Month: September 2024

Agents cite three men for hunting doves over bait in DeSoto Parish

/ cpoole003

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three Bossier Parish men for alleged migratory game bird violations in DeSoto Parish on Sep 14.

Agents federally cited Corey Tuminello, 37, of Benton, Curtis Tuminello, 60, of Bossier City, and Steven Barr, 49, of Benton, for violating the migratory game bird treaty act by hunting migratory game birds over a baited area.

Agents were on patrol near Stonewall when they received a tip about dove hunting over a baited field. Agents arrived at the location and found the subjects actively hunting for doves. After an inspection of the area, agents determined they were hunting over an area that was spread with chopped corn.

Agents seized one mourning dove that was shot over the baited area.

All migratory game bird baiting cases are filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution in Federal Court.

Participating agents in this case are Sgt. Michael Meserole, Sgt. Toby Meyers, Corporal Dalton Herrington and Senior Agent Breylan Kemp.

Bossier deputies arrest Elm Grove man for domestic violence, sex offenses

/ cpoole003
Sheriff Julian Whittington says that Bossier deputies were dispatched to a domestic incident at Red River South Marina on Friday, September 20th involving an Elm Grove man and a female victim. During the incident, Gary Keith Free, 52, held the victim against her will in a cabin on the property and sexually assaulted her over the course of three days. The victim was able to escape on Friday afternoon and fled the cabin with Free chasing her while armed with a handgun.
 
When Bossier deputies arrived, they located the victim and took her to safety. Meanwhile, Free jumped in the water at the marina to hide from deputies but was located by a Bossier Sheriff’s Office K-9. Free was eventually taken into custody and the firearm was recovered. Free also threatened 2 employees and 1 resident of the marina with the firearm while the incident was occurring. After being interviewed by BSO detectives, Free was arrested and transported to the Bossier Maximum-Security Facility where he was booked for:
• Second Degree Kidnapping
• First Degree Rape
• Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault
• 3 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
 
Free’s bond has been set at $2.1 million.

Bossier Parish Police Jury visit with retiring Operational Manager

/ cpoole003
Bossier Parish Police Jury employees, present and past, visited with Tommy Jones, the Operational Manager for the US Army Corps of Engineers Bodcau Dam Field Office. Jones will retire after 34 years in office.
 
Tommy’s responsibilities included overseeing operations at Bodcau Dam, Caddo Lake, Red River, Wallace Lake, Bayou Pierre, and Ouachita Black River.
 
His office played a critical role in managing flood risks, ensuring water safety, and facilitating recreation.

Remembering Chester

/ cpoole003

By Brad Dison

Chester, Illinois, is a city on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River about 70 miles south of St. Louis, Missouri. What began as a ferry town on the Mississippi eventually became a major supplier of castor oil which was used as a lubricant. Chester had the advantage over other towns because of its location on the river. Wood-burning steamboats filled with castor oil delivered the lubricant to St. Louis, New Orleans, and even as far away as England.

When Elzie Crisler Segar was born in 1894 in Chester, the city had an iron foundry, machine shops, several mills, a few taverns, an opera house, and a number of stores. Elzie and his family often shopped at a general store on Pine Street in Chester which was owned and operated by Frank and Dora Paskel. When Elzie was growing up, Dora made an impression on him. Dora was a taller-than-average woman who wore long, black, fitted dresses which covered everything from her neck to her wrists and ankles. Dora usually wore her hair in a tight bun. Elzie remembered that she was strong-willed and feisty.

As a teenager, Elzie went to work in the Chester Opera House which was operated by J. William Schuchert. Elzie was such a good worker that William promoted him to projectionist of the opera house. William and Elzie’s relationship evolved from boss and employee to true friendship. When Elzie showed an interest in art, William paid for Elzie’s art correspondence courses. William often sent Elzie to the nearby Wiebusch tavern with enough money to get them hamburgers.

At the Wiebusch tavern in Chester, Elzie befriended a former Polish sailor who had emigrated to the United States named Frank Fiegel. Frank kept the tavern clean when the place was quiet, but his real job was to maintain order. Frank was a bouncer. Frank was known for his fighting skills and although he never looked for a fight, he never shied away from one. During one brawl, Frank received a blow that permanently disfigured one of his eyes. While waiting on hamburgers, Elzie often listened as Frank told stories about his adventures out of one side of his mouth while the other side held his pipe.

When he was about 20 years old, Elzie moved to Chicago to continue building his career as an artist. He never forgot Dora, William, Frank, or the lubricant that Chester was so well known for, including them in his art which became popular around the world. Sadly, 43-year-old Elzie Crisler Segar died of leukemia on October 13, 1938, cutting short his career. Luckily, other artists have continued his cartoon work that we all know. J. William Schuchert, Elzie’s boss who loved hamburgers, was the inspiration for a character named J. Wellington Wimpy. Elzie named a character after Chester’s lubricant called Castor Oyl. Dora Paskel, the operator of the general store in Chester, was the inspiration for Castor Oyl’s daughter, Olive Oyl. Frank Fiegel, the scrappy brawler from the tavern who had a deformed or “pop-eye” was the inspiration for… Popeye.

Sources:

1. “History of Chester,” City of Chester, IL, accessed September 20, 2024, https://www.chesterill.com/about/history-of-chester/.

2. “Elzie Crisler Segar,” FindaGrave.com, accessed September 19, 2024, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3546/elzie-crisler-segar.

3. ‌“Dora Schrader Paskel,” FindaaGrave.com, accessed September 19, 2024, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7846018/dora-paskel.

4. “John William Schuchert,” FindaGrave.com, accessed September 19, 2024, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7846022/john-william-schuchert.

5. “Frank ‘Rocky’ Fiegel,” FindaGrave.com, accessed September 19, 2024, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31875462/frank-fiegel.

Unbeaten Yellow Jackets have shown they bring some sting

/ Megan Lowe

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

After a frustrating 2023, Byrd football coach Stacy Ballew admittedly had some uncertainty as this season kicked off.

Three games in, the Yellow Jackets are not just unbeaten, they’ve been undeniably impressive.

Opening down south at St. Amant, Byrd brought home a 26-10 triumph. Beginning the eight-game District 1-5A schedule in Week 2, the Jackets rolled by Haughton 49-14. Last Friday night, it was a 35-23 victory at Evangel.

The Yellow Jackets’ triple-option Wing T has been humming. Look past their collection of 300-yard rushing outputs. Byrd didn’t have to punt the last two games.

Their latest performance has earned Ballew’s crew the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Team of the Week distinction, as they prepare for another long trip south, to Marrero to face John Ehret.

“I didn’t know where we would be when the season started. Our district is very competitive, and I had anxiety about how we fit in,” the coach admitted. “That’s still to be determined, but right now, the kids are confident. There’s no doubt if we can play with anybody in our district.”

That was evident at Evangel, which has plenty of talent alongside highly-regarded sophomore quarterback Pop Houston and should be among the stronger teams in 1-5A. The Jackets admittedly left some points on the field settling for a 14-10 halftime advantage, then had to rally in the game’s final 20 minutes to take control.

The Yellow Jackets used a “bend, don’t break” defensive approach, coming up with red zone turnovers (a first-half, fourth-down fumble recovery at the Evangel 14 by Darell Cottonham, and a goalline interception with 6:43 remaining by Azariae Barfield) that denied the Eagles two scores that would have come in very handy.

Offensively, Byrd piled up 398 rushing yards, 171 from Desmond Simmons and 157 by Christian Maxie.

“The kids played extremely hard, and the kids played extremely well. They ran the offense extremely well. We did get some penalties, but we were able to overcome ‘em. We ran inside, we ran outside, we threw a boot pass for a touchdown. Offensively, that was a really good game,” said Ballew.

Not in the headline, but determining the storyline: the big guys up front.

“The whole offensive line deserves credit,” said Ballew. “They played very well against a pretty physical Evangel front.”

Namely:  Byrd O-linemen Mason Coenen, Tanner Murrel, Alijah Chembles, Aiden Boutte, Josh Hutson, Braylon Buckingham, Joshua Vienne and Jacob Martin.

It has been a September to remember for Ballew.

“St. Amant was a good win. They have good athletes. The kids played all four quarters, and both sides of the ball, that was a good showing for us. Against Haughton, we came out and played fast, and got up on them quickly. The kids played great, but it wasn’t a four-quarter game. Week 1 and Week 3, those were complete games by offense, defense and special teams, games we had to win in the fourth quarter.”

With six starters back on both sides of the ball from last season’s 4-7 ride on the struggle bus, Ballew thought Byrd had the right stuff to rebound.

“Last year, those guys on the field didn’t have a lot of experience. These guys were on the field last year, and now they do have the experience,” he said. “These kids went through that rough season, and that’s why it’s so much fun watching these kids play, because they are having some success. Seeing them go through that season last year, they kept coming to practice and working their tails off, and now all that is paying off.”

While their stock is rising after the 3-0 start, including getting some votes in the LSWA’s Class 5A Top 10 this week, the forward vision is restricted. “We are looking at John Ehret, and that’s it,” said Ballew.

But three strong performances have some around the City of Byrd recalling glory years.  Ballew likes how his club is trending, but points out there’s a lot of proving ground to cover. He recommends waiting several weeks to see how these Yellow Jackets compare to some of Byrd’s better teams.

No doubt, however, Byrd is off to an excellent start.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Calvary doesn’t slip much in 2A poll; Airline, Byrd, Northwood on the radar

/ Megan Lowe

JOURNAL SPORTS

Calvary Baptist’s surprising loss on the road to Class 4A unbeaten Franklin Parish last Friday didn’t do much to alter the Cavaliers’ status in the high school football state rankings compiled by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. 

It did jump the winning Patriots (3-0) into the 4A Top 10 at No. 8.

It cost Calvary (1-2) just one spot and a few points in the Class 2A poll.  The Cavaliers, after a 32-28 defeat in Winnsboro, slipped out of the No. 1 ranking and just four points behind Newman, a team they beat in the Select Division III semifinals last year on the way to a state championship.

Calvary opened this season with a 62-41 win over Oak Grove, which maintained its No. 3 slot in the 2A poll. The Cavs’ other loss was also by four points, 42-38, in Week 2 to Class 5A’s No. 5 Neville Tigers. That didn’t dislodge CBA from the No. 1 ranking last week.

Calvary is the only local team ranked in the LSWA’s polls, although Airline and Byrd have status in the “also receiving votes” listing in Class 5A, and Northwood entered the chat in Class 4A.

The Falcons (3-0) could raise their stock considerably this Friday if they can go to Stonewall and knock off No. 6 North DeSoto (1-2) in a District 1-4A opener.

Airline (3-0) hosts Evangel (1-2) in a 1-5A contest. Byrd (3-0) goes south to John Ehret (1-2) in metro New Orleans.

Calvary carries a 58-game 1-2A winning streak into its league opener at home Friday night against 3-0 D’Arbonne Woods, which didn’t get a top 10 vote again this week.

Twelve LSWA members who cover high school football around the state vote weekly on the Top 10s in each classification.

This week’s LSWA Top 10 rankings by class: 

CLASS 5A 

School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking

1. Ruston (12)                         3-0, 144, 1 

2. Karr                                     2-0, 130, 2 

3. Acadiana                             2-1, 122, 4 

4. Catholic-Baton Rouge        2-1, 95, 3 

5. Neville                                3-0, 90, 5 

6. Alexandria                          3-0, 83, 10 

7. Zachary                               2-1, 66, 6 

8. John Curtis                          2-1, 51, 8 

9. Archbishop Rummel           3-0, 37, NR 

10. St. Augustine                     2-1, 28, 9 

Others receiving votes: Destrehan 24, Airline 14, Central 10, Brother Martin 9, Dutchtown 7, Mandeville 7, Barbe 5, Terrebonne 5, West Monroe 5, Byrd 4, Carencro 2. 

CLASS 4A 

School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking 

1. Teurlings Catholic (8)         3-0, 132, 4 

2. St. Thomas More (1)          1-2, 123, 1

3. Opelousas (2)                      1-1, 121, 3 

4. Westgate                              2-0, 106, 6 

5. Cecilia                                 2-1, 87, 5 

6. North DeSoto                      1-2, 81, 2 

7. E.D. White                          2-1, 79, 8 

8. Lutcher                                2-0, 60, 9 

9. Franklin Parish                    3-0, 48, NR 

10. Archbishop Shaw              1-2, 42, 7

Others receiving votes: Lakeshore 25, St. Charles Catholic 9, Leesville 8, Vandebilt Catholic 6, Northwood-Shreveport 5, Assumption 2, McDonogh (35) 1. 

CLASS 3A 

School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking 

1. University (12)                    2-1, 144, 2 

2. John F. Kennedy                 3-0, 130, 5 

3. St. James                             1-1, 121, 1 

4. Bunkie                                 3-0, 102, 6 

5. Northwest                           2-1, 90, 3 

6. Bastrop                               3-0, 75, 8 

7. Sterlington                          2-1, 73, 4 

8. Jena                                     2-1, 44, 7 

9. Jewel Sumner                     3-0, 39, NR 

10. Jennings                            2-1, 30, NR 

Others receiving votes: Amite 25, Madison Prep 25, De La Salle 15, Erath 10, South Beauregard 6, Parkview Baptist 4, Lake Charles College Prep 2, Pine 1. 

CLASS 2A 

School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking 

1. Newman (5)                        1-0,127, 2

2. Calvary Baptist (1)             1-2, 123, 1 

3. Oak Grove (4)                    2-1, 120, 3 

4. Dunham                              3-0, 117, 6 

5. Lafayette Christian             1-2, 97, 4 

6. Ouachita Christian              3-0, 87, 7 

7. Notre Dame                        2-1, 74, 5 

8. Episcopal-Baton Rouge      3-0, 65, 8 

9. Catholic-New Iberia           2-1, 42, 10 

10. Mangham                         2-1, 28, NR 

Others receiving votes: Ferriday 24, Union Parish 24, South Plaquemines 8, Pope John Paul (II) 6, Kinder 1, Northlake Christian 1. 

CLASS 1A 

School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking 

1. Southern Lab (10)                2-0, 142, 1 

2. Vermilion Catholic (2)        3-0, 134, 2 

3. Haynesville                          3-0, 118, 3 

4. Riverside                              1-1, 106, 4 

5. St. Martin’s                          3-0, 91, 5 

6. Kentwood                            2-1, 77, 6 

7. Ascension Catholic              2-0, 68, 7 

8. Opelousas Catholic              3-0, 50, 8 

9. Logansport                           2-1, 44, 9 

10. Catholic-Pointe Coupee       3-0, 27, NR 

Others receiving votes: Covenant Christian 21, St. Frederick 13, Jeanerette 9, Ascension Episcopal 8, Central Catholic 5.

Hoops happiness: Mulkey loves preseason construction of a team of mass destruction

/ Megan Lowe
GETTING STARTED: LSU sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams of Bossier City’s Parkway High, last year’s SEC Freshman of the Year, takes part in the 2024-25 Tigers’ first practice of the year Monday afternoon in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. (Journal photo by RON HIGGINS)

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – There’s eight weeks between LSU’s women’s basketball team opening preseason practice on Monday and the Nov. 4 season-opener here vs. Eastern Kentucky.

For Tigers’ fourth-year head coach Kim Mulkey, starting her 40th season as a college basketball coach – her 25th as a head coach – it’s always one of her most enjoyable times of the year.

If there’s anything that keeps the 62-year-old Mulkey’s competitive juices flowing, even with four national titles (3 at Baylor, 1 at LSU) and 723 coaching victories on the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020 inductee’s resume, it’s the annual challenge of piecing together a new team.

“I just have a lot of energy,” Mulkey said in a press conference before Monday’s practice and reveal of a 13-player roster boosted by four experienced transfers including three guards. “If you have the energy, if you’re putting a product on the floor, that’s competitive, and your health is good, what else am I going to do in life?

“It’s fun for me to get up every day and still feel like contributing something to this game. I feel like I’m probably one of the old dinosaurs that’s been able to adapt (to college sports changes such as the transfer portal and NIL deals). I’ve been able to adapt without changing my philosophies on the floor, with discipline, with defense, with rebounding and those things.”

LSU returns four starters from its 2023-24 team that finished 31-6 and lost to Iowa in a regional final, ending its defense of the Tigers’ 2023 national title.

It’s somewhat a reset since forward Angel Reese, the SEC’s scoring and rebounding leader in each of her LSU seasons the last two years and one of the most dynamic yet polarizing athletes in the women’s game, moved on to the WNBA.

Besides Reese’s early season drama sidelining her via an alleged suspension by Mulkey, LSU came up just short last season of a second straight trip to the Final Four because of a season-ending injury in November to sophomore forward Sa’Mayah Smith and inconsistent point guard play at a position that lacked depth.

While returning starters shooting guards junior Flau’jae Johnson (14.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and sophomore Mikaylah Williams (14.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and senior forward Aneesah Morrow (16.4 ppg, 10.4 RPG) are the heartbeat of the team, it’s Mulkey’s transfer portal shopping that may make the Tigers again a Final Four contender.

Mulkey lost three players to the transfer portal – struggling starting point guard Hailey Van Lith and little-used freshmen Angelica Velz and Janae Kent – and replaced them with a foursome of transfers with a combined 198 college appearances and 117 starts.

Three are guards – senior Shayeann Day-Wilson (Miami/Duke), junior Kailyn Gilbert (Arizona) and sophomore Mjacle Sheppard (Mississippi State) – and junior forward Jersey Wolfenbarger (Arkansas) who Mulkey recruited in her previous head coaching stop for Baylor.

Also, LSU’s lone true freshman is guard Jada Richard, a 5-7 scoring, playmaking whiz from four-time state champion Lafayette Christian Academy where she was the 2024 Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year and LSWA Miss Basketball, just like Bossier City’s Williams was a year earlier at Parkway High.

“You’re going to notice there are good guards, quickness, kids that can get up and down the floor,” Mulkey said. “We have more depth at the guard spots.”

LSU’s inside game, featuring Smith, returning starting center 6-6 Aalyah Del Rosario, is in a bit of disarray to start the preseason. Smith is coming off knee surgery and Del Rosario is recovering from bone spur surgery in her ankle.

For leadership, Mulkey will be leaning on the fearless and tireless Johnson (“I don’t think she ever gets tired,” Mulkey said) and Williams, who was last season’s SEC Freshman of the Year.

“I’m challenging her (Williams) to take it to take it to the next level and become more of a leader,” said Mulkey, who scheduled a Dec. 8 date vs. Grambling in Bossier City’s Brookshire Grocery Arena as a homecoming game for Williams. “That’s probably not fair, because she’s just a sophomore, but under the circumstances of what we have on our team, she may have to do more of that at an earlier age.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

LSU’s shaky start hasn’t taken Tigers off course

/ Megan Lowe
EARNED IT: Not only did LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier get the game ball from coach Brian Kelly after Saturday’s win over UCLA, he was chosen SEC Offensive Player of the Week Monday. (Photo by GUS STARK, LSU Athletics)

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – If favored LSU wins Saturday night in Tiger Stadium vs. South Alabama, it will enter its first open date with a 4-1 overall record.

It’s only one win short of most preseason predictions and expectations. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 13 in the AP poll and No. 14 in the coaches poll after starting the season No. 13 in the AP and No. 12 in the coaches.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

Hardly.

LSU has yet to play well for an entire game on both sides. The Tigers have been favored vs. their first four opponents but have trailed in three games because of slow offensive starts and fundamental defensive lapses.

Also, defensive starters linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (torn ACL) and tackle Jacobian Guillory (torn Achilles) are out for the year as is reserve running back John Emery Jr. (torn ACL).

Nobody will mistake LSU as a College Football playoff contender, but Tigers’ head coach Brian Kelly has been content with his team’s baby steps.

“This has really been about building our team, getting to know our team, know our strengths and our weaknesses, the things that we have to be better at in all phases of the game,” Kelly said at his weekly in-season Monday press conference. “But at the same time, we’re developing some of those younger players so that when we have to call on them, we can get the kind of play necessary to win SEC games.”

Junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and senior defensive end Bradyn Swinson, the Tigers’ most consistent players on both sides of the ball, were named the SEC’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week respectively after they led LSU to a 34-17 victory over UCLA last Saturday.

Nussmeier’s 352 passing yards and three TDs and Swinson’s two sacks and a forced fumble were performances that have been the norm for that duo.

Offensively, the Tigers scored on the first possession against the Bruins but couldn’t maintain its fast start.

Defensively, LSU allowed UCLA to convert 4 of 7 third-down situations, including a third-and-goal game-tying 11-yard TD pass with eight seconds left in the first half.

In the second half, the Tigers’ offense had two 90-yard plus TD drives and the defense held UCLA to 64 yards total offense.

A positive step for new defensive coordinator Blake Baker was not allowing long-distance plays.

Nicholls State’s Collin Guggenheim and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers ran through the heart of LSU’s defense on 67 and 75-yard quarterback keeper TDs on successive weekends and the Gamecocks’ Raheim Sanders scored on a 66-yard run around left end against a misaligned defense.

“The ones that you don’t accept at any level are the big play runs right where you don’t have structure to your defense and you don’t have the levels,” Kelly said. “They can’t happen.”

LSU’s challenge this weekend is making defensive adjustments to replace Perkins, who Kelly said made opposing offenses have to account for his whereabouts.

“You’re playing against a guy (Perkins) that can wreck your day,” Kelly said, “so you lose that piece right away. But there’s 10 other players that make that thing happen, and I think it really helps now that our guys understand all 11 have to work harder and have to work together to be the kind of defense we want to be.” 

KNOW YOUR ENEMY 

No. 14 LSU (3-1, 1-0 SEC) vs. South Alabama (2-2 1-0 Sun Belt), Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Saturday, 6:45 p.m., SEC Network 

Last game for Jaguars: Beat Appalachian State 48-14 last Friday in Boone, N.C. The Jags rushed for 320 yards and scored on their first four of five possessions. 

Series record and last meeting: First meeting between the Jaguars and Tigers 

South Alabama head coach: Major Applewhite (17-13 overall in 3 seasons, 2-1 in his first season at South Alabama) 

THIS AND THAT 

Appearance fee paid by LSU to South Alabama per game contract: $1.65 million and 400 complimentary tickets 

Early betting line: LSU by 21 

Number of Louisiana natives on South Alabama roster: 7 

Number of Alabama natives on LSU roster: 0 

Number of transfers on South Alabama roster from 4-year schools: 36 players from 29 schools including 17 players from 11 Power 4 Conference schools 

SOUTH ALABAMA PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Gio Lopez (57 of 92 for 843 passing yards, 9 TDs, 0 interceptions, RB Fluff Bothwell (359 rushing yards and 6 TDs on 37 carries, WR Jamaal Pritchett (26 catches for 354 receiving yards, 4 TDs, LB Blayne Myrick (34 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PBU), CB Amarion Fortenberry (13 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 interception, 3 PBU), PK Laith Marjan (5 of 6 FG, 17 of 18 PAT), P Aleski Pulkkinen (9 for 38 yards per punt, 3 fair catches, 5 inside the 20). 

THREE AND OUT

1. Where does South Alabama play its home games?

A. Ladd-Peebles Stadium

B. The Florabama Dome

C. Hancock Whitney Stadium

D. Tommy Hicks Memorial Coliseum

2. How long has South Alabama been an FBS (Division 1-A) football member?

A. Since 2012

B. Since 2016

C. Since 2009

D. Since 2019

3. What Baton Rouge high school did South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite graduate from where he was also a star quarterback?

A. Glen Oaks

B. Catholic

C. Broadmoor

D. Belaire

ANSWERS: 1. C. 2. A 3. B

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

They gave up 87 points? What the heck is going on with NSU football?

/ Megan Lowe

NATCHITOCHES — Time for a reality check on Northwestern State football.

The 2024 Demons aren’t ready for prime time. Not to say this is a hopeless season – in fact, it’s exactly the opposite. It is filled with optimism and belief, radiating from new coach Blaine McCorkle and his staff, and the 106 players who will never yield, like their fight song says. Fine if you don’t believe. They do. They’d appreciate your support now, but they are willing to earn it.

They’ll tee it up Saturday afternoon at nationally-ranked Southeast Missouri State in their fifth game, desperately seeking progress, and in a perfect scenario, a win. SEMO is on the other end, the playoff-contending end, of the Football Championship Subdivision, the NCAA Division I level where Northwestern also plays.

There is a massive gap between the programs. Here’s the stark truth, facts McCorkle does not shy away from as he talks to his team, or anyone else, as he did a couple of Sundays ago at the First United Methodist Men’s monthly breakfast gathering. 

As of this Tuesday morning, Sept. 24, it has been 689 days since the Demons won a football game. They didn’t play the last four of the 2023 season, meaning that the program was halted, suspended, shut down. You can count on no fingers any other Division I football program that stopped competition in midseason in at least a half-century, probably longer. Not here to dispute the decision made last fall to stop playing; but as a result, there was rampant speculation that football was finished at NSU.

It’s not. It’s back, but it’s now a startup team, with a rebuild nearly from scratch.

The Demons haven’t won a non-conference game in six years. Some of those non-conference games have been “paycheck games” such as visits to LSU and Texas A&M; other six-figure appearance fees have been collected from less prominent but much better resourced opponents such as Tulsa, Louisiana Tech, UL Lafayette, and Southern Miss.

It’s been since 2008 that the Demons had a winning season. There have been 15 consecutive non-winning seasons (.500 in 2013 and 2014), the third-longest skid in FCS.

The latest reality bite: in their Sept. 12 game at South Alabama, the Demons picked up about $350,000 for visiting, and were routed 87-10. Not going into all the distressing notes, but it was the worst drubbing for the purple-clad boys since leather helmets (LSU 78-0, 1921).

“We gave up 87 points,” McCorkle said to those early-bird Methodists, “and I’m fine. Because I know, without a doubt, who we are and where we are headed.”

As to where they are now: here’s perspective from an expert. Glenn Moore played tight end on the Demons’ 1988 Southland Conference championship team. His expertise, however, comes from nearly 30 years of college coaching, the last 25 as a head coach – in softball. He was the successful softball coach at LSU (winning two SEC championships) and since 2001, he’s been in charge of a Baylor program that has often been ranked in the top 10, and has made three Women’s College World Series trips.

Glenn knows all too well about the transfer portal and NIL and all the rip tides in college sports that are tearing at the core of the NCAA. He lives at the other end of that world. Baylor has money. Baylor plays bigtime football. Glenn and wife Janice, who’s from Natchitoches, have a son playing for the 2024 Demons. Ty is a tight end who signed in the spring. He began his college career at Baylor.

So is Glenn discouraged by that 77-point beatdown at South Al? Not a bit. He said so in a Facebook post:               

“As a former member of an SLC Championship team and a very proud alum (along with my wife) and also the father of a current Demon, I couldn’t be more proud of the players and coaches who have been chosen to bear the painstaking yet awesome task of reversing the path.  I promise if you saw behind the surface, this program would make you proud and honestly emotionally supportive. 

“To say this is a difficult task in today’s world of athletics is a major understatement — we all know that.  But the people are in place that can get it done. 

“Unfortunately unless donors can replace the money needed to run a program, FCS teams have to play the mismatched ‘money’ games.  We are not close to competing in them because of where the program is and has been, but we also don’t get back on our feet without those games and the revenue from them.

“I know it’s not in the nature of most fans but this situation calls for unusual patience and devotion, if one ever did. It’s very unrealistic and even unfair IMO to expect anything more than to just be competitive, and never quit, in the SLC this year.”

That’s not what McCorkle and his team are trying to do. It may be all they can do. Hope, faith and persistence may be their best assets this season. Along with doing things the right way, on and off the field. As to that, here’s another expert view:

Vance Morris lives in Natchitoches. He’s a retired football coach. He coached in the big time (Missouri as a young man, to name one job), and he coached at small colleges (Louisiana College, Austin College, to name a couple more).

He watched a Northwestern practice in August. He came away with two impressions:

“In all my years watching football, I’ve never seen a practice better organized, more efficient, more effective. There was no wasted time, no wasted effort,” he told me then. He added:

“Don’t be surprised if at some point this season, they beat somebody you’d never think they could. What’s going on there is really good.”

One more thing McCorkle will tell you. He took over a program that has won 12 conference championships.

“We’re gonna get this going again, and we’re gonna win Number 13,” he says, without a shadow of a doubt.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Georgia Price named National Merit Scholar Semifinalist

/ cpoole003
 

Clap your hands for Airline High School senior Georgia Price, who is a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist.

Price is at the top of her class at Airline and actively involved in numerous organizations at school. She is also in the Bobbie Cates Hicks SMART program at LSU Health Shreveport, which is for academically advanced high school seniors who have an interest in STEM careers.

Being chosen as a Semifinalist is a true feat given that 1.3 million students across the nation take the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program before the pool is narrowed. Price is one of only 237 seniors in Louisiana to earn the distinction and is now eligible to advance as a Finalist and compete for millions of dollars in scholarships.

National Punctuation Day

/ cpoole003
By Jeanni Ritchie
 
National Punctuation Day is a celebration of punctuation that occurs each year on September 24. Founded by Jeff Rubin in 2004, National Punctuation Day simply promotes the correct usage of punctuation.
 
“Let’s eat grandma” implies something more cannibal than command without the comma. 
 
“Let’s eat, grandma” is an entirely different sentence. 
 
The advent of technology has turned an entire generation into shorthand secretaries. Acronyms abound and punctuation has become obsolete. Text messages are akin to rebus puzzles, where decoding skills are a must. 
 
I’m still old school. My sentences have proper punctuation and I’m a firm believer in the Oxford comma. Forget current grammar rules: a series of three or more events must have a comma after all but the last one. 
 
I also love a semicolon. It links related phrases as cause and effect without superfluous words. I often have a word count; I carefully cut conjunctions. 
 
I found punctuation to be beneficial in math as well last week. I was celebrating my 55th birthday (those numbers get bigger and bigger each year) and I had a brainstorm! What if mathematical symbols were as important to numbers as punctuation was to words? I decided to insert a simple + between the two digits of my birthday. 
 
5 + 5 = 10
 
Forget getting older. This was technically my 10th birthday. I celebrated accordingly and in true pre-teen style with a Frog and Toad tee and pink pigtails. What a difference a symbol can make!
 
Happy Punctuation Day! 
 
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com. 

Notice of Death – September 23, 2024

/ NPJ

Terry Lynn Nations
March 29, 1962 – September 18, 2024
Service: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 4pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Mun Cha Song Adkerson
March 25, 1943 — September 19, 2024
Service: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 1pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Billie Madge Shadowens Bradley
September 13, 1935 — September 20, 2024
Service: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 1:30pm at Forest Park West Cemetery, Shreveport.

Margaret S. Murphy
November 2, 1924 – September 21, 2024
Service: Saturday, September 28, 2024, 11am at Forest Park East Cemetery.

Norma “Deenie” Bost
August 16, 1926 – September 22, 2024
Service: Pending at Osborn Funeral Home

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)

SBJ’s Lunch Review: Herby-K’s

/ NPJ
Herby-K’s

Frequently, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter has lunch at a local restaurant and tells you about the experience.

By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services

There are people who, and places which, live off their reputation.

“He used to be a great quarterback, but now, he’s showing his age.”

“That restaurant used to be the talk of the town but has really gone down.”

Herby-K’s (1833 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport) has been around – and in the same place – since 1936. It has been featured on national television shows and in national publications. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has anything bad to say about Herby-K’s.

But is the longtime favorite of many as good as it used to be? Or is it living off its reputation? On a recent Monday, I invited a friend to join me for lunch and find out.

We arrived just before 11:30. I had not been to Herby-K’s in a few years, but remembered there aren’t many tables, either inside or outside. So, I thought it best we  arrive earlier rather than later. It was a blue sky, lower-than-usual-humidity kind of day, so we chose to eat outside – or as outside as Herby K’s offers. Its patio is covered and air-conditioned, so you don’t really get the feeling of being outside. But before going in, I took a peek at the inside dining room. My impression was that not much has changed since 1936. Except for probably some new seat cushions, Herby-K’s is what it has always been – an old-school eatery with a reverence for history. The walls are full of old pictures and signs. The bar still has stools which swivel and don’t have a back.

On the patio, there were four picnic tables which could seat as many as eight people. Not wanting to take up a big table, we chose the only table for two, with its skinny ironwork, which made me wonder if it would hold up the entire lunch. The atmosphere was quaint. There was blues music playing from speakers at just the right volume.

Herby K-‘s felt comfortable.

It wasn’t long before Percy arrived to take our drink order. Sometimes, you meet people who you immediately like. This was one of those times. My guess is Percy wakes up smiling and goes to bed smiling. He answered our questions, made suggestions, and addressed us as “Ma’am” and “Sir.” Percy was the type person we should all strive to be.

Herby-K’s menu had lots from which to choose. Appetizers, oysters, sandwiches, burgers, po-boys, salads, seafood, and lunch specials. But if you know anything about Herby-K’s, you know for what the restaurant is known.

The Shrimp Buster.

But if you’re not hungry enough for four butterfly fried shrimp, you can order the Baby Shrimp Buster ($13.99). I’ve known my friend a long time, so I was surprised when she told me she had never had a shrimp buster. I was not surprised when she decided to have the Baby Shrimp Buster. She also chose to – for an extra $2 – substitute fries for onion rings. My friend had a Diet Coke ($2.99) to drink.

Percy told us about the Lunch Special, as well as an off-the-menu choice. They both sounded good. I also thought long and hard about having the Herby-K’s Shrimp Salad. But I will let you in on a little secret. When there’s an opportunity to have a (grilled) catfish po-boy ($13.99), I am likely to take advantage of that opportunity.

It wasn’t long before Percy brought two plates to our table. There was nothing “baby” about the size of my friend’s shrimp. Both were on a bed of buttered, toasted garlic French bread. The shrimp were flanked by a small serving of coleslaw, and a container of Shrimp Buster sauce. There were also four, maybe five, onion rings.

My friend loved the shrimp, saying they tasted “buttery.” She noted the shrimp were thin, which made them better. She was also happy she didn’t order the regular shrimp buster. “(The Baby Shrimp Buster) was just the right size for someone who doesn’t eat a lot.” My friend compared the coleslaw to the slaw her mom used to make, which is saying something.

As for the onion rings, which cost me (okay, the Journal) an extra $2? My friend said they were worth it. She described them as “good and crispy.” My friend especially appreciated the fact the batter was not overly thick, which allowed her to enjoy the onion taste, without the onion being all you could taste.

You know that feeling when you see what you’ve ordered, and are immediately pleased with how it looks? I had that feeling when Percy placed my food in front of me. I noticed two things right away. The po-boy was huge – cut in half and making me doubt if I could eat it all (I did.) And you know how with a lot of po-boys, it’s maybe 80% bread and 20% what’s inside? Not in this case. The bread wasn’t overwhelming. Instead of trying to be the star of the show, it was simply a nice enclosure for the several pieces of fish. My po-boy was dressed with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato. If you ask, you can also have tartar sauce, onions, and pickles.

It wasn’t long ago when I wrote about “the best catfish po-boy I have ever eaten” at another local restaurant. That po-boy must now share the honor. My Herby-K’s catfish po-boy was equally as good. The bread wasn’t over-toasted, and the fish didn’t taste like fish. The sandwich was hot, as were the fries. It is very satisfying when what you order exceeds your expectations.

Herby-K’s offers one dessert choice: White Chocolate Bread Pudding. However, there was no way we had room for anything else. That is, until Percy brought us a bowl of the pudding “on the house.” We were surprised, and felt obligated to take a couple of bites. That obligation turned into us eating all of the pudding. As with my po-boy, I had previously declared another local restaurant had “one of the best desserts I may have ever had,” referring to their bread pudding. This bread pudding is now “one of the best desserts I may have ever had.” Holy cow! Yes, it was full of sugar, but I could have drunk a gallon of that pudding. It was so good that when I return, I won’t hesitate to pay for it!

The cost of our meal before tax and tip was $34.21. If you pay with a credit card, know there will be a 4% surcharge, which is clearly noted on the front of the menu.

Herby-K’s is not in a part of town I frequent. A once-thriving Texas Avenue, which runs East-West to Pierre Avenue, is lined with long-since vacant, crumbling buildings. If you’re going to Herby-K’s, you have to be going to Herby-K’s. And in giving it Four Forks, I will go back, and go out of my way to do so.

After all these years, Herby-K’s continues to live up to its reputation.

Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit for lunch?

Email SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com.

Forks Four

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

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

  • Baby Shrimp Buster
  • Grilled Catfish Poboy
  • White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Shreveport Fire Department thanks members of “C-Shift” and Communications

/ cpoole003
We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to each of you for your exceptional work during a rare 1-hour occurrence on Sept. 20 where every available Engine, Truck, Rescue, Battalion, and Medic apparatus was actively engaged at the same time. To maintain focus and clear communication during such a high-stress and rare occurrence is truly commendable. It is in these moments—where not every system is working to full capacity—that the importance of effective communication becomes even more critical.
 
The fact that this occurred without the presence of a catastrophic weather event underscores the rarity of the incident and the exceptional coordination you all demonstrated.
 
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and the vital role you play in keeping our community safe, no matter the challenges.

Smitty’s Pizza is moving

/ NPJ
9375 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services

A popular Shreveport pizzeria, which has served customers at the same location for more than 40 years, will soon be moving.

Smitty’s Pizza, at 9375 Mansfield Road, announced in a Sunday night Facebook post it “will be moving closer to the middle of Shreveport.” However, the post did not name the new location, reading, “We will announce once it has been confirmed.”

Representatives of Smitty’s thanked the people who live in Southern Hills, saying that part of town “has been very kind to us and we will miss everyone from that area that has supported us.”

The post did not indicate a specific date for the move, reading that it “will take place very soon, even possibly in the next one-and-a-half months.”

The move, as indicated in the post, is necessary because the owner of the building in which Smitty’s is located wants to sell the building.

Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com.

18-wheeler engulfed in flames

/ NPJ

KEITHVILLE – Friday night, Caddo Fire District 4 were dispatched to the 7800 Block of Preston Road in Keithville, following reports of an 18-wheeler carrying salt water that had caught fire. Fire crews arrived in under 8 minutes to find the rear of the truck heavily engulfed in flames, All occupants were safely out and unharmed.

Firefighters quickly deployed hoses and extinguished the fire within minutes of arrival. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Eagle Scout installs soccer goals at Betty Virginia Park

/ cpoole003
Have you noticed the soccer goals at Betty Virginia Park? You can thank Henry Werner for them. As part of his community project to become an Eagle Scout, Henry raised money to install these goals. He started this incredible project in 8th grade, and he’s now a freshman at Byrd High School.
 
When asked why he chose this project, Henry said, “It’s hard to find professional soccer goals in Shreveport, and I wanted to help.”
 
And how does it feel when he sees people using the goals he put there? “It makes me feel proud that other people are using something I put there.” Henry also shared, “I hope that being an Eagle Scout speaks to my character and the man I hope to be in the future.”

Bossier Parish Police Jury to consider millage rates

/ cpoole003
The Bossier Parish Police Jury will hold a public hearing to consider levying additional or increased millage rates without further voter approval or adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forward to rates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum on Wednesday, October 2, at 2 p.m., at its regular meeting place in the Police Jury Meeting Room, Bossier Parish Courthouse, 204 Burt Boulevard, Benton.

Bossier Parish Schools recognize Karla Horton as Gold Star recipient for month of September

/ cpoole003
The Bossier Parish School District recently surprised and honored Karla Horton as its first Gold Star recipient for the 2024-25 school year for the month of September.
 
With the unwavering support of her amazing team in the Child Nutrition department, Horton was the powerhouse behind the summer meal program. Over six weeks, they distributed a staggering 38,000 boxes, equating to 530,000 meals.
 
From setting up locations, ordering storage containers, and ensuring meal boxes were delivered (even staying at one school in the middle of the night for a delivery), her tireless efforts made a profound impact on the community.

Caddo Grand Jury returns seven true bills

/ cpoole003
The Caddo Parish Grand Jury handed up seven true bills in its session that ended on Sept. 19. Three of the indictments were in connection with local murders, while one was issued for obstruction of justice. One man was the subject of two separate indictments, for hit-and-run driving and for second-offense driving while intoxicated. The seventh true bill was issued under seal in regard to a first-degree rape.
 
  • Malcolm Jamal Morris, 33, and Deonza Dewayne McClinton Sr., 31, both of Shreveport, were separately indicted for second-degree murder in connection with the June 4, 2024 slaying of Billy Ray Doyle, 41.  Doyle, of Keithville, was outside a gas station in the 4300 block of Linwood Avenue when he was struck by gunfire. He died at the scene.
 
  • Ledonald Tyeska Sanders, 40, of Haughton, was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the slaying of Breyone Grimes, 37, on June 10, 2024. Mr. Grimes was shot while sitting in his car at a gas station at Hollywood and Jewella avenues.
 
  • Shanecia Sade-Lynette Bradley, 20, stands charged with obstruction of justice on allegations that on July 24, 2024 she tampered with evidence in an unspecified criminal investigation.
 
  • Donnie Ray Harris, 68, of Shreveport, was indicted twice, for hit-and-run driving and for second-offense DWI, a misdemeanor.  The felony charge is in connection with an incident that occurred July 22, 2024, while the DWI charge stems from an event the following day.
 
  • John Lee Taylor, 40, of Shreveport, is charged with first-degree rape in connection with an incident that occurred on or before May 9, 2024, when he was booked into Caddo Correctional Center, where he remains under a $750,000 bond. Due to the nature of the charges against him, his indictment was issued under seal, with no further details available.

With the heat at a peak, Tigers helped one another to put away UCLA

/ Megan Lowe

BATON ROUGE – There were numerous reports of fans feeling faint in Tiger Stadium during LSU’s 34-17 victory over UCLA here Saturday afternoon.

In the first half, the reason was that 92-degree heat baked everything that wasn’t in the shade.

In the second half, it was because the Tigers’ defense, after their typically uneven first half, held one of college football’s worst offenses scoreless. Then, LSU’s offense cranked out consecutive touchdown drives of a season-high 14 plays for 96 yards and 11 plays for 92 yards followed by an 8-play, 32-yard drive for a field goal.

That’s a combined 33 plays for 220 yards, 2 TDs (one rushing, one passing) eating 15:15 of game clock, or possessing the ball for just more than a quarter.

Dare you say it, LSU third-year head coach Brian Kelly? Your team played. . .

“Complementary football,” Kelly said.

All on one field from the same team for two consecutive quarters. Feel free to call 911 and lose consciousness. No sun required.

On Sunday, the Tigers (3-1) moved two spots to No. 14 in the Associated Press and jumped three spaces to No. 13 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. You could say with little argument that LSU is overrated at this point considering none of its wins against a weak early schedule haven’t been four-quarter masterpieces.

What is difficult to remember – probably even at times for Kelly who is almost at a loss for words about his team’s inconsistent play-to-play execution – is that his squad is a work in progress.

Last year’s 10-3 Tigers had Heisman Trophy-winning QB Jayden Daniels, the nation’s best dual signal caller with four seasons of experience as a starter (the first two at Arizona State, the last two at LSU).

After the first four games a year ago, LSU was 3-1 with Daniels accounting for 372.3 of the Tigers’ 530.1 yards (338.3 passing, 191.8 rushing) total offense per game. Armed with veteran wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, LSU had already made 29 plays gaining 20 or more yards with 15 plays over 30 yards including 8 TDs.

Daniels’ running ability spread defenses from sideline to sideline. The Tigers could score in a blink.

This season, new offensive coordinator Joe Sloan (who was LSU’s QB coach last season) re-tooled the offensive scheme to fit the skill set of new starting QB Garrett Nussmeier, who only leaves the pass pocket to escape pressure.

With four of five offensive line starters from last season, LSU’s offensive personnel reflects its stats – 418.5 yards total offense (314.8, 103.8 rushing) — with a patient and probing scheme, lots of shorter pass routes and running backs who often have more receiving yards than rushing yards.

Nussmeier is tied for second nationally in TD passes (13), ranks second in completions per game (28.25) and seventh in passing yards per game (311.75 ypg).

LSU’s rushing attack, dead last in the 16-team SEC and 102nd nationally averaging 103.8 yards, will likely not be better than any team remaining on the Tigers’ schedule. LSU’s next five opponents (including next Saturday’s Tiger Stadium visitor South Alabama) are all ranked in the top 20 nationally in rushing.

Though the Tigers have just 19 plays so far of 20 yards or more with just five 30 yards or more and 5 TDs, the offense aside from some blue zone (inside the opponents’ 5-yard line) failures, has been mostly on-schedule.

“Coach Sloan does an unbelievable job of putting us in the right position to make plays,” Nussmeier said. “He does an outstanding job of understanding how teams are trying to attack us.”

Defensively under new coordinator Blake Baker, whose strong suit is masking coverages and blitzing, the Tigers are getting closer to becoming a constant stonewall.

But for the moment, it’s not usual for LSU’s defense to make two consecutive plays and then an awful one on third and/or fourth down to keep opposing drives alive. UCLA forged a 17-17 halftime tie by converting 4 of 7 third downs and 1 of 1 fourth downs.

“The mistakes are maddening,” Kelly said.

It’s not like LSU defenders aren’t being coached.

“What’s maddening is we have the players, the skill and the talent,” Tigers’ linebacker Whit Weeks said. “You have to get your feet and eyes right, put yourself in the right position and do your job. You don’t have to do somebody else’s job. You’ve got 10 other dudes besides yourself out there on the field that can make plays.”

LSU’s defense is increasingly countering its handful of bonehead, asleep-at-the-wheel busts with effective blitzes from every direction. It’s resulted in much-welcomed tackles for loss (23 for minus 120), sacks (12 for minus 91), QB hurries (15) and turnovers gained (6 with 4 fumbles and 2 interceptions).

Senior defensive end Bradyn Swinson, who’s second in the SEC and tied for fifth nationally with five sacks, likes the complementary football the Tigers have played in their decisive second halves the last two weeks in wins.

“The more that we (the LSU offense and defense) are connected, that’s just feeding off each other energy,” Swinson said. “I feel that’s what we’ve been missing for a long time.”

The first four games have clearly established the 2024 Tigers’ identity. Few, if any victories, will come easy in a league that has teamed ranked in five of the top six spots in the national polls.

Kelly hopes incremental improvement on both sides of the ball will offset occasional mental mistakes. He knows exactly what he has on his roster. No miracles are waiting in the wings.

“Nobody is getting traded,” Kelly said playfully in his UCLA postgame press conference. “Those are the guys we’re going to work with, and we’re going to just keep coaching them, we’re going to keep working with them, and they’re going to turn the corner in terms of listening and trusting, and we’re going to keep working on how to put them in a better position as coaches.”

Buckle up. There’s plenty of exhilaration and aggravation left in the season.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

As feared, LSU star LB Harold Perkins Jr. done for the season with knee injury

/ Megan Lowe
SIDELINED STAR:  LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. was the SEC Defensive Player of the Week in 2022 as a true freshman after a dynamic performance at Arkansas. (Photo by KRISTEN YOUNG, LSU Athletics)

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – LSU’s next man up” mantra will be severely tested.

It was confirmed Sunday night that Tigers’ junior linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., a projected first-round pick in the NFL’s 2025 draft, tore an anterior cruciate knee ligament in Saturday’s win over UCLA and is out for the season.

He’s the third LSU player this month to sustain a season-ending injury, joining reserve running back John Emery Jr. (torn ACL) and starting defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory (Achilles tear).

Perkins, who had 17 tackles and 1½ tackles for loss for the 3-1 Tigers, started the first two games this season at weakside linebacker which is his projected position in the pros.

In the last two games, he started at strongside linebacker as new defensive coordinator Blake Baker sought to put Perkins in various spots where he could rush the passer.

A 5-star recruit who was rated as the fourth-best high school player in the Class of 2022 by ESPN, Perkins burst into the national spotlight as a true freshman for his pass rushing that wrecked offenses.

During three weeks, he earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors vs. Ole Miss and followed with back-to-back SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors vs. Alabama and Arkansas.

Starting just eight games, he was named All-SEC first team and a freshman All-American. He finished the year with 72 tackles and led LSU in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (7½).

Last season as a sophomore, then-LSU defense coordinator Matt House had Perkins start the season at middle linebacker. He struggled dealing with offensive linemen outweighing him by 100 pounds and House quickly moved him to different spots to take advantage of his speed on the edge of defenses.

Still, he led the team in tackles for loss (13) for the second straight year and finished with 75 tackles and 5½ sacks.

Just before the start of this season, he was awarded by the LSU coaching staff the coveted No. 7 jersey, which annually goes to the best playmaker on the team.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly, not knowing the extent of Perkins’ injury immediately after the 34-17 victory over the Bruins, speculated what the Tigers would do if Perkins had to miss playing time.

“We can still stay in our buffalo package,” Kelly said. “We can go back into our dime package, dropping (safety) Major (Burns) down. So, we’ve got a lot of options there.”

LSU starting linebacker Whit Weeks said after the win that losing Perkins would be a blow.

“We’re definitely gonna have to step up, because he has become a very vocal leader this year,” Weeks said. “He’s the guy that’s firing us up in the huddle and getting everything right.

“We’re gonna have to rely on somebody else to do that for us, but we’ve got a bunch of leaders on defense.”

LSU plays its last of four non-conference games this Saturday at 6:45 p.m. in Tiger Stadium vs. South Alabama. After an open date, the Tigers play their last seven SEC games in eight weeks starting by hosting unbeaten No. 5 Ole Miss on Oct. 12.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

Unbeaten Yellow Jackets fly forward

/ NPJ

JOURNAL STAFF

Fresh off a road win at Evangel, the Byrd Yellow Jackets moved into the top 3 spot in the weekly Shreveport-Bossier Journal Top 10 poll.

No. 1 Parkway and No. 2 Airline both had solid wins to hold their position in the poll, but the Jackets, who have moved up one spot every week, are at No. 3 after a 35-23 win over the Eagles. All of the top three are undefeated.

So is No. 7 Northwood, but the Falcons’ opponents have a combined record of 1-8. They will open play in District 1-4A in a big way when they take on North DeSoto in Stonewall, where the Griffins are stinging from a surprising blowout loss to West Monroe.

The new team in the poll is North Caddo (2-1) after a 36-32 win over Southwood last Thursday night. The Titans, who weathered two successful onside kicks in the fourth quarter, come in at No. 10 in this week’s poll.

The only game involved two Top 10 teams this week will happen in north Bossier when the Airline plays host to No. 8 Evangel.

The SBJ Top 10 entering Week 4:

  1. Parkway (3-0)
  2. Airline (3-0)
  3. Byrd (3-0)
  4. Calvary (1-2)
  5. Huntington (2-1)
  6. Capt. Shreve (2-1)
  7. Northwood (3-0)
  8. Evangel (1-2)
  9. Loyola (2-1)
  10. North Caddo (2-1)

Dropped out: Haughton (1-2)