louisiana Tech president

/ Megan Lowe

Shreveport native Dr. Jim Henderson was named the next president of Louisiana Tech University in a Wednesday night special meeting of the University of Louisiana System board of supervisors in Baton Rouge. Fr

Formerly chancellor at Bossier Parish Community College and president of Northwestern State University, Henderson has served as president and CEO of the University of Louisiana System for nearly seven years.  

“Louisiana Tech is an exceptional institution with global impact. My family’s relationship with Tech began more than 80 years ago, in 1941, when my dad signed to play football for Joe Aillet and continues today as my youngest son just entered his sophomore year,” Henderson said. “It is an honor to succeed President Guice. I look forward to moving home to North Louisiana to work alongside the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community to lead Tech into its next era of excellence.” 

During a meeting earlier this month, the Board voted to suspend its Board Rule guiding presidential searches and name Dr. Henderson as the sole finalist for Louisiana Tech’s presidency.  

“When Dr. Henderson expressed his interest in this role, the Board explored all available options for this particular circumstance. After deliberations and recognizing the talent and characteristics we have witnessed supervising Dr. Henderson the past seven years, it is clear that he is uniquely qualified to serve this lauded institution as it continues toward an even brighter future,” Board Chair Liz Pierre said.  

“As an alumnus and resident of the Ruston community, I couldn’t be more excited for Tech’s future,” Board member Steve Davison said. “The university has thrived under Les’ leadership and Jim is poised to build on that foundation which will lead to even more growth and innovation.” 

Last month, Dr. Les Guice announced his intention to retire from Louisiana Tech at the end of the year. 

“It has been my honor to serve the Tech community for more than 45 years, 10 of those as president, and seven of those under the leadership of Dr. Henderson,” Guice said. “I appreciate the Board’s thoughtfulness and am confident in Jim’s ability to lead this institution I hold so dear. I look forward to working with him throughout the transition and beyond.”  

Henderson, a Shreveport native, previously served as president of Northwestern State University and Bossier Parish Community College. Both institutions experienced significant enrollment growth during his tenure. 

“Our student body is excited to welcome Dr. Henderson to the Louisiana Tech community,” SGA President Connor Smith said. “In our interactions, I have experienced the same warmth and approachability we have enjoyed with our current president. I look forward to working with him to celebrate Tech’s achievement and navigate any challenges ahead.”   

With a diverse community of students, Louisiana Tech is committed to quality in teaching, research, creative activity, public service and economic development.  

“I’ve worked closely with Dr. Henderson on various System initiatives during my tenure at Louisiana Tech,” Dr. Jamie Newman, professor of biology and Universities of Louisiana Management & Leadership Institute participant, said. “I believe he will bring with him new energy and will support our faculty in elevating the university’s most important work, its academic mission.” 

With a community population just over 22,000, Louisiana Tech is vital to the Ruston community. 

“I have known Jim for many years and am excited to welcome him to Ruston to lead Louisiana Tech,” Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker said. “Louisiana Tech is the economic driver for our city and we look forward to working with Dr. Henderson to continue the close relationship between Tech and the City of Ruston.” 

“I have known Dr. Jim Henderson for many years beginning with his chancellorship at Bossier Parish Community College to his presidency at Northwestern and now as president of the University of Louisiana System,” Regent Bob Levy, Ruston community member, said. “I believe he has the talent and vision to lead Louisiana Tech into even greater successes in the near future and beyond. I am fully confident that Jim will provide another chapter to Tech’s line of great presidents.” 

Henderson will begin his role as president on January 1.  

Gallot appointed as UL System president

/ Megan Lowe

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System unanimously voted to appoint Rick Gallot as its new System president during a Wednesday night special meeting in Baton Rouge. Gallot is the sitting president at Grambling State University and previously represented Grambling and northeast Louisiana in both the state Senate and House of Representatives.  

“Rick’s long career of servant leadership to our state prepared him well for this role,” Board Chair Liz Pierre said. “After thoughtful consideration, the Board believes President Gallot is best positioned to lead the University of Louisiana System to new heights in the coming years.”

Named Grambling’s 10th president in 2016, Gallot led the institution through a period of historic growth including setting new enrollment records and a 200 percent improvement in the institution’s fiscal health score.  

“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, faculty, staff and Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System,” Gallot said. “The sense of Systemness created by Dr. Henderson is something I look forward to carrying on by leveraging the collective strength of 90,000 students as the driver of higher education in the state of Louisiana.”

Gallot earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Grambling and a juris doctorate from Southern University School of Law. He is currently pursuing a doctorate of organizational leadership from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla. He has also completed leadership training from Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

He will succeed Dr. Jim Henderson whom the Board named earlier this evening to fill the presidential vacancy at Louisiana Tech University. Information about the search to replace Gallot at Grambling will be announced at a later date.                            

“Rick is ideally suited to carry on this work and take it to the next level,” said current UL System President and CEO Dr. Jim Henderson. “His character, leadership acumen, and political instincts will ensure the UL System continues to advance at an even more rapid pace.”

Gallot will begin his new role January 1. 

Notice of Death – October 25, 2023

/ NPJ

Russell Warren Durr
August 13, 1948 — October 20, 2023
Service: Thursday, October 26, 2023, 2pm at Beulah Methodist Church

Mr. Lonnie Clarkson
June 6, 1958 ~ October 20, 2023
Service: Saturday, October 28, 2023, 11am at Chapel of Heavenly Gates, Shreveport.

Hayden Tyler McCrocklin
July 17, 2003 — October 23, 2023
Service: Saturday, October 28, 2023, 2pm at Henrietta Congregational Methodist Church, Converse.

Thomas McDonald
December 6, 1950 — October 21, 2023
Service: Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 1pm at Calvary Baptist Church, Homer.

Robert Aldine Posey
November 16, 1934 — October 18, 2023
Service: Thursday, November 2, 2023, 1pm at Bellaire Baptist Church, Bossier City.

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)

Major fire destroys five businesses on Benton Road

/ Megan Lowe
The Bossier City Fire Department recently responded to a call of a commercial fire. The first arriving engine arrived in two minutes and reported “heavy smoke and flames visible.” After the initial report there was a call for a second alarm. 
 
Reports say the fire started at the Benton Road Auto Repair. This building, as well as the other businesses involved, sustained either very heavy or total damage. The owner of the repair shop is James Scotto. This is a third generation business. 
 
Other businesses involved were a salon, grooming, exterminating business and a State Farm Insurance office. There were no injuries reported. The fire is still under investigation.

Local man’s love story makes for a good country song

/ NPJ
GONE TO TEXAS: Shreveport’s Joe Darwin is a Top 10 finalist for the Texas Country Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year award. (Submitted Photo)

BY TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Sports

Pulling me – Pulling me to Texas.
Yeah, I’m gone – I’m gone – I’m gone to Texas.
It’s Texas on my mind and the late night calls.
It’s the miles between us and the steps to fall.
If you could hear the silent wish I make – for Texas.

For seven-and-a-half years, two or three times a week, Shreveport’s Joe Darwin drove back and forth to Longview, Texas.

Not for work, but for love.

Putting 50,000 miles on his 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee paid off when Joe and his girlfriend, Diana, married in 2021.

A (semi) long distance relationship. Rubber meeting road. Early mornings and rainy nights. Sounds like a story which would make good country song.

Darwin thought the same.

Gone to Texas has Darwin, Vice President of Logistics for AFS Logistics, a Top 10 nominee for Songwriter of the Year by the Texas Country Music Association (TCMA). The winner, from 342 songs entered, will be announced November 12th during Texas Country Music Weekend at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

“As I researched it, the other nine songwriters are professional, touring musicians and singer/songwriters,” Darwin told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. “So, I thought that was a real honor that (the TCMA) saw something in the song and the lyrics and the melody that put it up there with really some of these other accomplished songwriters.”

Darwin met Diana, a first-grade school teacher, while filling in for a band as its drummer. The group was playing at a steakhouse in Longview, where Darwin sat at the bar and had dinner before the show.

“She was there with several of her teacher friends. We just happened to strike up a conversation. I never told her I played in the band. That’s not my day job, so I didn’t want anyone to think I was a starving musician.”

Darwin was only with the band a couple of months, but that was long enough for he and Diana to get to know each other.

“One thing led to another. During breaks I would go sit at the table and we would chit chat. Ultimately, it led to going out a few times. The wheels kept turning, the ball kept rolling downhill, and ultimately, we dated for seven-and-a-half years while her girls were in school. She wanted them to be out of school before she moved anywhere.”

Thus the 90-month Interstate 20 courtship, which gave Darwin time to contemplate while sitting behind the wheel.

“The song is written about all those hour and 15-20 minute drives, thinking about, “’Am I doing the right thing? Is this the right thing? Is this the right thing for me? Is this the right thing for her? (All) the complex emotions that come into play, and ultimately coming to the realization , ‘Yes this is the right path to take. I’m on the right road.’”

Gone to Texas is part of an eight-song CD titled The Joe Darwin Project—Sixty Years On. It was the folks at Steel Records Studios in Grand Cane, Louisiana, where the CD was recorded, who submitted the song for Songwriter of the Year consideration.

“I’m from Louisiana, but I’ve played music in Texas my whole life,” said Steel Records Studios’ co-owner, producer, and engineer Kyle Roop. “As soon as I heard the song, it reminded me of going down (Interstate) 20, sunny and 75, with the windows down, just jammin’ this song. I could just see that scene of myself in a car, windows down, going to Texas.”

Roop doesn’t think the TCMA judges will use a secret formula when deciding who wins Songwriter of the Year.

“I think ultimately, it’s hearing a song, and wanting to hear it again. I call that “Replay Value”. If a song doesn’t have replay value, it’s not a great song. If you hear a song and you want to hear it again, then it’s a great song. It doesn’t matter who produced it, who wrote it, who sang it. If you want to hear it again – for me, if I was a judge – I would ask, ‘Do I want to listen to this again?’”

Darwin’s played around with music most of his life. He played drums in high school and college and in the years which followed, earning a little pocket change along the way.

“I was self-taught on piano and guitar. I would hear melodies in my head and begin to plunk them out and figure out chord structures. I just taught myself basically from melodies in my head how chord structures are formulated. I began to put some things down on paper. None of it was that complex, but it was just melodies in my head, and creating the chord structure to match the melodies in my head. Based on what I felt like what the tone of the song was, I crafted lyrics to match that tone or feeling or emotion within that melody.”

Darwin says Gone to Texas – which has an accompanying music video on YouTube – has been downloaded on Spotify and Pandora at least 500 times. Darwin says he’s received a lot of compliments from people who have heard the song. But none of that has the 62-year-old thinking about being gone to Nashville to try and make it big.

“It was a moment in time, something I enjoyed doing, understanding I’m never going to make a living at it, nor did I ever intend to. It was a fun project to undertake, complete, and see the results of. I don’t think I have the desire to put forth the amount of effort it would take to reproduce something else of a similar caliber. You have to remember I wrote this stuff over 10 years. I’ve written maybe 40 songs, and we chose eight of them.”

Darwin is amazed how band members can spend their whole life writing songs for a successful first album, then be expected to turn out a second album of equal caliber just months later.

“You have to be inspired. Things have to come to you. I’m not that proficient where I can just sit down and start pumping things out. Things come to me maybe sitting on an airplane. I hear a melody in my

head and I will sing it into my phone. I will come back home and plunk it out on the piano and figure out what the chord structure would be to match the melody. It doesn’t happen that often.”

So, Darwin will settle for a little hometown recognition.

“It’s been somewhat surprising, and really an honor that others have liked it, they consume it, and it’s been recognized as something way beyond whatever I thought it would be.”

Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com

Join Caddo/Bossier Parish heroes on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Team

/ Megan Lowe

By Greg Burke

Caddo and Bossier Parish residents no doubt take immense pride in home grown athletes and others who made their mark in the parish. The long list of those who have been recognized for their accomplishments through induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame includes Alana Beard, Todd Walker, David Toms, Hal Sutton, Robert Parish, Wendell Davis, Coach Lee Hedges, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Ferguson, Leo Sanford, Stan Humphries, Joe Delaney, Phil Robertson, Tim Brando, Bob Griffin, Teddy Allen and many more.

For years, the only point of recognition for those honorees was in trophy cases at Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum. In 2013, recognition of Louisiana’s greatest athletes took a monumental step forward with the opening of the state-funded 27,000 square foot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches’ downtown historic district.

In addition to being open to visitors and for group tours, the museum has hosted events such as the recent 50th anniversary commemoration of singer Jim Croce’s untimely death after performing at NSU, wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners, meetings, and other functions.

The first-ever Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame “Join the Team” membership drive – which research shows is standard for most hall of fame museums – has been initiated to secure resources which can be used to update and upgrade the museum. State funding underwrites basic operating costs for the museum
but there are often inadequate funds to enhance the museum, especially in this age of “bells and whistles” (aka “technology”). Log on to LaSportsHall.com and click the “Join the Team” button or text LSHOFTEAM to 41444 to “Join the Team.” Checks can be mailed to 500 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457.

While today’s technology comes at a cost, the “asking price” for Hall of Fame membership can be as little as $10 per month. Member benefits include official Hall of Fame team member gear, the opportunity to win monthly drawings, discounts on merchandise and other amenities. 2023 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductees Alana Beard – Shreveport (Southwood High School), Duke University, and 15-year WNBA standout – along with two-time LSU national champion and 14-year Major League Baseball pitcher Paul Byrd, are Honorary Co-Chairs of the inaugural membership campaign.

And if that isn’t attractive enough, members who sign up by December 31 of this year will be entered in a January 1 drawing for the “Ultimate 2024 Hall of Fame Weekend Experience,” which includes two tickets to all induction weekend events, a photo with your favorite 2024 Hall of Famer (Drew Brees…Seimone Augustus…Daniel Cormier…or another inductee…your choice!) and exclusive access to some events. The value of that package is close to $1,000!

The initial goal is a very conservative and surely attainable 100 members. This museum is our state’s pride and joy, a legacy locker room for its greatest athletes that celebrates excellence from all 64 parishes, from Ida to Grand Isle, from Lake Providence to Lake Charles. Statewide ownership will ensure that just as Louisiana athletes are among the best from coast to coast, the same can always be said about its Sports Hall of Fame Museum.

Greg Burke is Director of Business Development and Public Relations for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation. He was formerly Director of Athletics at Northwestern State University for 26 years. Burke can be contacted at gregburke@lasportshall.com

‘We just got beat by a better writer today …’ 

/ Megan Lowe

Just once I’d like to see the tables turned in a sports interview.  

I’d like to hear a sportswriter sort of look down and, not defeated but definitely dejected, mumble into the microphone after a poorly written game story, “I just didn’t have my good verbs today. No movement with my action verbs at all. I was missing early in the story with my helping verbs so I couldn’t really set up what’s been my bread-and-butter action verbs like ‘pitched’ and ‘hit.’ It is what it is, I guess…” 

Just once… 

Part of sports is that familiar give-and-take between players/managers and writers/broadcasters before and after games, familiar and routine as batting practice or pregame warmups. 

Monday night after a Game 7 rout by Texas in the American League Championship Series, baseball’s and Houston’s much beloved Dusty Baker, manager of the defending World Series champs but losers in Monday night’s series-deciding game, deftly dodged questions about some of his in-game decisions, decisions that landed somewhere between strange and bizarre, especially for a future Hall-of-Famer who played 19 seasons and has since managed teams to more than 2,000 wins. 

Dusty said something about fans having been “spoiled around here, as far as winning,” how the Astros have “nothing to be ashamed of,” how they were beaten “by a better team tonight.” And on like that. Which is fine. No excuses, but no real explanations either. 

Just to keep things even, writers should have to do the same now and then. Instead of hanging around the batting cage—let’s say we’re talking baseball here—maybe now and then the manager comes to the press box and says to the writer, “Your game story this morning, it seemed flat. Sally’s story in The Tribune, it was like reading music. Felt like I was at the game. What’s your evaluation of what happened?” 

Writer: “Look, Sally’s a good writer and she was the better typist last night,” the writer says, studying his shoes. “I had some opportunities in my lead and didn’t take advantage of those. As the story went on, I had decent command of my nouns, even the Proper Nouns, but my verbs were all over the place. I let that one adjective get away from me in — I think it was the third graph — and after that it seemed I couldn’t find my rhythm or my butt with both hands. 

“It’s like I told the staff after the paper came out, I’ve got to do my job, sure, but we’ve got to have good layout too, maybe a few graphics … it takes a team. This isn’t a one-man show. But the bottom line is I’ve got to do better. I can’t just throw my laptop out there and expect to win.” 

Coach: “Any thoughts on how home press box proved to be no advantage at all this series?” 

Writer: “That’s writing. That’s just writing. My splitting an infinitive and giving a clause away when I hung that preposition late didn’t help, but I think the fight was there: we just didn’t execute at the level we’re capable of.” 

Coach: “Your pronoun use has been a strong suit all year. Do you think you landed those today?” 

Writer: “My subjective pronouns were as good as they’ve been all year. But somewhere around the eighth sentence, my objective pronouns were flat as a crewcut and the one time I used a possessive case and then a nominative clause, well, those weren’t worth donating to the homeless. Anything else guys?” 

Coach: “Thanks, Writer. Good luck tomorrow.” 

Writer: “Thanks guys. I appreciate y’all. Just wasn’t our day. But we don’t have anything to be ashamed of. Outside of getting the final score wrong … Sorry about that. Wish I had that one back.” 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

Manning keeps rolling along as Benton surge continues

/ Megan Lowe
MANNING THE RECORD BOOK: Benton’s Greg Manning is climbing up the rushing charts. (Journal photo by JOHN JAMES MARSHALL)

By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports

About that nickname of “Tudda” …  Benton’s Greg Manning says he has no idea where it came from, who gave it to him and, for that matter, what it actually means.

Which is a little unusual, because when you talk about Greg Manning, the running back, everything is about as straight forward as it can be.

That’s obvious, since he says his favorite thing about football is “running over people” when he is carrying the ball.

“I don’t really get to do that too often,” Manning says, “So I just try to make a big play.”

Head coach Reynolds Moore knows something else that’s obvious about Manning. “He wants the ball and it’s not in a selfish way,” Moore says. “He’s never asked me how many yards he has or anything like that. He’s one of my favorites I’ve ever coached.”

Through three wild years of Benton football, Manning has been a constant. Last year, when the Tigers were averaging more than a point a minute with frenetic offense, Manning was there to take care of the running game and get the tough yards.

This year, when things started a little shaky for the Tigers as they tried to adjust to some serious graduation losses (only five returning starters), there was Manning piling up yard after yard, carry after carry. Even on kickoff and punt returns, where Moore says the goal is “to get the ball in the hands of Number 1 as often as possible.”

Lately, Benton has undergone a resurgence, winning their last three games to even the record at 4-4 and 3-2 in District 1-5A. And Manning hasn’t missed a beat. A week ago against Haughton, he accounted for five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) and rushed for 138 yards in a 62-41 win.

And if you think five touchdowns in a game is a big deal, strap in for this: Last year, he scored eight in one game (seven rushing, one receiving).

Manning has now taken to assaulting the Caddo-Bossier record book. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Manning is currently in sixth place in career rushing and will be looking to move up that ladder when the Tigers take on Captain Shreve Friday night at Jerry Burton Stadium on the campus of Northwood.

This season, he has 1,201 yards on 193 carries and 19 touchdowns, He also had 27 catches for 354 yards and two scores.

He’ll first try to break the school rushing record (he needs 71 yards to break the record of 3,822 yards by Demond Wheatley) and then will need to get 277 to move into second-place in Caddo Bossier history.

“But we are going into the last two weeks against two of the best run defenses we will face all year in Shreve and Parkway,” Moore said. “So that will make it tougher.”

He is also more of the focus of opposing teams than a year ago. (But he scored 33 touchdowns last year, so it wasn’t like nobody noticed him.) “It’s very different (than last year),” Manning says. “But I approached this season the same as I did last year.”

“He just goes so hard all the time,” Moore says. “There is not a time when you could ask for more from him. There’s never any question about whether there is anything left in the tank. He plays with all heart.”

But with all the records and honors and recognition Manning has received in football, he will admit that his favorite sport is “probably basketball” as he is the point guard on the Tigers’ team.

“When you see him in the hallway, he moves kind of slow,” Moore says. “And he might be the last guy off the bus and can be nonchalant about it. But when it comes time, he has been that guy who has gotten it done.”

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

Open date brings wide open question about LSU cornerbacks

/ Megan Lowe
SURROUNDED: LSU football coach Brian Kelly is surrounded by players here, but he’s not surrounded by many healthy cornerbacks going into an open weekend. (Photo by GUS STARK, LSU Athletics)

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – When it concerns the current open date roll call of available LSU cornerbacks for the 15th-ranked Tigers as they prepare for a Nov. 4 season-shifting showdown at No. 9 Alabama, LSU head coach Brian Kelly remained a man of mystery during his Tuesday afternoon press conference.

What about starting corner Zy Alexander, the Southeastern Louisiana transfer who was helped off the field last Saturday against Army after sustaining an injury on his first half-ending interception?

“He’s going to miss some time, he’s got a lower-body injury,” Kelly said. “(Starting defensive tackle) Mehki Wingo has a got a lower-body injury as well. Both those guys are missing, both are not practicing. We’ll see what happens next week.”

What’s going on with transfer cornerbacks Denver Harris of Texas A&M and Duce Chestnut of Syracuse? Harris wasn’t seen on the sideline against Army and Chestnut has been invisible for almost a month.

“I know a lot of people have questions about their status,” Kelly said. “All I can say is that they’re on scholarship. They’re enrolled in school. Right now, they’re not participating.

“They’re still in the program. They’re still in good standing. But they’re not able to play right now. So, let’s leave it at that. Let’s be patient and we’ll see what happens.”

For now, LSU’s cornerback mix (besides using sophomore safety Sage Ryan as a starting corner), according to Kelly are true freshmen Ashton Stamps, Javien Toviano and Jeremiah Hughes and sophomore Laterrance Welsh.

The combined number of starts this season for the latter four names is one – Stamps’ start vs. Ole Miss – before he injured a groin and missed the last three games.

“We feel like all of them are capable of playing championship football,” Kelly said. “It’s our job to get them ready. And they’re excited. We’re excited about working with them and we expect them to play well for us.

“They’ve been here (on campus) for a while. They know what our expectations and standards are. It’s not like we’re breaking the glass here and rolling them out.

“They’ve been observing, they’ve been part of it. They’ve been traveling, they know what it’s like, and we feel like they’re ready to play.

“I think that these guys, given the opportunity now, are prepared and ready to play. Now, it’s getting them ready to step on the field in front of 80 or 90,000 people against, a top-10 football team. It’s a little bit different there, but I’ve got great confidence in their ability.”

Even though the Tigers’ last two opponents Auburn and Army rank Nos. 121 and No. 127 respectively in passing offense among 130 FBS (Division 1-A) teams, Kelly said LSU’s defense (especially the secondary) has improved the last 2½ games dating back to the Tigers’ Oct. 7 win at Missouri.

“We got three interceptions in the back end of our secondary and two or three PBU’s (vs. Army, primarily a running team),” Kelly said. “We played good pass defense against Auburn (allowed 154 yards and a TD) and we had a couple of interceptions at Missouri (while also giving up 411 passing yards, 2 TDs).

“I think our defensive structure needed to be clearly defined (sticking to a 4-3 base defense), putting the pieces together in a manner that allowed our guys to trust each other, and do their jobs as 1/11th of the group. It allowed us to build confidence as a group.

“And then you got to make some plays, right? We made some plays. Structure, trust and making plays – those three components coming together – have allowed this defense to play better now.

“Again, we have a long way to go. We’re going to play some really good football teams. We have four games left and we put ourselves in a position. Now, we’ve got to see where we are over the last month.”

Here’s Kelly on other subjects:

On Alabama’s first-year offensive coordinator and QB coach Tommy Rees, who played QB for Kelly at Notre Dame from 2010-13 and was on his coaching staff including the last two seasons under Kelly as offensive coordinator:

“He’s just a very insightful, smart, intuitive football person. He knows the game. He brings much more than just being a guy that knows football. We’ve seen what he’s done with the (Alabama) quarterback, and he’s gotten better and better each week.

“I played (Rees) him as a true freshman and he was ready to play as a true freshman at Notre Dame. That says a lot about who he is as a person. He’s always been ahead of the curve when it comes to things like that.”

On the progress of the offensive line, even without starting right tackle Emery Jones Jr., who missed the Army game with an injured ankle:

“It’s probably much more about consistency and performance than it is any one individual. They’re really confident in what they’re doing and how they’re doing it. They communicate really well and pass off stunts, they work combinations really well. They just work as five really well.

“And even when you take an Emery Jones out of it, you know (Lance) Heard steps in there and it almost seems he’s been there, though he’s just a true freshman.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

What happens before the game can settle nerves, or provide an edge

/ Megan Lowe

JOURNAL SPORTS

Things happen in the run-up to kickoff of every football game. Teams have routines, established by their coaches – from the timeline for game day to how they conduct warmups.

Sometimes, there are rituals, motivational or just something subtle that is a good luck charm. It may be a team-wide act, or a personal habit insignificant to anyone else. It could be a superstition.

This week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Coaches’ Roundtable question: do you have a pregame ritual or routine you’ll share? Or something you’ve seen from an old teammate, another coach, or a player, something that impressed or amused you?

CHASE THOMPSON, North Caddo – “I think pregame routines are a great tool to keep your athletes feeling a sense of normalcy. Gameday can be stressful on your student-athletes, and having a structured pregame routine helps to counteract some of those nervous feelings.

“A good pregame routine should feel like an abbreviated version of your day-to-day practice. This hopefully keeps your athletes mentally ready to compete and maintains the status quo of operation within the team.”

AUSTIN BROWN, Northwood – “Early on gameday, I try to do stuff that’s not football related. Find some rabbit holes on YouTube, yard work, grade school work.

“As the day goes on, I begin to review the week’s work, notes, game plan, etc. ….”

DENNY DURON, Evangel – “The last thing we do before hitting the field is Corporate Worship!

“We put a video of a worship band on the screen … put our helmets on and sing along until it’s time to go, and we leave the fieldhouse running.”

STEPHEN DENNIS, Huntington – “As a player in college, I listened to Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Bulls on Parade’ right before we went out before every game. Now I like to have 5-10 minutes of quiet in my office. Quiet is the exact opposite of that song!!”

GARY COOPER, Booker T. Washington – “I had an Arena teammate who would lay his uniform completely out, accessories and all, before he got dressed.

“Recently, the other team’s coach paced from sideline to sideline the entire pregame. It looked like a ritual to me, or a habit. I have my own: I do everything left-side first.”

JUSTIN SCOGIN, Airline – “At 5 p.m., I take an Advocare Slam along with a safeguard for the night. I’m not superstitious — that’s the only thing I really do that is repetitive.”

JAMES BRADFORD JR., Green Oaks –– “I know a coach who had these same socks with holes in them that he kept wearing while we were winning.

“One that was weird but worked: one year, a seasoned coach gave me, the young assistant coach, a dry erase marker and said, ‘hey, give it to me in the first quarter.’ The first time it was because he didn’t want to lose it, but we kept winning, so that routine continued all the way to state.

“Now, I pack my track bag with all my quick needs and supplies in it, and one of my trainer girls wears it throughout the game just in case.”

ADAM KIRBY, Captain Shreve – “I have to listen to the song ‘Black’ by NBA Youngboy, and then right before kickoff, after the coin toss, I pray for safety and a clear head.”

THEDRICK HARRIS, Woodlawn – “I’ve seen plenty from coaches and players, from wearing the same dirty socks each week to eating the same breakfast every Friday. I’m not a big believer in luck, but if it gives someone a psychological boost, then more power to them.”

REYNOLDS MOORE, Benton – “This is hilarious and there’s no way I’m listing everything. I’ve found I’m almost OCD, and breaking my routine throws me off, so I do the exact same thing starting Thursday night until post game Friday night.

“I’m not superstitious — just a little ‘stitious! It’s really not superstition. It’s just me being so routine-oriented.”

COY BROTHERTON, Parkway – “I’m not real big on superstitions. I have seen some coaches that go way overboard on doing the same thing every week.

“I try to stay busy on gameday and not think about the game much. About the only consistent thing I do each week is eat a Snickers and drink a Monster.”

JASON BROTHERTON, Haughton – “Medium Coke Icee before every game.

“Wonder if I can get an NIL deal? Lol!”