Two 18-year-old Shreveport men were arrested following a high-speed pursuit involving a stolen pickup truck, boat and trailer in Winn Parish on Sept. 21, 2026.
The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report from Winnfield City Police regarding the theft of a gray Ford pickup truck pulling a trailer with a boat from TAZ Mart in Winnfield. The vehicle was reportedly taken by two Black males and was last seen traveling north on U.S. 167.
A short time later, deputies received a report of a boat and trailer blocking the roadway on Louisiana Highway 156. Deputies responded and confirmed that the boat and trailer matched the description of those stolen with the pickup truck.
Deputies located the stolen vehicle traveling south on Gum Springs Road off Louisiana Highway 156. The vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, speeds exceeded 125 mph.
The vehicle crossed U.S. 84 at speeds exceeding 100 mph before continuing southbound on Gum Springs Road. The driver eventually ran off the roadway and crashed into several trees.
The driver and passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot into the surrounding woods. Winn Parish deputies, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries officers, Atlanta Police and the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office Chase Team established a perimeter and searched for the suspects.
After several hours, one suspect was apprehended in the woods near Black Mountain Road. The suspect was identified as Demario Cortez Spearman Lewis, 18, of Shreveport. Spearman Lewis, identified as the passenger, was arrested and charged with two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated obstruction of a roadway, resisting arrest by flight and theft of a firearm.
At approximately 7 a.m., a Winn Parish deputy spotted a Black male matching the description of the second suspect walking along the edge of Archie Jones Road, just off Gum Springs Road. The deputy apprehended the suspect without incident.
The second suspect, identified as the driver, was Kadence Jaa’lyn Dequise Neal, 18, of Shreveport. Neal was arrested and charged with two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated obstruction of a roadway, aggravated flight from an officer, careless operation of a vehicle with crash, speeding 120/45, resisting arrest by flight, theft of a firearm and leaving the scene of a crash.
Both suspects were booked into the Winn Parish Detention Center.
The Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office also responded by sending a drone and operator to assist in locating the second suspect.
Sheriff McAllister thanked the Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Winn Parish Chase Team, Winnfield Police Department, Winnfield City Marshal’s Office, Atlanta Police Department and Sheriff Tony Edwards of the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.
“This is the way it’s supposed to work, departments assisting each other when manpower is stretched,” Sheriff McAllister said. “This was a great outcome. No one was injured during the pursuit, crash, or apprehension.”
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
From Sept. 16-22, Shreveport Police arrested 18 people on DWI charges. Four were charged with DWI, second offense.
DWI, second offense:
Brock Allen Lawson — also charged with careless operation, improper turning or signaling, and expired registration.
Dekendrey E. Reddix — also charged with a registration violation and driving under suspension.
Jackie Williams — also charged with speeding and possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle.
Tremaine M. Levi — also charged with hit-and-run, driving under suspension, an ignition interlock violation, no proof of insurance, and possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle.
DWI, first offense:
Donald G. Edwards Jr.
Antonio Jacobs — also charged with speeding.
Johnnie D. Winn — also charged with speeding and careless operation.
Steven G. Shuler — also charged with no proof of insurance, careless operation, and possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle.
Shirley A. Collins — also charged with improper lane use.
Nicolia Lashundae Washington — also charged with driving under suspension, a registration violation, and no insurance.
Andrea Rene Brown — also charged with reckless operation.
Jessie L. Ward III — also charged with improper lane use.
Mitchell E. Hampton
Megan B. Huff — also charged with improper turning or signaling and a taillight violation.
Christain Oshea Brimzy — also charged with driving without a license, a one-way roadway violation, and possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle.
Antonio M. Ramirez-Rodriguez — also charged with driving without a license and speeding.
Arvesta Demery — also charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession and possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle.
Speaker Mike Johnson Addresses Bossier Chamber on Tax Policy and National Defense Bossier Chamber of Commerce, Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed local business and community leaders Wednesday at the Public Policy Kickoff hosted by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. Johnson provided a Washington update and highlighted the working families tax cut as a key legislative priority. He also spoke on national defense and artificial intelligence. The event followed Johnson’s Tuesday morning appearance at LSU Shreveport, where he discussed national and state issues with community members and students. Johnson, a Shreveport native and Captain Shreve High School graduate, represents Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, which includes both Caddo and Bossier parishes.
Today is Dolly Parton Day in Caddo Parish; Community Events Across Shreveport United Way of Northwest Louisiana, Caddo Parish Commission
Today is Dolly Parton Day in Caddo Parish, proclaimed by the Caddo Parish Commission to honor Parton’s lifelong commitment to literacy and her Imagination Library program, which provides free books monthly to more than 7,000 Northwest Louisiana children. United Way of Northwest Louisiana is marking the occasion with a series of community events today, including a special Dolly Smoothie at two local Smoothie King locations, a free screening of 9 to 5 at Robinson Film Center, and the Bakowski Bridge of Lights illuminated in pink tonight in honor of Parton’s life and legacy. The Robinson Film Center also continues its Remembering Dolly Book Drive through Sept. 30.
Notini’s Italian Restaurant Closes Bossier City Location After 45 Years Notini’s Italian Restaurant
Notini’s Italian Restaurant closes its Bossier City location today after 45 years at that address, ending a decades-long chapter for one of the region’s most established Italian dining institutions. The restaurant has announced plans to reopen at a new location. No details on the new site have been announced. Patrons wishing to follow updates are encouraged to monitor the restaurant’s social media channels.
Last Day: Caddo Parish Voter Registration Drives at Shreve Memorial Library Shreve Memorial Library, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters
Today is the final day of Shreve Memorial Library’s five-day voter registration drive in partnership with the Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters. Registration sessions are available today at three branches: Atkins Branch, 3704 Greenwood Road; Hamilton/South Caddo Branch, 2111 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop; and Broadmoor Branch, 1212 Captain Shreve Drive. Bring proof of age, residency, and identity. The general election is November 3; the last day to register to vote in Louisiana is October 4.
Twelve students taking American Sign Language through the Bossier Schools Distance Learning Program recently visited the Deaf Action Center in Shreveport for a Bingo and spaghetti lunch.
The event gave students an opportunity to use their language skills and knowledge of Deaf culture in a real-world setting. Students played bingo and conversed with members of the Deaf community, gaining a deeper understanding, confidence and appreciation for ASL and the culture surrounding it.
On Thursday, Kyle Juszczyk of the San Francisco 49ers was fined 15 large for his celebration in last week’s game. Juszczyk’s unthinkable offense was for simulating chugging beer which the NFL determined to be “engaging in offensive demonstrations.”
“I don’t even drink beer,” Juszczyk said.
He didn’t like it – nor should he – but I won’t be a surprised if he issues a quarter-hearted apology.
Earlier in the week, Colorado’s Ben Finneseth apologized for his remarks about the temporary stadium and/or crowd at the Buffaloes game against Northwestern. He remarked that the facility felt like a library (among a few other things).
“It was childish. It was a stupid thing that I said,” Finneseth said. “It won’t happen again, and the way I handled it was horrible.”
It should be pointed out that his original comment was caught on a sideline mic, not in an actual interview setting. Makes no difference in Apology World.
Of course, it didn’t help that the Buffalos lost by five touchdowns in the “library,” perhaps because they had a hard time figuring out the Dewey Decimal System.
Ryan Grubb, Alabama’s offensive coordinator, fired off an apology for the horrendous offense of criticizing the Crimson Tide’s fans for booing after the team fell behind. “I told the guys, ‘I said, shoot, guys, if you’d have quit as fast as some of your fans, we wouldn’t have won that game. So I was proud of them. For a bunch of 19-year-olds to go out there and just 21-6 and not flinch, I was fired up.”
Uh, Ryan … Bama Nation would like to see you in the office immediately. Bring your apology.
Arch Manning apologized
Steve Sarkesian apologized.
Others are becoming famous for apologizing.
If you’ve ever heard of American sprinter Sam Blaskowski, it’s only because he issued an apology not because anything he’s done on the track. But a social media post he shared seven years ago was discovered. He didn’t post it, but he shared it. When he was in his mid-teens.
Dropped by his track club.
But there is no better combination of senseless apologies and unknown athletes than Australian Joanna Wietrzyk.
Who?
Glad you asked.
She’s the current women’s solo professional champion in Hyrox.
What’s Hyrox?
Wish you hadn’t asked.
Forced to look that up, I discovered that it’s some kind of uber-fitness competition that trace its roots all the way back to 2017. In a race earlier this month in China, Wietrzyk suffered a bout of fecal incontinence (two words I’d never thought I’d write) but went on to win the race.
If you ask me, good for her.
But the crazy world of Hyrox exploded (perhaps a bad choice of words) over the incident and she retroactively withdrew from the race, forfeited her win, and – wait for it — apologized to competitors and organizers.
After that, the inventor of Hyrox also apologized and immediately implemented some rule changes.
These days, we are never at a loss for an apology in the sports world. There’s always another one on the way, so just keep your seat.
I would say it’s getting out of hand, but it’s been out of hand for a long time and there are two words to explain it – social media.
There’s always somebody out there just waiting to be outraged and feels the need to let the world know it, even though the world doesn’t care.
Week 4 of the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s annual High School Football Pick ’Em contest is underway, giving local fans another chance to test their gridiron knowledge and win cash.
Each week, the contest features 10 selected matchups highlighting Bossier and Caddo high schools and marquee regional games. The second round of competition concludes Friday, Sept. 25, so make your selections before kickoff to get in the game.
Each weekly winner will take home $100 and be featured with a photo in the Journal.
Participants can submit their picks online through the SBJ platform throughout the season to see who truly reigns as the top football prognosticator in Bossier and Caddo Parishes.
Opens in a new tab.
Contest Rules & Details
Anyone is eligible to participate for free, and each week’s winning participant will win a $100 prize. Each week, the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games. Ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two designated weekly contests. The picker with the closest score, without going over, is the winner. All decisions by Management/SBJ are final. The contest can be modified and/or cancelled without notice to the public.
The only persons not eligible to participate are the publisher, the publisher’s immediate family, and regular content contributors to the Journal as determined by Management/SBJ.
There is no entry fee. All contest decisions by Journal management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Mondays and must agree to have their photo published in the Journal.
Every participant receives a free subscription to the Journal, delivered directly to their inbox daily at 6:55 a.m.
TURNING POINT: Calvary Baptist graduate Sam Burns gestures to the crowd moments after sinking a pivotal birdie putt on the 14th hole Thursday on the opening day of the Presidents Cup competition.
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
MEDINAH, Ill. – Scottie Scheffler sealed the victory, then said his partner Sam Burns saved the day.
Just after the International duo of Australia’s Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im of South Korea had broken through to take a 1-up lead with Im’s birdie on the 13th hole, Burns pulled his 8-iron and turned things back America’s way Thursday in the opening four-ball match of the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club.
His 173-yard shot stopped two feet, five inches away on the par-3 hole, and the kick-in putt squared the match and erased their only deficit of the day. Scheffler sank a 4-foot par putt on the 17th hole to lift the Americans into a lead, then saved par with a near-perfect pitch out of the sand on the last hole, ending six inches from the cup as the Internationals faced a 40-foot par putt in a desperate try to halve the match.
It didn’t fall and the Internationals did. The USA closed the afternoon with a 3-2 edge heading into today’s foursomes competition.
American captain Brandt Snedeker has paired the longtime friends together again, this time against Corey Conners and Cup rookie Nick Taylor. Tee time is 12:05 in the first of five alternate shot matches, with Golf Channel carrying the competition. NBC picks up the weekend coverage.
In an on-course interview moments after Thursday’s match, Scheffler gave Burns his due.
“Both teams got off to pretty hot starts today and we pulled off a little bit after that, but Sam, I felt like he had probably the shot of the match there on 14,” said the World No. 1 Dallas native. “We lost 13 to go one down, and then he went in there to a couple feet, and we were able to square up the match. That was really a big moment for us as a team.”
Burns, a Shreveport native who now lives in Choudrant, was the USA’s best statistical performer Thursday, the only one of the 10 Americans to post positive numbers in each of the “Shots Gained” categories.
The 30-year-old former LSU All-American sank a 17-foot birdie putt at the 9th to keep the match even. Lee and Im then missed three straight birdie looks that would have given them their first lead of the day before finally converting on the 13th to nab a short-lived advantage.
“We knew it was gonna be tough,” said Burns, a career-best eighth in the Official World Golf Rankings playing in his fifth straight international competition. “These matches always seem to be close. It’s a couple shots here and there. It’s always a good feeling when you’ve got this guy by your side. You know, he’s gonna be in every hole, and he’s gonna compete as hard as he can.”
It was the first win in five tries for Burns and Scheffler pairing at either the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, and the first time they’ve played together in international competition since 2023.
CHANGING GUARDS?: Despite the success of new LSU running back Dilin Jones (13), the Tigers’ offensive line may get some new starters against Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium Saturday night. (Photo courtesy LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – No. 10 LSU and No. 23 Texas A&M are in the same pirogue without a paddle heading into Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. fork-in-the-bayou SEC showdown here in Tiger Stadium.
The winner sails through the first month of the 2026 season with its College Football Playoffs hopes solidly afloat.
The loser is bailing water.
The Tigers and the Aggies, both 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the SEC after 32-24 and 31-21 losses last Saturday against then-No. 8 Ole Miss and unranked Kentucky respectively, are already fighting for survival.
What makes the storyline even more intriguing is that LSU and Texas A&M are relying on starting quarterbacks whose strengths and weaknesses, stats and even jersey numbers (No. 10) mirror each other.
LSU’s Sam Leavitt and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed were ranked by 247Sports as the 15th and 17th best high school quarterbacks in the nation in the Class of 2022.
Leavitt, a redshirt junior from West Linn, Ore. playing for his third school, is 18-5 in 23 college starts (the first 20 at Arizona State, the last 3 at LSU), including a 2024 CFP first-round loss to Texas for 11-3 ASU.
Reed, a senior from Nashville who has played his entire career with the Aggies, is 18-6 in 24 college starts, including a 2025 CFP first-round loss to Miami for 11-2 A&M.
Their career statistics reveal they are dependable runners (Leavitt 1,014 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 236 carries, Reed 1,202 yards, 16 TD on 257 carries) and inconsistent passers (Leavitt with a 61.4 career completion percent, Reed is at 61.3).
In their most recent losses, Leavitt and Reed both had a TD pass and run each, both completed less than 60 percent of their passes, both missed wide open receivers (including Leavitt twice for likely TDs) and both threw interceptions forced into coverage.
“I missed a lot of throws that are layups for me, throws that I make easily,” said Reed when he faced numerous tough questions in the postgame media session following the loss to UK. “I didn’t make them, and they were costly, so I gotta fix it. I can make those throws, and I will make those throws down the stretch. It definitely feels more mental, so I’ve got to fix that immediately, and build my confidence back up.”
Fortunately for Reed, he’s playing LSU, a team he has terrorized the last two seasons in A&M wins (38-28 at College Station in 2024, 49-25 in Baton Rouge a year ago).
In roughly 5½ quarters vs. the Tigers including the entire game as a starter last season, Reed has rushed for 170 yards and five TDs, and passed for 272 yards, two TDs and tossed two interceptions.
Reed’s history against the Tigers is one of many reasons why A&M’s third-year head coach Mike Elko’s faith in Reed hasn’t waned.
“I have a lot of confidence in Marcel,” Elko said earlier this week. “I believe in Marcel. Marcel is our quarterback.”
Leavitt, who’s being paid well over $4 million annually by LSU after the Arizona State transfer was plucked from the portal last January by first-year Tigers’ coach Lane Kiffin, hasn’t yet looked comfortable for an entire game.
While Leavitt leads all SEC starting quarterbacks in rushing yards (198) and TD runs (6), his completion percentage of 61.3 percent is among the worst in the league.
He’s thrown a SEC-worst five interceptions with just three TD passes.
Since LSU has rarely allowed Leavitt to speak to the media (including just one postgame interview so far), Kiffin has been the designated spokesman to explain Leavitt’s struggles.
“We have a lot of incompletions, a lot of dead plays where we’re not getting anything,” Kiffin said. “We’re not making the defense run sideline to sideline.”
Kiffin understands Leavitt’s tendency to quickly bail from a collapsing pass pocket rather than hang in and complete passes.
“When you get impacted early in the game by rush, and you can’t step up and throw in rhythm,” Kiffin said, “it affects you. They (the Ole Miss pass rush) did a really good job.”
Pro Football Focus, which reviews college game films, charted the duress Leavitt received from the Rebels. He was hurried 11 times by the pass rush, pressured 14 times and sacked three times.
According to PFF, LSU’s starting offensive line grades were abysmal vs. Ole Miss, averaging 54.1 percent as a group. Left offensive tackle and Colorado transfer Jordan Seaton, the second highest paid player on the team earning more than $4.3 million, graded 53.6.
Kiffin considered possible O-line changes in practice this past week.
There may be a new starting lineman or two or increased playing time for a trio of FBS transfers with considerable playing time. Sean Thompkins (a junior from Baylor), former Shreveport Calvary Baptist Academy standout sophomore Devin Harper and Wiliam Satterwhite II (a sophomore from Tennessee) have been trained at multiple line spots.
The better the O-line, the more Leavitt feels he can throw from the pocket.
“Confidence is fragile at every position, but especially at quarterback because it’s the one position you’ve got to do your job with potentially getting hit from all over,” Kiffin said. “When he (Leavitt) was having success by taking off on his own (he ran for 63 yards and a TD on 17 carries vs. Ole Miss), it’s hard to stay in there (the pocket) when that’s how the game was going.
“But he knows we have to do a better job of that, even in those situations. Deliver the ball on time and not try too much.”
LSU receivers, as sophomore Ole Miss transfer Winston Watkins, are adapting to Leavitt’s madcap scrambles.
“Sam Lev is a guy that’s going to try to make an extra play or try to extend plays with his legs,” said Watkins, who has a team-leading 15 receptions for 207 yards and two TDs. “So, it’s just understanding the type of quarterback you got, understanding scramble drills and understanding the play is not over till it’s over. It’s finding a way to get open and making that extra play.”
GO FIGURE
6: Sacks for LSU edge rusher Princewell Umanmielen, who leads the FBS in the category
14: Sacks by LSU, which leads the FBS
8-1: A&M’s record under third-year head coach Mike Elko when leading entering the fourth quarter
33: Rushing yards per game allowed by the Tigers, first in the SEC and second nationally
34:28: A&M’s average time of possession, first in the SEC and seventh nationally
55-3: Texas A&M’s huge fourth-quarter scoring advantage in its first three games
BATON ROUGE – It seemed like many times Bob Pettit wasn’t necessarily comfortable with the notoriety of being Bob Pettit.
For generations of basketball fans, from Baton Rouge to St. Louis, he was a legit Naismith Hall of Famer. A self-made two-time All-American who led LSU to the 1953 Final Four. One of the 50 greatest NBA players in history with the St. Louis Hawks, twice league MVP, two-time scoring champion, a 10-time All-NBA first-team honoree, an 11-time All-Star and four-time All-Star game MVP, an NBA champion in 1958 when he became the first player to score 50 points in championship series game and retired in 1965 as the league’s all-time leading scorer.
Pettit, who died Wednesday at the age of 93, was all that and more. But he only carried himself that way on the court, heeding the advice given to him when he was a college sophomore by teammate Joe Dean Sr.
“When you walk out on that court, you’ve got to think you’re the greatest thing out there,” Dean told Pettit. “You have to believe you are the greatest. There’s nobody as good as you are. You understand?”
Dean’s advice stuck with Pettit for the rest of his basketball career. It started with two seasons at Baton Rouge High through 1950, then four seasons at LSU through 1954 and 11 NBA years with the Hawks.
“I’d wake up every morning, shave, look in the mirror,” Pettit recalled, “and say `You are the greatest, nobody can stop you.”
The basketball court was virtually the only place that Pettit exuded the ego and the quiet swagger necessary to become an NBA legend, starting when he was named the league’s Rookie of the Year.
Pettit certainly enjoyed reaching his goals, but he preferred to focus on the journey than the destination. He never got enamored with his accomplishments because he truly took it one season at a time.
That’s not a cliché. It was Pettit’s thought process, honed from years of youthful failure waiting for a growth spurt while attending Baton Rouge High.
As a ninth-grade football player, he lasted one day when a running back ran for a 65-yard TD through a hole he was supposed to be defending.
As a ninth-grade basketball player, he played in just three games and scored zero points.
As a ninth-grade baseball player, he was the first player cut from the team.
At 5-10, 118 pounds, he also tried out for track and field.
“My teammates thought I was a javelin,” Pettit always said jokingly. “They picked me up and threw me 180 feet.”
As 10th grader, he was cut from the basketball team and played in a church league.
“At that point, all l wanted to do was earn a varsity letter,” Pettit said.
Thanks to Pettit’s dad, who erected a backyard basketball goal, young Bob practiced day and night. It was always about mastering the fundamentals, proper shooting technique with both hands, boxing out on rebounds, not trying anything outside of his skill set.
It was an approach that served him well until the day he retired.
His dogged improvement, paired with a growth spurt, made Pettit a 6–7 star center who led his BRHS team to the state championship in 1950.
Only a handful of colleges recruited him. It took just a steak dinner at Baton Rouge’s upscale restaurant Bob and Jake’s with LSU head coach Harry Rabenhorst for Pettit to sign with the Tigers.
After playing on the freshman team for head coach John Chaney – “He taught me more about playing basketball than any coach I ever had,” Pettit once said – Pettit eventually averaged 27.4 points and 14.4 rebounds (both LSU career records), including 31.4 points and 17.3 rebounds as a senior in 1953-54.
He was the second overall pick in the NBA Draft and wrangled an $11,000 a year salary by agreeing to report to the Hawks a month early to help sell season tickets.
He was immediately moved from center to forward, having to learn to play facing the basket offensively.
And after his first season, Pettit realized his 210-pound frame needed added muscle to survive and thrive in a league where the games often had as many fights as hockey. So, he turned to Baton Rouge weight trainer Alvin Roy for an off-season lifting regime alongside LSU football team members at Roy’s health club near the Tigers’ campus.
“With all the pushing and shoving under that backboard, I’ll need to be stronger,” Pettit said. “So I went to see Alvin Roy and said ‘Alvin, I need to get stronger, can you help me?’ He said, ‘Man, I’m the man. I can help you. I’ll never make you to where your muscles will hurt or hinder you.’”
Pettit eventually put on 30 pounds of muscle through the years and became almost impossible to defend because of his sure mid-range jumpers and strong drives to the hoop.
While he constantly added elements to his game, such as improving his free throw shooting or his outside shooting stroke, Pettit usually stayed true to what he did best.
“I was very aware of my abilities,” Pettit said. “I was very aware of my limitations. Scoring off offensive rebounds accounted for 8 to 10 of my points as well as 8 to 10 free throws. I’d be off and running when my jump shots fell.”
His opponents, such as fellow Naismith Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, marveled over Pettit’s year-to-year consistency that led to his career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds, the best pro stats of any former LSU star in history.
“Pettit knew what he could do and what he couldn’t do,” Robertson said. “And what he could do, he did expertly.”
A series of injuries in the 1964-65 season led to Pettit’s retirement as he transitioned to the banking industry. But the move was something he had prepared for in off-seasons.
He was named to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1970, to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1973 and had his LSU statue unveiled in February 2016 (62 years after LSU retired his jersey upon graduation).
A humbled Pettit was pleased with the statue and the enormity of the honor.
“I asked him (the sculptor) to give me hair and muscles, and he has done that,” Pettit said with a smile at the ceremony. “I never dreamed this. I’ve had quite a few honors over the years, but nothing compares to this.”
Through the decades, Pettit maintained courtside season tickets to LSU home games and attended when his schedule and health permitted. Also, he made annual donations to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Until the very end, he believed in his home state and his home state returned his love.
We have lost an athletic legend and an even better gentleman. Godspeed, Mr. Pettit.
CLEAN POCKET: Captain Shreve’s pass protection has allowed new starting quarterback Maddox Parrott to complete 45 of his 69 passes in three games, heading into Haughton tonight. (Journal photo by KEVIN PICKENS)
ByMATT VINES, Journal Sports
The Shreveport-Bossier area officially kicks off district play with District 1-4A and District 1-5A getting started.
As we enter into Week 4, results and play have started to crystallize which teams are likely contenders not only for district titles, but which squads are the biggest threats to advance in their respective playoff brackets.
Captain Shreve (2-1) at Haughton (3-0) tops the list in terms of teams that perhaps have the most questions surrounding them.
The Gators have improved a defensive unit that surrendered 55 points to an explosive Loyola offense in big wins against Bastrop (51-6) and Northwood (49-28).
But Northwood might not be that top-10 seed team in Division I Select that they’ve been the past two seasons.
Captain Shreve could build credentials as a possible District 1-5A championship contender with a win at undefeated Haughton.
Haughton quarterback Taylor Weathersby seems like he’s been under center for a decade, and the Bucs’ offense has been dominant in their three wins so far.
While Homer (0-3) is a legitimate test that’s provided competitive contests in every recent matchup with Haughton — including a 42-30 Bucs win this season – Haughton’s other two wins haven’t provided those many problems.
The Bucs rolled through Southwood (50-0) and Glenbrook (45-6), bringing Haughton’s opponent record to a total of 0-9.
Of course a deep District 1-5A will provide plenty of tests and power-point opportunities, and that continues for Haughton in the next two weeks with Captain Shreve followed by Parkway.
A Bucs win against Captain Shreve would go a long way to Haughton obtaining its first playoff appearance since 2022. This is the Bucs’ best start since 2019.
The Gators have won the last five meetings all by at least 20 points.
Evangel-Benton offers further district insight
Evangel’s 42-0 shellacking of district foe Huntington in a non-district game opened eyes not necessarily because the Eagles had more points, but the zero on Huntington’s side.
The Eagles, a very good football team that’s striving and twisting to be elite in the Division I Select realm, delivered such a performance after scrapping and clawing in losses to West Monroe (42-32) and Neville (43-27).
A repeat defensive performance against a Benton (2-1) bunch looking to find a desired level of consistency in the second season under coach Stephen Dennis could signal an early district favorite.
Quarterback Peyton“Pop” Houston is using any means necessary to move the chains and keep his defense resting on the sidelines.
He’s turned more to his legs instead of forcing passes. Houston is Evangel’s leading rusher (400 yards and a touchdown) in addition to the leading passer (843 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions).
“That’s just the way I’m reading the play,” Houston told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. “My dad always tells me to be a point guard, but sometimes, we can make a couple bad passes, trying to do too much.
“So when I see green grass from now on, I’m going to start taking it.”
Benton has a chance to showcase its improvement as well, opening the season with a 34-26 win against Northwood before a 30-16 loss to Booker T. Washington in which the Tigers fell behind by 24 points and gave up 294 passing yards.
Benton played its part last week in a 38-6 win against Woodlawn. A win at Evangel would thrust the Tigers into the conversation with its Bossier Parish counterparts Airline and Parkway.
Can Benton quarterback Malachi Zeigler and the Tigers continue to chart their playoff return (missed in 2024 and 2025) with what would be a huge win over the Eagles?
Don’t sleep on non-district matchupslike Airline’s
There are still appetizing morsels that won’t count in district standings.
Franklin Parish visiting Airline is another look at this Vikings team that could possibly be undefeated heading into its final two games with Evangel and Parkway.
The Patriots are one of the up-and-coming programs in North Louisiana, which includes top 7 playoff seeds the past two seasons, a 2024 quarterfinals trip, and a series split with Calvary Baptist.
Franklin Parish lost the opener to defending state champion Sterlington (Division III Non-Select) but responded with big wins over Oak Grove (53-20) and Madison Parish (62-0).
Loyola (2-1) and Northwood (1-2) have had fun times as District 1-4A foes, but with the Flyers swooping to Class 3A this year, tonight’s meeting in Blanchard won’t count in district standings.
Loyola and high-flying Bryce Restovich feels like a known factor, but the jury is still out on Northwood.
The Falcons pulled off a comeback at West Ouachita (28-22) in what otherwise would be an 0-3 start. They dominated Captain Shreve into the third quarter before the Gators roared back.
Northwood is in its toughest stretch that started last week with Shreve (49-28 loss) and continues with Loyola, North DeSoto, BTW, and Minden – who have a combined record of 10-2.
C.E. Byrd is trying to avoid an 0-4 start, but that’ll be an uphill battle against a 4-0 Pleasant Grove (Texas) squad that is ranked No. 4 in UIL’s Class 4A Division II.
The teams did split their previous two-game series.
A big day from running back Christian Maxie could see him break Byrd’s all-time school rushing record.
Maxie (3,400 career yards) needs 348 yards to top Justan Gibson, who rushed for 3,747 yards from 2004-06.
District 1-2A story lines
Coming off a Saturday win in the Soul Bowl over BTW, Green Oaks (3-0) heads south to face a winless Red River squad (0-3).
Why is this important?
The Giants are coming into a short week justifiably feeling really good about themselves.
Red River has built a lead in all three of its losses, including a 12-0 edge over Parkway.
Can Green Oaks rein in the praise and positivity to go on the road in a classic trap game?
Calvary Baptist (3-0) likely won’t be in a trap game scenario against the new-look Union Parish Farmers.
The Farmers aren’t the team of former coach Joe Spatafora, who led the program to two state titles and five total championship game appearances.
Union Parish is 0-3 against a murderer’s row of North DeSoto, Alexandria Senior High and Southside, losing by a combined 160-30.
Somebody is getting a win when Plain Dealing (0-3) heads to North Caddo (0-2).
The Titans have lost their two games by a combined 76-7 while Plain Dealing is trying to shed the state’s longest losing streak (47 games).
BREAKAWAY BID: Parkway’s Braxxton Black tries to shake off a Huntington defender Thursday night in the Panthers’ hard-fought District 1-5A victory at Independence Stadium. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Captain Shreve’s visit between the pines to Haughton headlines a busy Friday night schedule involving 15 local teams in the fourth week of high school football.
Another District 1-5A opener sends Benton to Evangel. Other contests matching local teams are Loyola at Northwood, a District 1-4A opener between Booker T. Washington and Southwood at Independence Stadium, and a contest between teams seeking their first wins, Plain Dealing at North Caddo. The Lions are trying to halt the state’s longest skid, 47 games.
Airline aims for a 4-0 start when Class 4A power Franklin Parish visits M.D. Ray Field.
Thursday night at Independence Stadium, Parkway (3-1, 1-0) pushed away from Huntington (0-4, 0-1) with a pair of touchdowns in the final three minutes for a 29-6 District 1-5A victory.
The District 1-4A season kicked off with a pair of unbeatens going on the road to post victories.
Defending district champ North DeSoto (4-0, 1-0) won its 21st straight regular season contest, rolling 55-0 over Woodlawn’s Knights (0-4, 0-1). Minden (4-0, 1-0) handed Bossier (1-3, 0-1) a 39-0 loss as the Bearkats again struggled without injured dual threat junior quarterback Montrevell Lewis.
The Week 4 schedule for Shreveport-Bossier high schools:
THURSDAY’S SCORES
Parkway 29, Huntington 6
North DeSoto 55, Woodlawn 0
Minden 39, Bossier 0
TONIGHT’S GAMES
Captain Shreve (2-1) at Haughton (3-0), Dak Prescott Field
Benton (2-1) at Evangel (1-2), Rodney Duron Field
Franklin Parish (2-1) at Airline (3-0), M.D. Ray Stadium
Pleasant Grove, Tex., (4-0) at Byrd (0-3), Lee Hedges Stadium
Loyola (2-1) at Northwood (1-2), Jerry Burton Stadium
Booker T. Washington (2-1) at Southwood (0-3), Independence Stadium
Calvary (3-0) at Union Parish (0-3)
Green Oaks (3-0) at Red River (0-3)
Plain Dealing (0-3) at North Caddo (0-2), Johnny Prudhomme Stadium — update: 6 o’clock kickoff
Beekman Charter (2-1) at Magnolia School of Excellence (0-3)
PATRIOTIC THEME: Centenary’s football team lines up for the Star Spangled Banner every week but much more patriotic flavor will be present Saturday at Atkins Field in its “Military Heroes Game” against Schreiner. (Photo courtesy Centenary Athletics)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Northwestern State is home for the first time in a month while Grambling plays at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, facing Prairie View in the annual State Fair Classic, and Centenary plays at Atkins Field in area college football contests Saturday.
Louisiana Tech is idle before hosting Army next week.
NORTHWESTERN STATE: The Demons (0-4, 0-1) return home and to Southland Conference play Saturday when they host Southeastern Louisiana (2-2, 0-1) at Turpin Stadium.
Kickoff is 6 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+ or heard regionally on Natchitoches-based 100.7 FM KZBL through the BDCRadio.com website or the NSUDemons app.
Northwestern showed plenty of encouraging signs during the final three quarters of last week’s 49-20 loss at Weber State, producing 389 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers after a blocked field goal returned for a score and a long kickoff return helped the Wildcats snag a 21-0 lead in the first six minutes.
The 389 yards were the most the Demons have produced against an FCS opponent in three seasons under head coach Blaine McCorkle and are the second-most in their past 29 games against FCS competition. A new starting quarterback was a catalyst.
“We moved the ball well on offense we just have to eliminate mental errors and costly mistakes,” Charlotte transfer Zach Wilcke said. “I think it gave the guys a lot of confidence. Just getting in the receiver room and watching film with those guys and seeing what we can exploit each week is going to be big the rest of the way.”
SLU (2-2, 0-1) was surprised in its opener at home by SLC foe Houston Christian 34-28, but last week shocked ULM with a 38-35 win in Monroe.
The Lions are coming off a 38-35 win at ULM, their first victory over an FBS opponent in program history. Southeastern used three takeaways, turning two into touchdowns, while dynamic receiver Dkhai Joseph added a punt return touchdown to help the Lions stun the Warhawks.
“They’re a good football team and have been for a while,” Demons’ third-year coach Blaine McCorkle said. “They’re physical. They’re sound. They know what they want to do and they’re good at it. They’ve got great personnel and extremely well coached.”
GRAMBLING: After two home wins over lower division teams and a bank-account boosting drubbing at TCU, the Tigers are back in the DFW metroplex to kick off their Southwestern Athletic Conference slate with a big test.
Defending SWAC champion Prairie View (1-3, 1-0) and Grambling (2-1) collide Saturday at the Cotton Bowl.
The Tigers have a balanced offense averaging 447 yards, but haven’t closed the door on a four-quarterback competition for the starting job. But they have a multi-pronged running game.
“It’s no secret what I’m going to do – we’re going to run the rock,” said Grambling coach Mickey Joseph in a midweek interview.
Prairie View has non-conference losses to Tarleton State, Baylor and Stephen F. Austin, but blasted nearby SWAC rival Texas Southern 52-14 in its second game.
“The West Division championship runs through PV,” said Joseph, whose first two teams have fallen to the Panthers. “This is two good teams who will get after each other.”
CENTENARY: The Gents shoot for their first win in three starts Saturday evening at 6 when a fledgling Schreiner Mountaineers squad visits Atkins Field in the “Military Heroes Game.”
Centenary held a 14-12 halftime lead, but was overwhelmed afterward last Saturday in a 46-14 loss at East Texas Baptist.
“We must fix the mistakes from last week and prepare for a very talented and well-coached Schreiner team,” said Gents coach Byron Dawson. “It’s going to take great preparation, focus, and four quarters of effort to get the job done.”
Schreiner (2-1) is in its first year of football and opened with a thrilling 33-27 win over Austin College. After losing to Oklahoma Panhandle, the Mountaineers posted a 31-28 victory over Southwestern.
Saturday’s game will honor military members and veterans while raising funds for The SEAL Legacy Foundation. Led by Centenary’s Kappa Sigma fraternity, the Military Heroes Game brings together students, student-athletes, alumni, faculty and staff, and the Centenary College Choir in support of veterans and military families. Kappa Sigma has already raised $10,000 toward a $30,000 fundraising goal for the event with T-shirt sales at the game adding to the total.
A slideshow honoring veterans will be shown on the video board before kickoff. During halftime, the Centenary College Choir will perform “Salute to the Armed Forces.”
Centenary alumni will also provide free hot dogs at the game. Donations to The SEAL Legacy Foundation fundraising effort can be made through Kappa Sigma.
Live stats and live video are available for the game at the links below:
Mary Nell Ray, age 59, passed from this life on September 22, 2026 in Shreveport, LAwith her family surrounding her. She was born on December 23, 1966 in Crossett, AR. She graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Her main goal in life was raising her three sons and loving her grandchildren. She believed in God and knew that he was always with her. She loved going to flea markets with Sharon, reading books, and sitting on the back porch talking to her daddy.
She was preceded in death by her father, Max Tillman Ray; her biological father, Doyle Gray, and brother, Ronald Dean Ray.
She leaves behind, her mother, Mary B. Ray of Crossett, AR; three sons, Michael Trigleth (Brittney), Justin Trigleth (Brandy) of Crossett, AR and Billy Trigleth (Felicia) of DeRidder, LA; stepmother, Nancy Gray of Crossett, AR; four brothers, Brian Ray, Sr. (Roni), Patrick Ray (Betty), Carl Gray (Amy) of Crossett, AR and Kirk Gray; three sisters, Jean Floyd (Kenny) of Camden, AR, Shelia Hall (Larry) of Crossett, ARand Sandra Gray of Sterlington, LA; a cousin that was more like a sister, Sharon Kelley of Crossett, AR; ten grandchildren, Kaylee, Leland, Ryland, Gabe Troy, Timothy, Dakota, Devon, Haley and Tyler; five great grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Life Service was at Jones Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, September 25, 2026 beginning at 11 a.m. with Bro. Brian Ray, Sr. officiating.
Interment is in Bethel Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Michael Trigleth, Billy Trigleth, Justin Trigleth, Jeremey Barnett, Jason Barnett and Brian Ray, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers were Patrick Ray, Leland Trigleth, Timothy Noble, Tyler Collins, Clint Barnett and Hayden Hennington. http://www.jonesservice.com.
Celebrating the life of Robert Price Davis (Jan 9th 1957 – Sept 22,2026), a remarkable man whose spirit was defined by love and kindness. Robert was the cherished son of Robert Price Davis Jr and Veronica Fell Davis. His upbringing in Shreveport instilled in him a deep sense of community and dedication to those he loved. A service will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 3 pm at Aulds Funeral Home in Shreveport.
Robert’s life was profoundly enriched by his marriage to Sandra Flores Davis. They wed on May 26, 1979, and shared 46 beautiful years together, until Sandra’s passing in 2025. Their union was blessed with three devoted daughters: Rachel Dixon, married to Christopher; Stephanie Davis, partnered with LaMarcus; and Christina Davis. His daughters were a source of immense pride and joy, reflecting the values and love he and Sandra instilled in them. His favorite quote “A family that prays together stays together.”
As a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Robert exemplified service and dedication. His military service was a testament to his courage and commitment to his country, attributes that continued to manifest throughout his life.
Family was the cornerstone of Robert’s existence. He found boundless joy in his role as a grandfather to Alycia, Isaiah, Jason, Alliah, Hunter, Hailee, Tristan, and Braydon. His face would light up at the mention of his great-grandchildren, Eliza and Ezekiel, whose laughter and innocence filled his heart with happiness.
Robert was predeceased by his wife, Sandra, his parents Robert & Veronica, and his brother, James Davis. Yet, he leaves behind a legacy carried forward by his surviving family members, who will forever cherish the memories they created together.
Known for his generosity and kindness, Robert touched countless lives with his willingness to help others. His actions were a true reflection of the compassionate soul he was, always ready to lend a hand or offer a comforting word.
Robert’s love for his family was unparalleled. Every moment spent with his children and grandchildren was treasured, and his legacy of love and support will continue to inspire them for generations.
Robert Price Davis’s life was a testament to the power of love, family, and service. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him.
A nemesis is a formidable foe—an opponent or enemy who is very difficult to defeat. As a proper noun, Nemesis refers to the Greek goddess of vengeance.
// She will be playing against her old nemesis for the championship.
Brigitte Kay Teague February 21, 1960 — September 18, 2026 Service: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 5pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
Coach Virgil “Vee” LaSol Williams August 28, 1991 — September 15, 2026 Service: Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11am at Calvary Baptist Academy, Shreveport.
Peggy Jo Chester Duncan January 23, 1952 — September 14, 2026 Service: Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
Pamela List August 26, 1957 — September 9, 2026 Service: Monday, September 28, 2026, 10:30am at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Jerry Grass December 21, 1935 — August 27, 2026 Service: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 11:30am at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Robert Sean Gammel September 10, 1978 — August 23, 2026 Service: Friday, September 25, 2026, 1pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Helen Christine “Chris” Frazier Belk October 1, 1953 — August 6, 2026 Service: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 2pm at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Shreveport.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.
Shriners Children’s Shreveport has broken ground on a future 43,000-square-foot pediatric outpatient facility.
Located across the street from the current facility, the new outpatient center will expand access to specialized pediatric orthopedic, sports medicine, and cleft lip and palate care.
The facility will feature advanced imaging technology, expanded rehabilitation services, a dedicated sports medicine gym, and enhanced orthotic and prosthetic services.
“We’re going to meet the needs of our current patients while also anticipating the growing number of children who need specialized care in a family-centered environment,” said Susan Bryant, administrator of Shriners Children’s Shreveport.
“Shreveport is where the Shriners Children’s healthcare system began more than a century ago, and it remains an important part of our future as our network continues to grow,” said Larry Leib, International President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shriners International and Shriners Children’s.
Construction is expected to begin within the next few months, with an anticipated opening in spring 2028.
The Shreveport Police Department is warning the public about scams involving fake warrants.
The federal government will never email someone a warrant, and neither will the Shreveport Police Department. Warrants are not delivered through emails resembling coupons, shipping confirmations or extended car warranty offers.
If someone claims to be law enforcement, the department advises people to ask to speak with the officer’s supervisor or hang up and contact the law enforcement agency directly using a verified phone number.
The department also advises people to never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or personal information to “clear up” a warrant.
The department noted that if a uniformed police officer is standing directly in front of someone giving lawful commands, people should comply.
Shreveport Man Sentenced to Life for Shooting Lifelong Friend More Than 20 Times Caddo Parish District Court, Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office
Dewayne Wilkinson, 23, of Shreveport, was sentenced Monday to a mandatory life term at hard labor for the 2023 murder of Laroyce Daniel Brown, his lifelong friend and god-cousin. During the incident, Wilkinson armed himself with a Blackout-style rifle and shot Brown more than 20 times before fleeing the scene. Wilkinson’s own mother and sisters called 911, identifying him as the shooter. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kodie K. Smith and William Edwards.
Haughton Family in Washington Fighting to Free Son Held in Chinese Prison Caddo Parish Constituents, U.S. State Department
The family of Nelson Wells Jr. of Haughton traveled to Washington, D.C. on Monday to continue their more than decade-long fight to secure their son’s release from a Chinese prison. Wells Jr. has been jailed in China for years and has developed serious medical issues, according to his family. His parents — Cynthia Wells and Nelson Wells Sr. — have been appealing to U.S. officials and the Trump administration for intervention on humanitarian grounds. The family is asking for prayers and public support as they continue their advocacy.
Shreveport Voter Registration Drives Continue Today at Library Branches Shreve Memorial Library, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters
Today is the fourth day of Shreve Memorial Library’s voter registration drive across Caddo Parish, running through Friday, Sept. 25 in partnership with the Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters. Today’s sessions are at the Wallette Branch, 363 Hearne Ave.; Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch, 2105 Hollywood Ave.; and Cedar Grove-Line Avenue Branch, 8303 Line Ave. Residents can register to vote or update their address. Bring proof of age, residency, and identity. Tomorrow’s final sessions, Sept. 25, will be held at Atkins Branch, 3704 Greenwood Road; Hamilton/South Caddo Branch, 2111 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop; and Broadmoor Branch, 1212 Captain Shreve Drive.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development made an announcement on Sept. 23 regarding continued improvements for the US 71 (Barksdale Blvd) corridor in the form of a $7.9 million overlay project in south Bossier Parish.
Work is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, September 28, 2026.
The project, which stretches on US 71 from LA 3032 (Shreveport-Barksdale Hwy) to LA 612 (Sligo Rd), includes full-depth repairs to address & strengthen the roadway base, milling to remove old asphalt, new asphalt paving on the northbound side & concrete panel replacements on the southbound side, fresh roadway striping, and related work.
Motorists should anticipate intermittent lane closures, particularly during full-depth patching, milling and overlay work, to allow construction to progress safely and efficiently. Drivers are urged to prepare for possible delays, and allow additional time for daily commutes.
The entire project is expected to be complete in early 2027, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that can impact construction timelines.
These improvements will enhance not only the overall travel experience through Bossier City, but also the safety of the US 71 corridor, which is a primary north-south route servicing numerous communities across the state.
US 71 (Barksdale Blvd) from Shreveport-Barksdale Hwy to I-20 in Bossier City was also recently repaired with a new asphalt overlay in 2022.
Northwestern State University’s Rodeo Team is preparing for its first collegiate competition since the program was reestablished, with 12 student-athletes set to compete at the Panola College Rodeo Sept. 24-26 in Tatum, Texas.
The competition will mark NSU’s debut in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southern Region after the university announced the return of the Rodeo Team in May. The team has since grown to a roster of 14 student-athletes under Coach Cody DeMoss, with 12 set to compete at Panola College.
NSU will be represented in several events during its opening competition. The lineup includes four saddle bronc riders, five competitors in breakaway roping and two barrel racers. NSU will also field a team in team roping, while another NSU competitor will team rope with a student from Trinity Valley Community College.
“This is the very first college rodeo that they are going to get to go to,” DeMoss said. “This one being right here in Tatum, Texas, just 120 miles down the road, is a perfect warmup for us.”
DeMoss, a 14-time National Finals Rodeo bronc rider, was named coach as NSU reestablished the program. He said he sees potential across several events as the team enters its first competition.
“I think they’ve got a chance,” DeMoss said. “There are a couple bronc riders in here that have really got a chance to do some good, quite a few breakaway ropers. The horsemanship on quite a few of them is pretty good, so there’s some real talent.”
Allison Savant, a freshman industrial engineering major from Kenner, competes in breakaway and team roping. She said the team has been practicing nearly every night leading up to its first competition.
“I’m pretty confident. We have a pretty strong team,” Savant said. “Mr. Cody has definitely coached us up. We’ve been practicing almost every night. We have really good calves to practice on, so I think we are going to do a really good job.”
For Savant, the Panola College Rodeo will also be her first experience competing at the collegiate level.
“I feel like it’s going to be a fun experience,” Savant said. “First college rodeo, it’s not going to be like the high school rodeos. It’s going to be a little bit different, so I’m excited to see what’s new.”
Cyler Yeager, a freshman from Montana, competes in saddle bronc riding. He said the opportunity to join a new program helped draw him to NSU.
“When I first got to talking to Mr. Cody, he had a lot of great things to say, and I thought it would be great to be a part of a new organization,” Yeager said. “I thought I might be able to help create history and maybe be history myself.”
Yeager said he feels confident entering his first collegiate competition after weeks of preparation.
“We’ve been training pretty rigorously lately, hopping on horses and on the dummy over there and just trying my hardest to get ready for it,” Yeager said. “You’ve just got to trust in the motions that you know.”
The Panola College Rodeo opens a five-event fall schedule for the NIRA Southern Region. Following Panola, the region is scheduled to compete at Southwest Texas College Oct. 1-3 in Uvalde, Texas, Northeast Texas Community College Oct. 8-10 in Mount Pleasant, Texas, McNeese State University Oct. 30-31 in Lake Charles and Sam Houston State University Nov. 12-14 in Huntsville, Texas.
RECEIVE DEPARTMENT: Haughton’s Ethan Johnson is glad he made the switch from offensive line (Journal photo by JOHN JAMES MARSHALL)
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
Haughton coach Matthew Sewell talked and talked about his star wide receiver Ethan Johnson in glowing terms, as you expect a coach to do for one of his players who had caught about a million passes during his career as a Buccaneer.
All sorts of adjectives were thrown out there to describe the senior star who is a key component in the Haughton offense which has already scored 137 points this year.
And after going on and on about Johnson, Sewell stopped and realized something: He hadn’t said a word about his ability on the field. Instead, the lengthy conversation was about what Johnson meant in so many other ways.
“Oh, yeah,” Sewell says, “and he’s been pretty productive.”
You might say that.
In 2025, all Johnson did was catch 102 passes for 1,477 yards. Not only did that lead the area, it just so happened to lead Louisiana as well.
But if you ask Sewell, the 5-9, 180-pounder also leads the state in intangibles as well. Ask him about what Johnson means to Haughton football and you’ll get these quotes —
“He’s somebody that we can depend on.”
“He’s just kind of a pillar of the foundation of what we want Haughton football to be.”
“He’s been somebody for us that we’ve been able to lean on and is a great role model for not just the younger players in our program, but for everybody in our program.”
Not bad stuff for a guy who grew up being an offensive lineman.
“It was pretty fun,” he says. “I enjoyed playing football with my teammates and my friends and was happy to celebrate other people’s success.”
Once he made the change to receiver, folks have been celebrating Johnson’s success, even if he does say that the best part of playing his position is “blocking for my teammates.”
Seems as though old habits don’t die that easily after all.
The position change came about during middle school when one of coaches, after noticing that Johnson had lost weight during the off-season, asked if he had ever played receiver.
“He asked if I could catch the ball and I said ‘Yes sir,’ “ Johnson recalls. “Then he asked me to run a slant (route). Then he asked me to run a hitch and I did that.”
From there a receiver was born, and for a very young-generation reason.
“I realized I could do it because I wanted to get into the zone, just like in Madden (video game),” Johnson says. “I figured that was my future.”
Well, not exactly. When Johnson got the Haughton High, Sewell knew he had to find some way to get him on the field. He quickly found a way in Johnson’s first varsity game as a sophomore.
“We had a guy hurt and another senior running back who couldn’t hold on to the ball,” Sewell says. “So we put Ethan back there and he scored three rushing touchdowns.”
Johnson has also played fullback, safety (“that didn’t work out too well,” he says) and all four receiver positions.
After 1-2 starts in ’24 and ‘25, the Bucs are 3-0 this season heading into a Friday night home game against Captain Shreve. This season, Johnson had caught 14 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns.
Haughton has suffered through a couple of tough seasons recently, but Sewell knew that Johnson and the others in the senior class were the building block the program needed.
“I became close with that entire group, but especially those guys on the offensive side of the ball, and we still work pretty closely today,” Sewell says. “Ethan’s been one of his guys from the start. He’s scored touchdowns from the first day he came on our campus and he’s still doing it. He means a lot to me from a production standpoint, and just as much from a personal standpoint too.”
Johnson says his greatest pleasure from a game isn’t how many catches he had or how many touchdowns the scored. Instead, the response falls right in line with what you’d expect.
“It’s that we executed what we learned in practice,” he says. “What you do on Monday and Tuesday is what you are going to do on Friday.”
