December 26, 2023
Month: December 2023
What’s Your Story? Rebecca Bonnevier, General Manager, Brookshire Grocery Arena
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
There are all kinds of ways to get someone’s attention.
In 1997, Rebecca Bonnevier used a pizza to get noticed. Her boldness and creativity led to a very successful, 25-year (and counting) career in a male-dominated field.
Rebecca and her husband, Ernie, who is from Mooringsport (and to whom Rebecca often refers to as “My Smokin’ Hot Husband”), had moved back to the Shreveport-Bossier City area from Pennsylvania, Rebecca’s home state.
One day, Ernie told Rebecca about a new arena being built in Bossier, and that there was a job opening for a marketing director.
“I called over there and they said they didn’t know if they were taking any more applications because they already had a lot of applications,” Rebecca remembered. “I got off the phone and said, ‘Man, that’s something I would really love.’ I looked at my watch, and it was 11:30. I got in my car, drove to Pizza Hut, and got a large pepperoni pizza. I drove to their office, knocked on the door, went in, and said, ‘I brought you a nice, hot, pepperoni pizza for lunch if you’re interested. And by the way, here’s my resume’.'”
Score one for The Hut.
“It got me the interview and it got me the job.”
Rebecca is now General Manager of Brookshire Grocery Arena (BGA), a 14,000-seat venue which hosts some of the country’s biggest entertainment acts. She told me her story over lunch at the now-closed Twisted Root Burger Company on Line Avenue in Shreveport.
ASM Global, the management company for which Rebecca has worked her entire entertainment career, has some 350 arenas around the world. Rebecca estimates less than 10 of those arenas have female general managers, including herself. That she is one of them is impressive to others, but Rebecca refuses to pat herself on the back.
“I feel God will reward me and I don’t need to say things to myself because I don’t want to become big-headed or anything. I am just grateful for the opportunities I have.”
Those opportunities began when, after graduating from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, Rebecca went to work managing a kite shop, which included handling its marketing and public relations. She met Ernie at a gym. He was in town trying to make it as a semi-professional football player. After dating four years, they got married, and lived in Pennsylvania seven years before moving back south to be closer to Ernie’s daughters. After returning to northwest Louisiana, Rebecca had a couple of different jobs before finding her happy place.
“I was working at a retirement home, and I was sad because everybody I was talking with was losing their houses — they had to give up their independence — so they would be sad. I was getting so depressed. I wanted to work somewhere where there was Mickey Mouse, and I wanted to do something that brings people joy. I allow myself to feel so much of other people’s pain. It was every day, and I just got so depressed.”
Rebecca worked as the arena’s (Bossier City Arena, CenturyTel Center, CenturyLink Center) marketing director for five years. But on a visit back home, she stumbled across an opportunity to further her career and be closer to her aging parents. For 10 years, Rebecca was general manager of an arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
But after a decade, she and Ernie had grandkids in Shreveport-Bossier and did not want to be so far from them.
“We had been praying about it and asking God to make a way for us to be closer to our grandchildren.”
Rebecca didn’t think the GM of the Bossier arena would be leaving any time soon, so she interviewed for jobs at other arenas within driving distance of Shreveport-Bossier.
Then one day, she got a call.
“It was corporate. They said, ‘Would you be interested in Bossier City?'”
It’s here when Rebecca starts crying, the first of a few times tears flowed during our conversation.
“God is so good. He didn’t just put me back in the state, he put me in the city where my grandkids were.”
By now, you may have noticed Rebecca often speaks of God. She is a strong person of faith — a faith developed in her mid-20’s.
“When my husband and I were dating, I remember my grandmother saying one day, ‘My church is having a bible study. Would you like to come?’ . . . . That changed my life. That brought me into such a deep faith. There have been so many times in my life (when I’ve gone through) hard, difficult things. But it was the faith I was able to establish back then (that I relied on.) That’s when my relationship with Christ became so real.”
Rebecca is in her ninth year running BGA. Some nights, she’s in her office until 11 o’clock. Whenever the arena hosts an event (usually weekend nights), Rebecca is there. Hard work and long hours have led to her success, but the daughter of a lab technician (mother) and an electrician (father) has had to prove herself throughout the years — especially to the opposite sex.
“Times are different today than they were a few years ago. Sometimes I had to talk like a man to be able to sit at a table, and that meant sometimes using words that are not so pretty. But I had to show them I wasn’t a wimpy girl who couldn’t handle sitting at the table. Now, as I’m aging (she recently turned 57 years old), I feel like it’s not as attractive to use those kind of words. So, I’ve been training myself to not let them fly.”
By the nature of what she does, Rebecca has rubbed shoulders with some big-time performers, including James Taylor, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney.
“He (McCartney) doesn’t take a lot of pictures with a lot of people . . . . It was arranged for me to meet him and get a picture taken. It was me, my boss, and one or two other people. We were getting ready to get our picture taken and I was very nervous. He said, ‘Come on!’ and told me to get right next to him. I was standing away a little bit because I was nervous. He was like, ‘A little closer. A little closer.’ I moved over a little bit and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid.’ He reached over, grabbed my hand, and pulled me close. In the picture, you can see him holding my hand. I keep telling everyone that song I Want to Hold Your Hand is about me.”
After a good laugh, I asked Rebecca my final question. As always, what is it about your story that can be an inspiration to others?
“Faith in God, and perseverance. I think people want to give up sometimes. Giving up can mean switching jobs. I’m not saying there’s never a time somebody might switch, but in my career and in my marriage and family, I’ve gone through some really stinky periods. I have a strong faith in God, and I get my strength from him. Even though there are some days I get up and don’t want to go, I persevere. I never give up . . . . I’m not a sprinter, but I’m a long-distance runner.”
Do you know someone who has a story to tell? Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com
SBJ’s Weekly Restaurant Review: Bayou Deli & Casserole Shop
By Anon E. Muss, Journal Services
Some of the best food in Shreveport-Bossier, or anywhere for that matter, isn’t always found at a trendy restaurant in an upscale part of town.
Sometimes, it’s in a place best described as a hole-in-the-wall.
Bayou Deli & Casserole Shop (637 East Kings Highway) is on a street I travel often. Yet, it’s a place in which I had never eaten. The building is small, and from the outside, doesn’t look like much. But a couple of weeks before Christmas, and a lunch visit with a good friend long overdue, we decided to give Bayou Deli a try.
When I say small, I mean small. There are only 10 tables, with seating for 34 people. Despite only two others eating while we were there on a Tuesday at Noon, the restaurant felt cramped. If you want to have a private conversation with your dining partner, this probably isn’t the place.
But Deli’s size is part of its charm, along with the green and white checkered tablecloths under glass, and its counter where you place your order. There’s also a drive-thru window, which is in clear view from most seats.
Being first-timers, we figured things out as we went. A server doesn’t take your order at your table. You place your order at the counter. But before you do, I suggest picking up a menu and taking it to your table. There, you can decide what you would like, because it will probably take you a while.
There are 26 — that’s right, 26 — hot and cold sandwiches to satisfy your appetite. Then there’s a Cajun Bowl, with your choice of shrimp or crawfish etouffee.
After taking our time to choose what to eat, we were ready. I ordered the Bayou Muffaletta. In full disclosure, I had seen a picture of it on social media, and it looked great. The muffaletta was described on the menu as having ham, salami, mozzarella, olive mix, and a touch of yellow mustard on a Muffaletta roll ($12.95).
All sandwiches come with your choice of Lay’s Potato Chips, Potato Salad, or Cole Slaw. I chose slaw.
It was a little chilly this particular day, so I wanted to warm up with an eight-ounce cup of Chicken & Sausage Gumbo ($5.95). While I failed to tell Kacie, who took our order and served our food, I wanted my gumbo first, she read my mind. Not long after we ordered, here came Kacie carrying a styrofoam container with smoke rising from a dark rue.
I love when food which is supposed to be hot is served hot. And the gumbo was served hot! It also had healthy helpings of rice, chicken, and sausage. The overall taste was a bit bland. However, the previous day at a restaurant, I had a bowl of gumbo which was one of the worst bowls of gumbo I have ever had. So by comparison, this bowl of gumbo wasn’t bad at all.
The muffaletta looked just like the picture. There were generous portions of everything promised. The muffaletta roll was toasted and crunchy — especially around the edges. It was everything you would expect from a muffaletta. However,
I found the taste to also be somewhat bland. Maybe my taste buds were having an off day.
The slaw was nothing special. It didn’t have any kick, and came in a small, vertical container. The slaw served its purpose as a side.
My friend went with the Cuban Pirogue ($11.95). It usually comes with pork roast, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, all on a sub roll, which is Panini-pressed. But my friend isn’t a fan of mustard. He expressed that to Kacie, and she offered to substitute it with mayonnaise. He went with chips for his side.
My friend told me he had not ordered a Cuban sandwich in awhile because “sometimes places don’t get it right. I took a chance because of the picture of their Cuban sandwich online. It was a full sandwich which took two hands to hold, and was loaded with plenty of meat. It was filling, warm, and tasty. Every bite was worth it.”
He also ordered a cup of gumbo. He said he thought it was “the right amount for an appetizer. I liked the consistency and thickness. It wasn’t soupy.”
For dessert, Bayou Deli offers four choices: a cookie (Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, or White Chocolate Macadamia), a Seven-Layer Brownie, or a slice of pie (Apple or Cherry). Kacie said the pies were homemade, which is why we chose one slice of apple and one slice of cherry. However, there must have been a misunderstanding, as a later conversation revealed the pies are not made in-store.
Nevertheless, we weren’t disappointed, although my friend enjoyed the slices (we shared) more than me.
“The apple pie had the right amount of sweetness, without it being too much,” he said. “The crust was the perfect amount of flaky and crispy.”
The cost of our lunch before tip and taxes was $46.70. Yes, that’s a lot (I think) for two people to have lunch. But, we had gumbo and pie in addition to our main meal. That’s certainly not necessary. Just the two sandwiches with sides would have been $26.90 (including two waters at $1 each). These days, lunch for two is seldom under $30.
Here’s one thing I appreciated about our visit. My buddy and I had not seen each other in a couple of months, so there was plenty of catching up to do. So much so that we were in the restaurant for two-and-a-half hours. Not once did we feel rushed, and not once did Kacie subtly suggest we hurry it up. Maybe it’s because we were the only ones there most of the time. But still, we were allowed the opportunity to eat and take our time talking.
So, I give Bayou Deli & Casserole Shop Three Forks. There are too many sandwich places to make an out-of-the-way trip to Bayou Deli. But, if I am in the area and want a good sandwich — and a hot bowl of gumbo — I would not hesitate to stop in. Heck, there are 25 more sandwiches to try.
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
Evangel’s Reliford chosen 4A All-State defensive MVP
JOURNAL SPORTS
Evangel Christian defensive end Gabriel Reliford, an LSU signee, has garnered the state’s Outstanding Defensive Player award on the Class 4A All-State team distributed by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
The team was selected by a panel of sportswriters from across Louisiana.
The edge rusher racked up 122 tackles, including 71 solo, 29 for loss, with nine sacks, and forced three fumbles.
Reliford and his teammates finished 7-5, including a playoff win, for the second straight season after the Eagles went winless in their freshman season and finished 3-7 a year later.
His ECA teammate, senior linebacker Jamal Jordan, was also named to the first team all-state defense. Another Eagles standout, receiving record-breaker Parker Fulghum, made the first-team offense.
Four other local players were included as honorable mention selections: Quantravious Bradford and Tyler Welch of Huntington; Brandon Henderson from Woodlawn and Andrew Houston of Booker T. Washington.
Reliford will team up with the state’s Outstanding Offensive Player as LSU teammates, leading the Class 4A all-state team.
Lafayette Christian quarterback Ju’Juan Johnson capped a decorated and record-setting high school career. The LSU signee threw for 3,597 yards and 41 touchdowns and rushed for another 1,497 yards and 25 scores as a senior to help topple Louisiana’s long-standing career marks for total yardage and total touchdowns.
Johnson was among the state’s most dynamic playmakers at any level all season to help lead his Knights to a seventh straight state championship game. He will move to defense at LSU, projected to play cornerback and likely quickly to shore up the Tigers’ leaky secondary.
Opelousas alumnus Jimmy Zachery earned Coach of the Year honors after leading his alma mater to the Non-Select Division II title, the first football state championship in program history.
LSWA Class 4A All-State Chart
OFFENSE
Pos., Player, School Ht., Wt., Cl.
WR Cole Cory, North DeSoto 5-9, 175, Jr.
WR Parker Fulghum, Evangel 6-2, 180, Sr.
WR Kylin Wheeler, Rayne 5-11, 175, Jr.
OL Gage Caskey, North DeSoto 6-0, 255, Sr.
OL Ashton Helaire, St. Thomas More 6-3, 325, Sr.
OL Raymond Howard, Shaw 6-2, 280, Sr.
OL Joseph Milton, Opelousas 6-2, 282, Sr.
OL Jace Williams, Assumption 6-1, 280, Jr.
QB Ju’Juan Johnson, Lafayette Christian 5-11, 195, Sr.
RB Jaylon Coleman, Vandebilt Catholic 5-9, 160, Jr.
RB D’Shaun Ford, Opelousas 6-1, 210, Jr.
RB Xavier Ford, Leesville 5-11, 190, Jr.
PK Trey Furey, Belle Chasse 6-0, 175, Sr.
ATH Sam Altmann, St. Thomas More 6-3, 195, Sr.
DEFENSE
DL Melvin HIlls III, Lafayette Christian 6-3, 270, Sr.
DL Ted Jackson, West Feliciana 5-11, 240, Sr.
DL Gabriel Reliford, Evangel 6-2, 255, Sr.
DL Brody Whatley, Neville 6-5, 255, Jr.
LB Hayden Hernandez, St. Thomas More 6-0, 215, Sr.
LB Jamal Jordan, Evangel 6-3, 215, Sr.
LB Brody Latiolais, St. Thomas More 5-11, 195, Sr.
LB Brody Robichaux, Assumption 5-10, 200, Sr.
DB Lake Bates, North DeSoto 5-10, 180, Sr.
DB Brent Gordon, Cecilia 5-11, 180, Jr.
DB Ty Lee, Lafayette Christian 6-0, 180, Sr.
DB Ja’Corian Norris, Tioga 6-2, 185, Sr.
P Cameron Ott, Assumption 6-1, 170, Jr.
KR Ky’ree Paul, Istrouma 5-10, 175, Jr.
ATH Diesel Solari, Cecilia 5-8, 170, Jr.
Outstanding Offensive Player: Ju’Juan Johnson, Lafayette Christian
Outstanding Defensive Player: Gabe Reliford, Evangel
Coach of the Year: Jimmy Zachery, Opelousas
Honorable mention: Quantravious Bradford, Huntington; Tyler Welch, Huntington; Brandon Henderson, Woodlawn-Shreveport; Andrew Houston, Booker T. Washington; Kenny Thomas, North DeSoto; Chris Addison, Franklin Parish; Jakai Anderson, McDonogh 35; Kaleb Andrus, Tioga; Jason Banks, De La Salle; Paul Boudreaux, Vandebilt Catholic; Kamden Bourg, South Lafourche; Corey Broussard, Cecilia; Bradford Cain, Teurlings Catholic; Wade Cannon, St. Thomas More; Jalan Chapman, Warren Easton; Jackson Cordill, Franklin Parish; Luke Delafield, North DeSoto; Dartavin Depass, Peabody; Greg Donaldson, Warren Easton; Travis Esprit, Opelousas; Jacob Fairchild, Vandebilt Catholic; Izaiah Farley, Leesville; Korey Fontenot, Opelousas; Collin Fontenot, Opelousas; Jonathan Ford, Opelousas; Wallace Foster IV, Warren Easton; Kilas Francis, Shaw; Tavias Gordon, Westgate; Robert Graves, Neville; Jayden Hagger, Cecilia; Jackson Hedrick, Grant; T.J. Hullaby, Peabody; Chase Jacobs, Assumption; K.J. James, Teurlings Catholic; Jacobi Jefferson, Salmen; De’Myrion Johnson, Westgate; Maximus Kadrmas, Tioga; Alfred Kennedy, Assumption; Cleveland Latulas, Westgate; Dy’traevous Lively, Westgate; Charlie Mader, Teurlings Catholic; Tim Maxson, De La Salle; Dameon McCloud, McDonogh 35; Peyton McFarland, McDonogh 35; Brian McMillian, North DeSoto; Damon Narcisse, Salmen; Carson Orgeron, South Lafourche; Jasper Parker, Shaw; Bronson Patt, Cecilia; Santana Price, McDonogh 35; Taylor Quinn, Neville; Ben Ragas, Vandebilt Catholic; Kaileb Rayford, Salmen; Keidrick Richardson, De La Salle; Fred Robertson, Warren Easton; Joel Rogers, West Feliciana; Justin Ross, McDonogh 35; Markel Senegal, Washington-Marion; Kenias St. Romain, DeRidder; Tyrese Mosby, Plaquemine; Landon Strother, St. Thomas More; Hutch Swilley, St. Thomas More; John Martinez, St. Michael; Zyrian Taylor, Peabody; Reece Turner, Assumption; Landon Vallee, Grant; Eric Vories, Peabody; Damyren Washington, Booker T. Washington; Jayden Webb, Neville; Javion White, Franklin Parish; Mason Wilson, Shaw; Cody Beall, St. Michael; Landry Wyatt, North DeSoto.
Calvary’s Wardell, Guin land top honors on 2A All-State football team
JOURNAL SPORTS
Calvary dominated not only locally, but statewide in the 2023 prep football season and that was reflected when 10 Cavaliers and their coach were in the spotlight on the Class 2A All-State team announced over the weekend.
Junior quarterback Abram Wardell, who threw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes of the Division III select title game to lead a winning comeback, earned Outstanding Offensive Player honors on the 2A All-State team selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
That’s as many interceptions as he threw all season long as the Cavaliers finished unbeaten in 14 games. He was picked off in the season opener, and on a deflected pass in the Superdome in the state final.
Wardell, a junior, was the state’s second-leading passer (behind only Airline junior Ben Taylor) in all classifications with 3,883 yards in the air on an amazing 78 percent completion rate. He threw for 45 touchdowns on 266 completions in 340 attempts.
A panel of sportswriters from across the state selected St. Charles Catholic linebacker Kyle Cannon, who recorded 133 tackles (including 15 ½ for loss), five interceptions and two pick-6s, as the 2A Outstanding Defensive Player.
Calvary head coach Rodney Guin was named the Coach of the Year after leading a 14-0 season, including a 34-28 triumph over SCC, the previously unbeaten and defending state champ, in the 2A title game.
The Cavaliers landed seven players total on the all-state first team that featured Wardell.
CBA’s leading receiver Aubrey Hermes, running back James Simon and lineman Jimmy Wright made the team on offense. The Cavs’ three defensive players chosen included lineman Ethan Sands, linebacker Hutch Grace and defensive back Landon Sylvie.
Honorable mention selections locally included three more Calvary standouts, linebacker Heath Gross, receiver John Simon IV and defensive back Braylun Huglon. Also spotlighted was Rowen Guthikonda of Loyola.
In his 23rd season as a head coach and 41st overall, Guin earned his first state Coach of the Year honor. He led the Cavaliers to the program’s first perfect record capped by the thrilling state finals triumph in the Superdome. It was Calvary’s second state title under Guin, following the first ending the shortened COVID season of 2020 that culminated with a title game in Natchitoches.
2023 CLASS 2A ALL-STATE CHART
OFFENSE
Pos Player, School Ht., Wt., Cl.
WR Jac Comeaux, Dunham 5-10, 160, Sr.
WR Aubrey Hermes, Calvary 6-3, 180, Sr.
WR Jaiden Mitchell, Catholic-N.I. 5-8, 140, Jr.
OL Will York, Episcopal 5-10, 185, Sr.
OL Jimmy Wright, Calvary 6-2, 246, Sr.
OL Truitt Tietz, Oak Grove 6-2, 240, Sr.
OL Luke Schultz, Notre Dame 6-4, 270, Sr.
OL Brett Bordelon, Newman 6-5, 285, Jr.
QB Abram Wardell, Calvary 6-0, 190, Jr.
RB Braeden George, Episcopal 5-11, 185, Sr.
RB James Simon, Calvary 6-0, 200, Jr.
RB Jeremiah James, Many 5-11, 196, Sr.
PK Joseph Whitehouse, Pope John Paul II 6-1, 170, Sr.
ATH Jackson Bradley, Oak Grove 6-3, 200, Jr.
DEFENSE
DL Ethan Sands, Calvary 6-2, 260, Sr.
DL Swazy Carheel, Many 6-3, 235, Sr.
DL Isaiah Joles, Oak Grove 6-0, 245, Jr.
DL Jaden Breaux, St. Charles 6-2, 190, Sr.
LB Hutch Grace, Calvary 6-1, 220, Sr
LB Cooper Scott, Menard 6-2, 210, Sr.
LB James Harris, Oak Grove 6-2, 225, Sr.
LB Kyle Cannon, St. Charles 6-1, 220, Sr.
DB Drew Bourgeois, Dunham 5-8, 160, Sr.
DB Landon Sylvie, Calvary 5-11, 170, Sr.
DB Tylen Singleton, Many 6-2, 210, Sr.
DB Landon Ferrell, Oak Grove 6-2, 195, Sr.
P Ryan Hicks, Menard 6-0, 165, Sr.
KR Kaden Foster, St. Charles 5-10, 160, Sr.
ATH Kameron Williams, General Trass 6-2, 215, Sr.
Outstanding Offensive Player: Abram Wardell, Calvary
Outstanding Defensive Player: Kyle Cannon, St. Charles
Coach of the Year: Rodney Guin, Calvary
Honorable Mention: Heath Gross, Calvary; John Simon IV, Calvary; Braylun Huglon, Calvary; Rowen Guthikonda, Loyola; Peyton Peebles, Ascension Episcopal; Decareyn Sampson, Avoyelles; Preston Barnes, Avoyelles; Drew Desormeaux, Catholic-New Iberia; Shawn Basey, D’Arbonne Woods; Elijah Haven, Dunham; Logan Sorrel, Dunham; Malachi Jackson, Dunham; Chase Cresson, Episcopal; Chris Reed, Ferriday; Desmen Jefferson, Ferriday; Jay’shaun Johnson, Franklin; Joseph Landry, Houma Christian School; Micah Callais, Houma Christian School; Ray Levi, Lake Arthur; Ryan Hubbard, Lakeview; Kaine Olivier, Loreauville; Trace McHugh, Loreauville; Jalen McGraw Boley, Mangham; Robert Natt, Mangham; Braylon Dusang, Menard; Drake Aldredge, Menard; Gavin Hilton, Menard; Eli Friend, Newman; Peter Loop, Newman; Robert Kerrigan, Newman; Will Loerzel, Newman; Kameron Casnave, Northlake Christian; Jackson Casanova, Notre Dame; Sam Kirsch, Notre Dame; Jay Freeman, Oak Grove; JT Layton, Oak Grove; Seth Ray, Oak Grove; Tamarques Pritchard, Oak Grove; Deekota Johnson, Oakdale; Derrick Green, Oakdale; Ruffin George, Oakdale; DeSean Deville, Oberlin; Kenneth Boston, Rayville; Latavious Murphy, Rayville; Alex Phillips, South Plaquemines; Jy’heim Williams, South Plaquemines; Brady St. Pierre, St. Charles; Daniel Joseph, St. Charles; Jeremiah Wills, St. Charles; Tyler Milioto, St. Charles; Kohen Rowbatham, St. Thomas Aquinas; Kabari Davis, Vidalia; Ayden Miller, Welsh; Hayden VanNess, Welsh; Jonovan Begnaud, Welsh; Troy Pattum, Welsh; Jake Jones, Winnfield.
Friends, lend me your years
Overheard someone last week talking about “a 1957 Chevy convertible,” and it got me to thinking. When 1957 is mentioned, the first thing that comes to my mind is our family’s green 1957 Chevrolet — a fine-looking car with matching pointy fins on the back of each side.
And that got me to thinking about a year-association exercise. Mention a year and think of the first thing that pops into your mind. As you might imagine, being a sportswriter for so many years, many years conjure sports memories for me, but not all. Some years bring more than one memory.
There are, without a doubt, tons of other huge events that have happened that aren’t included here. Again, this is just a sampling. It’s an exercise in word association(s) reflecting on timelines in a year-end stretch when we all tend to do – and should do – the same.
As we approach 2024 and wonder what it will bring, here are 40 “flash card” years with a particular memory or associations that year has for me.
1 AD: Birth of Christ
33 AD: Passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ
1776: Birth of America
1865: Appomattox, Lincoln assassinated
1927: All-time greatest New York Yankees team, possibly the overall best
1936: Berlin Summer Olympics, Jesse Owens
1941: Pearl Harbor
1944: D-Day
1958: LSU football national champions
1959: LSU’s Billy Cannon wins Heisman Trophy
1961: Roger Maris gets 61 homers in ’61.
1962: John Glenn orbits Earth
1963: JFK assassinated
1968: MLK, RFK assassinated; Chicago Democratic Convention
1969: Apollo moon landing; Jets upset Colts in Super Bowl; ‘Miracle Mets’
1970: Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal
1972: Mark Spitz
1973: Secretariat
1974: Hank Aaron
1975: Reds-Red Sox World Series
1976: America’s Bicentennial; Nadia Comaneci
1978: Affirmed and Alydar
1979: Seattle Slew; Pittsburgh Steelers; Pittsburgh Pirates
1981: President Reagan and Pope John Paul II survive assassination attempts
1984: Mary Lou Retton
1986: Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy; LSU basketball makes NCAA Final Four
1989: Berlin Wall comes down
1996: LSU’s Warren Morris hits 2-out homer in bottom of 9th to win College World Series
2001: 9-11
2003: LSU football national championship; Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
2004: Red Sox break 86-year World Series title drought
2007: LSU football national championship
2008: Michael Phelps
2009: Saints Super Bowl season; LSU baseball wins national championship
2015: American Pharaoh
2016: Cubs end 108-year World Series title drought
2017: Trash-can banging Astros win their first World Series
2019: LSU football national champions; Joe Burrow wins Heisman
2020: Covid, one nightmare after another
2023: LSU wins NCAA championships in women’s basketball and baseball, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels wins Heisman Trophy
Happy 2024!
Bob Tompkins enjoyed a 43-year newspaper career as an award-winning writer and editor, serving the last 39 years at the Town Talk in Alexandria finishing in 2015. He is a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as a winner of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. An Alexandria resident, Tompkins is a contributing columnist sharing his talents weekly with Rapides Parish Journal readers.
Next generation hip surgery technology now available at Willis-Knighton
Cutting-edge technology that feels straight out of science fiction and comic book hero tales is now a reality in the operating rooms at Willis-Knighton Health System. They’ve brought in the HipInsight™ System, the pioneering FDA-approved augmented reality (AR) guidance platform for joint replacement, making them the first health system in Northwest Louisiana to offer this innovative solution.
Vik Chatrath, MD, from WK Bossier Orthopedics, stands among the select 40 surgeons nationwide equipped to perform total hip replacement surgeries using the groundbreaking HipInsight technology. He conducts these transformative surgeries at the WK Bossier Health Center.
Dr. Chatrath expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “While hip replacement surgery is already highly successful, I continuously seek ways to enhance patient outcomes. Introducing HipInsight is exciting because it promises smaller incisions, reduced pain and blood loss, and faster recovery for my patients.”
The HipInsight™ System operates by displaying real-time 3D models of a patient’s anatomy, implants, and surgical instruments within the body using Microsoft HoloLens 2 augmented reality glasses, effectively granting surgeons a form of X-ray vision. Surgeons synchronize physical tools with their virtual counterparts to ensure precise implant orientation. This alignment is so exact that when doctors operate on the holographic representation, they’re effectively operating on the real joint.
Dr. Chatrath highlighted the contrast, stating, “Traditionally, surgeons rely on two-dimensional X-rays and external workstations or screens outside the surgical field. HipInsight simplifies this process, allowing surgeons to concentrate on the patient without constantly shifting attention to computer screens. They access the necessary visuals precisely when required, following the surgery sequence.”
Total hip replacement surgeries are common, with nearly 450,000 procedures performed annually in the United States.
The lost Santa hat
One chilly Christmas Eve, Santa Claus found himself in a bit of a predicament. As he prepared to set off on his annual gift-giving journey, he realized his iconic red hat was missing! Frantically searching the North Pole, Santa checked every nook and cranny, but the hat was nowhere to be found.
With time ticking away and the reindeer eagerly waiting, Santa called for an emergency elf meeting. “Ho ho ho, my dear friends! It seems I’ve misplaced my hat. Without it, I’ll look more like a chilly traveler than the jolly old Santa!”
The elves, dedicated to saving Christmas, initiated a full-scale search. They combed through toy workshops, peeked behind presents, and even checked the snowman’s head just in case. Yet, the hat remained elusive.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus, known for her knack of finding lost items, decided to step in. She rummaged through closets, checked under beds, and even investigated the cookie jar (for good measure). Alas, the hat was nowhere to be seen.
As panic threatened to dampen the festive spirit, one little elf piped up, “Santa, have you checked your head?” Everyone paused, staring at Santa with a mix of hope and disbelief.
Santa chuckled heartily, reached up, and felt… his hat perched right on top of his head! “Ho ho ho! Sometimes, the most obvious places are the ones we overlook the most. Thank you, my friends!”
With a merry laugh and a twinkle in his eye, Santa donned his hat, bid farewell to the elves, and soared into the starry night to deliver joy and gifts around the world. And from that day on, the elves teased Santa about his “magically disappearing” hat, making it one of the favorite tales shared at the North Pole during Christmas gatherings.
Christmas holiday alters Shreveport garbage collection schedule
The upcoming Christmas holiday brings about a shift in the garbage collection schedule for Shreveport residents. Mayor Tom Arceneaux has announced the revised collection dates to accommodate the festive season.
Revised Collection Schedule:
- Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023: Collection for Monday’s garbage.
- Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023: Collection for Tuesday’s garbage.
- Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023: Collection for Thursday’s garbage.
- Friday, Dec. 29, 2023: Collection for Friday’s garbage.
The Solid Waste Office is ready to assist with heavy item pickups on future collection days. Residents seeking more information or wishing to request a bulky item pickup can contact the Solid Waste Office at (318) 673 – 6300.
The Woolworth Road Regional Solid Waste Facility will be closed on December 25th, 2023. For inquiries about this facility, individuals can contact (218) 925 – 5300.
Note: No bulk collections are scheduled for this week; all heavy items requested will be scheduled for future collection days.
For any further updates or inquiries, residents are encouraged to stay tuned to official announcements or contact the respective offices mentioned above.
Stay informed and keep the holiday cheer going while adhering to the adjusted garbage collection schedule in Shreveport!
Caddo Sheriff’s Tax Department to close for holidays
The Caddo Sheriff’s Tax Department will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Tuesday, December 26, and on January 1 for New Year’s. The office emphasizes that tax payments will be considered delinquent if postmarked after December 31.
Situated within the Caddo Parish Courthouse at 501 Texas Street, the Tax Department normally operates from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with exceptions on holidays.
Payment methods accepted include in-person transactions, mail, online payments via www.caddosheriff.org, or by calling 1-833-538-8539. The payment options encompass cash, check, cashier’s check, money order, or credit card. For online payments or phone transactions, a convenience fee, managed by a private processing company, will be applied.
The mailing address for the Caddo Sheriff’s Tax Department is P.O. Box 20905, Shreveport, LA, 71120-0905. For inquiries, the office can be reached at 681-0638 (phone) or 681-1179 (fax).
Queries related to assessments should be directed to the Tax Assessor’s Office.
For any tax-related inquiries, please contact the tax office at 318-681-0638 or via email at tax@caddosheriff.org.
For those who have not received their bill, tax information is accessible at www.caddosheriff.org.
Additionally, pre-payments for the following year’s taxes will be accepted from January 1 through October 31 annually. Interested parties can find applications on the sheriff’s website.
Bossier Sheriff’s Office spreads Christmas joy with Operation Christmas Wish
The Bossier Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with various local organizations and generous individuals, orchestrated a heartwarming initiative titled Operation Christmas Wish. On the morning of December 22, deputies and Posse members set out across Bossier Parish, reaching out to 273 children and 101 families in need.
This endeavor aimed to brighten the holiday season for those who might have otherwise faced a less festive Christmas. Through donations pouring in from multiple sources, including Vicki’s School of Dance, Bossier Parish Schools 4-H Clubs, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 141, BPCC Student Government, and numerous individuals, the effort came to fruition.
The donations, comprising toys and cash, played a pivotal role in making this festive season special for the boys and girls of Bossier Parish. Deputies and Posse members diligently loaded up toys and bicycles, delivering them to households throughout the parish. Santa Claus himself made surprise visits to spread holiday cheer and extend warm Christmas wishes to the children.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of contributors, Sheriff Julian Whittington expressed deep gratitude to the residents of the parish. “We are grateful for the residents in our parish who have dug into their pockets and have donated either toys or money to help Operation Christmas Wish be a blessing to children in need in our parish,” shared Sheriff Whittington. He further added, “People with generous hearts have given so that others may also experience a wonderful Christmas, and I can’t thank them enough.”
The Ladies Auxiliary, instrumental in preparing the packages of gifts for delivery, received special mention and appreciation for their dedicated efforts.
The success of Operation Christmas Wish was a testament to the generosity and community spirit prevalent in Bossier Parish. Through collective efforts and heartfelt donations, the Bossier Sheriff’s Office succeeded in spreading joy and ensuring a brighter Christmas for numerous families and children across the parish.
Bossier Sheriff’s Office: two arrested in child offense probe
In November 2023, the Bossier Sheriff’s Office began probing Clint Arnouville of Bossier City following allegations of rape brought forth by a juvenile victim’s mother. In response to those allegations the Bossier Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation, leading to his arrest on severe charges:
- 4 counts of Indecent Behavior with Juveniles
- First Degree Rape of a Child Under 13 years of age
- Sexual Abuse of an Animal
- 2 counts of Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile
- 77 counts of Pornography involving Juveniles
Further inquiry linked Alan Byrd of Lafayette, LA, to the case through electronic device downloads. Byrd, suspected of transferring child pornography to Arnouville, faced charges including trafficking of children for sexual purposes, first-degree rape, and computer-aided solicitation of a minor.
Collaboration between Homeland Security, ICAC, and other law enforcement agencies facilitated the execution of search and arrest warrants at Byrd’s residence. During the operation, a device allegedly used by Byrd to transfer explicit images was seized.
Arnouville faced additional charges related to trafficking children for sexual purposes while in custody. A total of three juvenile victims have been identified thus far in this ongoing investigation.
The Bossier Sheriff’s Office urges individuals with any information regarding these cases or similar incidents to come forward and assist in ensuring justice by contacting them at (318) 965-2203. The relentless pursuit of truth and protection of children remains a top priority for the authorities involved.
Notice of Death – December 25, 2023
Theresa Britt Rutherford
February 12, 1945 — December 20, 2023
Service: Friday, December 29, 2023, 4pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
Mrs. Betty Hall
July 21, 1951 – December 19, 2023
Service: Saturday, December 30, 2023, 1pm in the Chapel of Heavenly Gates
Mr. Elbert Taylor
May 16, 1961 – December 18, 2023
Service: Saturday, December 30, 2023, 11am at Heavenly Gates.
Edith Mae McCormick
July 14, 1958 — December 20, 2023
Service: Wednesday, January 3, 2024, 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
Maxie “Mac” Doggett
November 23, 1937 — December 22, 2023
Service: Saturday, January 13, 2024, 1pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
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)
December 22, 2023
Multipack Services invests $10.4 million in Caddo Parish expansion
Multipack Services, a prominent player in beverage manufacturing, packaging, and distribution, has disclosed plans to funnel $10.4 million into setting up a cutting-edge production facility in Caddo Parish. This venture marks a pivotal move as the Shreveport site gears up to cater to nationally renowned beverage brands.
The establishment of this facility anticipates the creation of 141 direct job openings, offering an average annual salary surpassing $51,000. Additionally, Louisiana Economic Development foresees a ripple effect, estimating an additional 228 indirect job opportunities, potentially summing up to 369 new jobs across the Northwest Region.
Governor John Bel Edwards acknowledged Louisiana’s thriving manufacturing sector, emphasizing its role in job creation and the cultivation of opportunities for the state’s skilled workforce. He extended gratitude to Multipack for recognizing the strategic advantages of anchoring its operations hub in the Northwest Region.
This state-of-the-art facility aims to provide a gamut of services, including product customization and design, while remaining adaptable to market fluctuations. Expected to churn out over 100 million units annually, the site will produce an array of beverages, spanning from lemonade and soda to teas, cocktails, seltzers, and juice products.
Multipack’s Vice President of Operations, Justin Wilkinson, expressed satisfaction in collaborating with the state of Louisiana, LED, and local entities like the Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board and BRF. The decision to select Shreveport was rooted in the region’s advantageous connectivity to major U.S. markets and programs such as LED FastStart, ensuring a skilled workforce for the facility.
Leasing existing warehouse and office space on Valley View Drive in south Shreveport, Multipack anticipates commencing facility enhancements early next year, with production slated to kick off by the third quarter of 2024.
The Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board hailed Multipack’s arrival, acknowledging the boost in job creation and manufacturing opportunities it brings to the parish. This move aligns with recent economic development strides, underlining the region’s positive momentum in manufacturing employment.
To solidify the project in Shreveport, Louisiana extended a competitive incentives package to Multipack, including a $1.5 million performance-based grant for infrastructure and building enhancements, contingent upon meeting investment and payroll targets. LED FastStart’s comprehensive workforce development solutions and participation in the state’s Quality Jobs program further bolster the support.
In sync with efforts from various entities such as BRF, LED, North Louisiana Economic Partnership, and the local Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board, Multipack’s decision to invest signifies a recognition of the logistical and economic advantages North Louisiana offers for business operations.
NLEP President and CEO Justyn Dixon praised the dedication of all involved parties in fortifying the manufacturing ecosystem in northwest Louisiana, underlining the significance of collaborative efforts in fostering growth.
Interested individuals can register for notifications on job opportunities, hiring events, and news updates with Multipack by following the provided link.
Register here to be notified about job opportunities, hiring events and news updates with Multipack.
Amazon hiring for Shreveport facility
Amazon’s unveiling of its hiring phase for the Shreveport Robotics facility marks a significant stride in local economic development. The emphasis on recruiting members for the Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team presents a unique chance for the community to partake in pioneering technological advancements.
Primarily targeting specialized roles, such as Mechatronic Apprentice I and Control System Engineers, Amazon’s recruitment drive embodies inclusivity by encouraging military veterans to apply. In a recent Facebook post, State Representative-elect Steve Jackson suggested “those who feel those who feel they may not have the requisite experience, you can enroll in an 8-10 week course to help skill up for the open positions at https://unmudl.com“
The comprehensive list of positions available in Shreveport, from Maintenance Technicians to Program Managers, exemplifies Amazon’s commitment to cultivating a diverse and skilled workforce within the region. Each role not only promises employment but also offers a chance for personal and professional growth in the field of robotics and engineering.
For those aspiring to contribute to the technological landscape, the provided link directs individuals to explore and apply for these positions, fostering an efficient and straightforward application process.
Amazon’s investment in Shreveport serves as a catalyst for economic prosperity, offering avenues for both seasoned professionals and aspiring talents. This move not only enriches the local job market but also positions Shreveport at the forefront of innovation in robotics and maintenance engineering.
The convergence of Amazon’s global influence with Shreveport’s local talent pool sets the stage for an inspiring chapter in the city’s economic evolution. As Amazon pioneers advancements in robotics, the city’s workforce stands poised to embrace and contribute to this transformative journey.
Councilwoman Taylor reacts to Mayor’s decision on emergency declaration
Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor issued a response to Mayor Arceneaux’s decision regarding the declaration of an emergency in Shreveport, emphasizing the council’s unanimous support for the declaration.
Expressing disappointment, Taylor highlighted the disparity between the mayor’s decision and the council’s unanimous vote in favor of the declaration. She underscored the persistently high levels of crime in the specified areas despite the measures already in place.
In her statement, Taylor reiterated the urgency of addressing gun violence, violence against women, and children, stressing that the alarming crime rates in these domains warrant additional support for law enforcement officers. She pointed to the ongoing severity of the situation, referencing data from public health and crime statistics, emphasizing the continued urgency and importance of this matter to the council.
Taylor emphasized that the pressing nature of combating crime in these areas remains evident and factual, as the reported numbers and public health indicators affirm the persistent urgency. Despite the efforts already in motion, she maintained that the statistics in these crucial areas have not shown a decline.
Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor’s response reflected the council’s stance on the emergency declaration, highlighting the ongoing urgency to address the prevalent issues of crime against gun violence, women, and children.
Column: Money Matters
Mastering Debt: Step 4 in Securing Financial Freedom
Continuing our path toward financial freedom—having secured the essential pillars of an emergency fund, comprehensive insurance, and optimized retirement savings—let’s spotlight the intricate landscape of debt. Beyond slashing high-interest debt, understanding the realm of “good debt” becomes paramount, marking it as a strategic financial tool.
Unpacking Debt’s Nuances
Debt isn’t universally negative; certain borrowings offer advantages, often labeled as “good debt.” These act as investments that positively shape your financial trajectory. Here’s a glimpse into these categories:
- Mortgages:
- Acquiring a home via a mortgage stands as a prime example. Real estate typically appreciates, rendering a mortgage an investment rather than a mere liability. Additionally, mortgage interest can sometimes be tax-deductible, further elevating its perceived benefit.
- Student Loans:
- Financing education through student loans invests in personal growth. A degree significantly boosts earning potential, making student loans an investment in future income.
- Small Business Loans:
- Borrowing to launch or expand a business can be strategic. If the business generates more revenue than the loan cost, it becomes a wise investment in entrepreneurial ventures.
- Low-Interest Loans for Investments:
- Some leverage low-interest loans to invest in assets with higher return potential, such as the stock market or real estate.
Balancing Good Debt with Caution
While good debt presents potential advantages, prudent management is crucial:
- Risk Evaluation:
- Assess associated risks. For instance, defaulting on a mortgage can lead to foreclosure, impacting credit and housing stability.
- Interest Rate Analysis:
- Despite being labeled “good,” high-interest rates can negate the benefits of certain debts. Always compare borrowing costs against potential returns.
- Intentional Borrowing:
- Ensure borrowed funds serve specific purposes. Using student loans for career-focused education is more strategic than excessive borrowing for non-essential expenses.
- Financial Health Check:
- Evaluate your overall financial situation. Even if a debt is considered “good,” it should align with your broader financial plan and goals.
Initiating Debt Reduction
The primary step in reducing debt involves a thorough budget evaluation. Our earlier columns touched upon creating an emergency fund, safeguarding income, and maximizing retirement savings. Debt reduction relies on effective budgeting, which can involve trimming expenses, boosting income, or a combination of both.
Budgeting and Expense Management: Scrutinize monthly expenses to pinpoint areas for reduction. Allocate freed-up funds toward debt repayment, significantly expediting the process.
Increasing Revenue Streams: Additional income sources, like part-time work or selling unused items, can generate funds specifically earmarked for debt repayment, hastening the journey to debt freedom.
Controlling Credit Card Usage: Track normal spending on existing credit cards. Halting unnecessary spending is crucial for debt reduction. Cutting up cards and closing accounts might be necessary, but consider the impact on credit utilization and your credit score.
Transitioning to Practical Debt Reduction
Snowball Method: Imagine lining up your debts from smallest to largest. With the snowball method, you start by attacking the smallest debt while maintaining minimum payments on larger debts. Eliminating smaller debts first creates psychological wins, boosting morale and momentum. For instance:
- Scenario: Debts in ascending order: $500 credit card debt, $2,000 personal loan, $5,000 medical bill.
- Approach: Focus on paying off the $500 credit card debt while maintaining minimum payments on the other debts.
- Result: Once the smallest debt is paid off, redirect the $500 to the $2,000 personal loan, accelerating its repayment.
Avalanche Method: This approach prioritizes debts by interest rate, starting with the debt carrying the highest interest. While maintaining minimum payments on all debts, any extra funds are directed toward the debt with the highest interest. This minimizes overall interest paid. For example:
- Scenario: Debts by interest rate: Credit card (20%), Personal loan (15%), Student loan (8%).
- Approach: Focus on paying off the credit card debt with the highest interest rate while making minimum payments on the other debts.
- Result: Once the highest interest debt is cleared, allocate the funds to the next highest interest debt, progressively eliminating debts with lower interest rates.
These systematic methods offer structured paths toward debt liberation. Whether prioritizing psychological victories or minimizing interest payments, choosing the right strategy aligns with your financial goals and mindset.
Join us next week as we take a much more detailed look at budgeting. I’ll share some practical things that my wife and I have done that helped significantly along the way.
Matt Bankston, CFP®, Co-Publisher of the Shreveport Bossier Journal, also serves as a Managing Director at Choreo Advisors, an independent firm focused on redefining the RIA’s role in the wealth advisory industry. Choreo, LLC is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training of the adviser or its representatives.
Bossier council receives bids; approves appropriations
Sealed bids for citywide street improvements and rehabilitation of Airline Drive were accepted Tuesday by the Bossier City City Council and if approved, the projects will total more than $2.7 million.
Benton & Brown’s base bid on street improvements came in at $1,472,177.75 with a $178,845 bid on Alternate 1 and $46,400 for Alternate 2.
On the Airline Dr. rehabilitation project, two companies submitted with Earnest Contracting, LLC turning in the apparent low bid at $1,089,774. Benton & Brown bid $1,315,715 for the project.
Council members unanimously approved an ordinance to appropriate $640,000 from the city’s disaster reserve fund to cover expenses arising from severe storms that swept through the city and region earlier this year.
Bossier City, and the north Louisiana area, was hit by severe weather that caused power outages and heavy damage, resulting in the declaration of a state of emergency after storms during the evening hours of June 15 and early morning on June 16.
Disaster reserve funds were amended to increase expenditures for the June storms by $505,000, while the July severe weather event led to an additional $135,000.
Council members also said yes to an ordinance to appropriate an additional $10,00 for the purchase of a salt spreader to be prepared for possible winter precipitation on streets in the city.
Language in the ordinance notes Bossier City, along with Bossier Parish and the Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (BOHSEP), “…are planning and preparing coordinated response efforts for the upcoming winter season.”
Still another ordinance to appropriate funds for a city project was adopted by the council, but this one didn’t pass without opposition.
By a 5-2 vote, the council will take an additional $130,000 from the Riverboat Capital Projects to construct a new Walbrook Park maintenance building. Questions were raised about the need to appropriate more money before the project has begun, and the building’s need and use.
Voting for the project were councilmen David Montgomery, Jeffery Darby, Don “Bubba” Williams, Jeff Free and Vince Maggio. Nay votes were cast by Chris Smith and Brian Hammons.
In other business, members approved a resolution authorizing the hiring or promotion of a utilities billing and collection supervisor, and authorized the reclassification of one vacant Captain position to Deputy Chief in the city police department.
All-Metro elite trio kept pushing for excellence
JOURNAL STAFF
There’s a common denominator for those selected for the top honors on the Shreveport-Bossier Journal All-Metro team.
It’s not a physical characteristic or a statistic. It goes way beyond that and may be the biggest reason why they were chosen.
Airline coach Justin Scogin said quarterback Ben Taylor spent his junior year in 2023 challenging himself to get better every game.
Evangel coach Denny Duron said star defensive lineman Gabriel Reliford challenged his teammates in everything they did before, during and after the season.
Calvary’s Rodney Guin knew the Cavaliers had all the makings for a special season, but he challenged his team to be as good as it could be before the season even began.
Consider those challenges to be met, as Taylor (Offensive Player of the Year), Reliford (Defensive Player of the Year) and Guin (Coach of the Year) were chosen for the top awards.
Taylor had an outstanding sophomore year in 2022 (2,730 yards), but took it to another level this season, throwing for a state-leading 4,189 yards in leading the Vikings to a 9-1 regular season and spot in the quarterfinals.
He completed 319 of 432 with 49 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. He had eight 300-yard games and two 400-yard games.
“He’s improved tremendously from last year, both on the field and leadership-wise,” Scogin said. “He’s a great player, but an even better kid. He never stops learning. I think that’s the biggest thing for him. He’s always trying to figure more stuff out and always has questions. He’s never satisfied with what he’s accomplished.”
Reliford’s presence on the Evangel defensive line is well known, but Duron says it’s more than just tackles (122) and quarterback sacks (9).
“He checks all the boxes,” Duron said. “He challenged his teammates on the field and in the classroom. He’s the hardest worker we’ve ever had on this campus.”
Reliford is an early enrollee at LSU after signing his letter of intent on Wednesday. On his last day at Evangel, when no one would have noticed if he had skipped out that day, Reliford was the first one there for a meeting with the team.
“In whatever virtue you choose, he’s an 11 on a 1 to 10 scale,” Duron said. “Loyalty, leadership, competitiveness … your name it, that’s who he is.”
Guin led the Cavaliers to a perfect season, winning the championship in a dramatic win over St. Charles in the Superdome, and did it with a very challenging schedule. Calvary also won the title in 2020, but Guin often mentioned how his 2023 team never had a bad game or a bad practice the entire year.
“Good things happen when you have good players and assistant coaches,” he said. “This season was special with going undefeated and with a wonderful group to be around. A super enjoyable year.
But Guin also believes the success will go beyond 2023.
“The relationships on this team are so strong and I think that will last a lifetime with the players and the coaches,” he said.
ALL-METRO DEFENSE – see Wednesday’s edition.
ALL-METRO DEFENSE – see Thursday’s edition.
Football-isms that lower the bar, or drive us to it
There is football wherever you turn these days, whether it is high school (signing day), college (bowl games) and NFL (playoff possibilities!) so lots of media people (and fans) spend lots of time talking and the words they are using make no sense.
But that doesn’t matter, because they think it makes them sound smart.
Go back and watch a football game or a pre-game or post game show from 20 years ago and you heard exactly zero of these terms listed below. When means that somebody came along and made them up (take a bow, Trent Dilfer and Mark Schlereth) and other football people just bought in hook, line and sinker. We want to sound fun, too!
Trust me, we would all survive if the following terms were eliminated from our consciousness.
I’m saving the best (translated: worst) until the end.
“HIGH POINT THE BALL” – A Kirk Herbstreit favorite. Kirk obviously didn’t take many geometry classes at Ohio State because this doesn’t make any sense. A quarterback throws a ball into the corner of the end zone from 30 yards away and the receiver goes up over the defender and catches it. Nice play! But simple geometry would tell you that the “high point” happened about 15 yards back upfield. The receiver would have to jump about 20 feet in the air to catch it at that point. Let’s just say he out-jumped the defender, Kirk.
“EYE DISCIPLINE” – I swear that I have tried and I still don’t even know what this means. I know lots of guys who go shopping with their wives/girlfriends and have to use some real-life “eye discipline” when a very attractive woman walks by and they don’t want to get caught looking. As for football, it’s just words for the sake of words.
“CATCH RADIUS” – First of all, shouldn’t it be “catch diameter?” (Again with the geometry?) When a receiver has the ability to catch a pass that’s thrown anywhere near him, that’s a good receiver. Anybody ever hear that Jerry Rice had a great catch radius? Of course you didn’t. We just accepted that he was really, really good and didn’t need to qualify it with some stupid term.
“ARM TALENT” – A Trent Dilfer special. The former ESPN announcer (and current Alabama-Birmingham coach) loved to use this every chance he got. Classic over-talking when describing a quarterback. Apparently, “the dude has a strong arm” just doesn’t cut it anymore.
“FOOT SPEED” – Duh. When a guy runs a 10.2 and he’s headed for the end zone, we have pretty much already deduced that his feet have good speed. Not really worried about his hand speed or his elbow speed.
“QB1 & QB2” – This one has crept up on us in the last few years and is getting worse. Apparently being called the starting quarterback or the backup quarterback just doesn’t cut it anymore. How come there is no DS1 (Deep Snapper 1) or LG1 (Left Guard 1)?
But none of those above compare to this …
“THE _____ ROOM” – The quarterback room is really happy that the wide receiver room has better depth this season, but the running back room took a hit due to injuries. Still, all appears to be fine in the linebacker room, which should benefit the cornerbacks room. How many rooms do these schools/teams have?!?! Why can’t we just have plain ol’ quarterbacks and linebackers and running backs without having to make this idiotic qualifier? Coaches starting using this term a few years ago and it has spread through all levels of football at warped speed. And where did all of these schools get the funding to start building these “rooms” all over the football complex?
Please make it stop.
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
Nussmeier starts a different role after quite a while as an understudy
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE — The last time Garrett Nussmeier started a game at quarterback was Dec. 4, 2020.
It was Senior Night for Nussmeier and the Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus Marauders pounded Plano East to close the regular season 9-0.
Nussmeier completed 16 of 19 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
“And that was the end of my high school career,” Nussmeier said. “I got hurt. I was running and I broke my fingers. I tried to do whatever I did until I broke too many (fingers).”
Since that game, Nussmeier has been sitting on the starting QB launching pad on hold his entire three-year, 37-game college career.
That is, until LSU’s Heisman Trophy winning quarterback and likely NFL first-round draft choice Jayden Daniels announced Monday he’s opting out of the Tigers’ Jan. 1 ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Wisconsin.
Which means after 1,123 consecutive days as a faithful, loyal and exceedingly patient backup QB, redshirt sophomore Nussmeier will finally have liftoff in his first college start.
“Let’s go, let’s get this right,” Nussmeier said Wednesday of his immediate reaction to Daniels’ decision to bypass playing in the bowl game.
Nussmeier has played in 17 career games and 326 snaps as the Tigers’ backup QB, competing 98 of 174 passes for 1,325 yards, 8 TDs and 6 interceptions.
This season playing in six games, he completed 17 of 33 passes for 196 yards and 1 TD, and scored on a 1-yard QB sneak on his only rushing attempt.
No, he doesn’t have Daniels’ wheels (who does?), which is an adjustment for LSU’s offensive line.
“He doesn’t really want to run, he wants to put the ball in the air,” starting offensive right tackle Emery Jones Jr. said of Nussmeier. “So, I just feel you’ve got to hold on to your blocks a little bit longer than you would for Jayden.”
Nussmeier, the son of a 24-year college and NFL offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, had to overcome a reputation early in his LSU career as gunslinging passer.
It started against Arkansas in the final of the four games he played as a true freshman in 2021. Then-LSU head coach Ed Orgeron pulled starting QB Max Johnson after two ineffective series and inserted Nussmeier to fire throws all over the place to heavily recovered receivers.
While Nussmeier completed 18 of 31 passes for 179 yards and a 29-yard TD pass to Jack Bech in which Nussmeier spun away from Arkansas safety Joe Foucha (who played for LSU last season after a transfer), he also threw two interceptions.
The second was a killer. It came in the end zone on LSU’s first possession of overtime and allowed the Hogs to kick a game-winning field goal on their possession for a 16-13 win.
Last season after Daniels won the starting job over Nussmeier, the backup QB opened some eyes in LSU’s final two games of a 10-4 season against Georgia in the SEC championship game and in the Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa.
In the Tigers’ 50-30 loss to the Bulldogs after Georgia led 35-10 at halftime, Nussmeier replaced an injured Daniels and threw for 294 yards. It was most passing yards in one half in LSU history – and two TDs as well as interception.
“Garrett gave us opportunities down the field, trusting us to make plays,” LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers said afterwards.
Then in the Tigers’ 63-7 Citrus Bowl beatdown of Iowa, Nussmeier led LSU to three TDs in four possessions, including two scores in the first half. He threw for 173 yards and had pass intercepted in the end zone.
“There’s no quarterback controversy,” Kelly said afterward. “Jayden is the No. 1 quarterback. Garrett will get an opportunity to compete, though. You have two really good quarterbacks, you have to have an open mind. You can’t be close-minded when you are looking at two elite quarterbacks.”
But this season, Nussmeier played the least amount of snaps (83) in his career. Daniels’ massive jump in improvement, and him having to play almost every snap for LSU to have a chance to win because of the Tigers’ poor defense, kept Nussmeier on the sideline.
“I take a lot of pride in the way that I’ve tried to prepare as if I was going to have to play in every game,” Nussmeier said. “When the clock hit zero, and I didn’t play it, it was hard, but you know, the easiest thing was if we won the game, I was happy.”
He was especially pleased with Daniels becoming LSU’s third Heisman winner.
“Jayden had an unbelievable year,” Nussmeier said. “He proved a lot of people wrong, and I was super proud of him for that.
“What I appreciate about our relationship was the competition and how much we pushed each other to be great every single day. “It taught me not to take off days. It taught me to approach every rep and every practice just like it was a game.
“I had to be good every single day because he’s such a good player. And that helped me a ton. That’s something that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career.”
Unlike the majority of college quarterbacks who transfer after a year or two believing a fresh start and new situation will jumpstart their career, Nussmeier stayed true to himself. “I knew this was the place that I wanted to be,” Nussmeier said of LSU. “I wanted to be in this (LSU’s football operations) building. I knew I wanted to represent this university.
“It definitely hasn’t been easy. What helped me the most was putting my trust in God and His plan for me. It gave me humility and understanding I want things right now but it’s not for Him. His time is always right. It’s about trusting, putting your faith in Him and letting it happen when it’s supposed to happen.”
Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com
Three area seniors finish careers among top 5 all-time
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Benton running back Greg Manning and receivers Parker Fulghum of Evangel and Aubrey Hermes from Calvary finished sparkling high school careers in 2023 among the top 5 all-time leading rushers and receivers in Caddo-Bossier prep football history.
Manning had his third straight 1,000-yard season, the last two more than 1,400 yards, and ends his career as Benton’s all-time leader with 4,041 yards. His total is good enough for third most in Caddo-Bossier.
Fulghum had three seasons of more than 1,200 yards at Evangel to finish with 3,876 yards, the third most in Caddo-Bossier. He had a career-high 1,413 yards in his senior season but caught 20 fewer passes than his junior season best of 89.
Hermes finished his brilliant career as Calvary’s all-time leading receiver and fourth highest in Caddo-Bossier with 3,775 yards. He had his best season in helping the Cavs win the state championship with 70 receptions for 1,363 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Airline junior quarterback Ben Taylor, this year’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Offensive Player of the Year, became the 11th passer in area history to throw for more than 8,000 yards in his career. Taylor had 4,189 yards in his junior year to become the sixth player in the area with more than 4,000 in a season.
Career rushing yards leaders
Player, School (last year) Yards
1. Jeremy Jefferson, BTW (2006) 6,452
2. Kordavion Washington, Calvary (2017) 5,160
3. Greg Manning, Benton (2023) 4,041
4. Johnny Hogan, Bossier (2001) 4,029
5. David Jett, Airline (1998) 3,946
Career receiving yards leaders
Player, School (last year) Yards
1. Abram Booty, Evangel (1994) 5,867
2. Steve Parker, Evangel (1993) 4,399
3. Parker Fulghum, Evangel (2023) 3,876
4. Aubrey Hermes, Calvary (2023) 3,775
5. Thomas Bachman, Evangel (2001) 3,480
Career passing yards leaders
Player, School (last year) Yards
1. Brock Berlin, Evangel (1999) 13,902
2. Josh Booty, Evangel (1993) 11,700
3. Phillip Deas, Evangel (1996) 11,374
4. Cade Hart, Calvary (2019) 10,646
5. Keith Baker, Green Oaks (2020) 9,833
6. Garrett Hable, Benton (2017) 8,676
7. Shea Patterson, Calvary (2015) 8,479
8. Dez Duron, Evangel (2008) 8,472
9. John David Booty, Evangel (2002) 8,445
10. Luke Bogan, Northwood (2019) 8,126
11. Ben Taylor, Airline (2023) 8,017
Single season passing – 4,000 yards
1. Brock Berlin, Evangel (1998) 4,834
2. Phillip Deas, Evangel (1996) 4,656
3. Brock Berlin, Evangel (1997) 4,654
4. Dez Duron, Evangel (2008) 4,428
5. Josh Booty, Evangel (1992) 4,385
6. John David Booty, Evangel (2001) 4,330
7. Brock Berlin, Evangel (1999) 4,219
8. Ben Taylor, Airline (2023) 4,189
Taking time to celebrate the joy of Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
And while acknowledging our pride in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, we’re not talking about college football’s bowl season.
It’s Christmas season. It culminates this weekend with the observance of the birth of the Christ child more than 2,000 years ago.
For the first time since August, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal will not publish an edition this weekend. We’ll also not publish a Monday edition on Christmas Day.
Your SBJ will be back in your e-mail box at 6:55 Tuesday morning and on our ShreveportBossierJournal.com website, and our content will be available on our Facebook page, as always.
As we head toward an exciting new year, we will be publishing on weekdays, not weekends, as we turn the calendar to 2024.
We thank you for your readership and look forward to providing you with free and informative locally-based content that doesn’t annoy you with pop-ups or overload you with stories that have no bearing on Shreveport-Bossier.
Have a very, very Merry Christmas!