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

By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services

1980.

Home interest rates were 16 percent. It wasn’t the best time to buy anywhere, much less in the big city of Dallas.

“We had saved a bunch of money with me doing artwork, and my wife had scholarships. We were going to buy a fixer upper.”

So, the young married couple started looking.

“There was this one house we went to see. It was so ugly, my wife wouldn’t get out of the car. I said, ‘Honey, it’s a great fixer upper!”

Honey responded with one word.

“No.”

“We left town, and the realtor called and said the house may not look so ugly because the owner is offering 12 ½ percent interest owner financing.”

Honey reconsidered.

“She said, ‘You know, that house really just got pretty all of the sudden!’ So, we bought it. It was ugly and we fixed it up.”

They cut down the overgrowth. Rolled on a fresh coat of paint. Replaced that god-awful pink bathroom tile. They did all the work.

“We were poor.”

His first remodeling project was a success. So much so, it would be the first of many.

“Growing up with it, you see all the aspects. You see what your Dad does, and you see how he does it, so it’s not a mystery. For years, he would go to a job and I would be walking around looking at the foundation, wiring, concrete, and framing. To me, it wasn’t really a mystery.”

69-year-old Jeb Breithaupt, who you see all over television doing commercials as owner of the local Re-Bath franchise, told me that story, and his story, during lunch at a place he chose, Superior Grill. Jeb had shrimp tacos and unsweet tea to drink. I enjoyed the Mesquite Chicken Salad, and water with lemon.

“I think in 3-D . . . . I will see it in my mind, and I can take a room or a house and turn it around in my mind and look at dimensions and aspects.”

The only child of a bricklayer, and a legal secretary, Jeb was born at the old Schumpert hospital in Shreveport, and grew up in the Broadmoor area. In third grade, Jeb’s mom put her son in an art class. That, plus the fact his father was pursuing his desire to be a homebuilder, gave birth to Jeb’s artistic talents.

“(Dad) had a bedroom that was an office. He had a drafting table – it was T-squared, old school – and blueprints. We had a machine that reproduced (blueprints). It had that ammonia smell. He had a book of probably 40 designs of houses. That was very unusual for that time period. With most builders, you would go to a drafting service. But he came up with his own designs. I admired that.”

After high school (Captain Shreve), and becoming a “proud” commercial art graduate of Caddo Career Center, Jeb went to Louisiana Tech. But he soon decided to pursue architecture.

“My dad was a designer, a builder, and a remodeler. He was my role model.” At the time, Tech didn’t have an accredited architectural program, so Jeb transferred to LSU in Baton Rouge. That is where he earned a five-year architectural degree, before getting his master’s degree in business administration.

“To me, art was so easy. I would see these people struggling. My wife says she can’t draw a stick figure. To me, it was amazing that people couldn’t draw. When I was in school, I would finish the project the day before, and my comrades would be up all night until the last minute finishing it. (For me), it was like swimming downstream.”

Jeb’s talents really shined when he began doing Intaglio. “It’s a 500-year-old process where you draw on a copper plate using acid and wax. Rembrandt did it. It’s that old. Then, you have a copper plate that you print off of, and you print signed and numbered prints. I loved pen and ink drawings.”

When Jeb was a college sophomore, he had his first show. His pen and ink prints sold out.

“I decided I could do this and make some money, so I started selling through some different galleries. I branched out and got an agent who sold for me in the southern states.”

In Dallas, Jeb was doing well with his drawings, and his wife of now 48 years, Robin, was a successful social worker for a major medical center. That’s when Jeb’s dad got sick.

“It was either come back to Shreveport and take over the business or close it. It’s something I had always wanted to do, so I decided to go for it.”

Unfortunately, the local economy wasn’t conducive to owning a home building and remodeling business.

“I hit it at just the right time,” Jeb sarcastically told me. “The market was collapsing. That was 1984. Last one out, turn out the lights. ’84-’88. In ’88 and ’89, it finally turned around. But I learned how to dial for dollars. You had to call people . . . . You had to buckle down and grind it out. You had to do something different. People weren’t coming in the door. I had to learn that in any economy, somebody is going to buy what you’re selling, but you’ve got to find them. I had a long list of people I called every day of the week. ‘Hey, I’ll build you a doghouse.’ You took whatever you could get, grind it out, and pinch pennies.”

Jeb survived, and in 1997, the father of four children began focusing strictly on remodeling.

“I did some fun, big houses. I did some really big stuff, and some small stuff, too. But it was custom work.”

Nine years ago, Jeb once again shifted his focus. He bought the area rights to the Re-Bath franchise and began building the local operation from scratch. He has 22 employees.

“I’m proud of bathroom remodeling because I’m helping people. There’s a couple and they want to stay in their house, and their kids are saying, ‘You need to move to assisted living.’ We make their bathroom accessible, and they can stay there for a lot of years.”

Looking for Jeb? Just turn on your TV.

“I was in an elevator going to get a building permit downtown at Government Plaza. I was talking to somebody about something, and this lady turns around and says, ‘You’re that bathroom guy!’ Yeah. Guilty!’”

Assuming Jeb had a bathroom remodel job to get back to, or another commercial to make, I asked my final question. As always, what is it about his life story that might be helpful to others?

“Get a mentor . . . . When starting a business, like anything in life, you don’t know what you don’t know. Read a book, or talk to somebody, or get a mentor. See what you want to do, and go ask someone (for help). Most people don’t want to do that. It’s too much work, and they already think they know it all . . . . You could be putting all your energy into one thing, and it’s the wrong thing. You should have been putting your energy into something else.”

Like getting rid of that god-awful pink bathroom tile.

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

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

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Caddo Parish School District’s Supervisor of Athletics, Physical Education, and Health, Dr. Cedric Ellis, is contributing his expertise as a member of Louisiana’s Physical Education Standards Review Committee.

The statewide team of educators and leaders is working to update and modernize Louisiana’s K–12 physical education standards, with a focus on strengthening movement skills, promoting lifelong health, and ensuring all students have access to quality PE instruction.

Dr. Ellis’s leadership and experience will play a key role in shaping how students across Louisiana learn the importance of fitness, wellness, and healthy lifestyles.

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A celebration and ribbon cutting will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 28 – TODAY at Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier, located at 9100 Susan Drive in Shreveport, behind Willis Knighton South. Susan Drive can be accessed off West Bert Kouns Industrial Loop.

This event is open to the public.

About Ronald McDonald House® Arkansas & North Louisiana Ronald McDonald House® Arkansas & North Louisiana is a locally funded and operated nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. Since 1981, more than 67,000 families have been served at Ronald McDonald House programs across Central and Northwest Arkansas. Its newest program, Ronald McDonald House: Shreveport-Bossier opens October 28, 2025, and will begin serving families shortly after. The Ronald McDonald House Family Room: St. Francis Medical Center will open Spring 2026 in Monroe, Louisiana and the Ronald McDonald House: Baptist Health Little Rock is set to open in Summer 2026.

Find out more at ronaldmcdonaldhousearnla.org.

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The Bossier City Police Department recently announced the promotion of Stephanie Stevens to Police Communications Officer II.

Stevens has served the community for 16 and a half years, demonstrating exceptional dedication, professionalism, and calm under pressure. Her work has been instrumental in supporting officers in the field and ensuring the safety of residents throughout the city.

This promotion recognizes her hard work and commitment, marking her entry into a supervisory role within the department. The Bossier City Police Department expressed gratitude for her continued service and looks forward to her contributions in her new role.

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The Shreveport Police Department (SPD) welcomed Sergeant George Survillo (Ret.), former Commander of the Boston Police Department’s Special Operations Mounted Unit, the oldest mounted unit in the United States, from Oct. 21–23.

During his visit, Sgt. Survillo shared his extensive experience with the SPD Mounted Patrol Unit. With more than 37 years of service in Boston, including leadership of major urban operations, Sgt. Survillo has trained and advised law enforcement agencies across the United States, Canada, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

The department expressed gratitude to the Shreveport Police Mounted Patrol Support Group for facilitating Sgt. Survillo’s visit.

The SPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit is currently undergoing a revitalization aimed at strengthening enforcement capabilities and increasing visibility in downtown Shreveport. Leveraging Sgt. Survillo’s expertise alongside the dedication of SPD command staff, the department anticipates a stronger, more dynamic Mounted Patrol program in the near future.

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When Melvin James Kiminsky was entering his senior year in high school in 1944, he took the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program test, an assessment to determine intelligence and comprehension.  Melvin did so well on the aptitude test that Army recruiters sent him to Virginia Military Institute to study electrical engineering.  Melvin, who had spent his whole life in New York City, was surrounded by “mountain ranges, red clay, a lot of horses, and statues of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee.”  At VMI, he was taught to ride a horse, wield a saber, do close-order drill, and electrical engineering.  Then, he was transferred to Fort Sill, Oklahoma to work on a field artillery team whose main weapon was a 105mm cannon.  The Army failed to provide hearing protection, so Melvin began tearing the filters off of Camel cigarettes and sticking those in his ears.  He quipped, “my ears are still yellow to this day.”         

In January 1945, Melvin was among hundreds of soldiers who were sent to Europe.  He ended up on the front line between Sarreguemines, France, and Saarbrucken, Germany.  Because he was classified as an engineer—his superiors overlooked the fact that he was an electrical engineer and not a combat engineer—they gave him a bayonet and told him to probe for mines.  Melvin thought the order was absurd, but he was instructed to insert his bayonet into the ground at a shallow angle to avoid pressing the detonator which was normally triggered by pressure from directly above.  After a while, Melvin joined a team with the 1104^thcombat engineers who had to erect a Bailey bridge, a portable truss bridge, over a river which led into enemy territory defended by Nazis.  The Bailey bridge was so light that they could swing it out over the river, but strong enough to support the weight of a crossing tank.  Melvin was one of the first men who had to cross the bridge because he had to secure it to the other side.  The ever-watchful Germans, angry that an American soldier would soon be coming onto their side of the river, shouted warnings in German over a loudspeaker.  Melvin grabbed a bullhorn and responded to the German soldiers but not by yelling threats.  He sang a full rendition of the popular upbeat Broadway showtune “Toot, Toot, Tootsie (Goo’ Bye!)”  

When he finished singing, he lowered the bullhorn.  The men in his company stared at him in complete and confused silence.  For a few moments, the German soldiers were also silent.  Then, a few of the enemy soldiers began clapping and cheering.  Neither the American soldiers nor the German soldiers understood the absurdity that had just occurred.  Melvin understood the absurdity of the war and satirized it directly to soldiers on both sides of the conflict.  For the past 80 years, Melvin Kiminsky has been entertaining the world in much the same way, with his own brand of absurd comedy.  He is one of only 27 entertainers who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony award for his work on films such as “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Spaceballs,” and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.”  At 99 years old, he is currently producing and acting in “Spaceballs 2.”  Kaminsky may not be a name you recognize.  You see, early in his career, to eliminate his being confused with noted trumpet player Max Kaminsky, Melvin James Kaminsky began performing under the stage name Mel Brooks.               

Source: “Mel Brooks on Fighting the Germans in World War II—Rare Interview!” TheTVTimeMachine, YouTube, March 3, 2024, https://youtu.be/xmJq2vvuPL4?si=e0Q3g1Zj8dwtBzyw.

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Ernie Banks would have loved World Series Game 3.

“Let’s play two!” was Mr. Cub’s signature phrase.              

The Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop loved playing the game, and said so. Often.

But he wasn’t even sure when he started it. He ultimately, in various interviews, offered four different dates, and baseball historians decided despite a lack of documentation, the most plausible is July 11, 1960, at the first of two All-Star Games played that summer, because Banks recalled a specific broadcaster who handled the ASG for the first time, and referenced the heat, which was not oppressive in the other three games Banks cited through the years (on dates in 1967 and 1969).

The Dodgers and Blue Jays played two Monday night, and into this morning, for nearly all of America. Game 3 required 18 innings, 6:39 elapsed time, 609 pitches, 23 Toronto players, 10 L.A. pitchers, and almost 240 baseballs (discards, foul balls and homers) to settle.

Freddie Freeman, who is undoubtedly one of the nicest humans and biggest stars in baseball, did everybody a smooth, belting a walk-off homer at 1:51 a.m. CT, making the Dodgers 6-5 survivors and 2-1 leaders in the Series.

“Absolutely incredible,” he said in a massive understatement moments after he became the first player ever to club two World Series walk-off home runs.

Ever. That word came up again, and again, and again.

The teams tied the record for longest Series game, staged over 18 frames in 2018 between the Dodgers and Red Sox – also a Game 3 L.A. win, 3-2, on a walk off homer by Max Muncy. That one lasted 7 hours, 20 minutes.

This Game 3 gave us a couple more Shohei Ohtani milestones. He became the first player since the 1906 World Series to reach base with four extra base hits (two homers, two doubles). He did that in the first seven innings. 

Ultimately, Ohtani got on nine times, four on intentional walks, and he got a base on four straight balls in the 17^th.

Nobody has ever done all that before in the Fall Classic. In the ninth inning Toronto intentionally walked him, putting the winning run on base – the first time since 1955 it happened in postseason play.

Nobody could argue with Blue Jays manager John Schneider.

When Toronto started trotting him down to first base instead of pitching to him, Ohtani had slugged extra base hits in his last seven post-season at-bats in Dodger Stadium, going back to his epic three-homer Game 4 in the NLCS.

He starts Game 4 on the bump for LA. It starts tonight, 17 hours after Game 3 ended.

Ohtani keeps doing things that draw comparisons to only one other player, Babe Ruth. But Ruth was an ace pitcher only before he turned into the game’s most prolific slugger. Ohtani is doing both at the same time.

He is the Yagi (that’s goat, in Japanese, his native language).

On the other extreme, consider the winning pitcher on that superstar Dodgers’ staff.

Will Klein, a 25-year-old right-hander who made his MLB debut last year for the Kansas City Royals,  and had a 5.16 ERA in his first two big league years.

Will Klein, who was traded to Oakland last summer, then designated for assignment by the A’s – and then this May, ditched by the Seattle Mariners after posting a 7.17 ERA in 20 appearances at Triple-A Tacoma.

Will Klein, picked up June by Los Angeles. He made 14 appearances for the big club and 20 for their Triple A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets.

Will Klein, who was not even on the Dodgers’ postseason roster through the National League playoffs.

Will Klein, who was the losing pitcher in 2020 for Eastern Illinois against Northwestern State in a February  game at Brown-Stroud Field in Natchitoches.

Will Klein pitched four scoreless innings, striking out five Blue Jays, in one of baseball’s most epic games.

There were several dudes involved in Game 3 – Ohtani, Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, at least — who will one day find their place in the Hall of Fame.

Will Klein may not even be in big league baseball this time next season. The only way he gets into the Cooperstown shrine is if he plunks down $30 for a ticket.

But a few days before Halloween, he was Walter Mitty come to life, a superhero in one of the greatest games ever.

That’s the magic of baseball.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Most local high school football teams will have Halloween night open, because they’ll kick off Thursday night this week.

A dozen Shreveport-Bossier teams play Thursday night. The other seven tee it up Friday.

Thursday’s headline game on the Week 9 local slate is the non-district battle down south when Evangel, No. 8 in Class 5A, goes to the No. 2 team in Class 2A, Lafayette Christian. The Eagles should be challenged by an LCA team that has beaten 5A foes Rummel. Carencro and Central, which played in the Select Division I state finals last season and is right outside the LSWA’s 5A top 10.

The showcase contest on Friday is in Stonewall as unbeatens North DeSoto and Loyola collide in a District 1-4A showdown.

THURSDAY

District 1-5A

Haughton (1-7, 1-6) at Captain Shreve (4-4, 4-2), Lee Hedges Stadium

Natchitoches Central (4-4, 2-4) at Huntington (3-5, 3-3), Independence Stadium

Parkway (8-0, 6-0) at Benton (2-6, 1-5)

Non-district

Evangel (7-1) at Lafayette Christian (7-1)

 

District 1-4A

Woodlawn (2-6, 0-5) at Bossier (3-5, 1-4)

Minden (4-4, 3-2) at Northwood (7-1, 4-1)

 

District 1-2A

Green Oaks (2-6, 1-3) at Calvary (7-1, 4-0)

 

FRIDAY

District 1-5A

Byrd (2-6, 1-5) at Airline (5-3, 3-3)

 

District 1-4A

Loyola (8-0, 5-0) at North DeSoto (8-0, 5-0)

Booker T. Washington (4-4, 1-4) at Southwood (3-4, 1-4), Independence Stadium

 

District 1-2A

Homer (3-5, 2-2) at North Caddo (1-7, 1-3)

Union Parish (4-4, 4-1) at Magnolia School of Excellence (0-7, 0-4)

 

District 1-1A

Plain Dealing (0-7, 0-5) at Lincoln Prep (3-5, 1-3)

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Evangel, Calvary, Parkway, and Loyola won but didn’t make any progress in this week’s LSWA Top 10 state football polls.

Northwood won in a romp, yet disappeared from the teams receiving votes in Class 4A.

Eleven sports media personnel from around the state vote each week. The Falcons got no points in the voting this week after receiving three a week ago.

Evangel actually dropped four points after exploding late for a big winning margin over Haughton but maintained its No. 8 spot in Class 5A. The Eagles will be strongly tested Thursday night at Lafayette Christian, No. 2 in Class 2A, with wins over Class 5A powers Rummel and Central (Baton Rouge).

Calvary outlasted a good 1-5A foe in Huntington and picked up two points, maintaining its No. 4 place in the Class 2A poll.

Parkway stayed perfect with a last-play 45-42 win over Captain Shreve, and gained a point in the 5A “also receiving votes” list.

Undefeated Loyola earned nine points in the 4A “also receiving votes” category after pulling away after halftime to beat Booker T. Washington.

No other Shreveport-Bossier teams got any votes.

 

Class 5A

School (1st place votes), poll points, last week’s rank

1. Karr (11), 8-0, 132, 1

2. John Curtis, 7-0,112, 3

3. West Monroe, 7-1, 105, 4

4. St. Augustine, 6-1, 93, 5

5. Alexandria Senior High, 7-1, 90, 6

6. Ruston, 6-2, 80, 2

7. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 6-2, 68, 7

8. Evangel Christian, 7-1, 45, 8

9. Zachary, 6-1, 37, 9

10. Destrehan, 6-2, 25, 10

Others receiving votes: Central 17, Parkway 16, Archbishop Rummel 8, Neville 7, Terrebonne 3, Carencro 3, Thibodaux 2, Ouachita 1, Hahnville 1, St. Paul’s 1.

 

Class 4A

1. North DeSoto (9), 8-0, 127, 1

2. Teurlings Catholic (2), 8-0, 122, 2

3. St. Thomas More, 6-2, 108, 3

4. Plaquemine, 7-1, 86, 4

5. Iowa, 8-0, 80, 5

6. Franklin Parish, 6-2, 71, 6

7. St. Charles, 7-1, 66, 7

8. Archbishop Shaw, 6-2, 62, 8

9. Lakeshore, 7-1, 50, 9

10. Vandebilt Catholic, 8-0, 40,10

Others receiving votes: Franklinton 12, Loyola 9, Tioga 9, Belle Chasse 6, Westgate 5, E.D. White 2, Brusly 2, Cecilia 1.

 

Class 3A

1. Jewel Sumner (9), 8-0, 127, 1

2. Madison Prep (1), 7-1, 120, 2

3. St. James, 6-2, 102, 4

(tie) University (1), 6-2, 102, 5

5. Sterlington, 6-2, 89, 6

6. Jena, 7-1, 75, 8

7. Erath, 8-0, 68, 7

8. Bunkie, 7-1, 60, 3

9. Lake Charles Prep, 6-2, 37, 9

10. Marksville, 7-1, 28, 10

Others receiving votes: Church Point 18, Amite 17, Jennings 15, John F. Kennedy 10, De La Salle 1.

 

Class 2A

1. Ouachita Christian (7), 8-0, 124, 1

2. Lafayette Christian Academy (3), 7-1, 121, 2

3. Dunham (1), 7-1, 111, 3

4. Calvary Baptist, 7-1, 103, 4

5. South Plaquemines, 6-1, 78, 6

6. Notre Dame, 6-2, 77, 7

7. Lafayette Renaissance Charter, 7-1, 55, 9

8. Kinder, 8-0, 47, 10

9. Catholic-New Iberia, 6-2, 41, 5

10. Oak Grove, 6-2, 28, NR

Others receiving votes: Mangham 26, Newman 20, Loreauville 14, Northlake Christian 6, Ferriday 3, Union Parish 3.

 

Class A

1. Haynesville (11), 8-0, 132, 1

2. Hamilton Christian, 7-0, 112, 3

3. Riverside Academy, 7-1, 110, 4

4. Covenant Christian, 6-2, 90, 6

5. Westminster-Opelousas, 8-0, 81, 5

(tie) Jeanerette, 7-1, 81, 2

7. Ascension Episcopal, 7-0, 69, 8

8. Southern Lab, 4-4, 50, NR

9. Ascension Catholic, 6-2, 39, NR

10. St. Edmund, 7-1, 22, NR

Others receiving votes: North Iberville 18, Kentwood 18, Logansport 15, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 10, Vermilion Catholic 6, Catholic-Pointe Coupee 4, Opelousas Catholic 1.

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By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director

NEW ORLEANS — The Centenary men’s basketball program will play 25 regular-season games and a pair of exhibition contests – the first tonight at Tulane — under the leadership of first-year head coach J.A. Anglin.

Tip time in New Orleans is 6:30 tonight for the Gents-Green Wave contest.

The Gents begin their regular season on Friday, Nov. 7 in the Berry College Tournament in Mount, Berry, Ga. and face Pfeiffer on Saturday, Nov. 8 in their second game of the weekend.

The Gents’ first home game is Friday night, Nov. 14 against East Texas Baptist and their first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference contest is Tuesday, Dec. 2 at LeTourneau.

Anglin, a Shreveport native, is the 23^rd head coach in the rich history of the program and comes to Centenary from Bossier Parish Community College where he led the Cavaliers for five seasons. Dominic Percia has been elevated to the position of associate head coach entering his fifth season with the Gents.

“I am honored to be the new head basketball coach at Centenary College,” said Anglin. “As a native of Shreveport, I deeply understand and appreciate the proud history and high standards of Centenary basketball.”

The Gents are scheduled to play 11 home games, 14 road/neutral games, and 16 conference contests – nine on the road and seven at home. Centenary’s first league game at home is set for Friday, Jan. 2 against LeTourneau. The Gents are 48-21 at the Gold Dome over the last six seasons with a pair of double-digit win seasons. 

Centenary’s final home game will be on Saturday, Feb. 14 against the University of the Ozarks and the Gents will finish the regular season on the road at the University of St. Thomas on Feb. 22.

The Gents were picked to finish ninth in the SCAC Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll with 45 points. The top six teams in the conference will qualify for the SCAC Men’s Basketball Tournament, which will be held February 27 through March 1 and hosted by Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. The winner of that event will earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu

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By SCOTT BOATRIGHT, Lincoln Parish Journal

GRAMBLING – Seriously injured Grambling State quarterback C’zavian Teasett remains hospitalized in Las Vegas, Tigers’ coach Mickey Joseph said during his weekly press conference Monday inside the Robinson Stadium Support Facility.

The redshirt sophomore was hurt with two minutes remaining as he led Grambling on what turned out to be the game-winning drive in Saturday’s 26-24 upset of 12^th-ranked Jackson State at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

At the end of a 9-yard run for a first down, Teasett was tackled at the Jackson State 49.

Teasett remained face down and motionless on the field as GSU medical personnel rushed to his aid. Almost immediately after getting to Teasett, those personnel signaled for more help and equipment.

Eventually Teasett was strapped to a backboard and put into an ambulance that had driven out to the middle of the field and transported directly to a hospital. No details of the nature of his injury have been made public by the family.

“He’s responsive and in good spirits,” Joseph said Monday morning. “So, we’ve got to play it by ear out of respect for his family. They’re going to keep everything tight to the vest, and that’s their prerogative.

“As I get things from the medical staff, I can give it to you. But that’s what (all) I have right now.”

Joseph said GSU football general manager Reggie Nelson and GSU head trainer Terena Marshall remain in Las Vegas with Teasett and his family.

After Saturday’s game finally resumed with 1:55 remaining following Teasett’s injury, running back Byron Eaton Jr. took the next snap for Grambling out of the Wildcat formation and was stopped for no gain.

Backup quarterback A’Myne Darensbourg then moved behind center, and after two plays netted just a yard,  on fourth-and-9 he scrambled for 12 yards to reach the Jackson State 36.

Then, on third and 12, Darensbourg hit Barron Myles Jr. for an 11-yard gain to the Jackson State 27, with Myles going out of bounds to stop the clock.

“Darrensbourg came in and ran around a little bit,” Joseph said. “We asked them all the time, when you go in the game, what play would you like to run? And he said it. He came in there with ice in his veins and scrambled for the first down.

Out of timeouts, Joseph then opted to let Josh McCormick try his first career field goal attempt as a Tiger and the graduate senior sent the ball right down the middle to put the Tigers on top with 21 seconds remaining.

“You could see it in their eyes they were going to try to win it for Teasett,” Joseph said of his team. “I had two things going through my mind — making sure I was calm, that I stayed in a place where I didn’t get overwhelmed by what’s going on with the situation because we still had to go win the game. 

“And at that point, for some people the game was important. At that point the game wasn’t important to me. That kid was important to me. Those kids were important to me. Not the game. If we would have lost that game, that’s fine. But the look in (the GSU players’) eyes, they weren’t going to let (Teasett’s injury) stop them.”

Teasett was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week Monday. He threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-26 passing. He also ran for 31 yards and a TD on eight carries. 

Joseph said that with No. 2 quarterback Ashton Frye remaining out with injury, Darrensbourg will start at quarterback this upcoming weekend at home against Alabama A&M while freshman Hayden Benoit, who Joseph termed a drop-back pocket passer, out of Loreauville temporarily moving into the backup role and Eaton continuing to receive some snaps out of the Wildcat formation.

“Now, you don’t want to play musical chairs with this position,” Joseph said. “This isn’t going to be musical chairs. When they go into the game, they’re going to know what they are doing. It’s probably going to take three of these kids to get us into position to win a football game, and we’ll do it.”

Contact Scott at tscottboatright@gmail.com

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Jerry Earl Hughes, 81, of McCalla, Alabama, passed away on October 24, 2025. He was born on July 20, 1944 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Jerry was a devoted husband to Katherine Honeycutt Hughes and a loving father to son, Jeffrey Todd Hughes, and grandfather to Micah Hughes and Allie Hughes.

Jerry grew up and lived most of his life in Shreveport. He graduated from Fair Park High School in 1962, served in the
U.S. Air Force Reserve for 6 years, and worked at Kansas City Southern Railroad for over 30 years before retiring. In 1965, Jerry married Katherine, the love of his life. Second to his love for Christ, Jerry was devoted to serving Katherine and meeting her every need. Jerry loved his entire family and worked tirelessly to serve them well. Until the day he died, Jerry let us know that he loved us.

Jerry also deeply loved Jesus and shared his faith with everyone he met, whether he was working at KCS or chatting with a stranger at Walmart. In his early years, Jerry attended Emmanuel Baptist Church in Shreveport and later attended First Baptist Church Blanchard. At FBC Blanchard, he served faithfully as a deacon and sang in the choir. In 2009, he and Katherine moved to McCalla, Alabama to live closer to Jeffrey and their precious grandchildren. They attended Canaan Baptist Church for several years before joining Grace Life Baptist Church in McCalla.

He was preceded in death by parents, Earl and Dovie Hughes of Blanchard, Louisiana, one infant brother, Morris Earl Hughes Jr., one sister, Barbara Ann Hughes Dukes of Blanchard, Louisiana, and one special niece, Lori O’Bannon Savell of Bellwoood.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Katherine Hughes; his son, Jeffrey Todd Hughes; his grandson, Micah Todd Hughes, and wife, Makenna Kitchens Hughes; his granddaughter, Alexandra Ray (Allie) Hughes; his brother, Jimmy Hughes, and wife, Kathy Hughes; and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.

Special thanks go to his compassionate and loving caregivers, Debbie Myrick and Tammy Dagnan. Also, special thanks to Affinity Palliative and Hospice, especially the nurses and Dr. Michael Hurst.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 27th from 6-8 PM at Grace Life Baptist Church, 5911 Old Tuscaloosa Hwy, McCalla, AL 35111. A Louisiana visitation will be held on Friday, October 31st from 10:00-11:30 AM, and a memorial service will begin following the visitation at 11:30 AM. Both services will be at Rose-Neath Southside Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana 71118. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 1st at 11:00 AM at Bellwood Cemetery in Bellwood, Louisiana.

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Jack Dee Fisher passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, October 19, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Born on July 18, 1942, in Beaumont, Texas, to the late Jack Degraffenried Fisher and Flora Mae Booker Fisher, Jack spent his childhood in DeQuincy, Louisiana, after his father began working for the Missouri Pacific Line Railroad. Jack earned a football scholarship and attended Tulane University, where he played for two years, until a knee injury ended his collegiate career. He transferred and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1964 with a B.S. degree in mathematics and in 1966 with his M.S. degree in mathematics. Jack was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and made many life-long friends and brothers. He remained a proud and loyal Bulldog for the rest of his life.

After college, he was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Scott Air Force Base for three years, including a tour in Vietnam. Captain Fisher’s final assignment was at the United States Air Force Academy where he taught calculus to cadets. In 1969, he joined the Arthur Andersen accounting firm in Houston, Texas. In 1975, he founded Hou-Tex Plastics and opened a branch office, East Texas Pipe Company in Beaumont, Texas. In 1982, Jack moved to Brenham, Texas and started his pool company, PoolTex. If you couldn’t find Jack at the store front or visiting customers, you could always find him at Fireman’s Park watching the Brenham Cubs, hanging on the side fence cheering on his son, Matt, playing baseball.

A proud 32nd degree Mason, Jack was member of the Blue Lodge Masons in DeQuincy, Louisiana throughout his life. His retirement years were spent in Shreveport, Louisiana where he was a parishioner at the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans.

Jack loved spending time in Dillon, Colorado for 20+ summers and many Februarys in Galveston, Texas. He loved traveling with a special group of friends internationally and around the USA. He enjoyed Bulldog athletics and remained “ever loyal be” to Louisiana Tech University. Many happy memories were made boating on Cross Lake and at activities at the Shreveport Yacht Club. Everyone loved his cooking, especially at 4th of July BBQs and New Year’s Eve celebrations!

Jack, who never met a stranger, will be remembered for his sharp wit, storytelling, unwavering kindness, and deep love for his family. His presence filled every room with laughter and warmth, and his legacy of curiosity, generosity, and joy will continue to live on through those who loved him most.

Jack is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Coni Sweeney Fisher; his son Jon Matthew “Matt” (Doretta) Fisher of Brenham, TX; daughters Stacy Elaine Fisher of Houston, TX, and Adrienne (David) Roberts Mortimer of Alexandria, VA; granddaughters Grace Elaine Coker, LeAnna (Martin) Curiel, and Giuliana (Chris) Mortimer Schultz; grandson Brent (Nichole) Batts, great-granddaughter Presley Curiel; great-grandson Brooks Curiel; nephews Dr. Rawleigh (Sarah) Fisher of Lake Charles, LA, Laird (Christi) Fisher of Oklahoma City, OK, Mark Pankey and Ron (Brittany) Pankey of Crested Butte, CO; niece KC Fisher of Calvert, TX; and 1st cousins, James Hugh (Jane) Smith of Lafayette, LA and Joe B. Smith of Round Rock, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Degraffenried Fisher and Flora Mae Booker Fisher, and brothers John Alvin Fisher and George Robert Fisher.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jon Matthew Fisher, Dr. Rawleigh Fisher, Dr. William Fincannon, Daniel Fincannon, Pat Fincannon, Chris Fincannon, Laird Fisher, David Mortimer, Lance McElreath, Sam McElreath, Will McElreath, Jeff Branick, Roy West, Joe B. Smith, James Hugh Smith, Chuck Tallant, Ron Krajewsky, Sonny Parnell, Ron McNabb, Manco Snapp, Charles Sweeney, Bruce Cowan, Scotty Roberts, Dick Hollenshead, Tommy Hollenshead, Jerry Lorey, Bill Hall, Tommy Phillips, Charles Baragona, Burt “Doc” Moore, Chuck Fowler, Mickey Mays, Bill Hunt, Keith McKinney, Terry Pate, Mike Sport, Harold Odom, Rob Butler, John Brewer, Jim Brunner, Kim Breese, Frank Peoples, Fred Odom, Jerry Drewett, General Mike Dugan, Deacon Jim Doyle, Jay Weinstein, Richard Pajot, General Dale Tabor, Dennis Leifeit, Steve Raddack, Michael Quarles, Russ Friedrich, Ron Stokes, Tom Dixon, Dr. William Byrd, Spencer Walters, Mike Louviere, Bill Harlan, Carol Strange, Ken Baker, Kris Krause, Walt Hannath, Bobby Finke, Terrance Warmke, Bruce Bishop, Ford Jacka, and Tony Gregory.

There will be a “Celebration of Life” on Sunday, November 9 at the Shreveport Yacht Club, 2905 Municipal Pier Road, Shreveport, LA 71119 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. A funeral service will take place on Monday, November 10 at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 939 Jordan Street, Shreveport, LA 71101.

If you require overnight accommodations, here are a few suggestions: Courtyard by Marriott Shreveport Airport (6001 Financial Plaza, Shreveport, LA 71129), Homewood Suites by Hilton (5485 Financial Plaza, Shreveport, LA 71129), and Hilton Garden Inn Shreveport (5971 Financial Plaza, Shreveport, LA 71129). These locations are approximately six miles from the Shreveport Yacht Club, five miles from Jack’s and Coni’s home, and 10 miles from the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider a contribution to the Visual Integration of Science Through Art (VISTA) Endowed Scholarship created by the Pankey and Fisher families at Louisiana Tech University Foundation in memory of Jack Dee Fisher. Please call 318-255-7950 for more information or if you require further assistance making this donation.

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The Donnie Bickham Middle School community gathered to rededicate the school’s newly remodeled library, a vibrant and welcoming space designed to inspire students to explore the joy of reading and discovery.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by the school’s librarians, marked the culmination of months of hard work and collaboration among families, staff, and community partners who helped bring the project to life.

Both current and former principals attended the event, highlighting the school’s enduring legacy of leadership and learning.

The celebration served as a testament to the continued support of those who invest in creating spaces where students can learn, dream, and grow.

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Governor Jeff Landry signed an Emergency Declaration on Oct. 24 for Louisiana to help fund SNAP benefits for the elderly, disabled, and children in our State who have been abandoned by Congressional Democrats.
 
We should not allow our elderly, disabled, or children to go hungry because of the Washington, D.C. Democrats’ failure to reopen the federal government. Our social security net is supposed to help the most vulnerable, and we will try to accomplish this with today’s action. 

“My Administration has created over 70,000 new job opportunities in Louisiana since I took office. Wages are on the rise, and our economic outlook has never looked better. This is how we move people from dependence to independence.

I urge those who are able bodied to continue to strive to get off SNAP and similar programs. Due to the Democrat’s political games these programs are not reliable. 

I encourage our citizens to seek the thousands of new job opportunities across our State, and free themselves from these social programs that the Left uses as a weaponization tool to win political points,” said Governor Landry. 

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BATON ROUGE – LSU’s 2025 football season was pronounced officially dead Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

Then, last rites were read Sunday night on Brian Kelly’s head coaching career at LSU after 3½ seasons.

Ah, the spectacle of a college football weekend in the fall.

Thirty-five straight nails-in-the-cof. ..uh. . .consecutive Texas A&M second-half points buried the Tigers 49-25 and subsequently turned Kelly’s final exit into a dead man walking out of Death Valley.

Somewhere between the time LSU’s 18-14 halftime lead over the No. 3-ranked Aggies morphed into the Tigers’ repeating display of ineptitude, one of LSU’s highfalutin’ muckety-mucks decided to round up the legal posse to negotiate a buyout of the remaining $53 million Kelly is owed on his contract.

LSU announced Kelly’s termination via a press release Sunday at 8:23 p.m.

Associate head coach/running backs coach Frank Wilson takes over as interim head coach for the rest of the season. It starts with this week’s open date, followed by a road game at Alabama, two straight home dates against Arkansas and Western Kentucky, and then a regular-season-ending first-time trip to Oklahoma.

Officially, college football’s current winningest head coach is now looking for a job. With an LSU record of 34-14, including 19-10 in the SEC, three bowl wins, and a Heisman Trophy winner to his credit, Kelly will have no problem finding a new gig.

His LSU record indicates that he was far from a failure, especially considering he took over a depleted roster from the previous head coach, Ed Orgeron, during a volatile era of college athletics that has turned college football into a cash grab.

But that was never taken into consideration by LSU’s provincial fanbase, most of which didn’t warm to Kelly.

They didn’t like that he was a stoic Northerner with a dry sense of humor. They thought he was overpaid (a 10-year, $95 million deal) from the jump.

To justify his salary, they expected LSU to be an immediate and annual national contender.

It didn’t happen.

Some of it was Kelly’s struggle adapting to the new world of college athletes being bought and sold every season like cattle.

Much of it was Kelly’s original, misguided staff hirings.

He failed to retain Corey Raymond as defensive backs coach and fired long-time strength coach Tommy Moffitt. Two pillars of LSU’s success through the decades – NFL-quality DB play and a tough, physical style of football – immediately vanished.

Kelly’s original player personnel director, Brian Polian, knew nothing about how to establish relationships with Louisiana high schools.

Kelly replaced his entire defensive staff before the 2024 season. Simultaneously, he promoted QB coach Joe Sloan to offensive coordinator without an extensive job search.

Sloan replaced Mike Denbrock, who returned to Notre Dame after developing Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels into a Heisman Trophy-winning QB.

Kelly tried desperately to get his offense and defense on the same talent level and playing with high efficiency.

His first two seasons were marked by high-octane offense that mostly compensated for porous defenses.

The last two seasons, it flipped to better defense and worse offense. But it was rarely all on the same page at once.

Finally, in the last two months, after he spent $18 million in the transfer portal that supposedly filled deficiencies in the defensive and offensive lines, in the secondary, and at wide receiver, LSU’s 4-0 start was an anomaly.

Whether it was returning quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s undisclosed lower torso injury, Sloan’s conservative, predictable play-calling for a plodding offense or offensive line injuries that caused the O-line to become more inexperienced than it originally was to start the season, LSU’s averaging 21.2 points in SEC play ultimately resulted in three losses in the last four games.

It certainly didn’t help Kelly to build a case to stay another year.

He already said last week he didn’t believe he should step in and call plays. It was clear as hell or high water he wasn’t going to give backup quarterback Michael Van Buren, who guided LSU on a 75-yard fourth-quarter TD drive vs. A&M, any consistent significant snaps.

Kelly was married to his “process,” whatever that is. He didn’t believe in drastic changes.

But someone with a mainline to LSU’s biggest donors did.

LSU’s news release contained a curious quote from Tigers’ athletic director Scott Woodward, who hired Kelly and also hired national championship-winning coaches in baseball’s Jay Johnson, women’s basketball’s Kim Mulkey, and gymnastics’ Jay Clark.

“We will immediately begin a national search for a new head football coach,” Woodward said. “I am confident in our ability to bring to Baton Rouge an outstanding leader, teacher and coach, who fits our culture and community and who embraces the excellence that we demand.”

West Virginia native and Michigan State coach Nick Saban proved in his five seasons as LSU’s head coach from 2000 to 2005 that cultural fit is inconsequential.

Only winning matters.

Win a national title like Nick did in 2003, and you’re one of us, cuz.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

In a game with 1,165 yards of offense and 84 points on the scoreboard, evenly split between District 1-5A unbeaten Parkway and resurgent Captain Shreve, there was no shortage of stars to cast in the game-winner’s role Friday night.

The Panthers got 100-yard rushing games from Damien Dacaldacal (11-165, 2 touchdowns) and A.J. Johnson (18-118, 1 TD), and 237 combined yards by quarterback Kaleb Williams (165 in the air).

The Gators growled behind Jamarcea Plater’s usual brilliance (240 total yards, 219 on 20 carries, notably a 79-yard TD), Gabe Lockett’s 119 yards (including an 80-yard dash) and Jackson Gaskin’s 273 combined (226 passing, including a game-tying 47-yard TD to Kaleb Law with 4:12 to go).

It came down to the last snap, by design of Parkway coach Coy Brotherton, mostly because of Captain Shreve’s big play capabilities. The other factor was the Gators’ defense, for a change.

Yes, the same Shreve defenders who were playing without their top two linebackers, a unit that had given up 20 consecutive touchdown drives over the previous two games and the first two series in this one.

Weird, huh? It gets stranger. None of the players who accounted for any of Parkway’s 619 total yards provided the decisive points in the 45-42 thriller.

The Panthers preserved their unbeaten season (8-0, 6-0 in 1-5A) thanks to a rarely used kicker, a freshman much more comfortable as a defender in soccer. A guy who missed his only previous kick, an extra point try, in the first half.

Today is going to be a fabulous day to be Thad Smith at Parkway High School. He’s earned it.

Not only by nailing the game-winning 23-yarder from the center of the field, but because he felt better about his chances after he put in lots of extra work in the past week, including the day before Friday’s game.

It was his first ever high school field goal, unless you count the one he kicked, also a walk-off, to beat Huntington recently in a freshman game.

But it was Smith’s practice that helped Parkway stay perfect. On his own, after the team’s walk-through Thursday, Smith and his younger brother spent about two hours kicking, said Parkway specialists coach Mike Concilio, the final round of a weeklong series of extra reps.

“For three days, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, he took the tripod. We had 10 balls, he’d kick ‘em and chase ‘em. I had a chance to work with him a little bit Wednesday, but the other two days, he was out there all on his own,” said Concilio.

“Hard work pays off,” the 27-year coaching veteran said.

When Brotherton got conservative in the final minute with Parkway in the red zone, pounding it up the middle on four plays from the 18 down to the 7, Concilio realized to avoid overtime, Smith could be Parkway’s final chance.

“I felt really good because I saw how much work he had done that nobody else had seen,” said Concilio.

As for Smith, he was a bit unsteady.

“I was not thinking much. It was a lot of pressure. I really did want them to score the touchdown, but it was a great opportunity for me to kick a game-winning field goal,” he said.

His mom, Parkway Algebra II teacher Shannon Smith, was beside herself but fortunately had encouraging friends beside her in the stands at Preston Crownover Stadium.

“It was very exciting,” she said on the field beside her boy afterward, “but very stressful.”

“The ball went through and then there were a lot of people jumping on me. It was insane,” Smith said. “This is at the top of the list for anything I’ve done, that’s for sure.”

“I told him, ‘that’s your first attempt, and that will be your best memory probably ever,” said Brotherton.

Youth served Parkway well when it mattered most. Sophomore Josh Gallman snapped to freshman holder Brylan Washington, and moments later Gators’ defenders lay prone on the field as Panthers danced off it.

Brotherton reluctantly called for the field goal after Parkway cautiously moved 39 yards downfield on 10 plays. The drive started following A.J. Johnson’s 41-yard kickoff return after Shreve completed a 15-point rally to tie it at 42-all with just over 4 minutes left.

“We didn’t want to give them a chance. They had 2-3 80-yard touchdowns tonight. They have home run hitters,” he said. “We weren’t settling for the field goal, but we weren’t going to give them the ball back.

“I hated putting those kids in that situation where they could be a failure. To see them succeed is a memory that will last them forever.

“I didn’t talk to him at all. I actually handed my headset to an assistant coach, and said, ‘he’s gonna make it.’ I’m glad he did. That was special.”

It was painful for Shreve (4-4, 4-2), which suffered its third straight loss – but a 180-degree turn from the last two, where the Gators were outscored 136-53 by two state 5A top 10 teams, Evangel and Destrehan.

“We had a really good week of practice, best since I took over the program,” said second-year coach Jeremy Wilburn. “This would have been a big power point bump for us, gotten us probably a home (playoff) game in the first round.

“But wherever we wind up, they’ll have a good football game on their hands.”

Hard to top Friday night’s.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports

Loyola coach John Sella doesn’t buy into the theory of the “trap game,” but there was plenty of evidence that something different was going on Friday night at Leonard C. Barnes Stadium.

No matter what you call it, the Flyers’ game against Booker T. Washington certainly had the markings that something wasn’t quite right with a game against No. 1-ranked North DeSoto looming on next week’s schedule.

Loyola had thrown only one interception in the first seven games; against the Lions, there were four, including a Pick 6.

The Flyers have rarely trailed on their way to an undefeated season and almost every game has basically been decided by halftime (three games that eventually were played with a running clock).

BTW led twice in the first half and had the ball with a chance to take the lead in the middle of the third quarter.

Eventually, the Flyers found the answers they were looking for in a 54-26 win to move to 8-0 and 5-0 in District 1-4A.

They also found out that BTW has plenty of weapons to make you pay.

“That’s a pretty good bad football team that we played with a lot of really good athletes,” Sella said of the Lions (4-4, 1-4).  “They had a good game plan. And there were times we could have hung our heads, but we just kept playing.”

They had to.

The two teams spent most of the game trading turnovers and touchdowns. After the third of the four touchdowns running back Mason Drake would score put the Flyers ahead 27-14 and appeared to have a little breathing room in the third quarter, BTW sophomore Javuon Wilkins picked off a pass and returned it 13 yards for a score.

But that would be the last touchdown BTW would score until the final minute of the game. The Loyola defense got three interceptions and held the Lions on downs in the first four possessions of the second half. In total, the Flyers had a season-high five interceptions with Grayson Nunn coming up with two and new starters Avery Smith (free safety) and Dominic Rinaudo (linebacker) each having a pick at the goal line.

“Anytime the offense turned the ball over, the defense had our back and anytime defense gave up a score, the offense had their back,” Sella said. “I told them at halftime to just keep punching. and don’t press. And I really do feel like we did that. We just kept calm and if you listen to the coaches and play as hard as you can, things just happen to go your way sometimes.”

It wasn’t as if the Flyers struggled on offense. Despite the four turnovers – twice as many as Loyola had in the previous seven games combined – the Flyers had 534 yards in total offense. Drake broke the school record for touchdowns in a career with 41 and ran for 147 yards.

Sophomore Charlie McKenzie had his fourth straight 100-yard receiving game (also a school record) with seven catches for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Bryce Restovich completed 23 of 33 for 339 yards and three scores. One of those was an amazing touchdown by sophomore Ty Walsworth, who caught a short pass and was seemingly tackled by four Lion defenders. Instead, he kept moving his legs and inching forward and somehow shed all the defenders and raced to the end zone for a 33-yard score. Walsworth was engaged with the BTW defenders for seven seconds before breaking loose.

“He was playing on kind of a bum leg, but he’s just different,” Sella said. “I’d love to be able to take credit for any of that, but he just did it all on his own. I know he wasn’t feeling great, but we needed him, and he said he was good. On that play, he showed that he was.”

BTW sophomore quarterback Davion Stewart came off the bench in the first quarter to throw for 358 yards, completing 19 of 28.

Next up: 8-0 Loyola at 8-0 North DeSoto. So was this a trap game for the Flyers?

“I wasn’t not looking ahead, so I just assume that they’re not either,” Sella said. “But it’s very possible, just judging off how we started slow. I think in all three phases we made big plays when we needed it. You can start to lose confidence when you start slow, but that’s where I was proud that they never did.”

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

It wasn’t Christian Maxie 49, Benton 40, Friday night. But Byrd’s senior halfback accounted for all seven Yellow Jackets’ touchdowns                                                                         

Kicker Asher Murray was perfect on seven point-after tries as Maxie single-handedly provided enough scoring (42 points) to beat the Tigers and hand the Jackets (2-6, 1-5) their first District 1-5A win

Maxie had 32 carries for 341 yards and scored a school-record six touchdowns. He also added a touchdown pass of 39 yards.

Maxie’s 36 points scored on his TD runs of 39, 1, 42, 2, 58, and 45 yards tied a school record set by Joe Almokary against Longview, Texas nearly 100 years ago (5 TDs, 6 PATs in a 1928 game). The 341-yard rushing performance was the fourth-best single-game total in 101 seasons of Byrd football. 

Junior quarterback Malachi Zeigler of Benton (2-6, 1-5) was sensational as well. He threw five TD passes of 80, 47, 26, 16 and 6 yards in a 489-yard outing, going 28 of 38 with one interception, ran for another score. Case Austin caught six for 161 yards and two TDs while Rydon McCormack collected 109 yards on five catches.

Gaudy passing numbers were posted at Evangel (7-1, 7-0) pushed away after halftime for a 64-27 triumph, scoring the last 35 points after Haughton (1-7, 1-5) closed within 29-27 in the third period.

Evangel junior Pop Houston tossed eight touchdown passes and totaled 432 yards on 24-31 aim, and added a 10-yard touchdown run.  Demarkus Evans (21, 6, 92 yards) and Johnny Casey Jr. (40, 29, 9 yards) each snagged three TD catches.

Haughton junior Taylor Weathersby posted 386 passing yards, going 18 of 32.

Calvary embellished its power points for the Select Division III playoff bracket with a 45-35 victory over Class 5A Huntington. The Cavaliers (7-1, No. 4 in Class 2A) had to rally from a 14-5 deficit, and after going up 20-14 after an 8-yard pick six from David Weeks, got a couple of Braylun Huglon touchdown catches (26, 81 yards) and held off the Raiders (4-4).

Week 8 scores involving teams from Caddo and Bossier parishes:

 

District 1-5A

Airline 41, Natchitoches Central 21

Byrd 49, Benton 40

Parkway 45. Captain Shreve 42

Evangel 64, Haughton 27

Non-district

Calvary 45, Huntington 35

 

District 1-4A

Minden 49, Bossier 13

Loyola 54, Booker T. Washington 26

Northwood 47, Southwood 6

North DeSoto 62, Woodlawn 12

 

District 1-2A

Green Oaks 44, North Caddo 6

Homer 55, Magnolia School of Excellence 0

 

District 1-1A

Jonesboro-Hodge 40, Plain Dealing 0

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Calvary’s victory over Class 5A Huntington and Loyola’s first wobble in its unbeaten season, along with another dominant outing by Northwood, finally broke a three-way snag for third place in the Shreveport-Bossier Journal weekly Top 10 football poll

The Cavs (7-1) took over possession of third place. Northwood (7-1) slipped into fourth and Loyola (8-0) took fifth, with one point separating each team. The Flyers got a third-quarter scare from Booker T. Washington before pulling away.

Parkway’s last-play win over Captain Shreve moved the Panthers to 8-0. They maintained a two-point voting edge over fellow District 1-5A unbeaten Evangel, with those teams heading toward a Week 10 district championship game at ECA.

Airline, Shreve and Huntington maintained their poll positions. A pair of plucky sub-.500 teams,  Byrd and Green Oaks, took the last two spots in this week’s poll.

The Week 9 SBJ Top 10:

Parkway (3 first place votes), 5 points

Evangel (1), 7

Calvary, 14

Northwood, 15

Loyola, 16

Airline, 25

Captain Shreve, 27

Huntington, 33

Byrd, 38

Green Oaks, 40

 

Receiving votes – Bossier, 42; Haughton, 43.

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