GOLDEN MOMENT: Green Bay Packers GM Mark Murphy (right) and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (left) join Packers’ No. 1 selection Matthew Golden moments after the former Independence Bowl participant was chosen Thursday during the 2025 NFL Draft. (Photo by AL POWERS, ESPN, courtesy of Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Having one of the country’s oldest bowl games contested in Shreveport every December provides a college football showcase for the local community – and also a stage for some future NFL players.
The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl was highly represented as eight bowl alumni were selected in the seven-round draft – including five players in the first three rounds.
The first Independence Bowl participant came off the board in Thursday’s first round, as former Houston wide receiver Matthew Golden was selected No. 23 overall by the Green Bay Packers. Golden, who caught two passes for 17 yards in the 2022 Independence Bowl before finishing his college career at Texas, was the first former I-Bowl player selected in the first round since Gregory Rousseau in 2021.
On Friday, four bowl alumni got the call. Former Louisiana-Lafayette cornerback Trey Amos was selected in the second round with the 61st overall pick by the Washington Commanders. Amos started for the Ragin’ Cajuns in the 2022 Independence Bowl before transferring to Alabama and then to Ole Miss. He was followed by three former I-Bowl players in the third round – cornerback Nohl Williams, defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell and offensive lineman Caleb Rogers.
The draft concluded on Saturday with three Independence Bowl alumni being selected in rounds 4-7. Safety Craig Woodson was selected in the fourth round; defensive back Mac McWilliams was selected in the fifth round; and running back Tahj Brooks was selected in the sixth round.
The list of Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl alumni selected in the 2025 NFL Draft:
Matthew Golden (Houston, 2022 – finished college career at Texas) – 1st round (23rd overall) by the Packers
Trey Amos (UL Lafayette, 2022 – finished career at Ole Miss) – 2nd round (61st overall) by the Commanders
Nohl Williams (Cal, 2023) – 3rd round (85th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs
Jamaree Caldwell (Houston, 2022 – finished career at Oregon) – 3rd round (86th overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers
Caleb Rogers (Texas Tech, 2023) – 3rd round (98th overall) by the Las Vegas Raiders
Craig Woodson (Cal, 2023) – 4th round (106th overall) by the New England Patriots
Mac McWilliams (UAB, 2021 – finished career at UCF) – 5th round (145th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles
Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech, 2023) – 6th round (193rd overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals
As of Monday, five other Independence Bowl alumni have signed as undrafted free agents with NFL teams – defensive lineman Xavier Carlton (Cal, 2023) with the Chicago Bears, linebacker K.C. Ossai (UL Lafayette, 2022) with the Houston Texans, Ragin’ Cajuns offensive lineman AJ Gillie with Seattle, wide receiver Tru Edwards (Louisiana Tech, 2024) with the Los Angeles Rams and edge Tyler Batty (BYU, 2021) with the Minnesota Vikings.
Five more I-Bowl alumni have received minicamp invites from NFL organizations – offensive lineman Lucas Scott (Army, 2024) with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants, offensive lineman Cam’Ron Johnson (Houston, 2022) with the Cleveland Browns, long snapper Austin Riggs (BYU, 2021) with the Vikings, wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (Louisiana Tech, 2024) with the Giants and Lou Groza Award winning-kicker Kenneth Almendares (UL Lafayette, 2022) with the San Francisco 49ers.
Caddo Parks & Recreation Director Patrick Wesley represented the Caddo Parish NIKE-RBI Program at the Nationals Park baseball stadium in Washington, D.C.
Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Wesley represented the Caddo Parish NIKE-RBI Program this past weekend at the Nationals Park baseball stadium in Washington, D.C. as Major League Baseball recognized successful community service programs.
Director Wesley was selected to speak to other Major League Baseball NIKE-RBI programs leadership representatives, and discuss the overall success Caddo Parish NIKE-RBI Program is having with the development of youth baseball in underserved and rural communities in Caddo Parish.
“Special thanks to Major League Baseball for their confidence in Caddo Parish on being a ‘model’ RBI Program for youth baseball development around the country,” said Wesley.
In addition to meeting with other RBI leadership representatives, Director Wesley attended the Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets game, where over 32,000 baseball fans celebrated “Military Appreciation Day.”
The Parish of Caddo, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball-Players Association Youth Development Foundation recently funded a $400,000 ballfield improvement project at P.B.S. Pinchback Park, located at 7903 Jefferson Page Rd. in Shreveport. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be on Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. With this capital investment, the P.B.S. Pinchback Park ballfield will serve as the primary youth baseball/softball development site for Caddo Parish youth (girls and boys) ages 3-14.
Nike RBI provides administrative, programmatic and infrastructural resources for organizations that provide baseball and/or softball programming, with a focus on underserved children and communities across the globe. The Major League Baseball Players Association Youth Development Foundation is a joint initiative of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association to support efforts that focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over 31 million dollars to 315 grantees-serving 47 states and territories.
For more information on parks, programs and services offered by the Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.caddoparks.org.
A record-breaking crowd flocked to this year’s Taco Wars to celebrate Latino culture, food and music at one of the country’s largest one day taco and salsa festival and competition. The festival, presented by Maestro Dobel, Modelo, and the Prize Foundation, returned on April 26 outside the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium to the fanfare of taco lovers throughout the area and generated over $168,000 in revenue for these local businesses, a 30% increase over revenue generated from Taco Wars 2024. The Prize Foundation worked in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Alliance of Northwest Louisiana to recruit the 14 taquerias from Northwest Louisiana and East Texas as well as the live music acts – from award-winning mariachi band, Mariachi Los Caporales, to the Valera Brothers and Los Primos NG – featured at this year’s Taco Wars
“It was pretty mind blowing to see the crowds from all over the region come together and celebrate Latino and Hispanic culture,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Executive Director of the Prize Foundation and founder of Taco Wars. “The Prize Foundation is incredibly proud to host Taco Wars and see our community come together and, more importantly, eat a record number of tacos. Congrats to the winners, though, it feels like everyone won!”
The festival featured fourteen area taquerias, selling tacos to the public and battling it out for the coveted Golden Taco (Best Taco) and Golden Molcajete (Best Salsa). Participating taquerías for 2025 included El Novillo Meat Market, La Potranca, La Villa Taqueria, Maria’s Kitchen, Mi Meza Latin Cuisine, Mi Mercadito, Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant, Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant, Ramirez Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria El Eden, Taqueria Flores, Taqueria La Reyna Del Sur, Taqueria Mi Palmar, and Taqueria San Miguel. For competing taquerias, it’s an opportunity to reach new customers and generate sales, with 90% of taco sales go directly back to the competing businesses.
A panel of celebrity taco aficionados visited each of taqueria’s tents, tasted all of the submitted tacos and after careful deliberation, declared La Villa Taqueria the winner of the Best Taco and the $1000 cash prize.
All taquerias also gave out free tastings of chips and salsas to the hungry crowd. Attendees were given voting tokens upon entry to the festival and voted to decide the Golden Molcajete winner. Ramirez Mexican Restaurant just defended its title, with a tie for this year’s Best Salsa vote alongside Taqueria San Miguel. Both taquerias were awarded a $500 cash prize.
Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation, with Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR), will host Senior Day in the Park on Friday, May 9, from 9am to 2pm, at Richard Fleming Park (7919 West Lakeshore Dr., Shreveport).
This event will consist of a fun-filled day of games, fitness activities, socialization, fishing, and lunch for senior citizens 55 and older while enjoying the natural beauty of the park. Local health and wellness resource agencies will be on site. Blood pressure checks and blood glucose testing services will also be available on-site.
This event is free to the public. Pre-registration is required by May 7. Contact Mary Murphy to register (her contact information is below).
For additional information, contact the Recreation Coordinator at 318-218-7070 or Lwilliams@caddo.gov, or Mary Murphy at 318-220-6284 or mmurphy@caddo.gov.
April 29 marks the celebration of National Zipper Day in the United States, commemorating the day in 1913 when Gideon Sundback received a patent for the modern zipper. This invention revolutionized the fashion industry, providing a convenient and reliable method for fastening clothing and accessories. The zipper’s impact extends beyond fashion, finding applications in various industries, including luggage, outdoor gear, and even aerospace technology.
In Japan, April 29 is observed as Shōwa Day, honoring the birthday of Emperor Hirohito, known posthumously as Emperor Shōwa. His reign, from 1926 to 1989, encompassed significant events, including World War II and Japan’s subsequent recovery and economic growth. Shōwa Day serves as a time for reflection on the nation’s history and the challenges faced during the Shōwa era. It also marks the beginning of Japan’s Golden Week, a series of national holidays that are among the country’s busiest travel seasons.
Msgt. (RET.) Larry Frank Skarda December 6, 1948 – April 24, 2025 Service: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport.
Raymond Dice Simmons March 22, 1938 – April 22, 2025 Service: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.
Karen Marie Lyons May 23, 1976 – April 20, 2025 Service: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 11:30am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
Angela Renee Braley March 18, 1977 – April 19, 2025 Service: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:30am at The Healing Place Church, Shreveport.
George Belchic, Jr., M.D. December 1, 1925 – April 18, 2025 Service: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 2pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Shreveport.
Garland Grant III February 14, 1965 – April 12, 2025 Service: Friday, May 2, 2025, 3pm at Blanchard Church of the Nazarene, Shreveport.
Jerry Kircus August 19, 1941 – April 4, 2025 Service: Saturday, May 24, 2025, 12pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Dustin Dean Cook May 25, 1970 – February 20, 2025 Service: Sunday, May 25, 2025, 2pm at Osborn Funeral Home, 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)
A Shreveport man with a felony criminal history who fled police after a traffic stop and was found to possess a firearm was convicted in Caddo District Court late Thursday, April 24.
The seven-woman, five-man jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court deliberated about 45 minutes before returning a unanimous guilty-as-charged verdict against Anthony Tyrone Ashley, 44, on the charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. The jury also returned a responsive guilty verdict on a misdemeanor charge of flight from an officer. The trial began Wednesday, April 23.
Over the course of the trial, the District Attorney’s office called three witnesses to prove that on November 18, 2024, Ashley fled after officers working an unrelated call on Grove Street noticed a vehicle being driven with an improper license plate tag. Ashley, later identified as the driver, ignored attempts by officers to stop him and for seven minutes ignored stop signs while traveling down one- and two-lane roads, weaving into opposite lanes, and finally stopping at Poland Street. He ignored verbal police commands to stay in the car and fled. When officers captured him, they found a firearm on him. He had been previously convicted of simple Burglary in 2016 and was barred from possession of a weapon with 10 years. Police body camera and dash cams, as well as fingerprints, also were introduced at trial.
When Ashley returns to court for sentencing May 12, he faces a prison term of at least five and up to 20 years at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence for the felony firearms conviction.
Assistant District Attorneys Stephen Folk-Cruthirds and Christopher Bowman prosecuted Ashley, who was defended by Katherine Ferguson and Evan McMichael. The case was docket No. Docket 405229.
The Shreveport Police Department is currently seeking the whereabouts of Christopher Savore in connection with two separate incidents of domestic abuse battery. The first occurred in January of 2025, and the most recent took place on April 1.
As a result of these investigations, arrest warrants have been issued for Savore for the following charges:
One count of Domestic Abuse Battery
One count of Domestic Abuse Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
Anyone with information on the location of Christopher Savore is urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 or submit tips anonymously through Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.
The Shreveport Police Department would like to remind the public that victims of domestic violence can come in all shapes and sizes. Help SPD speak out against abuse by reporting signs of violence and supporting those who may be affected.
Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington took to social media on Friday, April 25, to address a recent news article that suggested crime is on the rise in Bossier Parish. The article was based on an increase in “calls for service” to the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, but Sheriff Whittington believed it is important to give the public the full story and the facts behind those numbers.
There have been no homicides or robberies reported in unincorporated Bossier Parish so far in 2025.
Serious violent crime remains low and stable, with only a handful of aggravated assaults reported through March.
Most of the increase in calls is due to non-criminal activity – things like traffic accidents (which can generate multiple calls for the same incident); storm related issues (trees in roadways, flooding, icy bridges); medical alarms; fire calls; routine traffic stops; and patrols conducted by BPSO deputies.
These are not crime-related incidents. They reflect the wide range of public safety services BPSO provides daily across the parish. It is also important to remember that Bossier Parish is one of the fastest growing parishes in Louisiana. Take a drive anywhere and one will see new subdivisions and neighborhoods being built. As more families move in, it is only natural to see an increase in calls for service, but that does not mean crime is going up.
Sheriff Whittington assured the public: Bossier Parish remains a safe place to live, work and raise a family, and the Sheriff’s Office is committed to keeping it that way. BPSO deputies and the Sheriff are here for the public 24/7, and they will continue to serve with integrity, professionalism, and transparency.
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
I’ve always had a fascination with airplanes and flying.
Back in the day – way back in the day – I loved going to Shreveport Regional Airport and watching planes take off and land. I wondered where they were going and from where they were coming. As a kid, I would spend nights in my room listening to air traffic conversations on a portable radio from Radio Shack.
A few years ago, I even reached out to a pilot instructor, expressing an interest in learning how to fly. He took me up for a ride. It was mid-summer, and the two-seater didn’t have air conditioning. I came back pale as a ghost and weak from losing my lunch, so my interest faded.
Those memories came back to life when I heard there was a restaurant at Shreveport Downtown Airport. So, on a recent Monday, I invited a friend to meet me at Sky Grill (1550 Airport Drive), hoping to enjoy a good lunch and see planes going to and coming from parts unknown.
There is a sign with an arrow pointing toward a corner entrance to the terminal, indicating the restaurant’s location. However, if you go, I encourage you to walk through the terminal’s main entrance.
The reason? You can see an enduring symbol of America’s past—a pay telephone. I would love to see the reaction of someone 25 or younger!
No matter how you get to Sky Grill, once there, you will find a shiny, clean, comfortable dining area. Even though we arrived at 11:45 (the restaurant is open from 8am-2pm Monday-Friday), most of the tables – and several of the counter stools – were taken. So, we grabbed one of the last open tables next to the window. In fact, most every table is adjacent to large windows, which make for good plane-watching. Sky Grill’s lunch menu consists mostly of sandwiches and wraps, along with a “Today’s Special”. On this day, the special was a Fried Green Tomato BLT with fries ($12.99).
My friend was sold.
“I’m an easy sell for a special,” he explained, after barely looking at the menu. “The chef/cook has gone to special effort to create something that’s not ordinarily on the menu. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be special, would it?”
The BLT normally comes with fries, but my friend was offered the opportunity to substitute for a bowl of Chicken-N-Rice soup ($1.00), which he did. My friend ordered a Coke Zero ($3) to drink.
I had a more difficult time deciding what to have. I was leaning toward the Muffuletta Croissant when my friend – who is much smarter an sophisticated than me — made a comment. He suggested that when visiting a restaurant for the first time, it’s a good idea to go with a staple—like a hamburger. If the eatery can’t deliver something simple, they probably can’t deliver something a little more complicated.
Made sense to me, so I ordered the Aviator Burger ($13), which came with fries.
It took a while for our food to arrive. In fact, my friend – who despite his impressive work title doesn’t not have an unlimited lunch hour – made mention of the fact it was taking a long time. But soon after, our server was carrying a tray to our table.
My friend’s BLT was cut in half and absolutely loaded with bacon (and lettuce and tomato), stuffed between two pieces of bread which looked fantastic in its own right. His sandwich was accompanied with a sizeable bowl of soup, and – in case he wasn’t already getting enough bread – a roll.
“This bread was perfectly toasted,” my friend said afterwards. “This white toast was the perfect vessel for the hand-held lunch: a compliment to the sandwich without overwhelming it.”
He, as I, took notice of the amount of bacon in the sandwich, which was much more than I have seen in BLT’s served at other restaurants. “The bacon came in layers. It wasn’t cooked crunchy, but crispy – just crispy enough to be easy to eat . . . . The fried green tomatoes were a welcome twist on the traditional BLT . . . . They gave the sandwich a modified flavor, but it was delightful. (The sandwich) couldn’t have been better.”
As for my friend’s soup, well, let’s just say the bowl in which it came really didn’t need to go through the dishwasher afterwards.
“The rice was well-cooked. The stock was flavorful without being salty. The chunks of chicken were in various sizes, deliciously flavorful, and in harmonious balance (my friend has a way with words) with the rice. A basic soup, but as they go, a really good one.”
My burger wasn’t the biggest I’ve ever had, but it was one of the best, for three reasons. First, it (as well as the fries) was hot. Second, the 6-ounce beef patty had that chargrilled taste, as if it was cooked on a charcoal grill behind the restaurant. Third, the bread – which our server explained was a Brioche Bun – was outstanding. It, like my friend’s bread, was cooked just right, and had a taste you don’t find in a regular hamburger bun.
I thought the restaurant was a little stingy on the amount of lettuce which came with the burger, but three pickles helped ease my disappointment.
The fries were thick and, more importantly, hot! Oh, my goodness! An entire meal that was supposed to be hot, was actually served hot! What a concept! (If you are a frequent reader of these reviews, you understand my joyful surprise and sarcasm.)
One small complaint. I was given a packet of (real) mayonnaise and a packet of mustard. My friend asked for, and received, butter (He was thrilled to get butter and not margarine). What we didn’t get was a knife. So, I had to use the packet to spread the mayonnaise. Same for my friend and his butter. Yes, we could have asked for a knife, but it would have been nice to have been given one with our meal.
Sky Grill’s menu indicated the restaurant offers one dessert – Chef’s Choice Cobbler. However, when I asked for a serving, I was told there wasn’t any cobbler available. However, there was Caramel Banana Bread Pudding ($3.99). Hmmm. I don’t like bananas, but I love caramel, and bread pudding. So, I went for it, and convinced my friend to do the same. We were offered the opportunity to add ice cream to the pudding, but both of us showed extraordinary willpower.
My friend took his first bite of bread pudding, immediately lowered his head, and buried it in his hand. Wow, was it that bad? No, just the opposite. He was overcome with the feeling you get when you taste something so good, it renders you useless.
“Hoo-Boy!” he exclaimed afterwards. “It’s not often a food causes my eyes to roll back in my head, but this one did.”
Removing the banana slices, I dove into the surprisingly large portion of bread pudding, and immediately understood my friend’s reaction. If that wasn’t the best bread pudding I’ve ever had, It was certainly in the top five.
The cost of our meal before tax and tip was $37.97. I paid by using one of those hand-held things our server brought to our table. The device offered tip suggestions, but those suggestions were based on the after-tax amount, and not the pre-tax amount. (I thought my friend’s head was going to explode when he saw me calculating what would be the correct 20% tip amount.)
Without hesitation, I give Sky Grill a solid Three Forks. Because of its sandwich and wrap offerings, I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to return, as I can get those in most any part of town. But if I’m in or near North Shreveport, I would definitely “fly” on over to the downtown airport. Sky Grill proved that just because you’re not going on a trip, doesn’t mean you don’t have a reason to go to an airport.
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?
Shreveport Police officers responded to a major accident involving a single vehicle on Interstate 220 near the Interstate 49 interchange on Thursday, April 24, at approximately 10:06pm.
The vehicle involved was a red 18-wheeler. Upon arrival, officers found the crash scene to be severe and immediately contacted Shreveport Fire Department personnel. Once on scene, firefighters advised that the driver of the 18-wheeler was deceased.
The Shreveport Police Department’s Crash Investigations Unit was notified and responded to the scene. Preliminary findings indicate that the 18-wheeler was traveling westbound on Interstate 220 when, for reasons still under investigation, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The truck veered off the roadway, struck a guardrail, and then collided with a concrete wall. The impact caused significant damage to the vehicle and resulted in a fatality.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
A bond payment phone scam is targeting the Caddo Parish community. Investigators from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office have reported that scammers are impersonating Caddo Sheriff’s Deputies and asking individuals for bond payments to release inmates.
Bear in mind that no one from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office will ever request payment over the phone or ask for payment by mail, including through apps like Zelle, Cash App, or other peer-to-peer payment apps.
Stay vigilant and take steps to protect from these scams. These scammers have already targeted multiple individuals. If anyone receives a call like this, hang up immediately. Do not make any paymeYour safety is important.
ROLLING: Calvary had no problem advancing to the state softball tournament as the top-seeded Lady Cavaliers blasted Bunkie in a quarterfinal playoff game. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Calvary Baptist is headed back to the LHSAA state softball tournament in Sulphur while the Cavs baseball team is still alive after a comeback series win Saturday sent them into the upcoming quarterfinals, along with two more local teams, Benton and Loyola.
SOFTBALL
Select Division III
Calvary 15, Bunkie 0
State semifinal
Calvary (1) vs. Parkview Baptist (4), Friday noon, North Frasch Softball Complex, Field 13, Sulphur
BASEBALL
Best of 3 series, winner advances to quarterfinal series
WALK OFF TROT: Jared Jones rounds second after blasting a game-ending three-run homer in LSU’s comeback victory over Tennessee Friday night. (Photo courtesy LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – It transpired as expected when No. 7 LSU and No. 6 Tennessee, the last two College World Series champions, collided in a three-game SEC series this past weekend before the largest crowds in history at Alex Box Stadium.
Every pitch mattered. So did every at-bat, every pitching change, every strategic move, every replay review.
Thanks to a six-run rally in LSU’s magnificent ninth inning in the Tigers’ 6-3 Game 1 win on Friday and sterling pitching and hitting performances from freshmen Casan Evans and Derek Curiel respectively in Sunday’s 12-2 eighth-inning run-rule victory, the Tigers won the series in an NCAA Regional type-atmosphere two games to one over their biggest current diamond rival.
LSU (36-9 overall, 14-7 SEC) captured its fifth league series and moved into a tie for second place with Arkansas (37-9, 14-7 SEC) with three remaining SEC regular season series remaining. The Tigers and the Razorbacks are one game ahead of Tennessee (35-9, 13-8 SEC).
“We’ve put ourselves in a pretty good spot,” said LSU head coach Jay Johnson, whose team hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday before traveling to Texas A&M (24-19, 8-13 SEC) for a three-game series starting Friday. “We need to keep executing wins as they come along.”
The Tigers gained badly needed momentum by winning the Tennessee series. Last Tuesday, LSU was run-ruled for the first time in history by a non-conference opponent in a 13-3 loss to Northwestern State in seven innings.
“The past three weeks we haven’t been playing to the best of our ability,” said left fielder Derek Curiel, who went 4 for 4 with five RBI in Game 3. “Everyone in this locker room knows what we’re capable of, and we’re always super confident. The scoreboard sometimes doesn’t dictate that, but we never lose faith in each other. The coaching staff shows us full support.”
Despite being handled by two of the SEC’s best starting pitchers – Tennessee’s Liam Doyle and Marcus Phillips – in the Tigers’ Game 1 comeback win and in the Vols’ convincing 9-3 second-game conquest – LSU found a path to winning the series.
Despite being outhit by the Vols in hits (27 to 23) and in batting average (.270 to .232), 14 of the Tigers’ hits were for extra bases (7 homers, 5 doubles, 2 triples) while Tennessee had 9 extra base hits (1 homer, 8 doubles).
The Vols entered the series ranked No. 2 nationally and in the SEC with 97 home runs.
A week ago, LSU’s relief pitching carried the Tigers to a 2-1 series win over Alabama.
Against Tennessee, it was the starting pitching trio of sophomore Kade Anderson (Game 1), junior Anthony Eyanson (Game 2) and first-time starter freshman Casan Evans (Game 3) who delivered similar steady performances to combine for 19 innings and a 2.84 ERA.
Anderson went 7.1 innings, Eyanson 5.2 and Evans 6 innings . Each hurler allowed six hits and two runs (both earned).
Here’s a game-by-game series recap:
GAME 1: LSU 6, Tennessee 3 – At 1:17 on Saturday morning and LSU down to its last strike, Tigers’ first baseman Jared “Bear” Jones picked a fine time for his bat to come out of hibernation.
Mired in a 3 for 24 batting slump in his last two SEC series, Jones launched a three-run, two-out walk off homer in the bottom of the ninth when the Tigers scored all their runs off Tennessee reliever Nate Snead in a stunning comeback win in the opening game of their primetime league series.
It was the third time in LSU history that the Tigers won despite being held scoreless through eight innings and trailing by three or more runs.
The second largest crowd in Alex Box Stadium history, or what was left in the stands after a 3-hour, 25-minute weather delay postponed start of the game until 9:50 p.m. Friday night — let out a roar of disbelief as Jones’ 452-foot launch disappeared into the darkness deep over the centerfield wall.
“The winning run was on third, so a single would have done the job,” Jones said. “With two strikes, my main goal is hitting the ball hard and low through the middle of the infield. Just get a fastball in the zone and don’t miss it.”
Jones’ 14th homer of the season (just his third in SEC games) came after Tennessee’s first two pitchers, especially starter Liam Doyle, held the Tigers to no runs and three hits in the first eight innings when LSU left six runners on base in five of those innings.
But when the Vols left the door cracked in the Tigers’ final at-bats – Tennessee third baseman Dean Curley committed a throwing error and a fielding error to jumpstart the ninth-inning resurrection – the Tigers slipped through to victory lane.
GAME 2: Tennessee 9, LSU 3 – Six LSU runs in the ninth inning spelled doom for Tennessee in the Tigers’ miraculous series-opening win Friday night.
The Vols returned the favor Saturday night before a crowd of 11,439, the largest in Alex Box Stadium history.
Nursing a 3-2 lead, Tennessee posted a six-run eighth inning to salt away an eventual six-run win to even the series.
“You get back to the park and you have two options,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said of his team shaking off Friday’s loss. “You can either look forward, which is the way you’re supposed to go. Or you can look behind you, and that ain’t good.”
Tennessee starting pitcher Marcus Phillips was almost as untouchable as the Vols’ Game 1 starter Liam Doyle, who threw a one-hit shutout in 6.2 innings.
“I just trusted my guys behind me to make plays,” Phillips said. “You’re not going to come here and strike everybody out in this league.”
Also in 6.2 innings, Phillips gave up three hits and two runs. They were back-to-back solo homers by LSU shortstop Steven Milam and third baseman Michael Braswell III on consecutive pitches to lead off the bottom of the seventh and cut Tennessee’s lead to 3-2.
Two retired batters later, Phillips was pulled and reliever Dylan Loy got the Vols out of the inning with no further damage.
“For the last two days, I’m going to tip my hat to the dude on the mound,” LSU head coach Jay Johnson said of Vols’ starting pitchers Doyle and Phillips. “Those are two pretty good performances. I felt like we were hanging on tonight.”
GAME 3: LSU 12, Tennessee 2 – LSU baseball’s “Take A Freshman To Work Day” was a smashing success on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Freshman pitcher Casan Evans allowed two runs in his first college start and freshman left fielder Derek Curiel went 4 for 4 with five RBI as the Tigers dominated Tennessee in an eight-inning run-rule rout in the series-deciding Game 3.
“When both of them committed (to LSU), those were good days,” LSU head coach Jay Johnson said of Evans and Curiel. “It’s really hard to know what you’re getting. I knew we were getting something, but I can’t sit here and tell you I would have predicted they’d be dominant this fast. They’re program staples for the next couple of years.”
Evans settled in after a shaky 20-pitch first inning when the Vols took a 2-0 lead. Tennessee got no runs and just three more hits off Evans in his masterful 85-pitch, six-inning performance. He struck out six, had no walks, and gave up two extra-base knocks among Tennessee’s six hits.
“I needed to keep the ball down in the zone,” Evans said of his first-inning mistakes. “So when I went back out there, I was like `I’m going to throw everything down, that’s their weak spot. That was the main goal, and it went pretty well after that.”
But Tennessee eventually used eight pitchers – seven lasting fewer than two innings – in a futile effort to cool LSU’s suddenly hot bats.
PERFECTION: The LSUS Pilots polished their regular season 47-0 Saturday by sweeping a off doubleheader at Jarvis Christian. (Photo courtesy LSUS)
JOURNAL SPORTS
HAWKINS, Texas – About the only suspense this weekend regarding the LSU Shreveport Pilots’ pursuit of another milestone was where it would happen.
After a doubleheader sweep Saturday ended the Pilots’ regular season with a 47-0 record, LSUS owns the all-time college baseball longest winning streak among four-year programs.
The Pilots beat Jarvis Christian 18-2 and 10-0 in Hawkins on the JCC campus, after winning 16-0 in the first game of the series, played at LSUS Friday due to wet field conditions in east Texas where the series was slated. It was shifted Thursday to LSUS’ Pilot Field, which has artificial turf, but after good weather Friday made the field in Hawkins playable, the doubleheader was moved back to Jarvis Christian.
LSUS eclipsed the previous record of 46 straight wins set by Savannah State (NCAA Division II) in 2000.
The all-time college baseball longest streak is 57 games by junior college member Howard College (Texas), set in 2007.
LSUS will play in the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament beginning Thursday in Sterlington, before hosting an NAIA Regional (May 12-15).
Look up – join the Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society, Inc. to celebrate National Astronomy Day and the 35th Anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope with an evening observation session at the Shreveport Observatory on Saturday, May 3.
The observing session involves looking through telescopes at numerous astronomical objects. The evening observation session at Shreveport Observatory will be held from 8:pm to 10pm.
Numerous telescopes will be available to observe the Moon, Jupiter and its moons, Mars, as well as numerous galaxies, star clusters, double stars, nebula, and much more.
The Shreveport Observatory is located eight miles south of the LSU-Shreveport campus. Go south on Hwy. LA. 1 and right on Hwy. 175 for about 1.7 miles and left on Astronomical Way.
If the sky is clouded out or raining, the observing session will be canceled.
April 28 may not be etched in gold in most calendars, but for lovers of thrills, spills, and spectacular stunts, it marks a momentous occasion. On this day in 1938, Robert Craig Knievel—better known to the world as Evel Knievel—was born in Butte, Montana.
A one-man spectacle of red, white, and blue, Evel Knievel soared across canyons, crashed into fountains, and risked his life more than 75 times in the name of entertainment. If April 28 had an unofficial title, it would be World’s Greatest Daredevil Day—a nod to the man who made it his business to defy gravity (and medical advice) every chance he got.
Evel Knievel wasn’t always a household name. Born during the Great Depression, Knievel got his start not as a performer but as a miner, semi-pro hockey player, and—briefly—a criminal. After a short stint in jail for stealing hubcaps (a story he later turned into a joke), Knievel began organizing motorcycle stunt shows across the western U.S. in the 1960s.
The name “Evel” came from a cellmate dubbed “Awful Knofel.” Not wanting to be “awful,” Robert chose “Evel” instead—spelled without an “i” to avoid associations with evil. The name stuck, and soon the daredevil brand was born.
By the 1970s, Evel Knievel was a living legend. Clad in star-spangled jumpsuits and riding a Harley-Davidson XR-750, he became the embodiment of American bravado and showmanship.
Among his most famous stunts: the 1967 jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The stunt ended in one of the most televised wipeouts in history—Evel fractured his pelvis, femur, hip, ribs, and both wrists. It was brutal. It was mesmerizing. And it cemented his place in pop culture.
But Knievel’s most outrageous feat came on September 8, 1974, when he attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in a rocket-powered “Skycycle.” The launch was televised live to millions. The parachute deployed early, the rocket drifted into the canyon, and the whole thing failed spectacularly—but Knievel walked away, and somehow, the legend only grew.
Over the course of his career, Evel Knievel suffered 433 bone fractures. It’s believed to be a world record. He became as famous for his injuries as his stunts.
Evel by the Numbers
433: Estimated number of bones broken during his career
75+: Major jumps attempted
$60 million: Estimated revenue generated by his daredevil career
1: Evel Knievel Museum (in Topeka, Kansas)
0: Regrets (according to Knievel himself)
Despite his reputation for danger and flamboyance, Knievel was also a master of marketing. He was the first stuntman to become a true media icon—appearing on talk shows, action figures, and lunchboxes across the country. At one point in the 1970s, Evel Knievel was outselling Batman and Superman in toy stores.
His influence extended into sports, entertainment, and even fashion. Without Knievel, there’s no Nitro Circus, no Jackass, and certainly no Red Bull-sponsored free-falls from space. He helped invent the idea of extreme before it had a name.
Later in life, Knievel struggled with health issues, legal troubles, and a brief stint in jail for assaulting a business associate with a baseball bat. He also underwent a very public religious conversion, declaring that he had finally found peace after years of living recklessly.
He passed away on November 30, 2007, at age 69—not in a flaming motorcycle crash, but of natural causes. The world mourned, but in a way, it was fitting. After all, he’d beaten the odds his whole life.
April 28 doesn’t carry the federal recognition of a holiday like Independence Day or Veterans Day. But in online forums, motorcycle clubs, and among fans of the absurd and the heroic, it’s remembered as Evel Knievel Day. Across social media, people share old footage of Knievel’s most daring jumps, kids pop wheelies on their bikes, and adrenaline junkies toast to the man who made “don’t try this at home” a universal warning label.
And in Butte, Montana—his hometown—a statue of Knievel stands tall on a hill, arms outstretched, forever facing the horizon.
Evel Knievel didn’t just jump motorcycles—he leaped into the public consciousness, into the pop culture archive, and into the history books of “only in America” stories. He proved that fear and failure weren’t the end. They were just part of the act.
So on April 28, channel a little of that fearless energy. Whether you’re leaping over your own obstacles or just watching someone else go for it, remember: it’s not always about sticking the landing. Sometimes, it’s just about making the jump.
Raymond Dice Simmons March 22, 1938 – April 22, 2025 Service: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.
Teddy Henry Brewster April 9, 1947 – April 20, 2025 Service: Monday, April 28, 2025, 11:30am at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Karen Marie Lyons May 23, 1976 – April 20, 2025 Service: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 11:30am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
Angela Renee Braley March 18, 1977 – April 19, 2025 Service: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:30am at The Healing Place Church, Shreveport.
George Belchic, Jr., M.D. December 1, 1925 – April 18, 2025 Service: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 2pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Shreveport.
Garland Grant III February 14, 1965 – April 12, 2025 Service: Friday, May 2, 2025, 3pm at Blanchard Church of the Nazarene, Shreveport.
Jerry Kircus August 19, 1941 – April 4, 2025 Service: Saturday, May 24, 2025, 12pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Dustin Dean Cook May 25, 1970 – February 20, 2025 Service: Sunday, May 25, 2025, 2pm at Osborn Funeral Home, 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)
The Shreveport Police Department has arrested 40-year-old Michael Parker following an investigation that began in March 2025. Parker was accused of assaulting three juvenile victims, prompting an in-depth investigation by detectives with the department’s Juvenile Crimes Unit.
As a result of the investigation, Parker now faces multiple serious charges, including two counts of molestation of a juvenile, two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, and one count of sexual battery.
With the assistance of Shreveport Police Department Warrants Officers, Parker was taken into custody without incident early on the morning of April 24. He has since been booked into the Caddo Correctional Center and will face the listed charges.
The Shreveport Police Department remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of the community and holding offenders accountable for their actions.
Anyone with additional information related to this case is urged to contact Shreveport Police at 318-673-7300 or Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.
Shreveport Police officers conducted a traffic stop in the 1300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard after observing a vehicle speeding through the area on Monday evening, April 21, just after 7pm.
Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Floyd McDuffy, officers discovered he was operating the vehicle with a suspended license stemming from a previous DWI conviction. McDuffy also appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the stop. He was taken into custody as officers initiated a field sobriety test.
During the course of the investigation, officers discovered that McDuffy was in possession of a stolen firearm. As a result, he now faces multiple charges including:
DWI (3rd Offense)
Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm
Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License for DWI
The Shreveport Police Department remains committed to keeping impaired drivers and illegal firearms off the streets.
The Bossier Parish Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 (CWSD #1) is pleased to announce that the boil advisory for residents off Wafer Road who get their water from the Village Water System has been lifted.
On April 22, work crews accidentally broke a water main supplying water to homes between Lynn Lane and David Drive off Wafer Road. As a result of the break, work crews shut off the water supply for several hours to make the necessary repairs to the water line. The interruption of service led officials to issue a boil advisory after the service was resumed.
Water samples were collected and sent to the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health in Shreveport for testing. The results confirmed that the water is safe for consumption. Residents can now use their water without boiling it.
Bossier Parish Schools and David Raines Community Health Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 23, to open a clinic to care for students at Rusheon Middle School. Superintendent Jason Rowland said that this venture will provide much needed medical care and access for students who may not have the resources to meet their medical needs.
CEO of the David Raines Centers Mr. Willie White said that he was proud to work with Bossier Parish Schools to bring a high level of medical care to the students and providing support for students and families.
Mayor Tommy Chandler said that this effort is a great example of leadership, vision, and teamwork on behalf of Bossier Schools and David Raines Centers. Principal Maxwell, School Board President Craton Cochran, and Board members Ms. Sam Darby and Ms. Sherri Pool also attended. Bossier Chamber President Ms. Lisa Johnson was the emcee for the ceremony.
LSUS invites the pubic to join them to observe the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War with a special screening of Platoon on Wednesday, April 30, at 6pm.
This screening is free to the public, but individuals must reserve a ticket to ensure a seat. LSUS wants to give everyone a fair chance to get tickets, so only purchase group tickets if there is confirmation that everyone in the group can attend.
Platoon is the story of a young and naive recruit in Vietnam, Chris Taylor. He faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man. War/Action, 1986, 2 hrs., R.
The screening will be held in Theater 1, RFC’s 124-seat capacity theater, followed by a panel discussion with LSUS faculty
SMALL BALL, BIG PAYOFF: Executing fundamentals has helped Benton earn a No. 5 seed in Non-Select Division I, and the chance to host No. 12 Ruston in a regional round series beginning tonight. (Photo by VIJAY SINGH)
JOURNAL SPORTS
With outstanding regular seasons, Benton, Captain Shreve, Haughton, Loyola, and Northwood earned the right to host LHSAA regional round baseball playoff series beginning today.
The teams play best-of-3 matchups for the chance to advance into next week’s state quarterfinals.
In the only local series that began Thursday, 10th-seeded Lafayette Christian (22-11) built a 4-1 lead and stopped a two-run bottom of the seventh rally by Calvary (24-11). The teams will meet in Game 2 of the best-of-3 series at CBA at 4, with a third game if necessary to follow, penciled in at 6.
LHSAA BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
Thursday’s score
Select Division III
Lafayette Christian 4, Calvary 3 (Game 1)
Today’s games (best of 3 regional round series)
Select Division III
Lafayette Christian (seeded 10th) at Calvary (7), today 4:00 (6:00 if necessary; LCA leads 1-0)
