Every year on November 26, dessert lovers come together to celebrate National Cake Day, a sweet homage to one of the most beloved treats worldwide. Cake, in its many forms, has a rich history and holds a special place in cultures across the globe.
The origins of cake can be traced back to ancient civilizations. Early cakes were more like dense, bread-like creations sweetened with honey. The word “cake” itself comes from the Old Norse word kaka, and the modern versions began to evolve in Europe during the 17th century when baking techniques improved and sugar became more accessible. Today, cakes range from elaborate layered confections to simple homemade treats, each with its unique twist.
Cultural interpretations of cake vary widely, showcasing its universal appeal. In France, the gâteau represents elegance, with the rich Opera cake and light mille-feuille as staples. Italy’s panettone, a fluffy holiday fruitcake, brings warmth to festive gatherings. In Japan, matcha-flavored sponge cakes blend traditional tea culture with Western baking. Meanwhile, in the U.S., cakes like red velvet and birthday cakes topped with buttercream have become iconic.
Some cultures use cake for ceremonial purposes, such as wedding cakes symbolizing prosperity and unity. In Mexico, the Rosca de Reyes is a ring-shaped cake enjoyed during Epiphany celebrations, while in Greece, the Vasilopita cake is baked with a hidden coin for New Year’s good fortune.
National Cake Day isn’t just about indulging in dessert—it’s an opportunity to appreciate the artistry, history, and cultural connections tied to this timeless treat. Whether it’s a slice of cheesecake or a piece of tiramisu, cake continues to bring people together, one delicious bite at a time.
William Donald Bahm September 27, 1948 – November 21, 2024 Service: Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 2pm at the Shreveport Community Church, Shreveport.
Ann Richardson Peters-Calhoun September 7, 1931 – November 21, 2024 Service: Saturday, November 30, 2024, 12pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport.
Kevin James Broussard July 4, 1969 – November 19, 2024 Service: Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 5pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Terry Lee Malone July 15, 1955 – November 19, 2024 Service: Friday, November 29, 2024, 1:30pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Willard Frederick Washburne, M.D. February 11, 1946 – November 19, 2024 Service: Thursday, December 5, 2024, 2pm at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, Shreveport.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
Frequently, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter has lunch at a local restaurant and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
Some folks have a problem eating out alone.
I am not one of them.
In fact, sometimes it’s nice to have an hour to myself, where I can collect my thoughts over a (hopefully) good meal in a nice atmosphere.
A recent Friday was one of those times.
I found myself near downtown Shreveport around lunch hour and remembered Ono’s Hawaiian Grill Artspace (708 Texas Street, Shreveport) opened a while back. Ono’s began as a food truck, and became so popular, it moved into a building. From my understanding, things went awry (nothing to do with their food), and they went back to operating out of a food truck. But now, they are once again in a brick-and-mortar location.
Hey, why pass up an opportunity to go to Hawaii?
Unfortunately, my visit did not get off to a good start. However, it had NOTHING to do with the restaurant. For me, downtown parking is – and has been – a big pain in the you-know-what. This time, the problem wasn’t finding a spot. There was an empty space near the front door. But paying for that spot through the parking app was a disaster.
Am I the only one who gets a weak cell signal – if I get one at all – downtown? Everything moved at a snail’s pace. Accessing the parking site’s app. Entering the length of time I would be parked. Paying. After 10 minutes (not exaggerating), I gave up. I almost left, but that wouldn’t have been fair not to give Ono’s my business just because I had trouble paying to park. So, I went in, hoping I would be seated at a table where I could keep an eye on my car – and any parking officer who tried to give me a ticket.
Walking into Ono’s just after noon, I was happy to see a bright and airy atmosphere. There was what I assumed was Hawaiian music playing, but the volume was very low, I couldn’t tell. Just as it’s annoying to hear music so loud you can’t have a conversation, it’s a bummer to hear music so low, you can’t enjoy it.
Within seconds, I was greeted by a pleasant hostess who offered me seating at either a table, or the bar. I chose one of the roughly 12 tables (all but one accommodated seating for four people). The bar looked like it could seat 12-15 people. There was a television against the back wall of the bar, which could be seen by some, but not everyone in the restaurant. The TV was not as big as you see in a lot of places, but it fit the size of the restaurant, not taking away from the aesthetics.
I was barely settled in my seat before Matthew, friendly and soft-spoken, came to take my drink order. He also served as my sounding board, as I complained about the parking situation. I took a little comfort in hearing that I am not the only customer who has expressed frustration. In fact, Matthew told me he has to pay $3 a day to park. So, before his shift starts, he’s in the hole.
Speaking of my drink order, Matthew brought a carafe of water, but no ice. Is that a Hawaiian thing? I didn’t know, and didn’t want to show my ignorance. But I definitely prefer ice water to no-ice water.
For lunch, Ono’s has a one-page paper menu. Eats are on one side, drinks on the other. Appetizers, Poke, Sandwiches, Soups & Salads, and Plates are all offered. Considering I was alone, and the effort I had put in just to get inside Ono’s, I treated myself to an appetizer. I went with Coconut Shrimp ($14) and was not disappointed. Matthew served me a very attractive presentation of four coconut shrimp coated in Panko and on top cabbage shreds. There was also a bowl with plenty of Yum-Yum sauce.
The shrimp were a decent size, hot, and tasty. They were breaded just right. And let me tell you about that Yum-Yum sauce. It was so good, I ate a lot of it after dipping my shrimp. I don’t know much about Yum-Yum sauce, but I know this Yum-Yum sauce was delicious.
Some diners next to me were eating burgers which looked outstanding. But if I am going downtown to eat at a Hawaiian grill, and endure all of the afore-mentioned parking pain, I’m not having a burger. Ono’s offered seven types of “Plates”, everything from panko-fried chicken, to pan-fried, shell-on garlic shrimp.
I went with Teriyaki Chicken ($19). The menu promised a grilled chicken breast, steamed rice, and vegetables. However, for $2.50, I could – and did – substitute the steamed rice for fried rice.
When Matthew served my meal, I was truly impressed with what I saw. The chicken breast was cut into slices – a lot of thick slices. I wondered if I would be able to eat them all (which I did). The chicken – in fact, the entire dish – could have been warmer. But the chicken was tender, and drizzled with just the right amount of Teriyaki sauce. The sauce wasn’t overwhelming, but added just enough taste to make a difference. The rice was plentiful, as was the broccoli. However, the broccoli was undercooked and crunchy.
Ono’s offers desert drinks, but no typical desserts. It’s just as well, as I was very full.
I was out in less than an hour. The cost of my meal before tax and tip was $35.50. And here’s a first for me: the receipt read “Tip percentages are based on the check price after taxes.” At least Ono’s confessed to the crime of suggesting tips based on the after-tax number, and not the pre-tax number.
Is $35.50 a lot for a one-person lunch? Yes, but remember, I had a $14 appetizer. Take that off, and I would have spent a little over $20. I thought the price was fair for the quality and quantity of food I ate.
I give Ono’s Hawaiian Grill Artspace Three Forks. Frankly, the parking issue would keep me from going out of my way to return, and that is a shame, as it had nothing to do with the restaurant. But if I am in or near downtown, I would endure the parking hassle to eat at Ono’s again.
Shreveport’s Downtown Development Authority has a new executive director. For the sake of all downtown restaurants, I urge him to solve the parking nightmare. Make it easier to go to Ono’s Hawaiian Grill than going to Hawaii.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt 2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying 3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it 4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit for lunch?
Celebrating its fifth year of Christmas magic, BELIEVE is the ultimate interactive magical Christmas journey in the biggest, brightest, most beautifully decorated place in town: the Shreveport Aquarium.
Visitors will receive a magical motion-activated Christmas wand in the gingerbread lobby, and use it to turn on lights, play music, light up a cozy fireplace, make reindeer footprints, jingle festive bells and more as they venture through the aquarium to see all of the wonderful animals.
Visitors can also meet and snap photos with all of the enchanting cast of costumed holiday characters, including the lovely Mrs. Claus, the beautiful Snow Mermaid, Glacielle, our mischievous elves, and of course, have a heartwarming visit with Santa himself.
Come take a stroll down the beautiful Christmas Tree Lane, and don’t forget to cast a vote for the best tree, spreading the holiday cheer far and wide. Visitors can also enjoy Mrs. Claus’ delicious cookies, sip on hot cocoa, and make a holiday craft with an elf. And the wand can be kept as a special gift.
Visitors are invited to wear their Christmas jammies or sweaters on this unforgettable journey that will make them BELIEVE in the magic of Christmas. This experience typically takes 60-90 minutes.
This event will be available from 5-9pm on select dates: Nov. 30, Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-25, and Dec. 20-23. Tickets are $30 for non-members and $20 for members. Tickets, which are limited and will sell out, can be purchased at the following link: www.shreveportaquarium.com/believe
The Shreveport Aquarium is located at 601 Clyde Fant Parkway in Downtown Shreveport. Visit www.shreveportaquarium.com for more information.
A Shreveport man who broke into a Highland home he thought a former girlfriend was at was convicted Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Caddo District Court.
William Cody Conder, 30, was found responsively guilty of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling by the 10-woman, two-man jury in District Judge Chris Victory’s court. The jury deliberated less than two hours.
Early Oct. 11, 2023, Conder was outside residence in the 200 block of Boulevard Street, banging on the front door with a metal bat, yelling for his former girlfriend, who he believed to be inside. The homeowner armed himself with a shotgun and went downstairs to investigate. When the homeowner opened the door, Conder pushed open the door and aggressively entered the home where he demanded to know where his former girlfriend was. Fearing for his own safety and that of his family, the homeowner fired his shotgun, its pellets striking Conder in his legs. At that time, the homeowner’s father was able to shove Conder out of the house and call police. Later, it was learned that Conder had slashed two tires of his girlfriend’s car that was parked outside.
When he is sentenced, Conder faces up to six years in prison with or without hard labor.
Conder was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Courtney N. Ray and Briana C. Spivey. He was defended by Michael Enright and Katie Miller.
A Caddo Parish jury found Shreveporter Jonathan Tyrone Cooper, 45, guilty of first-degree rape of a child in a trial that concluded Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
The six-man, six-woman jury in District Judge John D. Mosely Jr.’s court deliberated approximately 45 minutes before finding Cooper guilty as charged.
On May 12, 2022, a 9-year-old girl told her fourth-grade teacher a male relative father was having sex with her. The Shreveport Police Department and the Department of Family and Child Services responded. The child and a child witness took part in an emergency interview at the Gingerbread house, where critical testimonial evidence of the crime was preserved. After the Gingerbread House interviews Cooper was arrested for rapes that began when the child was 7 and continued until she reported them at age 9.
When Cooper returns to court Jan. 8, 2025 for sentencing, he faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.
Cooper was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ross Owen, Michael Anderson and Chase Burgess. He was defended by Casey Simpson and Hilary Hileman.
The Bodcau shooting range will be closed Nov. 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. The range will open Nov. 30-Dec. 1 with normal hours.
The Bodcau shooting range is located at 168 Ben Durden Road in Benton.
The Shreveport Fire Department has announced that they have acquired 3 new fire trucks from Ferrara Fire Apparatus.
These trucks will be stocked and prepared to hit the streets within the next few weeks.
These are the first of the 12 fire trucks that Shreveport Fire Department has been able to purchase. These purchases have been made possible thanks to the citizens of Shreveport and the 2021 General Obligation Bond.
FEELING GREAT: Airline senior quarterback Ben Taylor and the Vikings have reached the state quarterfinals for a second straight year, and hope to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1972. (Journal photo by KEVIN PICKENS)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
High school football teams aim to advance to practice on Thanksgiving week, when there are no classes to attend. Only 16 teams statewide in each of the eight LHSAA divisions have accomplished it.
Still going after 11 from Shreveport-Bossier began playoffs two rounds ago are three locals: undefeated Airline, defending state champion Calvary and tradition-rich and resurgent Byrd.
Airline and Calvary play at home this Friday night, while Byrd isn’t too far away, two hours south in Alexandria.
All three teams face formidable quarterfinal opponents.
Airline (11-0) vs. Destrehan (9-3), Non-Select Division I
The second-seeded Vikings made an impressive playoff debut Friday night by dominating Westgate 42-16, building a 28-0 lead. But Westgate plays the regular season as a Class 4A school. Destrehan is a longtime Class 5A powerhouse, known for producing Pro Football and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Ed Reed along with many other pro and college standouts.
The 10th seeded Wildcats – who won the 2022 Non-Select Division I state championship, their fifth state title — opened their 2024 playoffs beating Ouachita 30-12, then pulled away down the stretch in the second quarter Friday night on the way to a 63-24 win at Northwood.
Destrehan edged Airline’s District 1-5A rival Captain Shreve 46-42 on Oct. 18 on the north bank of the Mississippi River southeast of New Orleans when the Wildcats stopped the Gators’ Jamarcea Plater just short of the goalline on the game’s final play. That took place two weeks after Airline survived Shreve 69-68 when the Gators’ two-point conversion try to go ahead with 1:05 left was blown up by Vikings linebacker Jaydan Gladney.
Byrd (9-3) at Alexandria Senior High (11-0), Select Division I
The Yellow Jackets, the 10th seed, overwhelmed seventh-seeded St. Paul’s in Covington last Friday 37-15, answering a first-series touchdown by the Wolves with a run of 37 unanswered points keyed by an outstanding defensive performance. Byrd blanked Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) 20-0 in its playoff first-rounder. With solid defense, a powerful triple option offense and 10 field goals from Asher Murray including a school record-tying 56-yarder, Byrd has rebounded since winning just four games last season.
ASH, seeded second, made its playoff debut Friday and blasted Evangel 49-6. The Trojans have wins over reigning Non-Select Division III champion Union Parish (41-12), Destrehan (45-27), defending Non-Select Division II champ Opelousas (43-40), West Monroe (45-35), Ruston (40-36) and Neville (42-16) while averaging 48 points, scoring at least 41 each game.
In the last three games, ASH has outscored foes 146-29.
Calvary (9-2) vs. Episcopal (9-2), Select Division III
The Cavaliers, seeded third, blanked De La Salle out of the vaunted Catholic League of New Orleans 38-0 Friday night at Jerry Barker Stadium in what coach Rodney Guin said might have been his team’s most complete game of the season. The Cavaliers’ only two losses are by four points each – to Non-Select Division I quarterfinalist Neville, and at Non-Select Division II quarterfinalist Franklin Parish, teams with one loss each.
Episcopal, the sixth seed, won its second-round playoff game 24-7 over Pope John Paul II with a second-half surge. The Knights have allowed only 152 points this season. The team that scored the most against Episcopal was the team Calvary rallied past in the final minute of last year’s state finals – St. Charles Catholic, which fell 41-22 to the Knights.
Episcopal has lost only to unbeaten Select Division III No. 1 seed Dunham (18-0) and Select Division IV quarterfinalist Ascension Catholic (14-7).
BATON ROUGE – Every once in a while, something happens that makes me love college football again, if only for a moment.
Something that prevents me from tracking down every idiot with no journalistic ethics and poor grammar who publishes websites devoted to spreading misinformation and rumors that are lapped up by flocks of fan base sheep who become more ignorant by the minute.
Something that makes me forget how big-time college football has turned into a lawless cash grab in which a 17-year-old quarterback rated the No. 1 high school player in the nation can be handed $10.5 million to sign with a college based strictly on potential.
Something that lessens my fatigue of feeling there’s almost no room left for genuine coaches or athletes, whose words and presentation are polished, calculated and monitored by athletic department personnel.
So, when you cross paths with a real dude like LSU running back Josh Williams, who’s now two games away from ending a six-year college career that started with him as a scout team walk-on for the Tigers’ 2019 national title, you want to see him succeed.
It’s not because he’s rarely been the biggest or the fastest person in LSU’s running back room, which has had 22 RBs and three running backs coaches under four offensive coordinators hired by two head coaches during Williams’ tenure.
It’s not because he’s banking a load of NIL money. He’s grateful to have a scholarship.
It’s because he has done everything consistently correct daily to succeed in football and life. Work hard, don’t complain, encourage your teammates, and compete like hell every minute of every game and practice.
As Williams said in a team meeting this past week trying to shake the Tigers from their three-game losing streak, “Hey, this stuff goes by fast. .been in college for six years, probably played three or four years, and it felt like it was just yesterday.”
On Saturday night in Tiger Stadium in the 58th game of the Houston native’s LSU journey, he delivered the best performance of his career and also the most well-timed in the Tigers’ 24-17 victory over Vanderbilt.
Kelly and crew, needing inspiration to shake the doldrums of the 6-4 season that has been a burning wagon repeatedly sailing off a cliff for almost a month, got it from Williams.
It wasn’t just the totality of his 151 yards – a season-high 90 rushing yards on 14 attempts and 61 receiving yards on four catches – but rather the timing.
It had been a Godawful week for the LSU program.
Kelly was again criticized by any talking media head or any podcast nitwit after being caught by TV cameras in last Saturday’s loss at Florida dog-cussing Tigers’ wide receiver Chris Hilton. Hilton, who has spent almost the entire season injured, apparently didn’t appreciate Kelly telling him he was trying too hard to make a play.
LSU’s training staff was lambasted for its old school “how many fingers am I holding up?’ sideline concussion test of Tigers’ QB Garrett Nussmeier after one of the seven times he was sacked by the Gators.
Then on Thursday after Kelly and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan had recruited and coddled No. 1 high school QB phenom Bryce Underwood, Underwood for three years, Underwood flipped his commitment to Michigan when the school promised to pay him $10.5 million.
And then Saturday after Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia arched a perfect 63-yard TD pass to Quincy Skinner Jr. on the Commodores’ first offensive snap of the game for a 7-0 lead vs. LSU, Kelly and the Tigers desperately needed something good to happen.
They got it from Williams, who plowed through Vandy tackles on the next two of three series for TD runs of 20 and 21 yards to put LSU ahead for good 14-7 at halftime.
“For me personally and mentally going into the game,” Williams said, “I wanted to run hard. I wanted to play fast, free and physical, and just trust my preparation.”
Kelly was looking for someone to play with purposeful, inspirational passion. He found it in Williams.
“He ran through the face of a number of defenders,” Kelly said of Williams. “It was his physicality, his want-to, his desire. He was committed to the first tackler not getting him down. He set a tone for our entire team. He really was committed to making sure that we found a way to win this game.”
After last Saturday’s debacle in Gainesville – some hard-nosed Gators’ magic that also beat No. 8 Ole Miss on Saturday and erased their playoff hopes – LSU team leaders Williams, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, linebacker Greg Penn III and offensive lineman Will Campbell called a “players only” meeting this past week.
“The message of that meeting,” LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson said, “was we’re done babying. We’re grown men here. We’re not going to keep doing the same old stuff. The coaches left in in our hands like `If y’all want to be better than what y’all have been, then show me.’”
And the Tigers did, particularly Williams, and everybody followed, like Nussmeier who threw for 332 yards and 1 TD to receiver Kyren Lacy who had 6 catches for 85 yards as well as linebacker Whit Weeks, who had a team-high 7 tackles and 2 of Tigers’ 8 QB pressures on the talented Pavia.
“When you see an offensive player like Josh playing with that much physicality and setting the standard for the whole game,” Weeks said, “it lights you up.”
Williams’ reward for such a performance was being awarded the game ball by Kelly in the locker room afterward. LSU’s team compensation was improving to 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the SEC with a regular-season closer next Saturday in Tiger Stadium against Oklahoma.
The Sooners broke free from their struggles at home on Saturday with a 24-3 dominating home victory over No. 7 Alabama. The Crimson Tide failed to score a TD in a game for the first time since 2011.
UNLUCKY 21: Senior linebacker Zach Zimos was troubling for Arkansas Saturday as the senior led the Louisiana Tech defense with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. (Photo by JOSH MCDANIEL, Louisiana Tech Athletics)
JOURNAL SPORTS
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Despite opportunities, Louisiana Tech could not overcome a scoreless first half, as Arkansas narrowly avoided one.
That was a significant factor as the Bulldogs fell 35-14 on Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas got two touchdowns shortly before halftime and gradually pushed away from the visitors.
Tech (4-6) could only muster 43 yards of offense through the first two quarters, unable to take advantage of two turnovers forced by the defense. Meanwhile, Arkansas (6-5) methodically put the game away on the arm and legs of quarterback Taylen Green who had two touchdowns apiece through the air and on the ground.
Miscues were stumbling blocks in the first quarter, starting with the Razorbacks having an opening 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown negated by a penalty.
For the Bulldogs, it was failing to score after getting into the red zone thanks to a Jacob Fields interception. After a successful fake field goal, Tech had the ball at the 2-yard line but a false start and a snap quarterback Evan Bullock was not expecting sent the Bulldogs’ backwards. The ensuing 42-yard field goal attempt from last week’s hero, Buck Buchanan, was wide left.
“We had a lot of opportunities in that first quarter and the second quarter, and in the first half for our football team to take an advantage of and we failed to do that,” said Tech coach Sonny Cumbie. “We failed to take advantage of turnovers that we created, and we failed to take advantage of short fields and the momentum we created with special teams plays. Against a good team like Arkansas, it will be hard to overcome that. Those are the plays early in the game that you can potentially create put distance between yourself and a good opponent like that.”
Arkansas finally got on top 5:49 before halftime, after going 80 yards in 13 plays ended by an 11-yard touchdown pass (preceded by a fourth-and-1 conversion).
After a its defense got a three-and-out, Arkansas cashed in another fourth-down conversion. This one was a quarterback scramble by Green that went 41 yards to the end zone to give the Hogs a 14-0 going into halftime.
The Bulldogs tried to find some fourth-down magic on their own early in the third quarter but got stuffed on their own 27-yard line. The Razorbacks made them pay on the very next play with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Green to Isaac Teslaa.
Down three touchdowns, Tech took advantage of a muffed punt and a roughing the passer penalty that negated an interception thrown by Bullock. Green found Eli Finley to convert a third down, and then threw to him on the next snap for a 2-yard score with 3:59 left in third quarter. Green also scored on an 8-yard run.
The Bulldogs were able to find the end zone just one more time, a strike from Bullock to Jimmy Holiday on a post route that resulted in a 20-yard score that came with six minutes remaining in the game.
“I think the way that our kids played today was again reflective of their effort and their buy in and belief,” said Cumbie. “It’s been an uncommon season from the standpoint of how games have ended for us in certain cases. I think they have felt it and have seen the progress and how we’ve played on defense and how much we’ve improved on that side of the football.”
Tech posted 186 yards of offense in the second half, getting most of that through the air. Bullock ended the game 26-of-43 for 190 yards and two passing TDs.
Green accounted for 282 yards of Arkansas’ 454 yards of offense.
Tech will close out its season Saturday at home when the Bulldogs host Kennesaw State at 3 p.m. for Senior Day at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston.
3 FOR SIX: Myles Kitt-Denton finishes a 60-yard touchdown catch and run Saturday in Northwestern’s last game of the season. (Photo by CHRIS REICH, Northwestern State)
By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Sports Information Director
HOUSTON – The attrition that seemed to hit the Northwestern State football team each week in the 2024 season arrived in the third quarter of its season finale at Houston Christian on Saturday.
After the Demons woke up offensively in the second quarter, the homestanding Huskies turned things back around with a third-quarter explosion en route to a 62-24 Southland Conference victory at Husky Stadium.
HCU scored 35 points in the third quarter – 21 in the first five minutes – widening what had become a 10-point game at the half.
“We found ourselves in a good position at halftime, down 10 points,” first-year head coach Blaine McCorkle said. “That’s not good, but it’s better than we’ve been in a long time. There was good energy. We had good halftime adjustments, and the wheels just fell off in the third quarter.”
The Demons (0-12, 0-7) fell behind 3-0 after the first drive as the Northwestern defense stood up in the red zone after inheriting a short field.
HCU’s lead grew to 17-0 before the Demons began to click offensively in the second quarter.
Starting with the final play of the first quarter – a 39-yard connection to Twon Hines – redshirt freshman quarterback JT Fayard began to find his rhythm.
Fayard tossed a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, the first a 60-yard strike to Myles Kitt-Denton to cut the Huskies’ lead to 17-7. The second – a floated 9-yard pass to Zay Davis to beat an all-out blitz – again pulled Northwestern to within 10 points.
That was the halftime margin as both teams’ defenses came up with stops in the final two minutes of the half.
HCU’s quick-strike offense opened the third quarter with a four-play 79-yard drive that Calvin Hill capped with a 22-yard score. Less than two minutes later, the Huskies extended the lead, capitalizing on an interception that set them up at the Northwestern 15-yard line.
“It’s the same story we’ve had all year,” McCorkle said. “It’s like playing the FBS games. You’re competitive for as long as you can before the size and strength and experience takes over. That’s what every game has felt like.”
The Demons were able to draw a spark from Kitt-Denton again as the junior who was playing near his hometown of Pearland, Texas, returned a kickoff 87 yards to the HCU 13. Despite the field position, Northwestern had to settle for a 21-yard Reed Honshtein field goal to slice the HCU lead to 45-17.
On the ensuing kickoff, Jesse Valenzuela returned it 98 yards for a touchdown – HCU’s third kick return score of the year, done by three different players.
The Demons were able to manage one final score early in the fourth quarter as freshman running back Jeremiah James tallied his first career score on a 6-yard toss play.
“We spent the past four weeks playing a lot of true freshmen to protect their redshirts and to grow the program,” McCorkle said. “They did not disappoint. That’s a pretty cool thing. (James) is a special player, and he’s another one who is just scratching the surface of his talent. Now, he has good game experience and has four years of football to go. He’s a name people are going to hear for a while. He’s locked into being at Northwestern State.”
TWO-DAY TRIBUTE: Bossier Parish Community College annually honors the memory of former player and Doyline High standout Decari Markray. (File photo)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Off to a 6-0 start, the Bossier Parish Community College basketball team hosts the Third Annual Decari Markray Classic today and Tuesday at Billy Montgomery Gym in Bossier City, with the home team playing at 7 tonight and four local high school teams involved Tuesday evening.
Coach J.A. Anglin’s Cavaliers are averaging 94 points per game in their fast start, which includes wins over junior varsity teams from ETBU and Centenary.
Monday’s slate involves four NJCAA Division 1 teams — two from Region 14, Navarro College and BPCC, and two from Region 23, Baton Rouge Community College and Delgado Community College.
Baton Rouge CC and Navarro meet at 5, followed by the host Cavaliers and Delgado at 7.
Tuesday’s slate has the college action in midday. Navarro and Delgado will play the first game at 11 a.m. followed by Bossier Parish and Baton Rouge at 1.
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.
With the cooler weather finally here, the shelter dogs are in need of blankets to keep them warm and comfy in the upcoming months. Members of the public who would like to donate new or gently-used and clean fleece blankets or comforters, please drop them off at the shelter anytime during business hours.
The animals appreciate you (and Animal Services does, too). Blankets can be dropped off at:
Officials with the Bossier Parish Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No.1 have issued a boil advisory for customers on the East Central Bossier Water System effective as of Friday, Nov. 22. This advisory affects customers on all of LA Hwy160 east of Fire Tower Road, and Clarkson Road.
The advisory was issued because the main line lost pressure due to a scheduled repair to the main line. Officials say the advisory will affect an estimated 12 meters, or 36 customers, on the system.
Water samples will be sent to the LA Dept. of Health Lab for testing. Customers are advised to boil their water for consumption until further notice.
The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce Sheriff’s Candy Land, a month-long celebration of festive fun for children and families. Safety Town will be transformed into Candy Land, bringing holiday events designed to build relationships and create lasting memories.
Mark your calendars for these holiday activities:
December 1: Welcome to Sheriff’s Candy Land with Letters to Santa, 2-4pm
Kick off the holiday season with a visit to Candy Land at Safety Town. Children will enjoy decorating holiday-themed coloring sheets and writing letters to Santa filled with their Christmas wishes. Each child will leave with a goody bag, including a schedule of all the fun happening at Safety Town throughout the month.
December 14: Pancakes with Santa, 8-11am
Join us for a fun morning of Stacks with Santa as children decorate their very own holiday pancakes with sprinkles and other treats. Santa will be there to spread holiday cheer and take pictures with the little ones while they enjoy breakfast. Afterward, kids will enjoy a fun-filled game of Safety Town bingo.
December 15: Pictures with Santa, 2-4pm
Parents are encouraged to dress their kids up in their favorite holiday attire for Clicks and Pics with Santa himself. Juice and holiday treats will be available for families as they experience the Candy Land winter wonderland.
December 21: Sheriff’s Holiday Hope Family Brunch, 12-2pm
Families from the Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) program will receive a special invitation from the Sheriff’s Office for a heartfelt holiday brunch. They will enjoy a festive meal and receive special Christmas gifts as a gesture of support and hope from CPSO, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey of healing.
December 22: Movies & Pajamas, 2-4pm
Families are invited to close out Sheriff’s Candy Land with our finale event, which is an evening of Christmas magic. Children are invited to wear their favorite pajamas (optional) and enjoy a Christmas movie with snacks.
For more information, contact Malaysia Simon at (318) 681-0870/(318) 422-4173 or via email at malaysia.simon@caddosheriff.org OR Camellia Williams at (318) 681-0821 or via email at camellia.williams@caddosheriff.org.
William Donald Bahm September 27, 1948 – November 21, 2024 Service: Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 2pm at the Shreveport Community Church, Shreveport.
Darrell Wayne LaCaze August 11, 1953 – November 20, 2024 Service: Monday, November 25, 2024, 2pm at Centuries Memorial Park Cemetery, Shreveport.
Willard Frederick Washburne, M.D. February 11, 1946 – November 19, 2024 Service: Thursday, December 5, 2024, 2pm at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, Shreveport.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
VIKING CONQUEST: Airline senior Dylan Patterson smacks a Westgate ballcarrier for a loss Friday night as the unbeaten Vikings posted an impressive second-round playoff win. (Journal photo by KEVIN PICKENS)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
There were surprises Friday night at Airline’s second-round state playoff game, things you probably didn’t expect:
Airline’s defense (all night),
Ben Taylor’s wheels (on a 1-yard TD run),
The student section in Christmas garb,
And sophomore backups getting into action against visiting Westgate — out of necessity.
Those were all focal points of a dominant victory by the unbeaten, second-seeded Vikings, rolling 42-16 in a Non-Select Division I matchup at an energetic M.D. Ray Stadium.
Airline (11-0) got on the board on its first series, stretched the lead to 21-0 by halftime and was up four scores before 18th-seeded Westgate (8-3) finally found the end zone late in the third quarter. The outcome was not in doubt for long, mostly since the visiting Tigers generally struggled to sustain possessions.
That was because during the past two weeks, an open date in the first-round of the playoffs and in preparation for Friday night, Airline defenders felt the burn from social media skeptics.
“We had a fire lit under our butts,” said senior linebacker Jaydan Gladney. “We’d seen different posts, everybody saying Airline’s gonna get exposed, this and that.
“So we had to come out here and prove them wrong, and that’s what we did. Held them to 16 points,” he said.
Vikings coach Justin Scogin, who has maintained that his team’s average scoring yield of 38 points was misleading (and relatively insignificant, considering Airline scored 55 per game in the regular season), felt validated.
“We knew we have a pretty good defense. We face a gauntlet. We score so fast, (opponents) control the ball. We were able to show tonight how good we really are,” he said, smiling.
Taylor, who has thrown for 44 touchdowns and just shy of 4,000 yards in his senior season, concurred.
“You look online, and random adults are talking about our defense can’t hang with a down-south team. They came in here and we held them to 16. Our defense played a phenomenal game and we were able to put up 42,” he said. “When we’re able to do that, we can’t be stopped.”
“It was nice being able to play in front, have fun, relax a little bit,” said Scogin.
The New Iberia-based visitors threatened at the end of the half. They had a 14-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left in the half wiped out by a penalty for having 12 players on the field, then Vikings junior defensive back Jeremiah Epps broke up a potential TD toss at the halftime horn.
When Airline forced a punt on the first series of the third period, then moved up 28-0 on Taylor’s 47-yard throw to sophomore Terrance Hays, any doubts dropped like the temperature. When the Tigers finally scored, the Vikings replied in kind both times.
The last one was the best one.
At the end of a 10-play drive, on second-and-goal at the 1, Taylor tried to sneak up the middle, to nobody’s surprise, since he’d done so two snaps earlier on third-and-1 at the 11. Only a stumble at the 7-yard stripe kept him from scoring then.
“No one even saw me, and I got through, and just slipped,” he said, sheepishly. “But that worked out too.”
In a roundabout way.
Taylor’s push toward the end zone got pushback. He was knocked from the 1 back 6-7 yards, staggering to keep his balance. Then he looped left, arcing around pursuit, cutting up the sideline and winning a race to the pylon with 5:32 remaining.
“It was crazy,” he said. “When you make runs like that, you don’t think about it, it goes by so fast. I somehow stayed up, and I was able to go all the way around.”
It was another case of Airline adjusting when things didn’t go according to plan. More pivotal in the outcome was how backups stepped up.
Productive running back/receiver Micah Johnson exited with an injury in the first quarter and Jarvis Davis Jr., averaging 111 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns (five on runs) to his credit, was helped off midway through the second. Later, tailback Derrian Milligan was banged up and benched.
“We had 2-3 sophomores on the field on our offense toward the end, and were still able to manage 42 points. That was encouraging,” said Scogin. “They stepped in like they belonged. The offense doesn’t change. He (Taylor) just throws to a different number.”
And the numbers keep stacking up in Airline’s favor. Next: a second straight quarterfinal appearance, at home against Destrehan, which rolled over Northwood Friday night.
HANGING ON: Loyola’s Hayden Horton tries to bring down Leesville’s Xavier Ford. (Journal photo by JOHN JAMES MARSHALL)
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
LEESVILLE – If the Loyola Flyers didn’t already know what they were up against in Leesville running back Xavier Ford, they found out on the first play of the game Friday night.
And the second play.
And for the rest of the night.
Ford, the state’s leading rusher, put on an impressive display in leading the Wampus Cats to a 42-24 win over the Flyers in the second round of the Division II (select) playoffs as he rushed for 297 yards on 30 carries and scored four touchdowns.
Leesville opened the game in the Wildcat formation and Ford took the direct snap and ran 13 yards on the first play.
On the next play, the Wampus Cats did it again, but this time Ford made it to the end zone on a 49-yard run.
For the rest of the night, any time Leesville needed a big play to keep a drive alive, you knew who was going to get the ball.
“They weren’t playing around,” Loyola coach John Sella said of the Wampus Cats. “They got in that Wildcat (formation) and said that No. 24 (Ford) is going to be the best player on the field. And that offensive line is really good. There’s little room for error when we aren’t causing any punts.”
Leesville didn’t punt the entire game which was part of Loyola’s frustration because the Flyers moved the ball well, gaining 327 yards in total offense.
The way the game started, it looked as if the two teams were going to match each other score for score. After’s Ford opening TD, the Flyers went on an impressive scoring drive of their own, converting three third downs before getting a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Restovich to fellow sophomore Brock Geter on fourth down.
The Wampus Cats answered that with a 25-yard pass from Trel Broom to Michael Davis and when the Flyers couldn’t counter, Leesville seized the opportunity as Ford caught a 9-yard pass from Broom for a two-score lead.
But late in the second quarter, the Flyers had a chance to make it a one-possession game at halftime when senior linebacker Carter Doyal had an interception in Wampus Cat territory. The Flyers got the Leesville 25 but two incomplete passes ended the drive.
“You’ve got to come up with points there when the defense gives you good field position,” Sella said. “But they made the plays and we didn’t.”
To make matters worse, Leesville then went 77 yards in seven plays – Ford ran for 29 yards on 3rd-and-11 – and scored with 13 seconds to go before halftime to make it 28-6.
It felt like the death blow to the Flyers’ chances, but Loyola kept hanging around. Mason Drake opened the second half with a 5-yard scoring run, but that was the start of alternating touchdowns between the two teams.
Still Sella was pleased with how his team hung in the game. “You never know how teenagers are going to react,” he said. “We told them to just keep fighting and that’s a complement to them. To get a stop on fourth down with three minutes left shows that they kept playing hard to try to make a game out of it.”
Restovich led the offense for the Flyers, completing 21 of 40 for 262 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to Geter, wide receivers Jake Black (21 yards) and Ben Brewer (17 yards) also had touchdown receptions.
Leesville (9-2) will advance the quarterfinals to play Booker T. Washington of New Orleans. The Flyers finish their season at 7-5.
FIRST OF MANY: Quinton Hillard’s touchdown ended Byrd’s first possession, tied the game at 7, and started a 37-point onslaught by the visiting Yellow Jackets in their second-round playoff win over St. Paul’s in Covington. (Journal file photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
COVINGTON — When St. Paul’s effortlessly threw the ball down the field and scored on its first possession, that could have been a harbinger of what was to come in Friday’s second-round Select Division I playoff matchup against visiting Byrd.
But by the time St. Paul’s reached the end zone again, the scoreboard read fourth quarter and Byrd had scored 37 straight points.
Byrd’s offense controlled the clock, and the defense forced four turnovers as the No. 10 seed Yellow Jackets rolled through No. 7 St. Paul’s in a 37-15 win.
“The turnovers were huge, especially the first one that set up the score for us to go up 17-7,” said Byrd coach Stacy Ballew. “Ja’cari Williams forced three fumbles (two Byrd recovered), and then James Logan intercepted two passes.
“St. Paul’s didn’t run very many plays tonight, and our advantage in time of possession (32:34 to 16:26) was also important.”
St. Paul’s quarterback Brennan Keim plunged in for a 1-yard score following multiple big passing plays, including a 46-yarder to Jake Walker to start the game.
But Byrd (9-3) dominated for the rest of the first half, and the Yellow Jackets recovered an onside kick and forced two turnovers that led to a 16-point halftime lead.
Byrd’s offense soaked up nearly a full quarter on the ensuing two drives, which were connected by an onside kick recovery by Cameron Williams following a beauty of a kick from Asher Murray.
The Yellow Jackets ate up more than eight minutes on their first scoring drive, which included one third-down and one fourth-down conversion while overcoming a couple of penalties. Quintin Hilliard scampered seven yards on the edge to tie the score 7-7 late in the first quarter.
Byrd cashed in the onside kick into a 32-yard Murray field goal for a 10-7 edge early in the second quarter. Murray’s 10th field goal of the season tied Byrd’s single-season record.
The Yellow Jackets converted a total of 9-13 third- and fourth-down conversions, including 4-of-4 on fourth down when the game was still in reach.
St. Paul’s (8-3) lost a fumble on the next drive when Williams forced a fumble that Ethan Sipes recovered.
Fullback Desmond Simmons provided the foundation for the next drive, as he did for the majority of Byrd’s drives Friday.
A multitude of Simmons’ carries set up a Harrison Ayres 1-yard touchdown run, the first of two Ayres touchdowns.
Simmons finished the night with 124 rushing yards on 24 touches to pace a Byrd rushing attack that gained 272 yards on 60 carries.
Down 17-7, St. Paul’s continued to make big plays through the air as the Wolves got into scoring position.
But Byrd’s secondary stiffened, forcing a field goal that failed.
The Yellow Jackets put their efficient two-minute offense into gear. A 50-yard pass from Ayres to Kristian Roberson set up a 2-yard Simmons score and Byrd led 23-7 at halftime.
“We can throw it when we need to, even though it’s not our M.O.,” Ballew said. “We have receivers who can catch the ball, but it’s all set up by the run.
“Some defenses will sell out to stop the run, and we are able to pass and take advantage of that.”
St. Paul’s couldn’t recover the onside kick to start the third quarter, and Byrd took advantage of the field position with a Collin Deere 14-yard touchdown after Simmons toted the water down the field. Byrd led 30-7.
The Wolves’ offense moved the ball (330 yards to Byrd’s 354), but Byrd’s Barfield recovered a fumble on the next drive, another of St. Paul’s many empty possessions.
Byrd’s James Logan logged his second interception of the night midway through the fourth quarter to set up the Yellow Jackets’ final score, an Ayres 1-yard touchdown run with 6:06 to go for a 37-7 advantage.
The Yellow Jackets advance to the quarterfinals for the second time in three seasons and will next head to unbeaten No. 2 seed Alexandria Senior High.
Byrd beat ASH to make the quarterfinals in 2022, but it’s a Trojans squad that now is one of the best in the state. ASH dispensed of Evangel, 49-6, in the second round.
GREAT START: With a pick six interception return TD in the game’s third minute, Calvary’s Braylun Huglon launched a homefield victory by the defending Select Division III state champions over De La Salle Friday night. (Journal photo by RAYNALDO ALEXANDER, Sniper Sports Photography)
By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
Calvary coach Rodney Guin said it doesn’t matter who gets the ball – or the credit – when it comes to playoff time.
But in a 38-0 second-round Select Division III playoff win against No. 14 seed De La Salle (6-6), the defense set the tone and finished the job with the shutout at Jerry Barker Field.
Braylon Huglon started the scoring with a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown three minutes into the game, and the third-seeded Cavs (9-2) didn’t let a ball-control De La Salle offense off the mat from there.
“We dominated up front, and our guys in the box whipped them,” said Calvary coach Rodney Guin. “We tackled very well, too.”
“It’s probably the most complete game we played in terms of offense, defense, and special teams.”
Calvary applied relentless pressure, racking up five sacks just in the first half.
The Cavaliers’ offense certainly did its part as James Simon IV rushed for two first-half 1-yard scores to give Calvary a 21-0 edge.
The second touchdown came with 39 seconds left, and the 21-0 lead was key in building and protecting Calvary’s lead.
“That score was the other really big play because the way De La Salle plays offense, they weren’t going to score a whole bunch very quickly,” Guin said. “So to go up 21 before the half was big.
“Our offense played well, and at this point, you don’t worry about who gets the ball. It’s all about winning. Simon ran well and ran really, really hard. That’s what happens when he gets into playoff attitude.”
Calvary quarterback Abram Wardell picked up the scoring in third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Tucker for a 28-0 lead.
The Cavs scored their final 10 points on a Ty Wright field goal and a Z’Ryan Miles 20-yard touchdown run.
Calvary continues defense of its 2023 state championship at home next Friday against sixth-seeded Episcopal of Baton Rouge (9-2) in a quarterfinal contest. Episcopal controlled the second half in a 24-7 homefield win in the second round over Pope John Paul II.
