October is Fire Prevention Month, and the Bossier City Fire Department will visit all Bossier City elementary schools to teach children the important lessons of fire safety. This month began with a Proclamation by Mayor Chandler at Apollo Elementary School. Fire Prevention officers from the department’s Prevention Division will give presentations and facilitate activities intended to teach children about fire safety while being fun and entertaining.

Shreve Memorial Library invites children and teens to learn more about science, technology, and space during World Space Week Oct. 4-10. An international celebration, World Space Week 2024 celebrates the transformative impact of space technology in the ongoing battle against climate change through a variety of STEAM programs related to space and space exploration. All programs are free and open to the public. Registration may be required.

Children and teens will explore concepts of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) in a number of interactive STEAM programs, including painting planets workshops, alien hand crafts, DIY moon sand, and science experiments.

Monday, Oct. 7

The Oil City Branch, located at 102 Allen Street, invites children and families to learn more about space with puzzles and worksheets at 12:30 p.m., and at 3 p.m.

The Cedar Grove-Line Avenue Branch, located at 8303 Line Avenue, will encourage children to explore the stars through a variety of science experiments and crafts. 

The David Raines Branch, located at 2855 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, will help children explore space by creating DIY moon sand at 4 p.m.

The Hosston Branch, located at 15478 U.S. Highway 71, will help children create galaxy snow globes.

Wednesday, Oct. 9

The Broadmoor Branch, located at 1212 Captain Shreve Drive, will host a special Homeschool Explorers program in which homeschool students will design and describe planets using foam ball and other materials. The program will begin at 2 p.m., and registration is required.

The Means Branch, located at 7016 E. Magnolia Lane in Ida, will host an alien handcraft workshop at 4 p.m.

The Rodessa Branch, located at 10093 Main Street in Rodessa, will host a rocket ship craft for children at 4 p.m. 

Thursday, Oct. 10

The North Caddo Branch, located at 615 N. Pine Street in Vivian, will help children use their imaginations to paint their own planets at 4 p.m.

The Atkins Branch, located at 3704 Greenwood Road, will teach children how space technology can help with climate change at 4 p.m.

Teens can also participate in hands-on World Space Week STEAM workshops.

Monday, Oct. 7

The Atkins Branch will help teens will create solar system beaded necklaces at 4 p.m.

The West Shreveport Branch, located at 4380 Pines Road, will take teens on a journey through the cosmos with space art and storytelling at 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 8

The North Shreveport Branch, located at 4844 North Market Street, will help teens create paper cup flying rockets at 4:30 p.m.

The Belcher-Wyche Branch, located at 409 Charles Street in Belcher, will help teens build glitter galaxy jars at 4:30 p.m.

The Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch, located at 2105 Hollywood Avenue, will help teens with a constellations themed project at 4:30 p.m.

The North Caddo Branch will help teens make galaxy pastel chalk drawings at 4:30 p.m.

The Broadmoor Branch will help teens make stomp rockets at 4:30 p.m.

The Cedar Grove-Line Avenue Branch will help teens make galaxy slime at 4:30 p.m.

Additional teen STEAM programs include an interactive edible/nonedible satellite workshop at the David Raines Branch on

Wednesday, Oct. 9

the David Raines Branch will hold an interactive edible/non-edible satellite workshop at 5 p.m. 

Friday, Oct. 11

The Hosston Branch will hold a constellation painting workshop at 4 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 12

The Mooretown Branch, located at 4360 Hollywood Avenue, will hold a galaxy and constellation art workshop at 10:30 a.m.

Drop-in Programs:

The Rodessa Branch will also host a drop-in scavenger hunt.

The Wallette Branch, located at 363 Hearne Avenue, will hold a constellation word search activity available for children and teens throughout World Space Week.

The Blanchard Branch, located at 344 Alexander Street in Blanchard, will host a drop-in pipe cleaner constellation craft for children and teens.

Special World Space Week story time programs will also be held throughout the week at several Shreve Memorial Library branches. Children and their caregivers are invited to blast off into reading and learn about space at interactive story time programs featuring stories, games, songs, and crafts. Story time programs are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 8

·       10:30 a.m. at North Shreveport Branch

·       4 p.m. at Mooretown Branch

·       4:45 p.m. at the West Shreveport Branch

Wednesday, Oct. 9

·       10 a.m. at Broadmoor, Hamilton/South Caddo, Hollywood/Union Avenue, and Wallette Branches

·       10:30 a.m. at Cedar Grove-Line Avenue Branch

Thursday, Oct. 10

·       4 p.m. at the Belcher-Wyche Branch

For more information on World Space Week, visit worldspaceweek.org.

 By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports

It’s been a complicated week for the Parkway Panthers.

There was a search for a starting quarterback after the two-year starter was injured last week. That search ended – where else? – by finding a lacrosse player in the middle of the week.

Then there was the matter of several players, many of them starters, being removed from the team following an off-the-field incident.

Another complicating factor was this week’s opponent, the Byrd Yellow Jackets, who had exactly the same amount of losses as Parkway did coming into the game – zero.

So when things got complicated Thursday night at Preston Crownover Stadium, the Panthers did the most decidedly uncomplicated thing: Give the ball to C.J. Dudley.

Again.

And again.

And they kept doing it until the horn sounded on the Panthers’ 46-35 win. “That was my favorite moment of the game,” Dudley said.

The senior running back had more carries in the game (39) than he had in the previous four games combined. He also ran for 210 yards and four touchdowns. “Every time you hit him, he’d still gain four or five yards,” Byrd coach Stacy Ballew said.

Go ahead and assume that Dudley slept well Thursday night. But the same probably can’t be said for Parkway coach Coy Brotherton, who had an idea that, because of how the week had gone, Dudley might be getting more than his share of the workload.

“I told him during the week that whatever you do, don’t call Child Protection Services on me on Friday,” Brotherton said.

“Everybody stepped up tonight,” Dudley said. “Byrd did an awesome job too, so we had to keep going and do our job.”

There were plenty of jobs being done and done well by both teams, but surprisingly it was Byrd that had the big play offense (11.6 yards per play) and Parkway with the ball control (the Panthers ran 76 plays to Byrd’s 33).

“I’m probably not going to sleep, because all I will remember is big play after big play,” Brotherton said.

He’d be better off counting sheep, because the big plays seemed to never stop coming. As impressive as Dudley was for the Panthers by constantly picking up key first downs – “we just couldn’t get them off the field,” Ballew said – the Panther senior might not have even been the most impressive running back on the field.

Dudley averaged 5.4 yards per carry; Byrd’s Christian Maxie averaged 30 yards per carry more than that. The sophomore scored three touchdowns – the shortest was 51 yards – and had 291 yards rushing. Just his three touchdown runs alone accounted for 200 yards.

The game started as if the Yellow Jackets were going to get run out of the stadium as the Panther defensive line blew up the first six Byrd plays. That, and two big punt returns by Mark Copenhaver, led to two Dudley touchdown runs and it was 14-0 by the time the parking lot got full.

But on the first play after that, Maxie took a pitch from quarterback Harrison Ayers was went 76 yards for a touchdown, signaling that the Yellow Jackets weren’t going anywhere.

As impressive as he was, the Parkway offense was a lot more than just Dudley. Senior Gavin Ferrington, who was probably planning on watching this game from the student section before he was invited onto the team mid-week, completed an amazing 12 of 13 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

“It’s a special moment for these kids, especially for Gavin,” Brotherton said. “Those kids and assistant coaches rallied around him.”

In the end, though, it was two fumble recoveries Chase Crowder and Nate Kemp (both deep in Parkway territory) in the last six minutes of the game that sealed the game and moved the Panthers to 5-0.

“That was one of those games that you feel like you just ran out of time,” Ballew said. “The kids played extremely hard and we were in it the whole way. I was proud of how we hung in there against them. They are a good team.”

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

SCORING SUMMARY

P – C.J. Dudley 26 run (run failed)

P – Dudley 5 run (Dudley run)

B – Christian Maxie 76 run (Asher Murray kick)

P – Gary Burney 24 pass from Gavin Ferrington (kick failed)

B – Maxie 73 run (Murray kick)

P – Carmaro Mayo 4 run (run failed)

P – Dudley 4 run (Shawn Jackson kick)

B – Maxie 51 run (Murray kick)

P – Mayo 19 pass from Ferrington (Jackson kick)

B – Harrison Ayres 19 run (Murray kick)

B – Quinton Hilliard 26 run (Murray kick)

P – Dudley 9 run (run failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Byrd, Maxie 8-291-3 TD, Desmond Simmons 8-40, Hilliard 6-35-1 TD, Ayres 10-11. Parkway, Dudley 39-210-4 TD, Mayo 15-78-1 TD, Team 4-minus-9, Ferrington 1-minus-18.

PASSING: Byrd, none. Parkway, Ferrington 12-13-0-140-2TD.

RECEIVING: Byrd, none. Parkway, Mayo 8-91-1 TD, Burney 2-29, Josh Coleman 2-20.

Hey, Major League Baseball, you’re kidding right? Please tell me I’m not seeing what I’m thinking I’m seeing.

There are now logos on the batting helmets for every team throughout the post-season? That can’t be right.

Not only that, it’s for a company that no one has ever heard of. And it’s not even an American company.

I have no idea what Strauss is, does or sells. And what is with the ostrich in part of the logo? (Which seems more than appropriate, given that we’d all like to bury our heads in the sand rather than look at these abominations.)

Is it Levi Strauss? If that’s the case, then I’d figure that all the players would be equipped with slim-fit denim. Is it Johann Strauss, the Austrian composer? Let’s all waltz around the bases!

I’m so hacked off about this whole thing that I’m boycotting any Strauss or Strauss-related product.  Whatever they are.

Because you are dying to know, the reason for the ostrich is because the German word for ostrich is “strauss.” (A.) I couldn’t make that up and (B.) Feel free to share that with your friends and family.

The craziest part of this whole thing is the timing. For once, MLB did the right thing and changed its collective minds over something every red-blooded, baseball-loving American has been saying for the last few years – GET RID OF THE STUPID “LEAGUE UNIFORMS” IN THE ALL-STAR GAME!

Happily, someone came to his/her senses and made it happen.

And the good feeling from that lasted about 18 seconds. Because now, we have to deal with this helmet sticker ridiculousness.

There’s only one word to describe what it’s like when you first see the helmet ads – jarring. So much so that it takes away from watching the actual game. Is the sticker on both sides or only one? Are they also on the catcher’s helmets?

I’m so happy to know that we now have an “Official Workwear of Major League Baseball,” as the media release says. Don’t know how long we have survived this long without one.

So how did all of this come about? As TV executive Don Ohlmeyer once said, “the answer to all of your questions is money.”

Donny boy, you are right once again. Apparently, $15 million is the price to trivialize a sport at its most crucial time of the year. It’s one thing to do it when two teams are playing in Japan at the start of the 2000 season – who even noticed back then? – but when it’s time for your showcase event of year and you dumb it down as much as possible, well that’s something different entirely.

Entirely stupid.

The founder of Strauss, a German conveniently named Henning Strauss, stumbled upon an MLB game when he was kid. He ended up with a few million burning a hole in his pocket, so what better way to show off than doing something as tacky as possible, figuring that the American public couldn’t get enough of some quality canvas overalls.

Yes, MLB teams have been wearing patches on their sleeves for a while and its mildly bothersome, but it’s far from going full NASCAR. At least not yet.

Just a side note – I guess it’s a good thing Tony Taylor doesn’t play in the major leagues anymore.

You’ll have to go back aways, but Taylor was a two-time All-Star for the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1960s and ‘70s (and later a coach for the Shreveport Captains in 1990-91) who was known to never wear a helmet at the plate. So what would MLB have done about that? Velcro the logo it to his hat?

 JOURNAL SPORTS

A dozen high school football games tonight involve local teams, including a full slate in District 1-4A’s second week of competition.

The 1-5A schedule features defending champion Captain Shreve hosting unbeaten Airline in a matchup of explosive offenses at Lee Hedges Stadium, and district unbeaten Huntington going to Rodney Duron Field to meet Evangel. That contest showcases the Raiders’ pounding ground game and Evangel’s dynamic passing attack.

Along with the Loyola at Minden matchup in 1-4A, Booker T. Washington (3-1, 1-0) gets a shot to show it can contend in the district race when North DeSoto (2-2, 1-0)  visits Leonard C. Barnes Stadium.

Week 5 local prep football

Thursday’s score

DISTRICT 1-5A

Parkway 46, Byrd 35

Tonight’s games

DISTRICT 1-5A

Airline (4-0, 2-0) vs. Captain Shreve (3-1, 2-1), Lee Hedges Stadium – broadcast on The River, 95.7 FM

Huntington (3-1, 3-0) at Evangel (1-3, 1-2), Rodney Duron Field

Natchitoches Central (1-3, 0-3) at Haughton (1-3, 0-3), Harold Harlan Stadium – broadcast on 100.7 FM KZBL, Natchitoches (BDCRadio.com)

NON-DISTRICT

Leesville (3-1) at Benton (0-4) – broadcast on The Benton Tiger Sports Network, https://network1sports.com/station/benton

DISTRICT 1-4A

Northwood (3-1, 0-1) vs. Woodlawn (1-3, 0-1), Independence Stadium

North DeSoto (2-2, 1-1) at Booker T. Washington (3-1, 1-0), Leonard Barnes Stadium

Southwood (0-3, 0-1) at Bossier (1-3, 0-1), Memorial Stadium

Loyola (3-1, 1-0) at Minden (4-0, 1-0), The Pit – broadcast on Real Country 104.5 FM; www.kbef.com

DISTRICT 1-2A

Magnolia School of Excellence (0-3, 0-1) at Calvary (2-2, 1-0), Jerry Barker Stadium – broadcast on Promise 90.7 FM

Green Oaks (1-3, 0-1) at D’Arbonne Woods (3-1, 0-1)

DISTRICT 1-1A

Glenbrook (2-1, 1-0) at Plain Dealing (0-4, 0-1) – broadcast on KASO AM 1240

NON-DISTRICT

North Caddo (3-1) at Mansfield (1-3)

 By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports

Loyola coach John Sella has got something with this 2024 Flyer football team. He’s just not exactly sure what it is.

But this much he does know – he’s about to find out.

The Flyers, who are 3-1 and off to their best start in five years, will travel to Minden tonight to take on the undefeated Crimson Tide.

This will be the second game in District 1-4A — who jumped from Class 2A this year. Ten years ago, the Flyers also played in Class 4A for two years and won only three district games.

“Last time we weren’t too successful (in 4A),” said Sella, who is in his first year as head coach. “This time, I think we have a really good team but I want to believe what I’m seeing and that we are pretty good.”

Take a look at the numbers and it’s easy to see there’s plenty to like about the Flyers. The offense is averaging 316.2 yards per game and has scored 126 points in the last three games. There’s a good balance in running (4.8 yards per carry) and passing (196 yards per game).

The defense has been outstanding, allowing only four touchdowns all year and particularly adept and getting turnovers (six fumbles recoveries and seven interceptions).

But there is also this: Minden has won as many games as all of Loyola’s opponents combined.

That’s why Sella sees this as a measuring stick game for the Flyers. Just don’t try to tell his players that.

“I definitely see it that way, but I’m not sure the kids do,” Sella said. “We aren’t going to bring attention to it. I’m hoping they are just locked in.”

He also probably doesn’t want to bring attention to the fact that they’ll be up against a team that has defeated them in the last seven meetings and 11 of the last 12.

The two teams haven’t met since 2015, so history isn’t as likely to play as big of a role as what goes on between the offensive and defensive lines. Minden’s ball-control offense is unlike any Loyola has faced this year.

“They are bigger than us up front and some of our guys who go both ways are going to be up against that the entire time,” Sella said. “We are going to have to find a way to manage their time on defense because we are going to need them on offense.”

While Minden is ground-oriented (only 27 pass attempts all year), the Flyers do have more balance with 100 rushes and 87 passes this year. That’s a formula Sella would like to see continue, but keeping the Crimson Tide offense off the field will be crucial. Minden has converted 47 percent of its third down conversions this year.

“I’d like to see us balanced, but we really need to establish the run,” Sella said. “They are going to grind it out, so we are going to have to start fast and try to get ahead and make them throw the ball.”

Junior running back Mason Drake (359 yards) has had back-to-back games with three touchdowns for the Flyers and has eight total scores for the year.

Minden has three running backs – Denarius Crowe, Caylien Aubrey and Porter Neal – who all average at least 5.5 yards per carry.

On defense, cornerback Carter Ward has five interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Loyola averages twice as many yards per play (6.8) and their opponents (3.4).

“All three of their defensive linemen are very good and that allows them to do some things on the back end in coverage,” Sella said. “We just have to stay physical, which we have been doing so far. But just not against this kind of size. We are just going to have to toughen up.”

By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Sports Information Director

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The more things change, the more they come back to the same.

Such it is for the Northwestern State football team as the Southland Conference portion of its 2024 season arrives Saturday with a 7 p.m. matchup at Homer Bryce Stadium against longtime rival Stephen F. Austin with coverage on ESPN+.

The Demons (0-5) and Lumberjacks (2-2, 0-1) will meet in Nacogdoches for the first time since 2018. The winner will claim possession of a newly designed trophy that will replace the retired Chief Caddo, which stood as part of the rivalry from 1960 to 2019.

“Rivalry games are fun,” first-year head coach Blaine McCorkle said. “It will be fun to go across the state line to play that other school that wears purple and see what happens. When you get to rivalry games, records are out the window. There is a lot of history and tradition with this one. A lot of people will be watching and paying attention. This game means a lot to a lot of people. Our team needs to recognize that and understand the responsibility that comes with this game.”

For much of the Chief Caddo portion of the rivalry, the Demons and Lumberjacks often met late in the season. At times, Southland Conference championships were on the line.

Saturday’s meeting gives Northwestern a chance to start Southland play on the right foot while Stephen F. Austin will try to level its conference record.

“It’s exactly what we need,” wide receiver Twon Hines said of opening conference play against a longtime rival. “We’re going to be juiced up. We’re going to be ready. For those of us who were here and those of us who weren’t here – at this point we’re all a team – we lost to SFA last year. That leaves a sour taste in my mouth. This is our chance. We have a chance to determine what we’re going to make this into. We’re very optimistic. We’re ready to go and keep gelling as a team.”

Fast forward a little more than a year from that Sept. 16, 2023, meeting and Stephen F. Austin is back in the Southland Conference, adding more fuel to a rivalry that is etched deeply in both programs’ history books.

“I’m really excited about the matchup,” redshirt freshman defensive end Chancellor Owens said. “There is a lot of history that goes into it. I’m definitely excited for it, especially with them being in the conference.”

Owens collected the first full sack of his Northwestern career in the Demons’ Sept. 28 loss at No. 13 Southeast Missouri State, playing a key role on a defense that limited the Redhawks to 15 fewer points than their scoring average. Additionally, the Demons held SEMO – the then-No. 6 passing attack in the Football Championship Subdivision – to 55 fewer yards than its average.

That followed a game against Weber State in which the Demons limited the FCS’ then-No. 11 rushing attack to nearly 100 yards fewer than its season average.

SFA, however, presents a different challenge than both of Northwestern’s previous two opponents. The Lumberjacks enter Saturday’s game ranked sixth nationally in total offense in a much more balanced way.

Both SFA’s rushing and passing attacks are 14^th nationally in their respective categories.

“They’ve got a quarterback who’s on his fourth school and throws the ball around really well,” McCorkle said. “They’ve got a 230-pound running back who goes straight ahead. They have good receivers on the edge. They give you a good mix and play a balanced style of football. I enjoy watching them play. It’s something we’re trying to grow ourselves. We have our hands full on the defensive side to the ball to make sure we know where were and that we’re aligned right and assigned right, and we’re playing with that same effort we’ve been playing with to ensure we have another good showing on that side of the ball to give ourselves a chance to win.”

Contact Jason at pughj@nsula.edu

JOURNAL SPORTS

The home ice could be just the spark the young Shreveport Mudbugs hockey team can use as a three-week homestand begins tonight at George’s Pond in Hirsch Coliseum.

The Mudbugs (2-4) take on the Warriors (2-3) tonight and Saturday night with the puck dropping at 7:11 both times.

Oklahoma has allowed 23 goals in its five games. Shreveport has surrendered 20 in its six outings.

The Mudbugs have scored just 14 times. The Warriors have 16 goals.

The locals went 1-2 last week while playing outside the  South Division in the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn.

A third-period three-goal surge carried the Chippewa Steel to a 4-3 victory over the ‘Bugs on Saturday, less than 24 hours after nearly knocking off the USA Development Program team, falling 3-2. Shreveport won its opening game 3-2 over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings.

Veteran Lucas Deeb continues to provide the offensive firepower for the Mudbugs.

The City of Shreveport has announced that its Paint Your Heart Out initiative is back for 2025. The City of Shreveport: Community Development will be accepting applications until December 31, 2024. Members of the public interested in getting their house painted at no charge can complete find out more details at the following link and complete an application for consideration: shreveportla.seamlessdocs.com/f/PYHO2025.

Over 1,700 houses have received a complete exterior face-lift in the past thirty successful years. This program is carried out by volunteers who give of themselves and their time each year. It is also thanks to the sponsors who give in-kind and financial gifts to support the program. The staff of the Community Development Department put in many hours to make sure that everything is done in time for the big day.

Selected homes are painted by professional contractors.  For more information, please call 318-673-5900 or stop by the office at 401 Texas Street, Suite 329.

By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports

Byrd head football coach Stacy Ballew may sound like a calm, cool, laid back guy, but he admits that he had some anxiety coming into the 2024 season.

Of course, four straight wins over four solid opponents have gone a long way to calming Ballew’s nerves — until this week, maybe.

The undefeated Yellow Jackets will travel across the Red River to Preston Crownover Stadium tonight to take on the Parkway Panthers in a District 1-5A battle of the unbeatens at 7 p.m.  Both teams are 2-0 in the eight-game district season.

“It’s not the big rivalry game,” Ballew said. “But once you get into district — our district is very competitive with each other. It’s a big game. Both of us are 4-0 (overall) and that has a lot to do with it. Adds some excitement. I’m very excited about where we’re at. I’m excited for our kids.”

The game also has an air of mystery about it. Parkway is recalibrating after starting quarterback Kaleb Williams was knocked out of last week’s 40-12 win over Natchitoches Central and coach Coy Brotherton is keeping mum about his replacement.

Ballew said that won’t change what his team does.

“You just prepare. You don’t change,” he said. “They’re going to find somebody. They’re going to move a running back there or they’re going to move a wide receiver there. They’re going to have their JV quarterback coached up. I don’t think it’s going to change their scheme. It might change some of the play calls.  As a coach you don’t reinvent things.”

Ballew will just be counting on his defense to do what it has been doing the past four weeks. Through four games the Yellow Jackets have held opponents to three rushing touchdowns and a total of 262 yards.

“The kids are playing well right now,” Ballew said. “It’s been a different group every week. Week 1 it was all of them, the front and the secondary played well. Week 2, our D-line really kind of shined. Week 3, the secondary did a pretty good job (at Evangel). And then last week I think we could have played a little bit better than we did, but our offense is playing well too.”

Offensively, Byrd and Ballew have long since forgone the new-fangled spread offense and stuck to an old-school triple option with a couple of Wing-T plays in the mix.

Why? “It fits our kids,” Ballew said. “That’s the answer.”

With a stable of power runners, Byrd is averaging 363 rushing yards per game with 17 touchdowns scored, an average of 36.2 points per game.

 Leading the way is Christian Maxie, who has rushed for 396 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. Desmond Simmons has rushed for 340 yards and five touchdowns on 53 carries. He also has one receiving touchdown. And Quinton Hilliard has rushed for 289 yards and five touchdowns on 26 carries. Running the operation is savvy, tough, senior quarterback Harrison Ayres.

Ballew doesn’t call them weapons, though.

“We’ve just got some hard-nosed kids,” he said. “I don’t want to take anything away from them, but they’re a bunch of hard-nosed kids that play hard.”

The game can be heard on 1130 AM KWKH.

 Contact Lori at sportslyons@gmail.com

By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine

It’s nothing new: Shreveport-Bossier has some really talented quarterbacks in the Class of 2025, and going forward.

This has been said time and time again by many people, but one of the greatest QBs to ever come out of Louisiana was Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw (Woodlawn), my idol growing up as he led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl wins. Another great local legend is Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Joe Ferguson (also out of Woodlawn), a Heisman Trophy contender at Arkansas and a tremendous player for the Buffalo Bills. They are two of the best to ever play in the AFC and for my money, in the NFL.

I started following recruiting in 1982. I’ve been in the business since 1990 and while compiling and publishing Louisiana Football Magazine since 1996, I’ve seen some really good ones come out up here.

Arnaz Battle (Byrd HS) played at Notre Dame. Of course, Dak Prescott (Haughton HS) was sensational at Mississippi State and is one of the best in the game with the Dallas Cowboys.

Brock Berlin (Evangel Christian) was one of the nation’s top recruits and played for the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes. Brent Rawls (Evangel Christian) signed with Oklahoma. Josh Booty (Evangel Christian HS) was a top MLB Draft pick who got to the big leagues, then played QB at LSU.  John David Booty (Evangel Christian) had a great career with the Southern Cal Trojans.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Stan Humpries (Southwood) led San Diego to the Super Bowl after taking Northeast (now ULM) to the Division I-AA national championship in 1987.  The late David Woodley (Byrd) was really good at LSU and started in a Super Bowl for Miami.

We could be here all day if I keep going.

Who are the future greats from Shreveport-Bossier? I’m going to assess the Class of 2025 QBs I have seen play — both highly recruited and not recruited enough yet.

First comes Ben Taylor of Airline (6-2, 210) — a rare four-year starter at a Class 5A school with a big-time arm who is poised when rushed. In 2023 Ben threw for 49 touchdowns with 4,180 yards passing. Currently committed to Northwestern State, he is the best the Demons have attracted at that position since coach A.L. Williams had a bunch of talent there from 1975-82, developing a T-formation QB, Bobby Hebert from South Lafourche, into a longtime starter with the Saints and Falcons in the NFL. Taylor reminds me some of Craig Nall from Alexandria, who signed with LSU, started a few times with the Tigers, and had a breakout 2001 season at Northwestern that propelled him into the NFL.

Under-recruited but with a laser touch, Abram Wardell (6-0, 185) at Calvary Baptist – Wardell reminds me of Brock Berlin, who was one of the USA’s top recruits at Evangel Christian. They are similar in size and like Berlin, Wardell has the knack for always throwing the perfect pass at the right time. He’s such a clutch player. Wardell was last year’s Class 2A All-State Outstanding Player with 3,833 yards, 45 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

Bumping up near the top of the class is Jaxon Bentzler (6-2, 215) of Northwood – I believe he’s a big time Division I player. A tight end starter in 2023, Bentzler carries a 4.4 (on a 5.0 scale) GPA. He has the arm and size and toughness to play college football at a high level. He could sign on the Division I level in baseball, where he is a two-time All-Stater.

Then there are the sleepers, who have lots of ability and not a lot of attention.

Tovoras Lee (6-1 202) of Green Oaks is a kid I have seen play all four years he has started. As a freshman he was 5-11, 150 and started from Game 1. He has filled out and has the stuff you want in a college player.

Brodie Savage (6-2, 185) at Captain Shreve opened last year as a starter but got hurt and missed most of the Gators’ district championship season. He’s back in 2024 with a cannon arm and a confident demeanor and shows good feet in the pocket. In under three games in 2023, Savage had 708 yards passing. He also could sign a D-1 baseball scholarship.

Quintarion “Quan” Scott (6-2, 190) at Bossier is a big time sleeper with a good arm and is still evolving into a quarterback. He has a good arm and skill set.

Lorenzo “LJ” White is a new starter for Huntington with 4.6 speed and a good arm. He is a dual threat QB evolving with one season to show recruiters what he has to offer.

Those are just the ones I have seen in the Class of 2025. It’s a great time to get out and watch some exceptional QBs playing high school football in Shreveport-Bossier.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on X @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.

By RON “MAD DOG” HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – I left my house Tuesday morning to play golf, then returned five hours later to find a loud, raucous party in progress.

My patio was full of small dogs. Some were nibbling on a charcuterie tray of various dog treats. Others had formed a conga line as “Who Let The Dogs Out?” blared from two huge speakers. Out in the backyard, plastic fire hydrants were stationed in every corner. There were starting and finishing lines painted on my grass. A group of sniffing mutts were nosing in front of an open garage window.

I walked out the back door to our patio but was stopped by a bulldog bouncer. He huffed, “Hey old man, you lost? Got an invite?”

“This is MY house,” I replied. “Where’s Skippy the Wonder Bichon?

Just about that time, Skipper, wearing shades and a fedora, emerged from a crowd of giggling female Corgis while sipping a drink.

“Have you met my bouncer Brutus?” Skippy said. “Yo Brutus, this is Dad Dude. He’s cool. Let him in. Dad Dude, wanna sip of my drink? I call it Doberman’s Delight. It has Red Bull, tequila, mango juice and a hint of lighter fluid.”

I paused to calm myself and finally asked between gritted teeth, “Skippy, what IS going on HERE?”

“It’s a `I Love Me A Whole Lotta Me’ party,” Skippy said. “I have come within one game of tying you in three of the first four weeks of our picks, “6-4 to your 7-3 last week. One bad week has left me 30-20 to your 38-12. But I’m comin’!”

“Can you shed light on this backyard setup?” I asked.

“The fire hydrants are dog porta-potties,” Skippy explained. “There’s a start and finish line because our guests are about to race each other. They’ll be chasing a mechanical squirrel.

“Barry, a beagle who runs a part-time bookie shop out of his carport kennel, has graciously set up in our garage where he’s taking bets through the open window.”

“How much is this costing?” I sputtered.

“Around $1,300,” Skipperoo said, “but the money is coming from YOUR bank account. It’s what you would have spent on the cruise this week, counting me and my brother Buddy’s boarding. When you canceled the cruise Monday fearing another tropical depression in the Gulf, I sent out the party invites.”

I walked away muttering, “I can’t win. I just CAN’T win.”

“Yes, you can,” Skippy yelled over the music. “Bet on the chihuahua to win the race. He steals his dad’s Ritalin and eats them like M and M’s. It’s why we call him `Speedy’ Gonzales.”

Here’s Week 6:

No. 1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1 SEC), First Bank Stadium, Nashville, Saturday, 3:15 p.m. (SEC Network)

Betting line: Alabama favored by 23

The skinny: In four quarters last week in the win over Georgia, Alabama proved no team is invincible, including almost itself.

Mad Dog’s pick: Milroe’s Militia 57, Gloria Vanderbilt School of Beauty 6

Skippy’s pick: Alabama

No. 4 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Arkansas (3-2, 1-1 SEC), Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Betting line: Tennessee favored by 14

The skinny: There are better Tennessee teams than this that have scaled the mountains of Northwest Arkansas and not made it back alive. These Vols are packing a terrific defense.

Mad Dog’s pick: Just Joshin’ is Makin’ Bacon 54, Pulled Porkers 21

Skippy’s pick: Tennessee

Auburn (2-3, 0-2 SEC) at No. 5 Georgia (3-1 1-1 SEC), Sanford Stadium, Athens, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)

Betting line: Georgia favored by 24

The skinny: If Kirby Smart is anything like his mentor The Sabanator, he doesn’t mind a September loss to get his team re-focused to make a run to the playoffs.

Mad Dog’s pick: Kirby’s Not Just Smart, He’s Also Angry 48, Auburn Wins When Hugh Freeze’s Over 14

Skippy’s pick: Georgia

No. 12 Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1 SEC) at South Carolina (3-1 1-1 SEC), Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Betting line: Ole Miss favored by 9

The skinny: Don’t you feel sorry for Lane Kiffin after last week’s home loss to Kentucky? Nahh, I didn’t think so.

Mad Dog’s pick: Jaxson Throws Darts 34, Foghorn Leghorn Community College 24

Skippy’s pick: South Carolina

No. 9 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at No. 25 Texas A&M (4-1, 2-1 SEC), Kyle Field, College Station, Saturday, 11 a.m. (ABC)

Betting line: Texas A&M by 2½

The skinny: I can’t decide if Texas A&M is better prepared than Mizzou because it has played legit competition or if Mizzou is sharp and well-rested after playing mostly Girls Scout Troops.

Mad Dog’s pick: Columbia Cats 27, College Station Cowchasers 24

Skippy’s pick: Texas A&M

In other games:

Iowa (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) at No. 3 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten), Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (CBS)

Betting line: Ohio State favored by 20½

Mad Dog’s pick: Big Bad Buckeyes 42, It’s Just Iowa 10

Skippy’s pick: Ohio State

Michigan State (3-2, 1-1 in Big Ten) at No. 6 Oregon (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten), Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Friday, 8 p.m. (FOX)

Betting line: Oregon favored by 24

Mad Dog’s pick: Disco Ducks 45, Ain’t A Sparty Party 10

Skippy’s pick: Oregon

No. 15 Clemson (3-1, 2-0 ACC) at Florida State (1-4, 1-3 ACC), Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Saturday, 6 p.m. (ESPN)

Betting line: Clemson favored by 14½

Mad Dog’s pick: Dabo Steadies the Ship 38, Florida State of Shock 21

Skippy’s pick: Clemson

UCF (3-1, 1-1 Big 12) at Florida (2-2, 1-1 SEC), Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Saturday, 6:45 p.m. (SEC Network)

Betting line: UCF favored by 2½

Mad Dog’s pick: Gus Malzahn’s Waffle House Knights 27, Gainesville Crocs 24

Skippy’s pick: Florida

Tulane (3-2, 1-0 AAC) at UAB (1-3, 0-1 AAC), Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Saturday, 12 noon (ESPN+)

Betting line: Tulane favored by 15

Mad Dog’s pick: Tu-lane 35, One Lane 17

Skippy’s pick: Tulane

Contact Mad Dog or Skippy at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

Facebook has a neat feature. From time to time, a photo appears on your page of a person or event that took place at some time in the past.

Last week, I enjoyed a photo that cropped up on my site that triggered a special memory. When my grandson, Max, was just a little kid and he and his family lived nearby, he enjoyed hanging around with me trying to emulate what I was doing, and this was particularly noticeable when I took him fishing.

I remember taking Max to a neighborhood pond where I was bass fishing. While I was fishing for bass with my spin-cast reel, Max was fishing with his little Zebco 33 and he hooked and landed a bass, the first one he ever caught. The photo of Max proudly holding his first bass was the image that popped up on my screen last week.

Ironically, my Facebook page this week contained a photo of Max taking his 5-year-old son, Beorn, fishing and showing the big bluegill his son caught. It’s sort of a generational evolution where the son grew up to become a dad and had the experience of doing for his son what had been done for him when he was a kid.

Dennis Tietje lives in the community of Roanoke in southwest Louisiana and his family is in the business of raising crawfish on their property. I have been intrigued by the reports Tietje has had on Facebook over the past couple of weeks of the outstanding teal season he has had on the property.

“Our crawfish farm holds water through crawfish season and we keep it watered all the way to teal season. What this means is that when teal start arriving this time of year, they have a place to stop, to feed and hang out. Crawfish ponds have a lot of native grasses and aquatics and the teal really respond to it,” Tietje explained.

One thing of interest is that although he has friends who hunt with him, his favorite hunting partner is his dad, Cyrus Tietje, who is just a few weeks shy of reaching his 90^th birthday.

“When teal season opened, Dad said he’d like to go with me maybe one day to see if he could manage it. That one day has turned into him wanting to go four of the five days we’ve hunted. After that first day when Dad went with me, the next morning, Dad was standing in the carport, camo on and shotgun in hand and he is in the blind with me just about every time I go,” Tietje said.

“Our blinds are set up to where we can drive a side-by-side up to the blind and all Dad has to do is step out of the machine and into the blind. He has really gotten a kick out of getting to hunt with me and before season opened when we would go out just to see the birds working, he jokingly asked if we could open season a few days early,” he chuckled.

Not only do they teal hunt together, they have property north of the crawfish ponds where they deer hunt. Tietje said he has a stand where his dad can easily step into it with no problem.

“I can’t tell you how special it is to still have my Dad, who brought me up hunting when I was just a little fellow, and now I get to return the favor and thankfully, he’s still able to enjoy it,” said Tietje.

Just like my grandson, Max is able to share what he loves with his son, Beorn, and hopefully one day when Max is older, Beorn will be able to be the one to take his dad. It’s a generational evolution, and it’s a beautiful thing.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

The Shreveport Regional Arts Council cordially invites the public to attend the unveiling of ‘Look Up Child’ Mural at Midway Elementary School, today at 10 a.m.

This Mural is a part of the ‘Put A Poem On It’ Mural Project sponsored by Caddo Parish Commissioners in collaboration with Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

‘Look Up Child’ was created by Caddo Parish Poet Laureate Poetic X and Award-Winning Visual Artist Alex Richardson. The mural serves to provide inspiration that encourages Hope, Education, Poetry and Art within the community of Caddo Parish. I appreciate you all in seeing ‘Put A Poem On It’ Mural Project vision fulfilled.