By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine

The night after Thanksgiving is a fabulous occasion every season in high school football. High stakes quarterfinal matchups, the elite eight teams in each division, playing for survival after a focused week with no classes to attend.

It’s also a great night for fans to get out, bundle up and see some of the best players and coaches in the state getting after it.

Three Shreveport-Bossier teams are playing Friday. Airline and Calvary Baptist are home. Byrd goes down I-49 to Alexandria.

I think the game to watch not only in the area but across the state is in Bossier City, where the home team can reach the state semifinals for the first time in 52 years.

Both teams like to throw the football. I think whoever has the ball last will win.

Destrehan (9-3, No. 10 seed) at Airline (11-0, No. 2), Non-Select Division I

Destrehan has beef up front. The Wildcats average over 270 pounds on both sides of the ball and they have talented defensive backs and wide receivers. Ask anyone at Northwood last week when Destrehan took control going into halftime of a 63-24 second-round win ending a fine season by the Class 4A Falcons.

Key to the game: what quarterback will have the best night. Destrehan’s Jackson Fields is one of the top Class of 2026 QB’s in the state.

I like Airline since it’s a home game and the Vikings have their ace, senior Ben Taylor. The Northwestern State commit ranks among state’s all-time career passing leaders and has thrown for 44 touchdowns and 3,978 yards passing this season. He gets great protection and has an arsenal around him.

Beating Westgate last week 42-16 in a game that wasn’t really that close proves Airline can play with anybody who has speed and size. Destrehan does.

I am going with Airline Friday night – and next Friday in the semis, which will be a home game for the Vikings.

Episcopal (9-2, No. 6) at Calvary Baptist (9-2, No. 3) – Select Division III

Calvary is the defending state champion, playing at home, with a lot of players back from last year’s team.

I actually saw Episcopal in person last week beat Pope John Paul II 24-7. I think this game will not be close and Calvary on the way to the state finals.

The only way it’s close Friday night is if Calvary gives Episcopal points with turnovers. The Knights’ biggest starting lineman on either side of the ball weighs 225 pounds. Only two weigh over 215 pounds.

Calvary’s big men matched up well with Class 5A Neville early this season and the Tigers were fortunate to get back to Monroe with a 42-38 victory. The Cavaliers will wear down the visitors from Baton Rouge Friday night.

Look for Calvary’s running game with James Simon IV and company putting up many yards in a convincing victory.

Byrd (9-3, No. 10) at Alexandria Senior High (11-0, No. 2)

Alexandria has beaten a bunch of powerhouses. They played the toughest schedule in Louisiana and still went 11-0.  The Trojans won close ones, they came from behind, and lately, they’ve been in blowout mode against Neville and Evangel.

It’s the best ASH team I have seen in 31 years. Two months ago, I picked them to win the state championship. I still pick them.

Byrd has a young team that’s playing well and is well coached. Stacy Ballew’s squad has traveled well going south against good competition.

This one boils down to the Yellow Jackets’ triple option run game trying to keep pace on the scoreboard – and chewing up clock – against a stout defense and the unstoppable offense of ASH led by the best player in the state.

ASH RB JT Lindsey will sign with LSU next month. I believe he could have played for LSU this year and helped the Tigers a lot – he’s that good.

With due respect to Byrd, this would be a massive upset, because former Evangel star Thomas Bachman and his ASH Trojans are really good and playing at their peak.

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.

JOURNAL SPORTS

Thanksgiving traditions run deep within all of us.

Local football coaches certainly have their treasured memories and eagerly-anticipated activities – and treats on the dinner table. If you’re not hungry yet, brace yourself!     

DENNY DURON, Evangel – “I love every single dish my Mom has served at Thanksgiving all of these years …the turkey and dressing, the green bean casserole, the FABULOUS sweet potatoes and of course cranberry trimming AND giblet gravy.”

REYNOLDS MOORE, Benton (Ole Miss fan and alumnus) – “I had fried turkey for the first time when my father-in-law cooked it for a tailgate in the Grove when my wife and I first started dating. The next Christmas they gave me a turkey frying set.

“Since then, he has sat back and watch me fry the turkeys every Thanksgiving. It’s a really cool tradition and has meant a lot to me. Plus, how do you beat fried turkey!!!!???

“This year we are all going to Ole Miss for the Egg Bowl and then over to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl.”

JUSTIN SCOGIN, Airline – “Turkey and cornbread dressing! Mom cooks the turkey and dressing together;  also, mashed potatoes and gravy.”

AUSTIN BROWN, Northwood – “I’ve just got into smoking/grilling. This will be my second Thanksgiving to cook for the extended family.”

COY BROTHERTON, Parkway – “All the desserts and football.  I’m not a turkey fan, maybe on a roll. But I save up the for the desserts, watching football and hanging out with family.”

STACY BALLEW, Byrd – “Family.”

ANTHONY JOHNSON, Magnolia School of Excellence – “My favorite Thanksgiving foods are cornbread dressing with cranberry sauce, Cornish hens, pecan pie, BBQ ribs while watching NFL football and catching up with the family.”

JOHN SELLA, Loyola – “Neither one of my brothers live in town anymore so the holidays will typically bring them and their families back home to Shreveport. It’s a lot of fun when they come in town and we can get back to the old tradition of picking on our younger brother.”

MATTHEW SEWELL, Haughton – “I had some great hunting buddies in high school and college. I was always a deer hunter growing up.

“One of those buddies in particular — Thomas Stanfield — was a couple years older than me. I was always a deer hunter growing up. Had never really done anything else but turkey hunt. He took me under his wing when I was a freshman and taught me how to duck hunt.

“He had a little pond on his deer lease we real creatively called the Honey Hole. For about 5-6 years, every Thanksgiving morning a group of us would go to the Honey Hole for a Thanksgiving wood duck shoot.

“We’re all older now and have families of our own but those Thanksgiving break duck shoots in high school and college with great friends are some of the best memories of my life.”

STEPHEN DENNIS, Huntington – “My favorite dish is a sweet potato dish made by my wife. It’s not the traditional sweet potato casserole style most of us in the south are accustomed to — she makes it with Asiago cheese, heavy cream, and onions, I absolutely love it!!

“My favorite activity is probably spending time with family and watching the Cowboys game.

THEDRICK HARRIS, Woodlawn – “Favorite Thanksgiving activity? That’s easy, some of my best memories are of years practicing on Thanksgiving in the playoffs. If parents are mad because we’re practicing, that means we were having a great run!”

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports

Last week was one for the record books as the top seven teams in this week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Soccer Coaches Girls Poll were undefeated, going 15-0-1 collectively. That will be extremely unlikely to see again.

Byrd’s Lady Jackets stayed atop the poll, with all eight first-place votes after a successful weekend at the Pineville Tournament.

Byrd went undefeated and unscored upon in Pineville, beating Southside 2-0, Baton Rouge 5-0 and East Ascension 6-0. Coach Lisa Levermann and her staff have the Lady Jackets running on all cylinders. Now the challenge is to try to keep the squad focused with nearly two weeks off. Their next action is in the E.D. White Tournament in Thibodaux Dec. 4-7.

Captain Shreve moved back into second in the poll after a brief drop to third. The Lady Gators also traveled to the Pineville Tournament last weekend. Like Byrd, Shreve went undefeated in the event, topping Denham Springs 4-2, Baton Rouge 2-0 and Southside 3-0.

Shreve played a game this Monday, defeating Parkway 9-0 at Caddo Field. The Lady Gators  will travel to West Monroe next Monday.

Although Benton won both its games last week, 8-3 over West Ouachita and 4-1 over Ouachita Parish, the Lady Tigers fell back to third in the polls. Surely the coaches weighed the level of opponents played by Benton and Shreve to come to this conclusion.

Benton will return to action next week, with games against Calvary, Huntington and Loyola.  The last matchup promises to be quite a game with both teams playing top-notch soccer at the moment.

Last weekend Loyola hosted a couple of top Division IV teams from St. Tammany Parish. The Lady Flyers won both by shutout, topping Pope John Paul II 5-0 and beating Northlake Christian 2-0. Loyola will return to action next week with games against Neville, North DeSoto (fifth in the poll) and then Benton next Friday.

It is a testament to how well all the teams in the coaches poll did last week that the only blemish, if one counts a tie as a blemish, was North DeSoto’s tie with traditional Division I power West Monroe 2-2. It took a goal in the last few minutes for the Lady Rebels to gain that tie. The Lady Griffins finished the week with a shutout 3-0 victory against Ouachita Parish. 

North DeSoto starts back up Tuesday against district foe Northwood, before its big matchup against Loyola Wednesday. The Lady Griffins will also play a single game in the Bossier Tournament against Leesville next Saturday.

Caddo Magnet did not play last week, The Lady Mustangs will return to action next weekend in the Bossier Tournament. The schedule for that event is not set yet.

After only playing one game in the first week of the season, Airline’s Lady Vikings went undefeated in four games this past week, including all three in the Haughton Tournament held last weekend.

Airline started the week with a tight 3-2 win over Ouachita Parish. At the Haughton Tournament Friday night, the Lady Vikings beat Evangel 7-0. They started Saturday morning with another 3-2 victory, this time against Bossier City rival Parkway. Airline completed the weekend with a 5-0 win over Northwood, and earned its first appearance in the SBJ Coaches Poll Top 7. The Lady Vikings will take a well-deserved Thanksgiving week off.

It looks like the middle of the poll will get a big shakeup with No. 4 Loyola soon playing both third-ranked Benton and No. 5 North DeSoto.

With only a single game on this week’s schedule, there will not be a poll next week. It will return Dec. 10.

Week 2 SBJ Coaches Girls Soccer Poll

Rank      Team (1^st)                           Record                 Pts          Last week

1             C.E. Byrd (8)                       4-0-2                     56           1            

2             Captain Shreve                  5-0-1                     44           3

3             Benton                               5-0-2                     42           2            

4             Loyola                                5-2-0                     33           4

5             North DeSoto                     3-3-1                     20           5

6             Caddo Magnet                   3-1-0                     16           6

7             Airline                                 5-0-0                     8             NR

Also receiving votes – Calvary (5)

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

JOURNAL SPORTS

The Bossier Parish Community College basketball team kept its record perfect Tuesday afternoon on the final day of the Third Annual Decari Markray Classic at Billy Montgomery Gym.

The Cavaliers (9-0) got 20 points from tournament MVP Braylan McNeal in a 71-53 victory over Baton Rouge CC (4-4).

Charles Onana added 17 points for the Cavaliers and also made the five-man All-Tournament team.

Bossier edged Evangel in overtime, 70-68, in the second of two high school games in the evening session. Doyline rolled 60-13 over Plain Dealing in the first one.

The two-day classic was started in November 2022 to honor the former Doyline and Bossier Parish CC standout, who tragically passed away in October of 2021.

By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director

After a Tuesday night women’s game at the Gold Dome, Centenary basketball is taking a break for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Meanwhile, honors have arrived for football – five Shreveport-Bossier high school products were on the list — and academic accolades were issued for women’s soccer competitors. You can read all about it on a redesigned website for Centenary sports.

WEBSITE:  Centenary Athletics has officially launched a rebranded web site.

The site has a new, fresh look and includes all of the vital and informative content on the Gents and Ladies. Visit gocentenary.com for a look.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: The Ladies lost 62-48 to the Hendrix College Warriors on Tuesday evening in a non-conference contest inside the Gold Dome.

The Ladies (1-5) have lost four games in a row and were beaten by the Warriors (4-3) for the second time after dropping a 69-48 decision on the road to open the season on Nov. 10. 

Junior guard Amiyah Barrow and freshman forward Anaya Yunusah each scored 12 points to lead the Ladies Tuesday night.

The Ladies next play at home next Wednesday, Dec. 4 to open league play against the University of the Ozarks at 5:30 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL: The Gents fell 75-63 to the host Millsaps Majors on Saturday in the Millsaps College Tournament. Centenary, 1-5, returns to action on Dec. 4 at home as the Maroon and White begin conference play against the University of the Ozarks in the second part of a doubleheader at the Gold Dome.

FOOTBALL:  Twelve Gents were included on the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Football Team announced Tuesday, selected by the SCAC head coaches and sports information directors.

Centenary’s first-year program had seven first-team selections, including true freshman safety Jacob Wilson from Evangel Christian and sophomore defensive tackle D’Qavion Lemons out of Southwood.

Three other locals were honorable mention selections: junior running back Josh Ware (Southwood), sophomore defensive end Kris Mesloh (Parkway) and sophomore linebacker Devon Strickland (Byrd).

Other defenders from the Maroon and White named first-team All-SCAC were end Gavin Jack, linebacker Vance Feuerbacher and cornerback Bryan Washington.

Representing the Gents on the first-team offense were sophomore guard Jordan Taylor and junior receiver Kobe Chambers. Chambers made the first team at WR and kick returner.

Other Centenary honorable mention selections were center Alexander Hamilton and tight end Isaiah King.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Junior midfielder Madi Cooley and junior defender/midfielder Kylie Zeller were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. Competitors must have a 3.2 cumulative GPA and be key contributors on their teams to be nominated. CSC members in the district vote to select the winners.

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu

There are a lot of hunters that can look back on Thanksgiving with fond memories. It’s not just about the food and football, but about their hunts as well. While some hunt ducks, quail or squirrels, others head for their favorite deer stand on Thanksgiving morning. Today we’ll go back in time during the early ‘70s on a hunt I’ll never forget.

Every year as far back as I can remember, my favorite time to go hunting was on Thanksgiving morning. There was just something special about this day and waking up early knowing that three good things were going to happen that day. First, I was going deer hunting looking to shoot a good buck. Next, I knew there would be one heck of a Thanksgiving spread waiting for me after the hunt.

This would be a meal that would include my mom’s tasty cornbread dressing, fresh brown gravy, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, hot butter top rolls, deviled eggs, and either a pan roasted turkey or, every once in a while, she would shake things up with oven baked Cornish hens. To wash all this down you could choose grape Kool-Aid or sweet tea. For dessert, there was a choice between sweet potato or pecan pie, along with mom’s famous fruit salad (which was better after Day 3) covered in homemade whipped cream topped with walnuts.

As you can see, there was no shortage of food. The third thing I looked forward to, that Thanksgiving Day would not be complete without, was a Dallas Cowboys victory. Nothing was more satisfying after a great meal than watching the Cowboys destroy their opponent.

Let’s talk about a Thanksgiving hunt I will remember forever … getting my first buck at the age of 12. This particular morning the temperature was in the mid 40s with sunny skies predicted. It was a great morning for blowing smoke with your breath as you sat on your deer stand.

This day had a different feel, a feeling of anticipation because the weekend before, I had already seen the buck I was after.

It appeared to be a solid mature eight-point buck that I hoped would make his presence known. But for some odd reason, I decided not to sit in my stand which was in the woods at the top of a hill overlooking a creek. There was also a game trail crossing this creek that deer were using on a regular basis.

So, I set up at the base of a huge pin oak tree just 20 yards off the game trail. It wasn’t long (30 minutes) before I heard the sound of something crashing through the woods headed directly in my direction. As I peered through the dense wood cover, I saw the huge buck crossing the creek and coming straight at me. Then halfway up the hill, the big eight-point stopped and locked up as if he knew something wasn’t right.  

I knew at this point the deer had probably gotten wind of me. I sat motionless with the buck looking in my direction about 30 feet away pawing at the ground. At one point it was as if we made actual eye contact. While this seemed like an eternity, I don’t think I took a breath for at least two minutes.

Finally, the buck looked back in the direction he came from and that’s when I raised my Remington 308 rifle and fired one shot. The buck jumped in the air and whirled around and headed back across the creek. I thought, “Surely, I didn’t miss that buck!” He was the biggest buck in the county in my eyes! But then I heard him hit the ground, confirming that I had made a clean shot.

The man I was hunting with, who was a good friend of the family, heard my shot and came immediately. We slowly walked towards the deer as we crossed the shallow creek and there he was, a really nice mature eight-point buck that I thought was the same deer I had seen the weekend before.

To say this was my favorite Thanksgiving ever would be an understatement! I was so excited and could not wait to show the deer to my family and friends. This is just one story of many that so many hunters get to experience during this time of year.

It’s also another reason for all of us to be thankful, not just for the opportunity to go hunting, but for the time we get to share with each other.

‘Til next time, good luck, good hunting, and I would like to wish each of you a happy Thanksgiving!  

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

The Shreveport-Bossier Journal staff is taking a quick Thanksgiving break so there will not be a Thursday edition of the Journal.

But Friday morning, the SBJ will be back in your e-mail at 6:55 a.m. as usual.

There are three Friday night high school football playoff games featuring Airline, Byrd and Calvary to preview, along with some notable college contests Saturday involving LSU, Louisiana Tech and the big Bayou Classic in New Orleans between Grambling and Southern.

Expect that content and more in your e-mail Friday morning.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

On November 27, meat lovers across the country celebrate National Craft Jerky Day, a day dedicated to the art of crafting premium, small-batch jerky. This tasty snack has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a method of preserving meat, evolving into a gourmet treat that showcases unique flavors and artisan techniques.

Jerky’s history dates back to ancient times when cultures worldwide dried and cured meat to extend its shelf life. However, the rise of craft jerky has elevated this simple snack into a culinary experience. Artisan producers focus on quality, often using grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, or exotic meats like venison, elk, and even bison. Small-batch production allows for precise flavoring and attention to detail, creating a jerky that’s as much about taste as it is about nutrition.

The explosion of creative flavor profiles has been a key factor in jerky’s resurgence. Sweet and savory classics like teriyaki and hickory-smoked remain staples, but modern artisans are pushing boundaries. Spicy options such as sriracha-infused jerky and ghost pepper varieties cater to heat lovers, while experimental blends like coffee-rubbed or maple bourbon jerky offer bold, unexpected tastes. Vegan jerky made from mushrooms or jackfruit has even entered the market, appealing to plant-based eaters.

Beyond flavor, craft jerky appeals to health-conscious consumers seeking high-protein, low-sugar snacks. Many producers emphasize all-natural ingredients, avoiding preservatives or artificial additives.

National Craft Jerky Day is a time to savor the creativity and care behind this age-old snack. Whether you’re a fan of spicy, sweet, or smoky, there’s an artisan jerky to match your palate. This day serves as a reminder of how far jerky has come—from survival food to a gourmet indulgence.

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

By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services

After just two months working violent crimes, the detective got his first big case.

A real whodunit.

Late at night, a woman was getting out of her car at an apartment complex when three men opened fire. She was dead at the scene.

It was Thanksgiving week, and the detective was home on vacation when he got the call. So much for vacation.

“This is my first one,” he thought. “This is a bad deal.”

Sometime between three and four o’clock in the morning, Shannon led his team to a place where the victim’s estranged husband lived. There were other people in the house as well. They were all brough to headquarters.

“One individual stood out to me. I don’t know if it was intuition – a gut feeling. I thought he was going to be the toughest to break. That’s who I wanted to talk to. We don’t try to profile, but he had tattoos – a big, muscular guy. I said, ‘Let me interview him first and see what I can get.’”

The “interview” didn’t last long.

“Five minutes after questioning him, he tells me the whole story. I’m trying to hold it in. ‘Oh my God, I got him.’”

The man who swore to protect and to serve wasn’t the only one surprised.

“I come out and get my supervisor and the other investigator who was seasoned. He had been there a little while. I said, ‘I got it! I got it!’ I wish I had a camera to see their faces. Their jaws just dropped.”

Turns out, the case was a murder-for-hire. The estranged husband wanted to collect an insurance policy on his wife. He paid someone to pull the trigger. There was an accomplice. All three were at the crime scene. They all went to jail.

“As a freshman at Shady Grove playing basketball, I hit a game-winning shot that sent us to the state quarterfinals. That’s what it felt like.”

Seargeant Shannon Washington of the Bossier City police department told me that story, and his story, during lunch at a place of his choosing, David Beard’s Catfish King. Shannon had I both had the Regular Catch – five pieces of fish, fries, hushpuppies, and pinto beans. Shannon had sweet tea to drink, while I had water. While we ate, I couldn’t help but notice the gun on his right hip – a Glock 43. There was a magazine on his left hip.

“You don’t have to have any enemies. There are people out there who will hurt you just because.”

Shannon grew up in the safe haven of a barely-a-dot-on-the-map place called Shady Grove. His mother was just 16 years old when she had her son. They lived in a house with 10 relatives.

“My grandmother was really, really big on education. Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you’re going to stop going to school. Basically, I was raised by her until my mom (who graduated from Grambling State University) started her professional career teaching.”

And grandma was no softie.

“She was a hard worker. She worked at a sawmill pulling lumber. I remember her coming in – she had on overalls and a hard hat from working in the plant.”

When Shannon wasn’t in school or sleeping, he was hooping.

“All my uncles were from 6’2-6’11. We were all good basketball players, so that’s what we did. We would find somebody’s house to go play basketball. We were always working on our games . . . . That’s all I did. That’s all I knew. Basketball, basketball, basketball.”

But eventually, Shannon wanted to be known for his play, not that of his uncles.

“I loved my uncles, but I wanted my own name. I knew I was going to have to work hard and be special, so they would remember Shannon Washington. ‘Oh, he is the Martin boys’ nephew, but he is Shannon Washington.’ My name had some validity on its own. It pushed me through in everything.”

Shannon was also good in the classroom, graduating in the top three of his class at Saline High School, after Shady Grove’s school closed. Shannon’s reward was earning an athletic scholarship to Centenary College. He played basketball from 1989-1993 and is listed ninth (since 1986) on the school’s list for the most made three-point field goals (161).  

But Shannon was short on hours and didn’t graduate. Dating the woman who would become his wife, Shannon needed a job. He wanted to join the Bossier City fire department, and asked a police officer he knew if the officer could help him get on with the BCFD. But the officer tried to convince Shannon to join him on the force.

“There was a stigma back then. You had the riots in Cedar Grove. I thought, ‘Man, that’s kind of dangerous. I don’t know if that’s something I want to do.’”

But one ride-along with the officer changed Shannon’s mind.

“We went on so many different calls. The adrenaline rush got to me, and I was sold. I was like, ‘You know what? I want to do that.’”

And Shannon has been doing “that” for 30 years. He currently oversees juvenile investigations, domestic violence, and sex-offender registration.

And boy, has Shannon seen some things.

“I can’t tell my mom half the stuff. I wouldn’t want to tell her.”

For example . . . .

“Last year we had an incident where a guy basically kept his girlfriend and her four-year-old daughter captive in an apartment for a week. He allowed the mother to go to work every day, and he stayed home with the little girl. He videoed himself physically assaulting the baby. By the time we got involved and was able to get them and get them help, the baby had been through . . . .”

Shannon’s voice trailed off.

“You never get used to some of it when you see it so bad. But I have to get past it.”

Not wanting to keep Shannon any longer from catching the bad guys, I asked my final question. As always, what is it about his story that might be influential to others?

“That a small kid, a small, shy kid, from a small community, can make something out of himself – and a name for himself – with hard work. I always try to treat people fairly and treat people right. If they can grasp that, the sky is the limit. My mom used to always say, ‘Never walk with your head down. Walk like you’ve got a million dollars in your pocket.’ The one thing I’ve learned is if I treat people right and stay positive, it works to my advantage.”

And always trust your gut.

Do you know someone with a story? Email SBJTonyT@gmail.com.

The Journal’s weekly “What’s Your Story?” series is sponsored by Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.

BOM is a sponsor of the Shreveport Strikers FFC soccer team. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Clint Oliver and Daniel Vazquez.

 By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports

Byrd senior linebacker Sam Greer was feeling good on a fine, cool, sunny Monday morning.

With school out for the Thanksgiving break, all Greer had to focus on was football and his team’s upcoming quarterfinal playoff game against Alexandria. And Greer was happy because his coach, Stacy Ballew, was happy that the team was still at work.

“Since I’ve been here Coach Ballew has preached to us every year, he tells us that we want to be practicing during Thanksgiving,” Greer said. “It’s pretty awesome, I think. It’s fun. It kind of separates you from the good programs from the really good programs.”

There also are things that separate the good student-athletes from the really good student athletes.

Greer is one of the latter. He is one of 21 Shreveport -Bossier area on the annual National Football Foundation McNaughton Chapter Preseason Scholar-Athlete Watch List. Nominees must have at least a 3.2 grade point average, have won all-district honors and be involved in extracurricular activities.

In the spring, one Watch List standout will receive a $1,000 college scholarship award, from those 14 recognized with a Griffin’s Game Ball presented weekly by KTBS and Southern Classic Chicken in honor of the late Bob Griffin, the longtime sports journalist who was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

Others will be among nominees for eight more $1,000 scholarships issued by the McNaughton Chapter.

The son of Nora and Jason Greer of Shreveport, Sam said he plans to attend LSU next fall to study business, with aspirations of attending law school in his future. The history buff also was named to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’ All-Academic Composite Team, which requires a 4.0 grade point average.

“I think I was pretty excited, honestly,” he said. “I value my education. It’s rewarding to see your hard work in the classroom start to play off. That level of hard work will really carry you far. Seeing your hard work come to fruition is just real nice.”

Greer also has seen much success on the football field after putting “all my chips in” on football when he got to high school. He said that when he and his buddies get together they just love watching the game, talking about the game and playing the game.

“I spend a lot of time working on my craft for football,” he said. “I work out a lot.”

The payoff is apparent. Last year the young linebacker amassed “only” 98 tackles as a Yellow Jacket.

“I was a little disappointed,” he said.

So this year he has racked up more than 100, along with five sacks – including a really big one against Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) two weeks ago that resulted in a game-changing fumble in the Jackets’ 20-0 first-round playoff shutout.

“I just love being around the ball every play, having the opportunity to make a play every time the offense runs up there,” he said. “It’s just fun. You fly around, make a lot of plays, make a lot of tackles.”

And now that it’s the playoffs and every game counts, Greer is making the most of every opportunity he has.

“You’ve got to,” he said. “You never know when it’s your last time.”

Contact Lori at sportslyons@gmail.com

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

You’ve heard all about the mind-boggling offensive production by the undefeated Airline football team.

One of Louisiana’s most prolific high school passers of all-time, Ben Taylor, throws to sensational wide outs Kenny Darby and Jarvis Davis Jr., along with Micah Johnson, DJ Allen and Ayden Baker among others. Allen and Darrian Milligan head an explosive running game along with Davis and Johnson contributing.

Those names are well known.

Just as vital to the Vikings’ 54-point scoring average are names you haven’t heard much, if at all: Jayson Burch, Cameron Stuman, JD Yates and Josh White, Josh Allen and Kaleb Williams. That’s the Airline offensive line.

The O-line’s season-long performance – really, the last two seasons, because that’s how long the group has been together, in a stretch where Airline has won 21 of 23 times while piling up points and yards – was again remarkable last Friday when the Vikings dispatched Westgate 42-16 in a second-round Non-Select Division I playoff game.

Getting into the state quarterfinals for a second straight year, in range of the program’s first semifinal berth since 1972, is reason enough for 11-0 Airline to finally receive Shreveport-Bossier Journal Team of the Week honors in the 12^th week of this season.

The Vikings have made the exceptional routine. Their much-maligned defense made its own statement against Westgate by keeping the Tigers off the scoreboard until late in the game, and got due credit afterward.

Although the spotlight doesn’t shine on his unsung big guys up front on offense, they have the full appreciation of coach Justin Scogin.

“They make people nervous by how hard they play,” he said. “We’re not the biggest group, but the way they know what’s going on, the effort they give and the way they all do it together, it’s very impressive.

“They know exactly what to do. They’ve played together for two years, and most of them started as sophomores on jayvee. They’re always at summer workouts. Just a good group of kids,” said Scogin.

By nature of their position, O-linemen don’t get noticed much when they do great work – the ball is racing downfield. The job up front comes without advantages other positions take for granted, said Scogin.

“The other (offensive) players have a cheat sheet on their wristband. There’s no way to cheat for the offensive line. They have to know exactly what’s going on at all time,” he said. “There’s definitely a level of intelligence that goes into it from them.

“They have to be the most in-tune group, because if one goes the wrong way, Ben’s gonna get killed or something bad is going to happen. Ben hasn’t been sacked but a handful of times (on 397 pass attempts) all year, which tells you what a great job this group does.”

The Vikings’ offensive scheme, based in what Scogin worked with as offensive coordinator for David Feaster at Parkway a decade ago, stresses defenses to the max. Some of the design helps make offensive line play less complex.

“We try to help them out by getting the ball out fast,” Scogin said. “Ben very rarely gets hit.

“We don’t do a whole lot of running plays, our pass protection is pretty simple. But to be at the point where we are now, getting 7-8 yards a carry, we start out very simple and we get pretty complicated. These guys have taken it to the next level.”

Leading the pack: Brian Garrett, Airline’s O-line coach for 12 years.

Another subtle asset for Airline: kicker Ben Jump, whose powerful right leg provides a scoring threat and a reliable point after (68-78) touchdowns. What really makes Scogin smile are Jump’s kickoffs.

“This is only year in 16 years I’ve coached where our kicker has consistently kicked it in the end zone, nine times out of 10. Ooooo, it’s nice,” said the coach. “Then we can catch a team off guard with an onside kick or a pooch and we might get another possession. He did a great job this past Friday kicking it in the right spot and one of our freshmen recovered.”

The offensive line and the kickoff team are bigger factors as the Vikings advance in postseason. So is the team’s overall approach.

“They like to compete and push themselves, and at the same time, they like to have a lot of fun. They understand when it’s time to work, and that’s the biggest thing,” said Scogin. “The group is extremely loose until it’s time for business.”

That comes at 7 p.m. Friday night, when Airline and Destrehan collide at M.D. Ray Stadium with a semifinal berth at stake.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports

Captain Shreve was unbeaten in five games and stayed No. 1 in the Week 2 Shreveport-Bossier Journal Boys Soccer Coaches’ Poll, while Loyola moved up to the second spot.

Shreve, Benton and Bossier traveled to tournaments this past weekend, with the Gators and Tigers competing in Pineville and Bossier playing in Covington. Loyola hosted a round robin of games with three south Louisiana teams making the trip up I-49. Caddo Magnet joined in the fun with Flyers.

The Gators began the week with wins over regional powers Ouachita (5-4) and Alexandria (3-1) before heading to the Pineville tournament. Shreve began with a solid 2-0 victory over a top Division IV team, Holy Savior Menard, before two 3-3 ties with solid Division 1 south Louisiana teams, Barbe and Hahnville. The Gators are off until next week.

After a strong week, winning all four games they played, the Flyers picked up two first-place votes and jumped to the No. 2 spot in this week’s poll.

Loyola began the week beating Magnet 3-0. Instead of going to a tournament, the Flyers invited some teams from the I-10/12 corridor, and beat all three teams that came north. Friday, the Flyers defeated Pope John Paul II 4-1. Saturday they dispatched St Thomas Aquinas 2-0 and St. Michael’s 4-1. Loyola will host DeRidder today.

The Bossier Bearkats went outside their comfort zone by attending a big tournament in Covington hosted by Archbishop Hannan. All started well with a 3-1 victory Friday over the hosts. Saturday Bossier met last year’s Division II’s state champion, Holy Cross, and put up a good fight but fell 3-1. Just over two hours later the Bearkats faced last year’s Division I’s No. 3 seed, Denham Springs, and struggled. The travel and three games against top opponents got to the Bearkats as they fell 5-0. Bossier will try to get back on track at Northwood today at noon.

Benton began the week with a 1-1 tie against Parkway, before heading to Pineville for the Rebels’ tournament. The Tigers had a good weekend, beating Alexandria 5-1 and Southside 1-0 before falling 2-0 to Baton Rouge Magnet High School. Benton will return to action after Thanksgiving.

Byrd’s Yellow Jackets are off this week and will return to action Dec. 3.

After falling 3-0 to the Flyers early last week,  the Caddo Magnet Mustangs played a couple of the opponents that Loyola faced. Friday the Mustangs lost to St Michael’s 2-1, followed Saturday by a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Pope John Paul II. Magnet returns to action Dec. 3 against Captain Shreve.

Jumping back into the coaches poll is Northwood, who defeated Haughton 4-, last Tuesday. The Falcons will host Bossier today before breaking for the holiday.

Thanksgiving week has traditionally been a light week for games, with only a couple local contests scheduled. For that reason, the coaches poll will take a week off and will resume Dec. 10.

Week 2 SBJ Coaches Boys Soccer Poll

Rank      Team (1^st)                          Record                 Pts          Last week

1             Captain Shreve (7)           5-1-2                     61           1            

2             Loyola (2)                            7-0-2                     51           3

3             Bossier                                  2-3-1                     47           2

4             Benton                                 4-3-1                     34           4

5             Byrd                                       1-1-1                     25           5

6             Caddo Magnet                   2-4-1                     16           6

7             Northwood                        1-1-0                     9             NR

Also receiving votes — Minden (4), Parkway (3), North DeSoto (1), Evangel (1).

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – LSU head coach Brian Kelly honestly and succinctly described the simple significance of Saturday’s 6 p.m. regular-season closing game vs. first-time Tiger Stadium visitor Oklahoma.

“This would be a great way to finish off the regular season,” Kelly said at his final in-season weekly press conference on Monday, “with the team that’s coming in off a great win (over Alabama). . .both teams looking to finish the season strong.”

And that’s all it is – two unranked SEC teams trying to get another win and move up the league’s bowl food chain.

LSU’s (7-4 overall, 4-3 SEC) College Football Playoff hopes were dashed by a three-game losing streak. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) never off the launching pad, losing five of its first six league games before destroying then-No. 8 Alabama 24-3 last Saturday.

Since the start of the two-day early signing period is eight days away on Dec. 4, much of Kelly’s Monday media session centered on recruiting and what must be accomplished to keep building a roster that can challenge for SEC and national championships.

The Tigers’ recruiting class of 2025 is ranked No. 6 nationally by 247 Sports and No. 7 by ESPN, despite having committed five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood flip last Thursday to Michigan. Also ranked as the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, the Wolverines lured Underwood with a 4-year, $12 million deal funded by Michigan supporter Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle and someone with a personal wealth of $230 billion.

LSU has some extra NIL money on hand. It failed to sign several of its top defensive tackle transfer portal targets this past summer and then Underwood turned down a lucrative offer.

“We weren’t very aggressive in the transfer portal (last summer), we put together a defensive line using minimal resources,” Kelly said. “We really put ourselves in a position, and I’ll use this term loosely, to stay well under the (salary) cap so that we could be quite aggressive this year.

“We will be very aggressive in that area, as well as bringing in 16 (high school) mid-year (signees in January). We think that the program, in terms of the culture and the standards are such that we can do that now, where we can bring in 16 freshmen and maybe one of, if not the largest transfer of portal classes as well.”

Kelly said there are steps to replenishing a roster. It starts with Kelly, general manager Austin Thomas and associate head coach/running backs coach Frank Wilson working daily on recruiting.

“We’re having meetings with players,” Kelly said. “It starts with retention. First, some players have to make decisions relative to whether they’re going to move on to the NFL or they’re going to stay here.

“The second part of that is the ongoing recruiting process and bringing players into your program through the recruiting process. The third level is the transfer portal and identifying particular positions that you believe you need to go out and get a mature player who has played snaps at that position, at a level, that can impact your roster right away.

And then the fourth (level) is who are the guys that are going to stay in on this team. You’re evaluating those players that have stayed above the cut.”

“A lot is going on right now in college football, and it’s caused a lot of gray hairs. It’s caused some guys to say, `I think I’d rather be doing something else.’ I’m excited about it. I’m excited about what the roster could look like. I’m excited about what kind of football team we can put on the field, and it’s going to be a fun couple months.”

KNOW YOUR ENEMY

LSU (7-4 overall, 4-3 SEC West) vs. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5), Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN

Last game for Sooners: Oklahoma dominated No. 8 Alabama 24-3 last Saturday. While the Sooners ran for 257 yards, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe threw three interceptions, and the Crimson Tide gained a season-low 70 rushing yards.

Series record and last meeting: LSU leads 2-1. In the 2019 College Football Playoff semifinals in the Peach Bowl, LSU’s newly minted Heisman Trophy-winning QB Joe Burrow threw for seven touchdowns and 493 yards in a 63-28 blowout of the Sooners.

Oklahoma head coach: Brent Venables (22-15 in his third season overall and at Oklahoma).

THIS AND THAT

Early betting line: LSU is a 6-point favorite.

Number of Louisiana natives on Oklahoma roster: 1

Number of Oklahoma natives on LSU roster: 2

Number of transfers on Oklahoma roster from 4-year schools: 30 players from 28 schools including 20 players from 18 Power 4 Conference schools

OKLAHOMA PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Jackson Arnold (140 of 225 for 1,311 passing yards, 12 TDs, 3 interceptions, 369 rushing yards and 3 TDs on 133 carries, LB Danny Stutsman (100 tackles, 7½ TFL), PK Zach Schmit (8 of 9 FG, 15 of 15 PAT)

THREE AND OUT

1. What Shreveport native transferred to UL Monroe this year after spending the last two seasons as a little-used Oklahoma quarterback? A) Lieutenant Booty, B. General Booty, C. Shakeyer Booty, D. Josh Booty

2. Who ran for almost 1,400 yards and 12 TDs as an Oklahoma freshman running back and then left school after his sophomore year to play for the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers? A) Adrian Peterson, B. Billy Sims, C. Marcus Dupree, D. Joe Washington

3. What LSU player said to a teammate “We’re going to score 60 on them” before the Tigers’ 63-28 win over Oklahoma in the 2019 national semifinal win in the Peach Bowl? A) Ja’Marr Chase, B. Justin Jefferson, C. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, D. Joe Burrow

ANSWERS: 1. B 2. C 3. D

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

JOURNAL SPORTS

The Bossier Parish Community College basketball team aims for an 8-0 start today at 1 in the Third Annual Decari Markray Classic at Billy Montgomery Gym, facing Baton Rouge CC.

The Cavaliers blasted Delgado CC Monday night 90-62 with five players in double figures. Ruston High product Braylan McNeal led the way with 24 points and Charles Onana scored 18. Tyrone Iroghama had 15, Oran Perrier 14 and Chris Coleman added 10 for BPCC. Delgado dropped to 2-3.

Today’s schedule features high school games in the evening session.

College competition begins with Navarro and Delgado in the first game at 11 a.m.  Navarro (5-2) beat Baton Rouge (4-3) 84-74 Monday.

In the high school contests, Markray’s alma mater, Doyline, will play Plain Dealing at 5:30 followed by Bossier battling Evangel Christian at 7:30.

The two-day classic was started in November 2022 to honor the former Doyline and Bossier Parish CC standout, who tragically passed away in October of 2021.

All games will be livestreamed through Bossier Parish Community College’s YouTube page. Additional information can be found on BPCC Basketball social media accounts.

Most of Tom’s life was spent in incarceration, but now he was sentenced to death by guillotine.  The date of his execution was set for November 19.  As he sat on death row, he could do nothing but wait.  From his jail cell, he could see others awaiting a similar fate.  Tom knew nothing of their reasons for being there, whether they were innocent or guilty, but Tom was absolutely innocent.  As the old saying goes, “everyone on death row is innocent.”  One by one he watched as they were led away never to return.  Shortly after their cells were vacated, other prisoners took their place in a seemingly never-ending cycle.  Finally, his day had come.  He spoke not a word as he was led out of his jail cell and onto the platform.  The only thing that could save Tom now would be a last-minute reprieve, but it had never happened to someone under Tom’s circumstances.  There was little hope.

Tom’s time had come.  From the platform which had been set up in such a way as to give the public a good view, Tom looked out at the crowd as they looked back at him.  Rather than a somber occasion, the crowd was relaxed and seemed almost cheerful.  The crowd knew something that Tom did not.  A man stood next to Tom and begin to speak to the crowd.  Like the crowd, the speaker was smiling and cheerful as he spoke.  Tom watched the crowd in silence.  During his speech, the man told the crowd that he was commuting Tom’s death sentence to life in prison.  Tom was saved from the guillotine.  After some brief remarks, a quick photo, and a few questions from reporters, the speaker gave the sign and John was whisked away from the podium.  He was transported back to his cell at the Keithley McPherrin turkey breeding farms in Sunnymead, California.  Tom, a white 55-pound turkey, was the first turkey in history to receive a pardon from the President of the United States.

Although other presidents had saved various turkeys from dinner tables throughout the years, the pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey did not become an annual tradition until Thanksgiving 1989 when George H.W. Bush said at a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation ceremony, while animal rights activists picketed nearby, “let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s presented a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.”  

As we gather together with family and friends this Thanksgiving, we should remember to be thankful for everything and, more importantly, everyone we have.  We should be thankful for every moment we have on this earth because none of us know how much time we have.  You see, the first turkey to receive a presidential pardon was by President John F. Kennedy.  Kenndy planned to spend that Thanksgiving with his family in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, but first he had to do a short political tour.  On November 22, 1963, three days after pardoning Tom, John F. Kennedy was riding in a convertible in Dallas…

Sources:    

1.      The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), November 20, 1963, p.12.

2.     The Post-Star (Glens Falls, New York) , November 18, 1989, p.4.

3.     Betty C. Monkman, “Pardoning the Thanksgiving Turkey,” The White House Historical Association, accessed November 23, 2024, https://www.whitehousehistory.org/pardoning-the-thanksgiving-turkey.