Oil and gas exploration in Natchitoches Parish continues to accelerate, with over 50new leases filed at the Parish Clerk of Court’s office since November 22, 2025.
These latest filings push the year-to-date total to 380 leases recorded since January 1, 2025 reinforcing Natchitoches Parish’s expanding position within the Haynesville Shale region. Industry observers note that this level of sustained leasing reflects long-term confidence from operators rather than the short-lived surges seen in some neighboring areas earlier this year.
“I’ve reviewed the leases that have been filed between November 22 and Dec. 10” said Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey. “The activity continues to be strong in western Natchitoches Parish. Tracking the recent leases on the Tax Assessor’s parish map, I feel that you can continue to say that Robeline is the geographical center of the recently filed documents. The other areas of activity are along La. Highway 6 from Hagewood to the Sabine Parish line, along Shady Grove Road, La. Highway 485, and Posey Road.”
The size of the recent leases has ranged from less than an acre to two different leases of 350 acres, demonstrating the varied nature of the mineral acquisition strategies being employed across the parish.
The recent uptick in activity — with over 50 leases filed in less than three weeks — suggests accelerated interest as operators position themselves for 2026 development activities. This expanding footprint aligns with operators’ efforts to refine geological models and assess new zones of interest heading into the new year.
Stamey said he is thrilled with the current activity and the economic impact it has already created and is excited about the possibility of wells being drilled in 2026.
Landowners approached with lease offers are strongly encouraged to seek counsel from qualified oil and gas attorneys before signing. Mineral leases can have long-term consequences for royalty structures, surface rights, and future development activity. Proper legal guidance remains essential for protecting property rights.
A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records shows that over 50 new leases have been filed since November 22, 2025. The SBJ obtained this list directly from the parish’s online public records system.
Residents of the Willow Lake Subdivision raised $4,265 for the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office Operation Blessing Food Pantry through a recent neighborhood drive. A total of 53 households contributed to the effort, demonstrating strong community support for families in need.
The donation was presented by Mike Gallagher, Diane Steelman, Don Mason, Robert Everett, and Lorena Cheney to Captain Doug Lauter and Sergeant Tina Fruge’ of the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office. Organizers said the presentation reflected the compassion and unity shared among Willow Lake residents.
Officials noted that the funds will help support individuals and families across Bossier Parish who rely on the Operation Blessing Food Pantry, particularly during the holiday season. Contributors were thanked for their generosity and commitment to making a positive difference in the community.
Bigtime college football is more professional than ever, with NIL and the transfer portal, but there’s at least one way the NCAA game isn’t all the way in quite yet.
The younger pros aren’t playing on Christmas Day. That’s left to the NBA and NFL.
Before then, the College Football Playoff starts Friday night with an SEC matchup sending Alabama to Oklahoma. Saturday gives us Miami at Texas A&M, Tulane visiting No-Lane, and James Madison all the way out in NikeTown to get quacked by Oregon’s Ducks.
The quarterfinal games kick off on New Year’s Eve hosted by Ohio State, followed on New Year’s Day providing homefield advantage to the other three top seeds: Indiana, Georgia and Texas Tech.
Sad to say, your TV sports options after Santa settles into his easy chair next Thursday are as appealing as Aunt Maxine’s fruit salad.
There’s the traditional Christmas Day NBA octo-header. OK, so it’s really five games, but for 12 hours and change, that’s what you’ll have on ABC and ESPN. Defense is legal only in the last two minutes and overtime.
The NFL serves up Cowboys-Commanders in a Consolation Classic, part of a trio of games (Denver-KC, Detroit-Minnesota) that looked salty on the preseason schedule and now are stale leftovers. At least Dak Prescott should have a merry Christmas, and we’ll get in-the-house singing from Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dog.
I like Kelly and Snoop. And Dak. But I’m more likely to turn to the History Channel next Thursday, or maybe even (gasp!) head outside on a vintage 70-something degree Louisiana winter day.
Before I go fullscale Scrooge, let me bring some Christmastime cheer, via Will Wade.
His first North Carolina State basketball team won’t be playing Christmas Day. That’s too bad, because it means he won’t be doing a postgame press conference.
The former LSU (and more recently McNeese) coach is college hoops’ version of college football’s late, great Mike “The Pirate” Leach. Given an audience of one or more, and looking at a microphone like a rabbit sees a carrot, Wade’s eyes sparkle with glee. And his message often drips with sarcasm.
He was hailed as “Willy the Kid” before that nickname faded as he defiantly Waded into trouble at LSU, showing up on FBI wiretaps with colorful conversations as he dealt with agents – doing then what is absolutely legal now. Not that he was the only coach doing that then.
But I digress, which “The American Gangster” did not following his new team’s 108-72 slaughter of Texas Southern Wednesday night.
NC State fans were once treated to the joy of Jim Valvano, whose charisma, candor and authenticity was off the charts. Wade’s fans from his days in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles rate him highly in those categories.
His sophomore guard, Paul McNeil, poured in an ACC record-tying 11 3-pointers Wednesday night in a 47-point explosion. His Wolf Pack won by 36. Thirty-six. They’re 8-4, including a one-point overtime loss to Kansas (not too shabby).
My early Christmas gift to you is this partial postgame transcript:
“Got a great team G.P.A., over 3.0, all that stuff. It’s wonderful,” said Wade. “We’re running a day care. Got a lot of casual personalities on our team, don’t have people that are revved up and ready to go.
“I had one of the kids come to me and say, ‘I’m tough, I’m tough.’ I said, ‘(BEEEEEP) you’re not even in the top 50 of the toughest players I’ve coached, not even the top 50. I don’t want to hear that. Tough? You wouldn’t even make the top 25 of my last five years, and I sat out a year.’
“Lack of attention to detail. Lack of focus. That’s great when you have somebody who sets the ACC record for made 3’s, the school record for made 3’s, but we’re relying on hope, that one of these cats is going to go ballistic every night. Hope’s a bad strategy in my book.”
Is he concerned his team isn’t further along 12 games in, he was asked.
“It’s concerning it’s taken this long and we’re not there. We’ve got all high-major games from here on out. Kindergarten’s over. Yeah, it’s concerning.”
Plenty of people, including our governor, want to see Wade back at LSU. How lively would that make Tiger Nation?
Lane Kiffin, Kim Mulkey and Wade. With Jeff Landry weighing in from the suite seats.
ESPN would have to locate a studio for Marty Smith and crew on Highland Road.
DUSTING THE COMPETITION: LSU Shreveport freshman weightlifter Bryson Brown qualified for the International Weightlifting Federation World Junior Championships. (Photo courtesy of LSUS Media Relations)
By MATT VINES, LSUS Public Relations Specialist
LSU Shreveport weightlifter Bryson Brown and incoming spring transfer Kyle Martin Jr. have qualified for next May’s International Weightlifting Federation World Junior Championships.
Brown, a freshman who competes in the 65-kilogram weight class, lifted a combined 258 kilograms in the snatch and clean jerk to win his division at the 2025 Southwest Regionals and qualify.
Martin will join the team this spring after transferring from Penn State University.
Lifters qualify by meeting the international standard for their weight class.
“Bryson has shown significant, rapid improvement since his last major competition this fall,” said LSUS weightlifting coach Aaron Adams. “His dramatic progress in a short time highlights the effectiveness of the LSUS development system in taking a nationally ranked lifter and quickly pushing them to international standards.
“Kyle previously competed under Garage Strength in Pennsylvania, one of the nation’s most successful and established weightlifting clubs. His choice to transfer to LSUS is a major endorsement for the program, proving we’re a destination for the country’s best junior lifters.”
Both lifters have competed on Team USA in the past and will continue representing the country in weightlifting.
The World Junior Championships will be held May 2-8 in Ismailia, Egypt.
LSUS weightlifting has history on the world stage, most notably through IWF Hall of Fame coach Dr. Kyle Pierce and three-time U.S. Olympian Kendrick Farris.
Growing up where I did in the red clay, pine tree expanses of Ward 2, Natchitoches Parish, we lived off the land for the most part. A big garden with corn, peas, potatoes, tomatoes and such was supplemented by the wild game we were able to glean from the woods.
If you lived in areas near lakes, there was plenty of fish to be had along with roasted mallards and pintails. Where I lived, there were fish in the creeks but our ducks were limited for the most part to a single species of duck. City folks called them wood ducks; I called them squealers.
These fast flying, diving and darting little ducks were things of beauty, especially the colorful male. Its head was a kaleidoscope of color of red eyes and bill, iridescent green cap that swooped down in a crest in the back, white striped throat and mottled brown breast while the less gaudy-colored female sported a gray-brown coat with a prominent eye ring of white.
These ducks, unlike most other species, have the distinction of nesting in hollow tree cavities or in man-made nesting boxes.
The nickname, squealer, comes from the fact it doesn’t “quack” like other ducks; its sound is a loud “hoo-eek” or “jeweeep” these colorful ducks make to communicate with each other and to let hunters know to get ready; here they come.
My introduction to hunting wood ducks started when I was just a youngster and my dad would roust my brother and me from our bed early fall and winter mornings for a 20-minute drive from our home to the “Sand Flats,” a section of woods adjacent to Saline Bayou where stunted scrub oaks grew. The ducks would leave roosts somewhere in the swamp and without fail, headed to feeding grounds to the north where acorns were plentiful. Passing over the Sand Flat, we waited with shotguns at the ready to hear that whistling squeal as ducks passed over.
The action lasted less than half an hour but if you were lucky, you might down one or two as the ducks whistled by.
Other times, we would all drive down to Saline swamp with hip boots where we would wade out into the shallow water to try and entice squealers to pass by close enough for a shot. It was there one morning when I killed my very first duck, a squealer that came squealing and careening through the timber so close it was almost self defense. When I fired, the duck fell at my feet; its head several steps away.
One morning as a teen, I was standing in water a couple of inches below the top of my boots when a squealer was headed my way, I got ready, took aim and fired a shot with my double barrel 12 gauge. I missed the duck but the recoil rocked me back, I was unable to balance and I settled down in water up to my armpits. By the way, it was 22 degrees when we left home that morning.
To put the crown on any squealers we brought home was how my mom converted the ducks to one of the most delicious meals to be had. Using her old cast iron pot, she would brown the ducks, add a little water and seasoning, put the lid on the pot and slowly simmer the birds until they were tender. What I most remember is the rich dark brown gravy that resulted. Spooning that on a bed of rice with a slice of squealer breast was a meal the most tender ribeye steak couldn’t match.
I don’t know if squealers still fly over the Sand Flats but for a youngster getting a taste of duck hunting for the first time, those few minutes of hoping one would come squealing over where I stood still occupy a special niche in my memory.
On behalf of the Management and Staff of Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, in conjunction with the Claville Family, we announce the celebration of life honoring Ms. Cecelia Claville.
Ms. Claville will lie in state for visitation on Friday, December 19, 2025, between the hours of 11:00 am. – 7:00 p.m., at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The celebration of life will commence on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 1:00 pm, in the chapel of Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport, Louisiana.
On behalf of the Management and Staff of Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, in conjunction with the Ashley Family, we announce the celebration of life honoring Ms. Pearline Ashley.
Ms. Ashley will lie in state for visitation on Friday, December 19, 2025, between the hours of 11:00 am. – 7:00 p.m., at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The celebration of life will commence on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 1:00 pm, in the sanctuary of Midway # 2 Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana.
The late Mississippi author Willie Morris, one of my favorite writers and people, the personable, hilarious, and slightly tardy yellow-jacketed, gin-soaked star of an Authors in April event in Shreveport some 20 years ago, wrote my favorite Christmas story of all-time — not counting Luke 2 or the annual Charlie Brown Christmas Special.
Willie Morris, a country-boy genius, wrote in an honest — which means painful — sort of way about the south in North Toward Home and Always Stand In Against The Curve and The Courting of Marcus Dupree. Each is worth more than the price of admission.
Hollywood made a movie of his book My Dog Skip, a love story to the Jack Russell terrier and dear friend of his youth in Yazoo City, Miss. Willie Morris was an only child, and Skip was an only dog. I took my Little League team of 11-year-olds to see it — three times. Every time at the end, when Skip dies and is buried in Willie’s letter jacket, the biggest player on our team, our catcher, pulled his little jersey up over his eyes and cried. Every time. So did his coach.
Willie Morris was an essay writer hardly matched. My favorite is Mitch and the Infield Fly Rule. Classic. It has nothing to do with Christmas and everything to do with a lovely Ole Miss co-ed, English class, baseball’s knotty rules, and wine.
Second favorite is A Return to Christmases Gone. It would be my favorite if it weren’t for the co-ed named Mitch. (You’ll have to read Mitch and the Infield Fly Rule. Then you’ll understand. “I’ve always thought it such a fine rule,” Mitch says.)
In this Christmas story, Willie Morris, as he’s listening in December in a New York City bar to execs devising a plan to have their boss fired on Christmas Eve, impulsively decides to leave the snow of the world’s most famous city, where he is working as a magazine editor and writer, to fly home to another city, his hometown of Yazoo City.
He and Old Skip would get up on those Christmas mornings of boyhood, open presents and listen to momma play some carols on the Steinway baby grand, and then they’d hop in the car to go the 40 miles south to Jackson to be with his grandmother Mamie, grandfather Percy, “and my two old incorrigible great-aunts, Maggie and Susie, who were born during the Civil War. The drive itself is etched in my heart…”
Now as a grown man, Willie buys roses. On this gray and cheerless Christmas morning, he leaves one each on the grave of his mother and father in the Yazoo City cemetery. In the back yard of his old home, there is no marker, but his heart tells him where Old Skip is. He leaves another rose there for the comrade of his boyhood.
Then on to Jackson, where a Jitney Jungle parking lot has replaced the home of his grandmother and grandfather. The magnolia is still there, but all else is wet asphalt and slush. On the asphalt, on this cold December 25 so far removed from those Christmases Gone, he places his last two roses where the dining room table was. “Tomorrow someone will run over them in the parking lot. But who would disturb them today?”
The Caddo Parish School Board voted tonight to select its officers for 2026. Don Little was elected president, Mary Trammel was named first vice president, and Barry Rachal was chosen as second vice president.
Board members thanked the newly elected officers for their willingness to serve and for their continued commitment to the students, staff, and families of Caddo Parish.
The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spread holiday cheer by supporting local students through a donation to the Caddo Parish School Board’s Homeless Education Program. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Civil Division, Fines and Bonds Division, Fleet Maintenance Division, Patrol Division, and Patrol Staff Division recently presented a check for $2,300 to the program.
The Homeless Education Program, also known as the McKinney-Vento Educational Program, identifies children and youth experiencing homelessness and works to remove barriers that prevent them from attending school. The donation supported a Christmas shopping event organized in collaboration with the McKinney-Vento program, giving students the opportunity to select gifts for themselves in an atmosphere focused on dignity and holiday joy.
Sheriff’s Office officials said the event allowed students to experience the excitement of choosing special gifts, creating meaningful holiday memories. The effort reflected the department’s commitment to community service and support for children and families in need throughout Caddo Parish.
The Bodcau shooting range will be closed Dec. 25–26 and Jan. 1–2 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. The range will be open during normal hours on Dec. 27–28 and Jan. 3–4.
The Bodcau shooting range is located at 168 Ben Durden Road in Benton.
The Caddo Parish Commission will host an additional free holiday food distribution event for parish residents on Saturday, December 20, providing assistance to families during the holiday season. The distribution will take place at multiple locations throughout Caddo Parish and will be held on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food distribution will begin at 9 a.m. at the following locations: Galilee Baptist Church, 1500 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport; Midway Elementary Development, 3840 Greenwood Road, Shreveport; Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Church, 7480 Greenwood Road, Shreveport; Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church, 2842 Martin Luther King Drive, Shreveport; and Caddo Fire District No. 4, 8240 Colquitt Road, Keithville.
Additional distribution sites will open at 10:30 a.m., including Sunrise Baptist Church, 3220 Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport; Woodlawn Leadership Academy, 7340 Wyngate Boulevard, Shreveport; Broadmoor Baptist Church, 4110 Youree Drive, Shreveport; A.B. Palmer Community Center, 547 East 79th Street, Shreveport; and Vivian Methodist Church, 223 West Louisiana Street, Vivian.
Parish officials noted that some locations have changed since the November food distribution event and encouraged residents to verify site details before attending. The Caddo Parish Commission thanked the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana for its continued partnership in providing food assistance to local communities.
If you want to experience a rich, full life—forget fairness. Life is not fair. Jesus was not fair. He said, “The last will be first and the first will be last.” That’s wonderful if you’re at the end of the line, but if you’re at the front? Well, suddenly you’re wishing you’d grabbed a cup of cocoa and stalled a bit before lining up.
Jesus told stories about workers in the field. The early morning crew had a contract. The mid-day hires had a handshake deal. By the time the late afternoon folks showed up, they had nothing but a promise.
And when payday came, everyone got the same wage. That’s not fair! Imagine the early risers muttering, “We skipped breakfast for this?” Meanwhile, the latecomers are whistling “Joy to the World” all the way to the bank.
And then there’s the older brother in the prodigal story. He’s out in the field, sweaty and tired, hearing music and laughter from the house. He’s thinking, “Great. My brother gets a party, and I get blisters.” If it had been Christmas, the father would’ve handed the younger son a stocking stuffed with candy canes and the older brother a fruitcake. Not fair—but oh so right.
Think about the thief on the cross. He never joined the church, never got baptized, never served on the finance committee (lucky him). He didn’t even have time to learn the words to “Silent Night.” All he said was, “Lord, remember me.” And Jesus replied, “This day you will be with me in paradise.” That thief is now strolling the streets of gold, probably humming “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” off-key. Not fair—but grace never is.
And the first Christmas? Talk about unfair. Mary and Joseph weren’t traveling to Grandma’s house for figgy pudding—they were trudging to Bethlehem for a Roman tax enrollment. No hotel, no Airbnb, just a barn with a cow mooing the bass line. Then Herod’s rage brought tragedy to Bethlehem. It was not fair.
But it was right.
Because justice is not about fairness—it’s about God’s power to set things right. Justice rolls down like waters, righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. And out of that stream grows grace—lavish, undeserved, overflowing grace.
So this Christmas, when someone says, “It’s not fair!”—smile and say, “Exactly. That’s the point.” Fairness gives us what we deserve. Grace gives us what we could never earn. And that’s the best Christmas gift of all.
Justice is tough. Grace is extravagant. Jesus is merciful. And thank God—He is not fair!
Doug de Graffenried is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach Doug at his email: DougDeGraffenried
Our BOM family always enjoys a wonderful evening at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Founders Awards Banquet in Bossier! This year’s event featured keynote speaker and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown, making the night even more special. We are proud to support the Northwest Louisiana FCA, whose mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. Their impact on youth and coaches across our region is truly inspiring. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Melinda Williams, Jessica Ammons, Catie Colvin, and Fran Myles.
EAGLES SOAR: Quarterback Peyton “Pop” Houston (left) and defensive lineman Ashton Dawson led Evangel to the District 1-5A crown and earned top honors on the SBJ All-Metro Team.
JOURNAL STAFF
A look at the list for state passing yardage leaders in 2025 will show plenty of representation by Shreveport-Bossier and the numbers that were put up were eye-popping. It wasn’t that long ago that a 2,000-yard regular season was a big deal. This year, nine quarterbacks did that.
There was no shortage of impressive running backs, too, as six rushed for 1,000 yards in the regular season alone.
But when it comes to depth, nothing comes close to the wide receiver position. That was great news for all the outstanding quarterbacks, but not-so-great news when it came time to choosing three wideouts for the 2025 Shreveport-Bossier Journal All-Metro team.
Everywhere you turned, there were outstanding seasons being displayed by this special group, which is perhaps the best crop on Shreveport-Bossier history.
Haughton’s Ethan Johnson set school records and let the city with the most catches (102) and most yards (1,477). Airline’s Kenny Darby is a four-star recruit who will play in the SEC next year (Kentucky) and also had a 1,000-yard season.
Calvary’s Braylun Huglon was an All-Metro defensive back last year and moved to receiver in 2025. All he did was catch 74 passes for 1,455 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Loyola had the best group of receivers in its school history – and perhaps the best group in the city, with Evangel fans ready to debate – led by Charlie McKenzie (66 catches, 1,049 yards, 17 touchdowns), Ty Walsworth (averaged 23.0 per catch and 11 straight games with a touchdown reception) and Jake Black (13 TDs and set a school record for career catches). That trio accounted for 44 touchdown catches.
Parkway’s Gary Burney and Captain Shreve’s Shawn Devers both had more 1,000 yards receiving this season. Benton’s Case Austin got his money’s worth with 1,001 yards on only 41 catches. Evangel’s ensemble corps didn’t product individual numbers at quite that level but caused defensive backs fits.
So how do you choose? Coin flip? Pull names out of a hat?
Such is the case when it comes to picking all positions on this year’s team, but especially at wide receiver.
When it came to the top awards, that was only slightly easier.
Evangel junior quarterback Peyton “Pop” Houston had a record-setting season and was a dynamic presence in leading the Eagles to the District 1-5A title and a second-round playoff berth. Not only did he lead the state in the regular season with 3,387 yards passing (to go with 38 TD passes), but he also ran for 837 yards (11.1 per carry) and 10 more scores.
As for the Outstanding Defensive Player, it was another Eagle who got the nod in defensive lineman Ashton Dawson. The senior recorded 91 tackles in the regular season — an especially good number for a lineman — but was described as “unblockable” by an opposing District 1-5A assistant coach.
If you thought this might be a down year for Calvary after the heavy losses the Cavs suffered from graduation last year, think again. All Rodney Guin did was put together a team that went further than last year’s talent-laden team as Calvary reached the Select Division III state championship game in the Superdome. Guin, the 2025 All-Metro Coach of the Year, also became all all-time leader in wins by a Shreveport-Bossier coach.
Guin took the Coach of the Year honor over Loyola’s John Sella and Parkway’s Coy Brotherton, who both led their teams to double-digit wins and berths in the quarterfinals.
Evangel and Northwood each had four selections on the first team and Loyola, Parkway, Byrd, and Calvary have three each.
There are eight returning players from last year’s team: Darby, Huglon, Jamarcea Plater (Captain Shreve), Kyran Johnson (Northwood), Mark Copenhaver (Parkway), Asher Murray (Byrd) and Damari Drake (Evangel).
HOW THE TEAM WAS CHOSEN
** The offensive team is limited to 12 total players. Players were chosen at each of the standard offensive positions. Because only a few teams use a tight end, that position was not chosen.
** The defensive team is limited to 12 total players – four each at line, linebacker and back. Only four players are chosen at each of the standard defensive positions (no “flex” or “athlete”).
** Selections are done by the Journal staff after consultation with numerous coaches.
** The “Best of The Rest” recognizes only those who were in consideration as a first team selection. There is no second team or honorable mention.
2025 JOURNAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Peyton Houston, Evangel
2025 JOURNAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Ashton Dawson, Evangel
2025 JOURNAL COACH OF THE YEAR – Rodney Guin, Calvary
2025 JOURNAL ALL-METRO OFFENSE
WR – Gary Burney, Parkway, Jr.
WR – Kenny Darby, Airline, Sr.
WR – Braylun Huglon, Calvary, Jr.
OL – Andre Campbell, Captain Shreve, Sr.
OL – Royuan Jackson, Huntington, Sr.
OL – Jackson Speer, Evangel, Sr.
OL – Jacob Tibbett, Calvary, Sr.
OL – Ian Wallace, Loyola, Sr.
QB – Peyton “Pop” Houston, Evangel, Jr.
RB – Kyran Johnson, Northwood, Sr.
RB – Christian Maxie, Byrd, Jr.
RB – Jamarcea Plater, Captain Shreve, Sr.
2025 JOURNAL ALL-METRO DEFENSE
DL – Ashton Dawson, Evangel, Sr.
DL – Rod Johnson, Parkway, Jr.
DL – Devin McKenna, Northwood, Sr.
DL – Ian Gray, Byrd, Sr.
LB – Damari Drake, Evangel, Sr.
LB – Mark Copenhaver, Parkway, Sr.
LB – Hayden Horton, Loyola, Sr.
LB – Braylyn Jackson, Airline, Sr.
DB – Luke Miller, Calvary, Sr.
DB – D.K. Mitchell, BTW, Sr.
DB – Jeremiah Johnson, Northwood, Sr.
DB – Justin Thomas, Northwood, Sr.
2025 JOURNAL ALL-METRO SPECIALISTS
PK – Asher Murray, Byrd, Sr.
P – Ty Walsworth, Loyola, Soph.
KR – Montrevell Lewis, Bossier, Soph.
BEST OF THE REST
WR – Charlie Abraham, Evangel; Case Austin, Benton; Jake Black, Loyola; Shawn Devers, Captain Shreve; Tony Gladney, Parkway; Ethan Johnson, Haughton; Charlie McKenzie, Loyola.
HEADING HOME: Caddo Magnet’s Isabella Baltov (19) dribbles around Calvary defender Megan McDowell (8) in last week’s matchup. (Photo by APRIL WESSON)
By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports
Loyola’s landmark triumph was noticed – here and statewide. Can the Lady Flyers make another big splash Thursday at home?
Loyola’s girls beat St. Thomas More 3-0 this past Saturday at Messmer Stadium. According to Loyola assistant coach Tracy Apgar, it was the program’s first-ever victory over the perennial power from Lafayette.
The Lady Flyers garnered their initial first-place vote of the 2025-26 season and moved into second on this week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal coaches’ poll.
STM has been coming to Shreveport to face Byrd annually for at least the last five years, this year adding a game against Loyola. The Lady Cougars were able to defeat Byrd on Friday night, not by their own doing, but by an unfortunate own goal by the Lady Jackets. That turned out to be the only score.
Karma is a funny thing in soccer. With Loyola up 1-0 on a goal by Ella Poole, STM had its own unfortunate own goal, in the same turn of events at Byrd the night before. The Lady Flyers added an insurance goal by Maddie Crawford to seal the win.
Loyola’s only other action last week a Thursday 6-1 defeat of Airline. The Lady Flyers overwhelmed Evangel 12-0 on Monday.
Thursday night, Loyola squares off against the SBJ’s top-ranked girls team, the Lady Tigers of Benton. The game kicks off at 5:30 at Messmer Stadium. Come early because the stands will be packed.
The Lady Tigers went to Baton Rouge this past weekend to play in the St. Michaels tournament, going 2-1 against some strong competition.
Their lone loss was 4-0 to the three-year reigning D-III state champions, Parkview Baptist. The Lady Tigers followed that loss by beating The Willow School 6-0 and St. Amant 2-0. Thursday’s game with Loyola marks the last game for Benton until the New Year.
Byrd’s only other game last week was Saturday at Cargill Park, where the Lady Jackets washed away the STM game by beating Caddo Magnet 6-1. The Lady Jackets are traveling to the Copa Acadiana tournament in Lafayette this weekend and are scheduled to play North Vermillion, Sulphur and Teurlings Catholic.
Captain Shreve’s Lady Gators took a trip south last weekend, coming home with a win and a tie. On Friday night Shreve tied Thibodaux 2-2. Sarina Miller and Riley Kenney scored; Kenney’s was a penalty kick. On Saturday the Lady Gators defeated East Ascension 3-1. Miller added her second goal of the weekend, with the remaining goals scored by Ryleigh Cram and Bailey Mandigo.
Shreve will be joining Byrd down in Lafayette for the Copa. The Lady Gators will face Dutchtown on Friday and Lutcher on Saturday.
Calvary has been dying to get back on the pitch since its last game: a 3-0 loss to Benton last Tuesday. This was very evident Tuesday night as the Lady Cavaliers beat Parkway by the same 3-0 scoreline. Calvary got its first goal by Riley Barnes with four minutes remaining in the half. Just moments before the halftime whistle, freshman Valerie Medellin doubled the Calvary lead. Barnes added her second goal with just over 10 minutes left in the game and the Lady Cavaliers cruised to the victory.
Calvary will host West Ouachita on Thursday at 4, then head south. A late add to the Copa event, the Lady Cavs play Alexandria Friday, then University Lab and Northlake Christian Saturday.
The Week 5 SBJ girls’ soccer coaches poll listing school (W-L-T record) points (first place votes):
FUN DAY: School kids in the stands and LSU players on the bench were in high spirits Tuesday afternoon as the Tigers tore up Morgan State. (Photo courtesy LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – It was certainly a game that could have gotten sloppy.
A team with 11 wins and a 53.1 points per game victory margin vs. a team with 11 losses and a 25.4 points per game defeat.
And, coincidentally, a mismatch that was scheduled as an annual field trip game for area elementary school students.
Fueled by the noise level that sounded like a Taylor Swift concert, No. 5 LSU rarely took its foot off the gas in a 91-33 beatdown of woefully overmatched Morgan State in a Tuesday matinee game.
“That’s definitely one of the loudest games I’ve been in, and I’ve been in pretty full arenas,” said Tigers’ freshman forward Grace Knox, who scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 16:17 off the bench. “I just loved the energy of the kids. They brought a funness to the game that I hadn’t felt in a minute.”
The crowd of 8,743 sounded double that size, even with an 11 a.m. tipoff. The Tigers (12-0) didn’t disappoint, thanks to LSU head coach Kim Mulkey’s pregame talk with her team.
“There’s some little girl in the stands that wants to be in that uniform one day, that wants to be at LSU as a student one day, maybe not even play sports,” Mulkey told her squad. “There are little girls out there who used to be you. For some of them, this may be the first and last time they ever see you play. Leave an impression.”
The Tigers led the Bears (1-12) from start to finish — by 21 (30-9) at the end of the first quarter, by 32 (52-17) at halftime and by 49 (74-25) after three quarters.
Returning starters senior Flau’jae Johnson and junior Mikaylah Williams, the Bossier City-Parkway star, led LSU with a game-high 14 points each. South Carolina junior transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley added 11 points, and sophomore Jada Richard matched Knox’s 10 points.
Playing at home for the first time since Nov. 20, LSU hit its first four of five shots. A pair of Williams 3-pointers and two ZaKiyah Johnson layups lit the fuse.
The Tigers’ eighth win of the season by 50 or more points was a carbon copy of almost every LSU victory this season.
Too much talent playing unselfishly and with a purpose at both ends of the floor, with the Tigers converting 25 MSU turnovers into 32 points, outscoring the visitors 29-2 in fastbreak points, 17-4 in second chance points and 46-8 in points in the paint.
After missing 12 of 26 layups in Saturday’s 87-61 Compete 4 Cause Classic victory over Louisiana Tech in New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center, LSU made 21 of 31 layups against MSU.
It certainly bolstered LSU’s 55.6 field goal percentage (35 for 63), more than twice as accurate as MSU’s 25 percent.
The Tigers’ suffocating defense allowed just five field goals in the game’s last 29 minutes. MSU scored on consecutive possessions just once in the second half.
But Mulkey, who has said she treats November and December games (almost exclusively scheduled against vastly inferior opponents) as training camp preparing for SEC play, wasn’t overly impressed.
“We just have to get better defensively,” she said. “And that’s not the young players. I’m talking about our older players, too. They got to keep people in front of them. They can’t keep giving up straight line drives.
“We just got to get disciplined (defensive) fundamentals. We gamble too much. We are an exciting team to watch. We don’t want to take that away. We have to know the difference between when to gamble and when to stay in a stance. We’re just not there yet. I don’t know when we will get there. It’s emphasized every day in practice.”
The Tigers have two remaining non-conference games – both at home on Sunday vs. Texas Arlington and Dec. 28 vs. Alabama State – before hosting No. 12 Kentucky on Jan. 1 to open their 16-game SEC schedule.
Four of LSU’s first six league matchups are on the road at No. 13 Vanderbilt, Georgia, No. 8 Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
Besides UK, the lone Tigers’ home game in that stretch is the first of a home-and-home series vs. No. 2 Texas.
Seven players (five freshmen, two transfers) in LSU’s 11-woman playing rotation have no experience playing in the SEC.
Newbies, such as King, have quizzed veterans Johnson, Williams, Fulwiley and Jada Richard, about what’s ahead.
“It’s definitely going to be different, like a level up,” King said. “But I feel once we get there, we’ll be able to adjust. I feel like we’ll do pretty well based on our practices and preparation.”
AHEAD OF THE REST: Calvary’s Braylun Huglon moved across the ball to receiver in his junior season and was the most dynamic offensive player in District 1-2A. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
JOURNAL SPORTS
After its district win streak extended to 70 with another 1-2A title, Calvary Baptist understandably was amply represented on the All-District football team picked by the league’s head coaches.
Seven Cavaliers were first-team on defense, five on offense, and kicker Ty Knight was decorated on special teams along with being a first-team defensive back. Eight second-team slots were filled by Calvary standouts, some who played both ways.
Green Oaks had eight first-team selections. The Giants filled five second-team slots.
Magnolia School of Excellence and North Caddo also had standouts earn all-district recognition.
The team was announced Tuesday following Calvary’s state runner-up season wrapping up last Thursday night.
Senior safety Luke Miller took Defensive Most Valuable Player honors as the signalcaller for the Cavaliers defense which gave up only 10 points per game in a 6-0 district season. Overall in 10 games, he posted 76 tackles, 39 and an interception against 1-2A foes.
Junior Braylun Huglon moved from cornerback to receiver this fall and earned the 1-2A Offensive MVP award. He piled up 1,096 yards on 56 receptions and 15 touchdowns in the regular season and had 19 total touchdowns, 15 on catches, two on kickoff returns, one rushing and one interception return.
No coach of the year or honorable mentions selections were made.
2025 ALL-DISTRICT 1-2A FOOTBALL TEAM
Offensive MVP – Braylun Huglon, Calvary
Defensive MVP – Luke Miller, Calvary
FIRST TEAM
Offense
WR – Braylun Huglon, Calvary, Jr.; Jamarcus Hooper, Green Oaks, Jr.; Jerzyion Levingston, Homer, Jr.; Markel Hall, Union Parish, Sr.
TE – Ari Slocum, Union Parish, Sr.
OL – Cooper Thomas, Calvary, Sr.; Collin Wesson, Calvary, Sr.; Torrence Lee, Green Oaks, Jr.; Cory Brown Jr., North Caddo, Sr.; Stanley Williams, Homer, Jr.; Carson Riser, D’Arbonne Woods, Jr.
ATHLETE – Braxton Patterson, Union Parish, Jr.; Daltin Albriton, D’Arbonne Woods, Jr.
K – Ty Knight, Calvary, Sr.
Defense
DL – David Weeks, Calvary, Sr.; Keshawn Williams, Green Oaks, Sr.; Roy’Zhaveus Rogers, Green Oaks, Sr.; Pierce Carey, Calvary, Jr.; Robert Hambrick, Union Parish, Sr.; Ioa Ford, D’Arbonne Woods, Sr.; Karson Crew, Homer, Jr.
LB – Justin Reeves, Calvary, Sr.; Zion Washington, Green Oaks, Sr.; Jacob Tibbett, Calvary, Jr.; Miles McPherson, D’Arbonne Woods; Jaumaurion Pickens, Homer, Sr.
DB – Luke Miller, Calvary, Sr.; Jamarcus Hooper, Green Oaks, Jr.; Ty Knight, Calvary, Sr.; Chance Hopson, Union Parish, So.; Marcus Ross, Union Parish, Jr.; Jerzyion Levingston, Homer, Jr.
Flex – Garrett Lee, Calvary, Sr.; Masyis Shepard, Green Oaks, Jr.
P – Ryan Reeder, Union Parish, Jr.
SECOND TEAM
Offense
WR – Tony Johnson, Green Oaks; Trey McDaniel, Calvary; Antonio Casey, Homer; Kaelin Anderson, Magnolia School of Excellence; Zykedran Brown, North Caddo. TE – Keshawn Williams, Green Oaks; Brady Martinez, Calvary; Jericho Adkins, D’Arbonne Woods; TJ Wallace, Union Parish. OL – Tyree Alstork, Magnolia School of Excellence; Ricardo Young, Green Oaks; Hunter Davis, Calvary; Jacob Tibbett, Calvary; Keyan Richardson, Green Oaks; Chase Ward, Union Parish; Narciso Valerio, D’Arbonne Woods; Devonte Shelton, Homer. QB – Kevin Williams, Jr., Homer. RB – Kobe Hill, North Caddo; Thorne Strickling, D’Arbonne Woods; Jaumarion Pickens, Homer. ATHLETE – Tony Johnson Jr., Green Oaks; Marquise Horton, Magnolia School of Excellence; Shauntrevion Fielding, Homer. K – Jordan Sheppard, North Caddo.
Defense
DL – JaKerrious Smith, Green Oaks; Kole Green, Calvary; Connor Brookshire, Calvary; Lemont Anderson, Magnolia School of Excellence; Avynn Berry, Union Parish; DeKaylon Woods, Homer; Hayuden Mejia, D’Arbonne Woods. LB – Cavon Foster, Green Oaks; Aiyden Spinks, North Caddo; Jakeleen Martin, Union Parish; Thomas Nalley, D’Arbonne Woods. DB – Will Merry, Calvary; Sheldrek Williams, Green Oaks; Quantavious Sanford, Green Oaks; Jeremiah Williams, Magnolia School of Excellence; Davonte Brazle, Union Parish; Shauntrevion Fielding, Homer; Austin Patton, D’Arbonne Woods. Flex – Chance Freeman, Calvary; Saquincy Thomas, Magnolia School of Excellence; Derby Hanson, D’Arbonne Woods. P – Nicholas Holmes, Magnolia School of Excellence; Derby Hanson, D’Arbonne Woods.
By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director
Centenary basketball will have a special guest Friday evening at the Gold Dome.
The Gents host Mary Hardin-Baylor at 6 p.m., but that’s not the big attraction for younger folks.
The Jolly Ole Elf is coming down Kings Highway.
Santa Claus will be there for pictures with the kids. He will have free prizes. Maybe he will shoot some 3-pointers, but doubtful that he’ll try to dunk anything other than cookies or donuts.
Fans can participate in halftime contests, watch a good college game, and be sure to get a last word in with the big fella before Christmas Eve.
There are specially-priced tickets available for the game as Centenary Athletics celebrates the holidays. Adults get in for $5 and children 12 and under are admitted free.
All tickets to Centenary home events must be purchased online.
SCAC HONOR: Senior guard Craig Collier was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after he averaged 21.5 points in two games last week. He scored 15 against ETBU on Dec. 9 before posting 28 on Friday at Howard Payne.
Collier hit the game-winning shot against ETBU, a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to pull Centenary ahead 64-62 and give the Gents their first win of the season. The senior hit 9-of-15 3-pointers over the week to shoot 60 percent and was perfect from the free throw line.
GYMNASTICS IN 2026: The Ladies open the season on Sunday, Jan. 11 in a quad meet versus host Fisk, Wilberforce and Greenville in Nashville.
The Ladies, led by fourth-year head coach Meg Crowley, recently announced their 2026 schedule. They will compete on the road four times in January before competing at home for the first time on Friday, Feb. 6 versus Greenville.
Centenary will have three home meets in the Gold Dome this season. The other two are Sunday, Feb. 15 against Texas Woman’s University and on Friday, March 6 versus Fisk and Wilberforce.
The Ladies will compete in the 2026 Windy City Invite in Chicago on Jan. 16, face Illinois State on Jan. 18 in Bloomington, Ill. and finish the month at Greenville on Jan. 24.
Centenary will meet the University of Alaska-Anchorage in a pair of road meets on Feb. 20 and 22 and wrap up the regular season at Bowling Green on Sunday, March 15.
The Midwest Independent Conference Championships will be held on Friday, March 20 in Normal, Ill. and hosted by Illinois State. The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships are set for March 27-29 in West Chester, Pa.
There are many things or hobbies in life that we enjoy, and for me that would be tournament bass fishing. But like many other hobbies, fishing bass tournaments is expensive and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t justify the cost! For myself, with over 30 years of tournament experience, here’s how this works.
I don’t care what level you’re fishing, whether club tournaments, pro-am, weekend warrior or professionally, it’s hard to break even. Now some guys will boast that they have been making money for years with tournaments. Liars! They just hope their wives don’t figure out how much money they are spending on fishing!
They want you to think they’re making money because they’re not looking at the whole picture and, in most cases, don’t want to! It’s a sport that has so many hidden costs that anglers forget by choice.
Very few anglers sit down and truly put a pencil to how much money it costs to fish any tournament trail. If you’re really honest with yourself and include everything, the numbers just don’t add up.
First, there are entry fees which can range from $150 to $300 per event for lower-level events like the BFL’s and team tournament trails. On the high-level circuits and the professional side, entry fees can range from $1,700 up to $5,000 per tournament.
Next, you’ve got to make sure you have insurance for your boat. You’ll not only need collision, but most high-level pro/am events won’t let you enter without $300,000 in liability insurance.
Now let’s talk about boat gas expense, which can vary depending on how long the tournament is. Some events are one day while others are three days, but you also have at least three days of practice. This means you’re looking at 5 or 6 days per event.
Gas prices obviously fluctuate, but on average for me I spend anywhere from $125 up $175 just on boat gas alone. Truck gas, I usually spend around $150 up to $200 depending on how far away the tournament is.
Ok, we’ve covered gas and entry fees, now let’s look at housing. The one good thing that really helps with this is having a couple of other anglers to help split the cost. On average, for five days and nights which includes practice time, you’re probably looking at around $300 each if you find a really good deal.
Food! This can be an area where you can cut a few corners. Eating out is expensive and convenient but it can also be costly. Hopefully you have a couple of guys in your house who can cook and don’t mind doing it.
I will cook at least one night, sometimes two. It might be homemade burgers one night or spaghetti another night. I‘ve also made a good vegetable beef soup or chili, which is nice on those cold early events. Cooking your own meals is certainly one way to reduce expenses.
Now for me, I usually bring something for breakfast like a sausage biscuit or maybe I’ll eat a small turkey sandwich. Then I’ll pack another turkey sandwich for lunch. This way, I’m only actually eating out one meal at night which will be in the range of $15 to $25 per dinner.
But the one thing that we must add into the cost of tournament fishing: tackle! Holy cow, the money I have spent on the road simply because I’ve run out of a particular color worm or lost a crankbait that I must replace or maybe I’ve had a lot of breakoffs and need more hooks or weights.
One thing I do now, that I did not do early in my fishing career, is bring extra tackle with me that I think I might need for a particular body of water. But it never fails, no matter how many containers I bring full of baits and tackle, there will be that one thing I did not pack and must go buy. But that’s the life as an angler!
As you can see, tournament fishing is and can be very expensive. It is a sport that requires money if you want to compete. What I’m starting to realize after all my years of doing this is that nowadays just having the skill of catching fish is not good enough to fish at the highest professional level.
To fish as a pro in 2025, it takes money, and lots of it to cover all the expenses required. This to me is sad and is taking the sport in a direction that I don’t think is good. It’s now becoming a sport that is pretty much for the elites since many great fishermen can’t afford the day-to-day costs involved.
In the long run, this will not be good for the sport of professional bass fishing. Which means the average Joe, with a depleted checkbook, will no longer be welcome on any pro circuit.
By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University
You remember the excitement of freshman year. You picked out the dorm decor, bought the textbooks, and had a clear picture of how college was supposed to go.
But sometimes, despite the hard work you’ve put in, the reality doesn’t match the dream. Maybe the campus feels too big and impersonal, or perhaps the program isn’t what you expected.
For many students across Louisiana, coming home for a weekend or a semester break brings a quiet realization: the school you chose at 18 might not be the school you need to become the professional you want to be.
There is a common misconception that transferring means failure or, worse, losing all the ground you have gained. The fear of wasted credits and tangled paperwork often keeps students stuck in places where they aren’t thriving.
At Northwestern State University, the philosophy is different. We believe that realizing you need a change isn’t a step back. It is a step toward a future that fits.
The biggest hurdle to transferring is the uncertainty. Will my classes count? Will I graduate late? These questions create a gap between where a student is and where they want to be.
“We get it. Transferring can feel stressful because of the unknowns,” says Emily Miller, Director of Recruiting at NSU. “Our goal is to close that gap immediately. From day one, we provide a dedicated transfer advisor and fast credit evaluation. We look at the work you’ve already done and find every possible way to apply it to a degree at NSU. We want you to move forward, not start over.”
This approach transforms the process from a bureaucratic headache into a personalized welcome. Whether you are looking for the traditional on-campus experience in Natchitoches or the flexibility of our robust online programs, the focus remains on the individual student.
One of the primary reasons students transfer to NSU is the desire for connection. It is easy to feel like a number in a lecture hall of 400 people. Northwestern offers a different environment, one defined by small classes and professors who actually know your name.
“Transferring to NSU was one of my best decisions,” says Chris James, a Communication Arts and New Media transfer student. “From the start, I felt like I’d found a place to grow. I’ve covered live events with ESPN+ and worked with NSU TV News, the student newspaper, yearbook, and on-campus radio station, pushing me further than I imagined.”
“When a student joins the Demon family, they are bringing their unique story and potential to our campus,” says James T. Genovese, President of Northwestern State University. “We empower every student to shape their future. We are committed to providing the culture, the scholarships, and the academic support to ensure every transfer student finishes strong.”
This commitment includes scholarships specifically designed to recognize the progress transfer students have already made. It is a validation that your previous hard work matters here.
If you are feeling like your current college isn’t the right fit, you don’t have to wait a year to fix it. You can change your trajectory right now.
Spring classes at Northwestern State University begin January 12, 2026, and registration is currently open.
Ready to become a Demon? Visit nsu.la/transfer to see how your credits transfer and start your application today.
On December 17, 1903, a cold wind swept across the sandy dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, setting the stage for one of the most transformative moments in modern history. While the Wright brothers’ first powered flight is widely taught, the unusual circumstances surrounding that morning—particularly the coin toss, the failed first attempt, and the unexpected crash—still capture the curiosity of historians and aviation enthusiasts.
The day began with a bitter 27-mph headwind, strong enough to lift sand in sweeping sheets across the dunes. Wilbur and Orville Wright had spent several seasons conducting glider experiments at Kitty Hawk due to its steady winds and isolation. But on this morning, their focus shifted to the powered Wright Flyer, a machine built from materials including spruce, muslin, and bicycle components.
Before making their historic attempt, the brothers flipped a coin to determine who would fly first. Wilbur won the toss. What followed, however, was far from the clean takeoff schools teach today. After speeding along the track, Wilbur pulled too sharply on the controls, sending the Flyer into the air briefly before it stalled and crashed back into the sand. Though the damage was minor, the failure delayed the attempt by several hours.
Following the repair, it was Orville’s turn. His flight lasted only 12 seconds, covering 120 feet—yet it marked the first controlled, sustained, powered, heavier-than-air human flight. What many overlook is that the aircraft again landed hard, breaking parts of the skids and requiring additional adjustments.
Throughout the morning, the brothers made three more attempts. Their final flight, piloted by Wilbur, lasted an impressive 59 seconds and covered 852 feet. As they wheeled the Flyer back toward camp, a gust of wind suddenly flipped the aircraft repeatedly, damaging it beyond immediate repair. The Wright Flyer never flew again.
A single photograph—taken by John T. Daniels, a lifesaving station worker who had never used a camera—captured the moment of takeoff. Daniels later recounted that he accidentally smashed the camera after the final crash while trying to break free from the tangled wreckage.
Despite the chaotic nature of the day, the achievements of December 17, 1903, changed not only transportation but global culture. What began with a coin toss, a stall, and a crash led to a technological revolution that reshaped commerce, defense, travel, and communication.
The Wright brothers’ imperfect yet groundbreaking morning remains one of the most captivating stories of innovation, demonstrating that monumental success often begins with trial, error, and a willingness to try again—sometimes in the face of wind, sand, and unexpected setbacks.
A service celebrating the life of Mr. Willie Lee Jones will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Good Samaritan Funeral Home located at 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71103.
Family Hour will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home.
Mr. Jones will be laid to rest following the service at Lincoln Memorial Park located at 6915 W 70th Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71129.
