The team that produces your Shreveport-Bossier Journal is taking a holiday break. There will not be a Friday morning edition.

Thanksgiving is a family-centered holiday that leads into a long weekend. Our crew will pause its work to share time with those they treasure most.

With Friday comes shopping and plenty of football to watch, or some prime time in the woods looking for that trophy buck.

So pardon us as we do not publish our regular edition Friday. We’ll be back in your e-mail Monday morning at 6:55, online at ShreveportBossierJournal.com and on our Facebook page with the coverage you can’t get anywhere else.

We’ll cover the high school football playoff games involving our local teams, recap college football games involving LSU, Louisiana Tech and Grambling, and have our usual news and lifestyle coverage.

In the meantime, if something really big happens regarding the LSU football coach vacancy, you can count on Ron Higgins providing his expert insight in a special edition.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday weekend!

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Companions of CPAS reported that this year’s Thanksgiving looked different at the Caddo Parish Animal Shelter after the organization was unable to host its traditional volunteer-led event. A death in the family of one board member, travel conflicts for two others, and a shortage of available volunteers prevented the group from organizing its usual holiday celebration.

After discussions with shelter staff, the organization decided the animals would still receive a special Thanksgiving meal. Companions purchased all necessary food, and one individual prepared 36 pounds of turkey along with sweet potatoes, green beans, rice, peas and carrots. The prepared dishes were delivered to the shelter in large pans.

Shelter staff distributed the warm meals to the dogs, ensuring the animals received an uncommon holiday treat. Companions of CPAS expressed gratitude for the staff’s assistance and emphasized the importance of giving the animals moments of care and attention.

The group announced plans for a Christmas event that will offer more opportunities for volunteer participation. Companions of CPAS also extended Thanksgiving well-wishes and thanked supporters for helping advance its mission to improve the lives of Caddo Parish shelter animals.

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We all know the playoff setup for Louisiana high school football has been a joke, continues to be a joke and will be a joke in the future until somebody(s) stop joking around.

The non-joke tellers will point to the outlandish number of teams that qualify for the playoff in the EIGHT divisions that comprise the playoff structure. Even though the top teams have byes in the opening round, it continues to produce scores such as 62-12, 56-0 and 58-0.

Spare us all how it’s an honor just to make it to the post-season or what a lifetime thrill it is to get a chance in a win-or-go-home format.

Almost all of the teams should have just stayed home in the first place. By the way, if there weren’t so many illegalities involved, you could inject quite a few of the participants with sodium pentothal (truth serum) and they’d tell you that it’s no fun to practice for a week, drive across the state and get beat by 40.

In the first half.

Yes, there will be some under-seeded team that provides the counter argument, but not only is it mostly Chalk City for the higher seeds, it’s often a borderline embarrassment that admission is charged to watch this abomination.

You can blame the split (select/non-select) all you want for the first-round carnage, but the real problem comes in the second round, when you would think things would start to even out a little bit.

Until you see scores such as 56-7, 54-7 and 49-7, as was the case last week – and that was just in one of the brackets.

You might want to hang on to your hat for this little nugget –

More than half the second-round playoff games were decided by a margin of victory of at least 20 points. Of those 34 games, an amazing 22 of them were by at least 30 points.

And trust me, you don’t want to know the scores of some of those that were even worse than that.

Sure, some of the games were down-to-wire nail-biters, but more than half?

This is where the split really comes into play. There’s no way that there should be this many second-round mismatches. But you get those because there simply isn’t enough depth in the quality of teams after the first round.

You would have that depth, however, if there weren’t a split and there were only five divisions/classifications. Not to mention a whole lot less confusing.

Work with me here …

This is just a generality, but most observers would tell you that there are about eight teams in each bracket that meet the benchmark of being a team that is not only worthy of being in the playoffs but winning a game of two. These teams not all ordering championship rings in advance, but the coaches on the other sideline know better than to take them lightly.

Round numbers here, but with eight teams and eight divisions, that’s 64 teams, spread out in all shapes and sizes. That’s Catholic-Baton Rouge and Catholic-New Iberia. Southside and South Plaquemines.

Now take those 72 teams and reclassify them into five, pre-split classifications (just like the good ‘ol days!). Instead of 72 teams playing in the quarterfinals this week, you’d only have 40. That means 32 teams — who are good enough to be in the quarterfinals right now – would have turned in their equipment earlier this week.

Now imagine how good the second-round games would have been.

As it is right now, most of the top teams in each class don’t even break a sweat in the first two weeks of the playoffs.

The numbers don’t lie: In six of the eight brackets, at least seven of the top eight seeds have advanced. In three of the ones that didn’t, it was a No. 9 seed that did, which is hardly an upset.

In Select Division II, all eight advanced, which almost everyone would have predicted when the brackets first came out.

There will always be blowouts in the playoffs, no matter how brackets get arranged. But there were 12 teams that made the playoffs this year that won three games or fewer in the regular season. What a thrill that must have been for 1-8 Bogalusa to make the three-hour trek over to Erath and lose 56-0.

But this year isn’t any different than previous years. If it’s not Bogalusa next year, it will be somebody else doing this same sordid dance.

The idea that this might all get changed, however, may be the biggest joke of all.

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

No high school football playoff games are being played tonight on Thanksgiving, but Parkway will get a game-night feel.

“We will bring the kids in at 7 p.m. to practice under the lights and have opened practice up to the community to come watch and support our guys,” said Panthers’ coach Coy Brotherton, whose 11-1 team plays at Preston Crownover Stadium Friday night against Ouachita Parish.

With no school in session this week, the four local teams preparing for LHSAA quarterfinal contests Friday have had their choice of when to work out.

Calvary is making its 21^st consecutive playoff appearance and the Cavs have plenty of Thanksgiving practice experience in Rodney Guin’s 10 seasons as head coach. He believes in maintaining a normal routine.

“We stayed with the same schedule as if we were in school,” said Guin, who is in his 26^th season as a head coach, including 16 at Haughton. This morning, however, Calvary has its walk-through at 8:30 because of Thanksgiving.

Evangel is in its 35^th consecutive year of playoff activity, best by any local program all-time. Denny Duron hasn’t been head coach for most of them, but is back on the sidelines again and has seen every ECA season in his role as the school’s headmaster. He, too, believes in staying close to a practice routine.

“We have practice in evenings at 4 o’clock, so we were under the lights by 5:30 or 6,” he said.

Brotherton and Loyola’s John Sella have opted for morning workouts.

“The players have mentioned it’s pretty cool to wake up and play football and then have the rest of the day to hang out,” said the Flyers’ second-year coach.

The four coaches shared thoughts on their team’s progressions, and insight into Friday night’s quarterfinal contests.

Non-Select Division I

No. 14 Ouachita (8-4) at No. 6 Parkway (11-1)

“I’m not sure how much we have improved this season, but this season compared to the last, you can see how much the program has gotten better with the ability to win close games and overcome deficits,” said Brotherton, whose team has come from behind in both playoff wins.

“This week it will be a challenge, just due to the physicality that Ouachita plays with,” he said. “I believe they will match us in that department and we will have to contain a lot of their speed.”

Select Division I

No. 8 Evangel (9-2) at No. 1 Edna Karr (11-0)

“Last week I was so proud of our kids’ resilience. We didn’t play our best game, but everyone stayed positive and continued to press forward,” said Duron as the Eagles withstood a second-quarter surge into the lead by St. Paul’s. “I’ve watched this team grow in their endurance and resilience throughout the season.

“This week we get the rare opportunity to play the champ. Karr is on a 24-game winning streak and they’ve been stacking up state championships (five in the last nine years, including 2024).

“What an amazing opportunity this is. We get to play the best in their backyard. I don’t know of one guy on our team that is not fired up about facing Edna Karr,” said Duron.

The game can be viewed for free at CrescentCitySports.com.

Select Division II

No. 7 Archbishop Shaw (7-4) at No. 2 Loyola (10-1)

“I think our defense has gotten better each week and I liked how physical we were defensively last week,” said Sella, whose Flyers blanked outmanned Belaire 42-0. “I think we did a pretty good job of tackling. To be able to win at this point you have to be able to run the football and be able to stop the run. 

“It was pretty cool to see a line of cars waiting at the field house on Monday morning eager to practice. Friday will be a tough one, playing the defending state champs, but we look at it as another opportunity to try and continue this story. They are obviously a really good team and we expect it to be a battle,” he said.

Select Division III

No. 6 Calvary (10-1) at No. 3 Jewel Sumner (11-0)

After Metairie Park Country Day took a stunning 16-7 lead in the first quarter last week, Guin was impressed with the Cavaliers’ poise. It wasn’t the first time this season, thanks to a stout non-district schedule, that Calvary had to battle back.

“We have learned not to hit panic mode when we get behind.  Just stay with the game plan and we will be fine,” he said.

“This week is a big test against an 11-0 Jewel Sumner squad.  We have to make the most of our possessions as they will try to control the clock,” said Guin, whose defense will be challenged by the Cowboys’ Wing T running game. 

“This should be a great game,” said the Cavaliers’ coach. “I am super proud of this young squad and how they have progressed over the season.”

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine

Thanksgiving is special for the teams around the state who have reached Round 3 of the LHSAA football playoffs, the quarterfinals, with every team still alive looking ahead at the dream come true of playing for a championship in the Superdome three weeks from now.

Four Shreveport-Bossier teams are in the hunt. Most media around the state are picking against all four. I live in Baton Rouge, but between traveling the state in the spring and catching games all season long either in person, on a stream or a replay, I see a lot of high school football.  I like two local teams to reach the semifinals with “upset” wins Friday night.

In Division 1 Non-Select, No. 6 seed Parkway hosts 14^th-seeded Ouachita Parish, located on the east edge of Monroe, playing out of powerful District 2-5A.

Ouachita has one of the best defenses in the state and one of the very best players, tackle Dylan Berryman (6-2, 325), who is built like an All-Pro player and plays like one.

Parkway will counter with one of the most underrated offenses in Louisiana led by senior quarterback Kaleb Williams, a very accurate passer, who has a lot of skill surrounding him, like the versatile Tony Gladney and a very talented Gary Burney at receiver.

The Panthers’ defense is very good as well, and needs to be at its best Friday night. Ouachita has one of the fastest players in Louisiana in RB/WR/KR Macario “M.J.” Dade Jr. (5-7, 160) who runs a legit 4.3 in the 40 and has run 10.22 in the 100 meters, fastest in Louisiana last spring.

After seeing both teams play, I believe it will come down to special teams and whoever plays a cleaner game. Avoiding penalties and limiting turnovers will win this game with two really good defenses battling all night. I am going with Parkway in a nailbiter at Preston Crownover Stadium, in one of the best defensive games in the state this week.

The Division I Select contest of local interest sends No. 8 Evangel to New Orleans to play No. 1 Edna Karr. The Cougars are undefeated in their last 24 games. Karr is built like a college Division 1 football team with a ton of prospects and a 33-man senior class.

Karr QB John Johnson, who recently committed to Washington State, had six total touchdowns passing and running in the last playoff game against a really good Jesuit Blue Jays team. Johnson has close to 10,000 total yards in his career.

Evangel’s dynamic QB Pop Houston, committed to LSU for the Class of 2027, has over 4,500 total yards and 52 touchdowns this year. He has a chance to go over 10,000 total career yards in the next game and still has another year of high school left. The Eagles have some top-quality receivers, and college prospects up front on both sides along with LB/FB Damari Drake.

This game will come down to Evangel, which has a Class 2A enrollment but is playing up in 5A, overcoming less depth than Karr and being able to match a nationally-ranked team score for score.

If anyone could pull off the upset it would be Evangel and the explosive offense they have. I expect a high-scoring game but Karr will be tough to beat because if they don’t blow you out, their depth wears down everybody they play.

The other game being played locally, along with Parkway in Bossier City, is the Division II Select contest hosted by second-seeded Loyola against defending state champ Archbishop Shaw. This will be the Flyers’ toughest test yet.

I think Loyola will score some points but stopping No. 7 Shaw will be tough because of its big, athletic offensive line. Shaw is as athletic on both sides of the ball as anyone Loyola has faced.

But I see some Messmer Stadium magic. I am taking Loyola in a close game because they are at home and they have one of the best offenses in Louisiana led by junior QB Bryce Restovich.

The Division III Select game sending Calvary to Jewel Sumner is a really fascinating matchup. Calvary is in the quarterfinals every year, it seems. This is the first time ever for Jewel Sumner.

I think the coaching honors at the end of the season should go to the Calvary coaches if they can win this game. Two of the state’s best players not many have heard of in recruiting are Sumner’s RB/LB Jamohn Dyson (6-1, 195) who has 4.5 speed and LB/DE Collin Mack (6-1, 225) with 4.6 speed. QB Eli Neyland (6-4,195) runs the Cowboys’ Wing T like it should be done. This is probably the most talented offense Calvary has seen – and that includes Class 5A Neville.

Calvary has had a great year with a young team but this Sumner squad is a much more experienced team playing at home. I have seen both play and I will go with Jewel Sumner.

All three teams are still playing in adjacent DeSoto Parish. I expect unbeaten District 1-4A champ North DeSoto to move on, but don’t see Logansport or Mansfield making it past road games on Friday.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

(Lee Brecheen is the longtime publisher of Louisiana Football Magazine, covering all of the state’s high school teams each year since 1997.  He’s been tracking high school recruits since 1992. Free content can be found at the website lafootballmagazine.com. Lee hosts a podcast with guests from around the state — The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen, available on YouTube).

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By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

NORMAN, Okla. – When you listen to Frank Wilson, you’re hearing two coaches in one.

First, there’s the interim coach Frank. He’s 2-1 with a pair of wins by a combined margin of four points, trying desperately to keep LSU’s sinking 2025 football season from plummeting further after the firing of head coach Brian Kelly.

As the Tigers (7-4, 3-4 SEC) end the regular season at No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC) here on Saturday, he’s doing his best to ignore his team’s extensive injury list as well as the fact the Sooners are trying to clinch a College Football Playoff in a game expected to be played in the worst weather LSU has seen this year.

There may be temperatures in the 40s, winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with higher gusts possible, and a 70 percent chance of rain.

“Whatever the weather may be, it’ll be LSU weather,” Wilson said. “We’re gonna make the most of it. We’re gonna show up, we’re gonna prepare, and we’re gonna play. We’re gonna play hard.”

Then, there’s running backs coach Frank, the one who looks for the tiniest bit of weekly improvement despite the scoreboard.

Like true freshman running back Harlem Berry’s odyssey in the last two games.

First, he bounced outside for a victory-clinching 13-yard first down vs. Arkansas on Nov. 15, purposely sliding to the ground inbound with 1:45 left to keep the game clock running.

And then last week, Berry fumbled trying to pick up another first down to salt away a win vs. Western Kentucky, which resulted in a 71-yard scoop and score TD return by WKU’s Dylan Flowers with 1:05 remaining.

“It’s a learning experience,” Wilson said. “That’s the beautiful thing about this, right? Ugly as it may be, they’re our babies, they’re my babies. So, I accept them. I love them for who they are, the good, the bad, the indifferent.

“All the things that happened throughout the game are teachable moments. If you don’t learn from them, it’s in vain. But if you’re making these mistakes and you’re growing and you’re learning from them, then there’s merit in it.”

Which, as Wilson said, is why Oklahoma is a prime example of a team that looked in the mirror after last season’s 6-7 finish.

“They were a different team a year ago,” Wilson said. “They learned from their mistakes, and they became a better team.

“That’s the grand scheme of this thing, learning from your mistakes, growing from it, and not all wallowing in `woe is me, we shoulda, we coulda.’

“It happened. Fix it, and let’s move on so that we can be better because of it or from it.”

Though Oklahoma’s offense isn’t spectacular – it ranks 12^th in the SEC in scoring (27.3 ppg compared to LSU ranked 15^th at 22.6) and 14^th in total yards (350.1 ypg compared to the Tigers ranked 15^th at 344.9) – it’s gotten enough big plays from starting quarterback John Mateer.

Mateer, a Washington State transfer, has thrown for 2,260 yards, 10 TDs, 7 interceptions, and rushed for 389 yards and 7 TDs.

He broke a bone in his right hand (his throwing hand) on Sept. 20. He underwent surgery and returned 17 days later against Texas.

Though he’s only averaging 174 passing yards since returning from injury after averaging 304 passing yards pre-injury, Mateer has made timely plays.

In last week’s 17-6 win over Missouri, he jump-started OU’s slumbering offense with an 87-yard TD pass to Isaiah Sategna that ignited the Sooners’ 13-point second quarter.

“The first quarter didn’t go well,” Mateer said. “But we didn’t get down, we still believed. We believe in each other, and we know when we get an opportunity, we’ve got enough players that we can break a game open, and that’s what happened.’

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks said Mateer is the Tigers’ defense’s biggest challenge.

“A lot of quarterbacks in college look at their first read, and then take off and scramble,” Weeks said. “He’s a guy who will look at his first read, and if it’s not there, he’s looking at his second read. And he’s ripping it.”

Weeks revealed on Tuesday that he broke his ankle in week five vs. Ole Miss (LSU repeatedly said he had a bone bruise on his ankle). He will try to increase his minutes vs. the Sooners after returning last Saturday from missing four games or a few series vs. WKU.

“It cracked right down the middle,” Weeks said of his ankle. “Once it’s healed, it’s healed, but it’s going to take just a couple more weeks. I’m trying to turn that corner, but just struggling.

The Sooners have had the luxury of winning despite their mediocre offense because they have one of the best defenses in the nation. The defense is coordinated by head coach Brent Venables.

OU is ranked No. 6 in scoring defense (14 ppg), No. 11 in total defense (280.5 ypg), 3^rd in rushing defense (81.1 ypg) and first in tackles for loss (111) and sacks (41).

Sooners’ defensive ends Taylor Wein and Mason Thomas have a combined 23½ TFL and 12 ½ sacks.

For an LSU offense on track to finish as one of the lowest scoring in school history (22.6 ppg, tied for 104^th nationally, just avoiding a shutout would be a minor victory.

“We just got to play better as offense so that we can play complementary football.” said LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren, who’s set to get his third start in place of injured starter Garrett Nussmeier. “I’ve got to play better as a quarterback. We always shouldn’t have to depend on our defense.”

Wilson acknowledged his team’s biggest distraction on Saturday is the pending decision by Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin to accept the LSU offer.

“They live in a social media world where it comes toward them, but that’s the uncontrollable,” Wilson said. “We can’t control those things, and so I encourage them to control what you can control, and what we can control, and what this game will become, even not so much about Oklahoma, but about us.”

GO FIGURE

12-2: LSU’s record in regular-season finales in the last 14 seasons. The only losses were to Texas A&M in 2018 (74-72 7 OT) and in 2022 (38-23).

7 for 7: OU’s redshirt junior placekicker Tate Sandell’s perfect percentage on field goal tries of 50-plus yards this season. The FBS single-season record for 50-plus-yard makes is eight (Tennessee’s Fuad Reveiz in 1982).

8: TD passes allowed by LSU this season, second in the SEC behind Alabama (7).

47: Percent of Oklahoma opponent plays this season (341 of 728) have yielded one or fewer yards. Forty-one percent have gone for zero or negative yards.

47-3: OU’s record in November games going back to the start of the 1998 season. The .960 winning percentage is the best nationally during the stretch (Oregon is second at .863; 46-7 record).

257: Rushing yards for LSU true freshman running back Harlem Berry since entering the starting lineup four games ago.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  – Louisiana Tech ran and rallied its way to bowl eligibility last Saturday.

This Saturday, the Bulldogs can lock up a bowl bid if they can finish the regular season with a win at Conference USA newcomer Missouri State.

Kickoff is 1 p.m. with the game streamed on ESPN+. Local radio coverage is available at 95.7 KLKL FM with Kyle Schassburger accompanied by local analysts Teddy Allen and Jerry Byrd.

Tech moved to 6-5 overall (4-3 in CUSA) with a 34-28 overtime victory over visiting Liberty last Saturday, overcoming a 28-7 deficit after halftime. That win gave the Bulldogs the necessary six wins to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2019 – but it does not guarantee a bowl invitation.

There are 80 bowl slots and Tech is one of 72 teams already with at least six wins. Nearly 20 other teams can become bowl eligible with wins this weekend.

A seventh win would assure the Bulldogs of a postseason bowl and would also lock down the first winning season in Ruston since 2019.

The Bulldogs ran for 319 yards to beat Liberty, while Missouri State held CUSA co-leader Kennesaw State to 2.8 yards per carry – but lost a 41-34 decision.

It was the first loss in six games by the Bears (7-4, 5-2), who moved up from the FCS Missouri Valley Conference this season.

Kennesaw and Western Kentucky collide Saturday in a matchup of CUSA co-leaders (6-1 in the league) while the third co-leader, Jacksonville State, goes to Liberty.

One of the biggest reasons the Bulldogs prevailed last Saturday, safety Jakari Foster, was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.

The redshirt senior came up with two critical interceptions and added eight tackles.

Foster’s first interception came late in the third quarter with the Bulldogs down 28-14 and Liberty driving. His pickoff at Tech’s 4-yard line ignited a 96-yard scoring drive that made it 28-21.

He picked off Ethan Vasko’s pass in the end zone on Liberty’s first overtime possession. Tech scored on the first play of its overtime series to secure the win.

The redshirt senior leads the nation with six interceptions to go along with 48 tackles, three pass break ups, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. His six interceptions are the most by a Bulldog in a single season since Xavier Woods tallied six in 2014.

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By T. SCOTT BOATRIGHT, Lincoln Parish Journal

NEW ORLEANS — The Grambling State Tigers close out their season this weekend with the king of HBCU classics — the annual Bayou Classic game in New Orleans.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday inside the Superdome in New Orleans.

Grambling enters the game at 7-4 while Southern stands at 1-10, but Grambling coach Mickey Joseph knows that records don’t count in this showdown.

“It’s a big-time game,” Joseph said Monday morning in his hometown, New Orleans. “You’ve got to throw the records out the door. Southern’s got a very good football team. I know the record doesn’t indicate that, but the records go out the door when you play this game.

“And the kids understand the magnitude of this game. We’re looking to come down here and put on a good show. So, we’re prepared. I think we’re healthy now, you know, for the most part, so I think we can put on a good show.”

Joseph likes his team’s position heading into the game.

 “I want to make sure I take my hat off to my coaches and my players and my administration because we’ve all been on the same page this year,” Joseph said. “We lost some close ones, but to finish 8-4 and finish with the first winning season, in a game of this magnitude, it’s big.

“So, we’ve got to focus, and we’re got to finish. That’s what we’ve been talking about to the kids. You’ve got to focus when you come to this game. I break it down into two parts. You’ve got the event, and you’ve got the game. See, we can’t get and get involved with the event. So, we did one thing involving the living situation that I won’t get into, that makes me think we’re headed in the right direction.”

Joseph admits the relationship between the two schools is a love/hate situation, at least for three hours a year.

“I think the thing is, it’s family, and the family is divided for three hours,” Joseph said. “And then we come back and you’re family again. So, it’s the darnest thing in that it’s really not a hate rivalry. It’s a rivalry where, ‘This is where I went to school to, and this is my team and the same the other way,

“But at the end of the game, I watch my players, and my coaches, hug the Southern players and it’s unbelievable. It’s a beautiful sight being able to see that. We both share traditions, we both have legacy, but we’re both in the state of Louisiana. So, other than anybody else, we’ve got to pull for each other when you’re not playing against each other. So, we’re excited to have the opportunity to play a game of this magnitude. We’re going to come down and put on a good show.”

Relationships also caused Joseph to change the way his team is handling this year’s Bayou Classic.

“I have to do a better job with the players — with the outside things,” Joseph said. “Like what time we’re going to eat on Thursday and everything else. Just do things a little different so we don’t distract them. This team’s a little different. When you come to Thanksgiving, they don’t want a Thanksgiving meal. They want fried catfish and fried shrimp, so I had to fix that.

“So, we have half Thanksgiving and half Louisiana-style food. With the living situation, I don’t think it’s healthy for us to live in the middle of the Bayou Classic like we stayed at last year in the middle of downtown. And it was a distraction because so many people were in there, and the team doesn’t get that with usual road games. So I’m trying to make it like a normal road game where nobody is in the hotel with us and if they do come over, they’re invited. So, we take them away from the event so that they can focus on the game.”

Southern made news Wednesday evening when word leaked that Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, a New Orleans native, had agreed to become the Jaguars’ new coach. He spent this season on Deion Sanders’ staff at Colorado, his first coaching stint.

Southern athletics director Roman Banks, a Shreveport native, reportedly made the hire.

Contact Scott at tscottboatright@gmail.com

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I’ve been out of school for so long it’s hard to remember things I learned at Goldonna High School and Northwestern State. The years have erased or toned down much of the “book learning” I was exposed to way back then.

There is one thing, however, that as a writer, I keep at the forefront of my mind and that’s working with my A, B, Cs. More specifically, I’m talking about writing Articles, Books and Columns.

I recently did an article for this publication about my 53-year career in writing columns for newspapers. That’s where my journalistic endeavors began. Later, I started dabbling into writing articles for magazines and thankfully have experienced some success in convincing editors that I could produce material their publication could use.

I look forward to this time of year for the past dozen or so years since LA Sportsman magazine asked me to locate, interview and write articles about big impressive bucks that deer hunters take around the state.

This has been, frankly, a bunch of fun. Someone informs me about a big buck taken, I contact them and in most cases, they are anxious to get their story told. I find out the hunter’s name and contact number, schedule the interview and then write the story. My main source of locating such hunters has been the internet as I daily scroll the pages of Facebook searching for successful hunters who are proud to post photos of the big buck they got.

Two years ago, I decided I wanted to complete my ABC’s and decided to try my hand at writing books. Here’s how that got started.

For a year, my daughter had asked me questions every month about my life – how I grew up, how I got into writing and such and unknown to me, had my answers published in a publication she gave me for Christmas. This triggered something in me that I could take what I had told her, add some stories to it and the end result was my book, “Bamboozled by a Bobcat” that was released two years ago.

With good results from this book, it occurred to me that I had 53 years of newspaper columns sitting dormant and I thought about turning some of those favorite columns into a book, and as a result, “Fathers, Sons and Old Guns” became a reality.

For the past several years, I had contributed to an on-line topic called “E-thoughts” where I wrote daily devotionals with scriptural references to things related to the outdoors. Again, another light came on in my brain as over the years, I had saved the devotionals I had written and thought why not put what I had written into a book. The result was my newest book, “Seasons – Connecting with God through the Year in His Great Outdoors.”

I still write weekly columns for several news outlets and during deer season, I am kept busy chasing down big bucks for LA Sportsman magazine. The fun thing for me now is promoting and selling my books, all of which are available at Amazon.com.

I suppose you’re never too old to get excited about still getting good use of what I learned early on in school, and that was my A, B, Cs.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

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Normally when a man or even a woman or child pulls a knife on me in a drugstore, I call “time out” and hustle to another drugstore. When it comes to getting my business, a person – especially an employee — pulling a knife is generally a deal-breaker.

Not so this time, a fondly remembered holiday weekend when some helpful retail employees turned Black Friday into Bright Friday.

To help explain why, we give you one of our greatest Americans, Paul Harvey, a man those of a certain age will remember as closing every optimistic broadcast with his trademark and upbeat, “Goodday!”

God bless and rest his vocal cords.

The late newsman used to remind us that when we give directions, we’re more likely than not tell a person to “go to the red light and …”

“But,” Paul Harvey would say in a lyrical voice that rose until reaching a perfect crescendo at sentence’s end, “that light is GREEN as often as it is RED!…”

(Heard him say it once in the Monroe Civic Center during a Sunday afternoon “concert.” Will never forget it. We exploded like Swifties on speed. Paul was the man, which is another story. America could use him these days…)

Paul Harvey reminded us often on his daily radio show that we humans are flawed and strange creatures, and that we are mostly, by nature, pessimists, with no real reasons to be. (I fooled myself for a long time into thinking I was an optimist, but really I’m no more than pessimist with a decent attitude. It’s a start!)

Paul Harvey was — and remains — right. We’d do well to start seeing the bright side of things or at least give life – and people — the benefit of the doubt.

Consider this recent overheard observation from a consumer who complained with amusement that the employees in one drugstore were nice but that the employees in the same chain drugstore five miles away made the Wicked Witch look like Glinda.

It’s never the store or the organization. Those things are made up of us. Of humans. We are the light that shines or the darkness that fails.

My granddaddy always told me that it’s not the world that’s messed up: it’s the people in it.

But … now and then, when you least expect it, Providence will drop you a reminder that good and decent people are everywhere. They’re trying to do the right thing, and with no big hidden agenda. Most people are just like you and me, trying to get by, not meaning any harm, trying to do the next right thing in spite of being part of a warped species.

Some people don’t just see the green light. They are light. At least on certain days. We all have our moments.

So when I walked into the out-of-town drugstore at dusk on a post-Thanksgiving Friday, all I needed was a phone charger to replace the one that had just died an untimely death. Without a phone charger, I can’t listen to the college football games on the way home. Or anything. This was a big deal to a tired and troubled me, in a foreign town, five lonely hours from home.

The lady at the register was Alisha. Showed me just what I needed. Told me to keep my receipt and try it out in my car.

This one little piece of plastic was keeping it from fitting. They didn’t have any others for me to try. That’s when Jonathan showed up flashing his knife. It appeared in his hand like a handkerchief from a magician’s sleeve. I wondered what this guy was doing working back in the photo lab when he could have a career on stage. Or with the CIA.

“Bet I can fix yours like I fixed mine,” he said, and less than a half-minute later, little plastic shavings were on the glass counter, his knife had disappeared, and a happy customer headed back to Louisiana, all charged up.

They might have wanted to do anything other than work the late shift at the evening drugstore that day. But they seemed genuinely happy to help a guy they didn’t know, a man who’d spent less than $15 in their store. I’ll probably never see them again. All I could do when I got home, fully charged, was write their manager to say thanks.

From now on, whenever I read of Black Friday fistfights, I’ll think of Alisha and Jonathan, and how they made a stranger’s day, gave him a little light at the start of a long, dark drive. I hope they caught every green light on their way home.

I vote for more Bright Fridays.

Goodday!

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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By Pat Culverhouse

An attempted traffic stop on Interstate 20 near the Minden exit Tuesday morning turned into a high speed chase that ended in Caddo Parish when spike strips were successfully deployed to end the pursuit, and the 21-year-old driver is in police custody.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said Drake Edward McKinney, a resident of the 300 block of Warriner Ave. in Blanchard, was booked on an arrest warrant for flight from an officer and is being held on a $20,000 bond.

He is also looking at additional charges of illegal carrying of weapons, violation of open container ordinance and no insurance after officers enforced a search warrant for his vehicle.

McIver said Officer Cody James was on Safety Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) patrol shortly before 9 a.m. when he reportedly clocked a speeding vehicle (90 in a 70 m.p.h. zone) in the westbound lane of the Interstate.

When James activated his lights, the driver reportedly accelerated and began to pull away from the officer. Officer James reportedly observed the Dodge Challenger traveling at speeds up to 130 miles per hour and passing traffic on the shoulder of the roadway multiple times.

James reportedly maintained radio contact during the pursuit, but lost visual contact at the intersection of Interstate 20/Interstate 220 in Bossier Parish. After the officer self-terminated the pursuit at that point, information was shortly received that Louisiana State Police troopers had successfully deployed spike strips on I-220 at the Benton Rd. exit.

Despite the successful deployment, the vehicle continued westbound on I-220 until it  became disabled on the Interstate in Caddo Parish. Although the driver had managed to leave the scene, he was located on Ed’s Blvd. and taken into custody.

McKinney and his vehicle were returned to Minden where officers obtained a search warrant. Inside the vehicle, officers reportedly found a Taurus 9MM handgun and magazine, plus an open bottle of Tequila.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Continue your article here…

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Assistant Chief David Miller began his career with the Bossier Sheriff’s Office in 1999, initially serving as the Assistant Supervisor of the Tax Division. Over the years, Miller’s expertise and commitment led him through a series of promotions. In 2002, he was promoted to Sergeant and assumed the role of Supervisor of the Civil Division. His continued success and leadership brought further promotions, from Lieutenant to Captain of Tax and Civil Division. In 2012, he was promoted to Major of the Support Division, and in January 2016, he reached the rank of Assistant Chief. With 26 years of service, Miller’s dedication to the Sheriff’s Office has left an indelible mark on the department and the community.

Sergeant Tab Cahn also celebrated 26 years of service, beginning his career as a reserve Deputy before becoming a Post-Certified Deputy. Cahn has served in a wide range of divisions, including the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations, Special Investigations, and Internal Affairs. Notably, he was assigned as a special deputy to the U.S. Marshal’s Service, where his efforts contributed to numerous high-profile cases. Throughout his tenure, Sergeant Cahn’s work ethic, professionalism, and versatility have been an asset to the Bossier Sheriff’s Office.

In a statement celebrating their careers, Sheriff Julian Whittington expressed his deep appreciation for their unwavering commitment:

“David Miller and Tab Cahn have set the bar for what it means to serve with integrity, dedication, and excellence. Their years of service have not only helped shape the success of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, but they have also earned the respect and admiration of their colleagues and the community they’ve protected.”

As these two exceptional deputies retire, the Bossier Sheriff’s Office extends its warmest congratulations to both David Miller and Tab Cahn for their remarkable careers. Their contributions will be remembered for years to come.

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The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office expanded its ranks on November 24 as Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. administered the oath of office to six newly appointed deputies.

Three deputies were sworn into Corrections: Jamaal Brown, Matthew Markosky and Terryon Woodard. Lakeisha Washington joined the Real-Time Crime Center in a clerical role. Two hires were added to Human Resources Management: Wendy Kidd and Lacy Lopez, who will serve as an HR Clerk.

The Sheriff’s Office reported that recruitment efforts are ongoing. Applicants 21 and older may apply for positions including corrections deputies, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, building and groundskeepers, part-time courthouse security personnel and part-time work release drivers.

Details on qualifications, benefits and applications are available on the agency’s website at caddosheriff.org.

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The Joint Transportation, Highways, & Public Works Committee will conduct a legislative public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8:30 a.m. The purpose of the hearing – commonly referred to as the annual DOTD Road Show – is to review the highway construction priorities for the fiscal year 2026-2027.

Location:

Government Plaza
Shreveport City Council Chambers
505 Travis Street
Shreveport, LA 71101

District 04 (Bossier, Bienville, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, & Webster Parishes)

Each DOTD District will be hosting its own Road Show to allow legislators, other elected officials, DOTD representatives and the general public to discuss and obtain information about construction projects in the preliminary FY 2026-2027 Highway Priority Program and how those projects will affect each area of the state.

All those interested are invited to attend the Road Show and will be afforded an opportunity to express their views.

Oral testimony may be supplemented by presenting important facts and documentation in writing. Written statements and comments should be handed to the committee conducting the hearing, or mailed to the following address, postmarked within 45 calendar days following the hearing:

Joint Transportation, Highways, & Public Works Committee
C/O LA DOTD (Section 45)
P.O. Box 94245
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245

To read more information about planned construction projects for District 04 in the preliminary FY 26-27 Highway Priority Program, go online to bit.ly/4riSbGw.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Three of the four local teams still going in the LHSAA football quarterfinals will meet south Louisiana foes that rarely encounter teams from the 318 area code. Two of those are reigning state champions and the other is unbeaten.

Parkway and Loyola get to host games Friday night. The Panthers take on Monroe’s Ouachita Parish Lions while the Flyers square off against Archbishop Shaw out of the fabled Catholic League in New Orleans.

Evangel and Calvary travel to play undefeated, top-ranked foes.

The Eagles have the most formidable task, visiting nationally-ranked Edna Karr in New Orleans. The Cavaliers head to the Hammond area to encounter upstart Jewel Sumner, which unlike Calvary, has little playoff experience.

PARKWAY’S OPPONENT:  The Ouachita Parish Lions (8-4) entered with a No. 14 seed but just pulled the upset of the Non-Select Division I bracket, winning 21-19 last Friday at No. 3 Destrehan. That’s a Destry team that plastered Captain Shreve 68-28 in midseason. The Lions opened the season beating Shreve 37-19 in Monroe.

Ouachita plays in District 2-5A that includes Ruston, Alexandria, Neville and West Monroe. All but West Monroe are in the quarterfinal round this Friday.

OPHS lost 38-37 to Neville, and by one score to Ruston and ASH. West Monroe beat the Lions 39-25.

Quality non-district wins for the Lions: 33-22 over Sterlington and 42-14 at Franklin Parish.

Senior running back Macario Dade is averaging 135.5 yards on the ground (1,490 for the season).

LOYOLA’S OPPONENT:  Archbishop Shaw (7-4) is the defending Select Division II state champion, and owns a No. 7 seeding. The Eagles have three shutout losses.

They’re the only team to beat Class 2A power Lafayette Christian, intercepting six passes in a 31-13 win on Sept. 26.

Shaw opened with a 35-0 loss to the undisputed best team in the state, Edna Karr. The Eagles were routed 29-0 by their rival, Archbishop Rummel, in Week 3.

After a first-round bye, they blasted Haynes Academy 49-6 last week, scoring 42 points on 11 first-half plays. Their coach, Hank Tierney, is among the state’s top 15 all-time winningest coaches.

EVANGEL’S OPPONENT:  The Edna Karr Cougars are four-time reigning Catholic League champions and are defending last year’s Select Division I state title, won in a 50-0 romp over Alexandria.

Quarterback John Johnson, a Washington State commitment, threw three touchdown passes and ran for three more scores in a 39-13 victory over 17^th-seeded Jesuit last Friday. The game was scoreless at halftime, but the Cougars roared to life and built a 26-0 lead.

Top-seeded Karr (11-0) has outscored opponents 480-119. The Cougars’ closest games against in-state foes were a 42-21 win over St. Augustine and a 48-26 victory over John Curtis – both still going in the state quarters.

Karr dodged a loss against Florida-based American Heritage in a 24-17 overtime victory on Sept. 12 in New Orleans. The Cougars’ highly-regarded senior running back, Tre Garrison, is nicknamed “Truck Stick” and plans to join Johnson in Pullman, Wash., next season.

The Cougars, who have 33 seniors, are riding a 24-game winning streak and are No. 7 nationally in the SI.com prep rankings. MaxPreps has them at ninth and in The Sporting News composite rankings of eight different polls, Karr is No. 11.

CALVARY’S OPPONENT: Where is undefeated Jewel Sumner located? It’s near Kentwood, outside of Hammond, best known for being the hometown of pop singer Britney Spears and Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith.

But it’s in a one-light town – Tangipahoa, population under 500.

The Cowboys (11-0), the third seed in Select Division III, are having their best season ever. Last year they won their first-ever district title in 20 seasons and finished 10-2. They’ve been atop the LSWA’s Class 3A Top 10 poll most of the year, ahead of University Lab.

Jewel Sumner, using a productive Wing T offense, has outscored its opponents 406-100 with three shutouts. Last week the Cowboys opened postseason beating St. Charles Catholic – the team Calvary defeated to win its 2023 state title – by 42-20.

Eleventh-year coach Ross Currier led the program to its first playoff appearance in 2018, its first postseason win in 2020, and its first quarterfinal round berth last year. Currier’s father and uncle combined to coach five state championship teams at other small schools in the area.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports

Loyola’s 13th annual Flyer Invitational brought in some powerful girls soccer teams from around the state including University Lab, Baton Rouge Magnet, Lakeshore, Archbishop Hannan, West Monroe, and upstart Zachary.

The south Louisiana teams braved the ride up Interstate 49 that seems to only flow southward when it comes to prep sporting events.

After lots of intersectional competition, there was no change in the pecking order of the Shreveport-Bossier Journal coaches’ poll, although the gap between first and third widened from the tight bunch in the preseason.

Benton played four games in the Flyer Invitational, beginning Thursday with an 8-0 win over Sterlington. On Friday, the Lady Tigers fell 4-1 to a powerful Hannan team that is primed to take the D-III state title this year.

Benton finished its tournament with a close 2-1 win over D-III 2025 finalist University Lab, and a lopsided 6-0 win over Baton Rouge.

Byrd, who dipped from two first place votes to one this week, had an up and down tournament. The Lady Jackets also played four games, starting with a 6-0 win over West Ouachita on Thursday. Friday, the Lady Jackets found out how good this year’s Zachary team is, escaping with a 1-1 tie. On Saturday the Lady Jackets fell to Hannan, before a hard fought 2-2 tie with University Lab.

The Loyola Lady Flyers kept with the trend of playing four tourney games this year as Byrd and Benton did. Loyola lost a heartbreaker to West Monroe, despite having dominated all game. A penalty kick was given to the Lady Rebels and converted, providing the 1-0 final score. On Friday University Lab took control early, never letting Loyola get in a rhythm, winning 4-1.

Saturday was a better day for the Lady Flyers, as they beat Sterlington 5-0 before fighting Lakeshore to the end, securing a 1-1 tie.

Captain Shreve had the weekend after playing three early week games. The Lady Gators beat Northwood 8-0, Sterlington 5-0 and Ouachita Parish 9-1.

Calvary played the more traditional three tournament games, starting with a 1-0 victory over Lakeshore, secured with many quality saves by keeper Anna Sarkozi. After taking Friday off to watch their football team advance in the playoffs, the Lady Cavaliers faced Hannan, falling 3-1. Calvary finished the weekend on a high note, beating Ouachita Parish 2-0.

Caddo Magnet’s Lady Mustangs struggled over the weekend after beating Ouachita Parish 6-2 on Thursday night. Magnet fell 4-2 to Baton Rouge Magnet Friday night before losing to West Monroe 4-0 on Saturday.

The few games scheduled for this week, all on Monday night, were washed out by the storms. With no action to assess, the SBJ coaches’ poll will resume in two weeks.

The Week 1 SBJ girls’ soccer poll listing school (W-L-T record) points (first place votes):

1, Benton (4-1-0), 24 (4)

2, Byrd (2-1-2), 20 (1)

3, Loyola (2-2-1), 14

4, Shreve (3-0-0), 10

5, Calvary (3-1-0), 6

Others receiving votes: Magnet (1).

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

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JOURNAL SPORTS

After a dominant win Tuesday afternoon to wrap up the two-day, Fourth Annual Decari Markray Classic, new Bossier Parish Community College basketball coach Jeff Moore likes the progress his young Cavaliers have made heading into Region XIV play.

BPCC (6-2) got 21 points from freshman Drew Cooper among four double-figure scorers in a 77-59 victory over Dallas-based Tribulation Prep, a day after a five-point win over Southwest Mississippi CC.

“We started off slow but caught rhythm in the second half,” said Moore.

Cooper, a Frankin Parish HS product, drained five 3-pointers, going 5-11 from distance, and grabbed 8 rebounds.

The Cavaliers added 18 points and a game-best 9 rebounds from freshman Zequan Lewis, last year’s Class C Most Outstanding Player at Plainview High in rural Rapides Parish.

Freshman Tony Montgomery scored 12 and freshman Dustin Welch, an Anacoco product, had 11 for BPCC. Thirteen of the 16 Cavaliers are freshmen, with 10 of them coming directly from high school this season.

“I am very pleased with where we are as we switch gears into conference play,” said Moore. “Our conference is like the SEC of JUCO basketball. We have to keep elevating our game to have success in Region 14.”

The Cavs start league competition next week, with a Wednesday visit to Paris JC and a home game on Saturday, Dec. 6 when Navarro comes to Billy Montgomery Gym.

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By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director

Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference basketball begins nearby for both Centenary teams next Tuesday against LeTourneau across the state line in Longview.

The men’s game tips at 5:30 with the women following at 7:30. That’s as close as the teams will play to home for a while. The Gents play at the Gold Dome on Dec. 19 against Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Ladies aren’t home until Jan. 2.

Both Centenary teams dropped non-conference road games Tuesday.

The Ladies lost 67-59 to the Wiley Wildcats inside Alumni Gymnasium in Marshall.

Centenary (1-5) is now 1-2 on the road this season while the Wildcats (5-2) are 3-2 at home. The teams were meeting for the first time since Nov. 11, 2023 when Wiley recorded a 69-35 win at home.

Freshman guard Nakaylyn Wells and senior guard Amiyah Barrow combined to score 24 of the Ladies’ 59 points as Wells had 13 and Barrow finished with 11.

A bad second half cost the Gents in an 83-62 loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor inside the Cru’s Mayborn Campus Center in Belton, Texas. 

The Gents (0-5) and Cru (2-2) were tied at 36-36 at halftime, but UMHB outscored Centenary 47-26 in the second half. 

Sophomore guard Trenton Thomas led the Gents with a season-high 13 points and senior guard Quentin Beverly scored 12.

MEN’S SWIMMING: Sophomore Hunter Hedges was named the SCAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week after he recorded a pair of individual wins over the weekend in the “Mid-Season Invitational” hosted by Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. He claimed victories in the 400 IM (4:34.12) and 100 breast (1:02.64) and now has eight wins this season.

WOMEN’S SWIMMING: Junior Reece Esser continued her impressive season with three individual wins in the “Mid-Season Invitational” as she won the 50 free (25.11), 100 free (55.47), and 100 fly (59.98) and also finished as runner- up in the 200 back (2:23.18). Esser now has 11 wins this season.

The Ladies and Gents return to action in the Austin College Invitational on Jan. 10 in Sherman, Texas.

FOOTBALL:  Headlined by senior running back Obadiah Butler, 12 Gents were included on the 2025 All-SCAC Team, the league office announced on Tuesday. 

Butler, one of the more productive running backs in Division III, earned first-team honors.

The other 11 Centenary players were honorable mention. That included four Gents from Shreveport:  senior defensive lineman Rhema Getter (Captain Shreve), junior defensive lineman D’Qavion Lemons (Southwood), junior linebacker Devon Strickland (Byrd) and sophomore receiver Christopher Jackson (Calvary Baptist).

Other Gents getting recognized as HM picks were freshman receiver Theo Dunn, junior offensive lineman Alexander Hamilton, sophomore defensive back Dwayne Mills Jr., freshman defensive back TJ Ranson, junior offensive lineman Jaylon Simmons, junior defensive back Bryan Washington and sophomore linebacker Collin Watkins.

SOCCER: The 2025-26 Academic All-District® Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, were announced on Tuesday and four Centenary scholar-athletes were recognized for their excellence in the classroom.

Representing the Gents was junior defender Hayden McConnell. Ladies voted to the team were senior defender/midfielder Kylie Zeller, senior defender Madi Cooley, and midfielder/forward Lowrey Lain.

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu

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Sports has been a huge part of my life, especially when it comes to baseball and football. I’ve always taken pride in the fact that I never used any form of performance-enhancing drugs to play at a high level. In my mind, this would be a form of cheating, and I made a conscious choice to never be a part of that culture of athletes.

I saw first-hand how some athletes abused and became victims of decisions and choices they made. It was a huge eye-opening experience my first spring training with the Montreal Expos organization as I saw how many players were using enhancers to perform at a high level.

I saw the organization basically turn a blind eye to what players were doing to become better. Oh, it was no secret, and most players did not try and hide what they were using as it was on full display in their lockers. It was just another form of cheating!

Cheating has now become rampant in the tournament bass fishing world. It seems that in every tournament, someone breaks a rule, fails a polygraph test and gets disqualified.

In the past three years, it has gotten worse — from professional anglers getting caught to amateur anglers trying to win specialty events like big bass tournaments. What happened to the days of anglers going out and fishing with honesty and following the rules?

Why has there been such a surge in anglers’ cheating? The first answer is probably the amount of money tournaments are putting up. Even the lower levels of MLF (Major League Fishing) and the B.A.S.S. organizations have anglers fishing for hundreds of thousands of dollars and opportunities to advance up the ladder of professional bass fishing.

Even big bass events have anglers fishing for over $100,000 for catching one fish! Like anything else, when there’s a lot of money on the line, it seems to bring out the worst in people. Just like in any form of criminal activity, just follow the money.

Some anglers will say that there are just too many rules. We all know that the more rules you have in any sport, the more that must be enforced. This makes a bass tournament director’s job even more difficult.

So how do we hit the reset button and get anglers to find their moral compass and follow the rules? I’m not sure we can put the genie back into the bottle, as our society in general has so many people with no morals who will do whatever they can in order to win or get ahead in life.

I think the first course of action must be making the punishment fit the crime. Organizations must come down harder on these individuals who think it’s OK to cheat! Guidelines need to be established for the severity of the rule or rules that have been violated.

We aren’t looking for anyone to go before the firing squad, but suspending anglers for the entire season would be a great start. The harder you come down on these anglers, the more they will think twice about cheating.

Maybe we need to go the legal route, as cheating in a bass tournament is considered fraud. By making a few examples with prosecution, it will probably make others think twice about bending the rules.

These are sad times we live in and it’s a shame we have so many anglers that think it’s OK to cheat. This is one of many reasons why tournament participation is down nationwide. But with more severe punishment, maybe we can reset the course of tournament bass fishing.

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My friend bought her daughter a car. Not a fancy one—no heated seats, no moonroof, no button that launches it into orbit. Just a good ol’ reliable vehicle to get her from dorm room to dining room and back again for those sacred college holidays like Thanksgiving, when students return home to eat, sleep, and pretend they still remember how to do laundry.

One day, the daughter had a flat tire. No big deal—she had AAA on speed dial, right next to “Mom” and “Pizza.” She called the flat tire hotline and waited for the cavalry. The AAA guy showed up, popped the trunk, checked under the mat, looked in the glove box, maybe even peeked under the seats. No spare tire. No jack. No tools. Just a lot of empty space and one very confused roadside technician.

Cue the anguished phone call to Mom: “Mom! There’s no spare tire! I’m stranded! The car is broken! The dealership sold us a lemon! I’m going to die here next to the Chick-fil-A!”

Now, I know this mom. She’s articulate. She’s passionate. She’s fluent in “colorful metaphors.” I’ve heard her use her big girl words before, and let’s just say she doesn’t need a thesaurus when she’s fired up.

She called the dealership and unleashed a verbal tsunami. Somewhere in the background, I imagine the receptionist ducking under the desk and whispering, “It’s her. The metaphor lady.”

Just as Mom was winding up for Round Two, the dealership guy calmly asked, “Ma’am, is your daughter’s car a 2023 model?”
 “Yes,” she snapped.
 “Well,” he said, “that car comes with run-flat tires. You can drive up to 50 miles on a flat. There’s no spare because you don’t need one.”

Silence.
 Then a dial tone.
 I don’t think Mom apologized. I think she just hung up and prayed the Holy Spirit would interpret her sighs.

Now, I’m grateful this wasn’t my story. But let’s be honest—I drive cars with spare tires. I think. I mean, I assume they’re in there somewhere. Probably under the mysterious carpet flap in the trunk next to the ancient granola bar and the rogue umbrella. Maybe I should check.

But this story made me laugh. It reminded me that sometimes we panic before we understand. We yell before we read the manual. We assume the worst before we remember that God might’ve already built in a solution.

And that brings me to Thanksgiving. It’s almost here. Can you believe how fast this year flew by? I blinked and it was Advent again. I’m thankful for so much—especially for you, dear reader. You’ve prayed for us, encouraged us, and shared stories that have become sermons, devotionals, and the occasional punchline.

I’m thankful for my church family, my neighbors, and the beautiful traffic chaos of life in Ruston, Louisiana. I’m thankful for the characters in my life—especially the ones who call me with flat tire emergencies and teach me new vocabulary.

So, this Thanksgiving, take a moment. Look at life through grateful eyes. Even the flat tires. Even the missing spares. Even the run-flat moments when you realize God’s grace lets you keep going, even when you feel deflated.

Thank you for being part of the ride. And if you’re wondering whether your car has a spare… maybe check before you call Mom.

Doug de Graffenried is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach Doug at his email:  DougDeGraffenried

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