JOURNAL SPORTS

Bossier Parish Community College, off to an 8-2 overall start, puts its 2-0 Region XIV men’s basketball record on the line tonight in Carthage, Texas at Panola College.

Both Centenary teams travel to East Texas Baptist hoping to avenge losses last month.

Meanwhile, both LSUS teams are perfect early in Red River Athletic Conference action after dominant homecourt wins last week.

CENTENARY: The Gents and Ladies play in a non-conference doubleheader set for 5 p.m. today  inside Ornelas Gym in Marshall.

The Gents (0-6) and Tigers (3-8) collided Nov. 14 at the Gold Dome when ETBU defeated Centenary 73-67 to dampen the Gents’ home opener.

The Ladies (2-5) and Tigers (8-1) squared off to open the season back on Nov. 7 in Shreveport, a game won by the Tigers 76-50. Centenary, which opened Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play last Tuesday with a 55-50 comeback victory over the LeTourneau YellowJackets, is 2-2 on the road this season. ETBU edged Concordia on Saturday, 59-57, in Austin, Texas and is 3-0 at home this season.

The Centenary men were edged 63-62 by LeTourneau last Tuesday in Longview in the conference opener for both teams and is 0-3 on the road this season. The Tigers, 0-2 at home this season, fell 76-63 at Maryville College on Saturday.

LSUS: The Pilots men’s team swept the Red River Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards for the week of Dec. 1-7.

Sophomore guard Khi Wallace earned his second Player of the Week award of the season, having previously won defensive honors earlier this year, by capturing the RRAC Offensive Player of the Week. In a 107-63 victory over Texas College, Wallace had 26 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, four steals, and two blocks. He followed that Saturday by scoring 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a 114-76 win over Jarvis Christian.

Senior forward Hayden Brittingham captured the conference’s defensive honor. Brittingham recorded a double-double against Texas College with 21 points and 12 rebounds, adding two assists and two blocks. Against Jarvis Christian, he contributed 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks. For the season, he leads the Pilots with 13 blocks.

The Pilots, 5-3 overall and 3-0 in conference action, go to LSU Alexandria Thursday in the second half of a RRAC doubleheader starting with the women’s contest.

The LSUS women posted a 68-48 romp over Jarvis Christian on Saturday afternoon at The Dock, moving to 7-2 overall and 3-0 in the RRAC. Slema Markisic led with 20 points, seven steals, four rebounds, and two assists. 

BOSSIER PARISH CC: The Cavaliers nipped visiting Navarro College 63-62 on Saturday afternoon as Zequan Lewis led with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Dustin Welch delivered his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Drew Cooper added 10 points. The Cavaliers hit 11 three-pointers and shot 46 percent from beyond the arc.

“This was a battle from start to finish, and our guys refused to quit,” coach Jeff Moore said. “Navarro is a tough, well-coached team, and they pushed us in every phase of the game. Our guys never backed down and refused to let up. They just kept fighting and earned this win. This was a big conference win at home.”

BPCC is home on Saturday against Angelina College.

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Northwestern State University’s Department of Military Science and Leadership recognized cadets for academic, military and leadership achievements during the Fall 2025 semester. ROTC’s mission is to recruit, educate, develop and inspire cadets with a focus on academics.

During the program, Cadets Mia Cole, Evyn Goree, Camryn Huff, Layden Jack, Jazmyn Johnson and Lanai Miller took the Oath of Enlistment administered by Professor of Military Science LTC Joshua Drake. When students first enroll in an ROTC class, they have no military obligation. By choosing to contract, cadets demonstrate their desire to serve in the U.S. Army.

Commissionees and branch assignments were also recognized. These cadets will commission as second lieutenants in the U.S Army during a ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 18 in conjunction with fall commencement exercises. They are Cadets Jan Amutan, Jaylon James, Damarkus Lawson, Todd Gladish, Ethan Jones, Christian Holmes, Layla Theriot and Lawson Turner.

Cadets and awards are as follows.

Cadet Arch Bandin of Rodessa – PMS Commendation Medal, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon

Cadet Amber Bledsoe of Shreveport – Cadet Recruiting Ribbon, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet TaMiya Brown of Shreveport — Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Brendan Campbell of Pearland, Texas – Cadet Command Sergeant Major, President’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, PMS Commendation Medal, Bronze Medal Athlete, Color Guard

Cadet Kyra Cole of DeRidder – Cadet Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, PMS Commendation Medal, Gold Medal Athlete, Color Guard, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Mia Cole of DeRidder – ROTC Honors, Leadership Excellence Award, Silver Medal Athlete, Color Guard, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Rebecca Deaton of Leesville – ROTC Honors, Cadet Scholar Award, PMS Commendation Medal, Leadership Excellence Award,

Cadet Jayden Diggs of Fort Polk – PMS Commendation Medal, Leadership Excellence Award, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon, Teresa Cazales Scholarship

Cadet Joseph DiMaggio of DeRidder– PMS Commendation Medal, Silver Medal Athlete

Cadet Joao Dos Santos of Fort Polk – President’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Gold Medal Athlete, Color Guard, Intramural Sports Coordinator

Cadet Miguel Flores of Ball – ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Honors, Platinum Medal Athlete

Cadet Skylar Fontenot of Kinder – PMS Commendation Medal, PMS PT Attendance Award

Cadet Megan Franchino of Sant Rita, Guam – Battalion Recruiting Officer, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Honors, Leadership Excellence Award, Gold Medal Athlete, Outstanding Service Award, secretary of the Black Knights

Cadet Evyn Goree of Pineville – Dean’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Leadership Excellence Award, PMS PT Attendance Award, Silver Medal Athlete

Cadet Todd Gladish of Willis, Texas – Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, ROTC Honors,

Cadet Camryn Huff of Leesville – Dean’s List, Leadership Excellence Award, Bronze Medal Athlete, Color Guard, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Jillian Huff of Fort Polk – PMS Commendation Medal, PMS PT Attendance Award, PMS Athletic Award, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Tin Huynh of Morgan City – President’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Leadership Excellence Award, Silver Medal Athlete, Color Guard Sergeant/Color Guard, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Layden Jack of Denham Springs – Dean’s List, PMS Scholastic Excellence award, Leadership Excellence Award, Gold Medal Athlete, Brittany Jeanice Leadership and Excellence Scholarship

Cadet Jaylon James of Stonewall – Silver Medal Athlete

Cadet Jazmyn Johnson of Shreveport – ROTC Honors, Cadet Scholar Award, Leadership Excellence Award, Color Guard

Cadet Tyreke Johnson of Lake Charles – PMS Recruiting Award, Intramural Sports Recognition

Ethan Jones of Montgomery – Operations Officer, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Honors, Silver Medal Athlete, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Grace Kerney of Barksdale AFB – Dean’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Bronze Medal Athlete

Cadet Demarkus Lawson of Fort Polk – Bronze Medal Athlete

Cadet Morgan Lee of Shreveport – Dean’s List

Cadet Passion Lemelle of Ville Platte – ROTC Honors, PMS Commendation Medal,

Cadet Jackson Lester of Iowa – ROTC Honors, Leadership Excellence Award, Color Guard, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Miriam McDaniel of Natchez – Dean’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, PMS Commendation Medal, Color Guard

Cadet Darren Melton of Haughton – ROTC Honors

Cadet Emmy Melton of Haughton – ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Scholar Award, PMS Academic Award

Cadet Aniyah Miller of LeCompte – ROTC Honors

Cadet Lanai Miller of LeCompte – ROTC Honors, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon, PMS Achievement Medal, Color Guard, Harris Family Scholarship

Cadet Caitlin Moak of Robeline – ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Scholar Award

Cadet William Moore of Leesville – ROTC Honors

Cadet Jacob Mullican of DeRidder – Dean’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Leadership Excellence Award, Platinum Medal Athlete, Outstanding Service Award, vice president of the Black Knights, Color Guard

Cadet Joseph Resendez of Bossier City – PMS Commendation Medal, Gold Medal Athlete

Cadet Marivel Rodriguez of Leesville – ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Scholar Award, Silver Medal Athlete

Cadet Madison Scott of Shreveport — Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Anthony Soileau of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas – Leadership Excellence Award

Cadet Destiny Theriot of Gheens – Dean’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, PMS Commendation Medal; PMS PT Attendance Award, Outstanding Service Award, public relations officer of the Black Knights, Color Guard, Intramural Sports Recognition

Cadet Layla Theriot of Gheens – Dean’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, PMS Commendation Medal, PMS PT Attendance Award, Bronze Medal Athlete, Intramural Sports Recognition, “Above the Best” Scholarship

Cadet Lawson Turner of Haughton – Dean’s list, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Leadership Excellence Award, Silver Medal Athlete, Outstanding Service Award, president of the Black Knights, Color Guard

Cadet Lorena Williams of Lafayette – PMC Commendation Medal, Cadet Honors, Malcolm Daisy Scholarship

Cadet Colton Wood of Ragley – Dean’s List, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Leadership Excellence Award, PMS PT Attendance Award, Bronze Medal Athlete, Outstanding Service Award, treasurer of the Black Knights, Color Guard, Intramural Sports Recognition, James A. Noe Memorial Scholarship

Cadet Alexander Youngblood of Coushatta – Cadet Recruiting Ribbon

Information on NSU’s Department of Military Science and Leadership is available at
nsula.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/gallaspy-college-of-education-human-development/military-science-and-leadership.

Pictured: Graduating NSU ROTC cadets who will commission on Dec. 18 learned their branch assignments during the awards program. From left are Jan Amutan, Jaylon James, Damarkus Lawson, Todd Gladish, Ethan Jones, Christian Holmes, Layla Theriot and Lawson Turner.

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During the holidays, we spend a lot of time and effort on what we eat. One mandatory item on most of our tables is bread, one of the oldest prepared foods.

In 2018, scientists discovered the earliest known evidence of bread-making, including a bread oven and 24 charred bread crumbs, from a 14,400-year-old dig site in the Black Desert in Jordan. The stone age bakers ground flour from wild wheat and barley, mixed it with the pulverized roots of plants, added water, and then cooked it.

This was before the advent of farming, when people were hunter-gatherers. The bread they made looked similar to modern flatbread because it contained no rising agent such as yeast and tasted like today’s multi-grain bread. Professor Dorian Fuller of University College London said, “this is the earliest evidence we have for what we could really call a cuisine, in that it’s a mixed food product.” Dr. Amaia Arranz-Optaegui of the University of Copenhagen, who discovered the remains of the bread, said “bread is a powerful link between our past and present food cultures. It connects us with our prehistoric ancestors.”

Fluffy loaves of bread that look like the bread most of us eat today came several thousands of years later. In 2017, archaeobotanist Lara González Carretero studied the remains of unbaked, leavened bread found at the ancient Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in southern Turkey. They dated back to 6600 BCE, making it the oldest evidence of leavened bread found to date.

Through the ages, people bartered for bread rather than bake it themselves. The barter system had a major disadvantage in that the two parties involved each had to want what the other party was offering to trade. Sometime around 640 BCE, people in China began to mint the oldest known standardized forms of metal coinage. As money became the more common medium of exchange, bakers sold their bread.

The problem was that money was standardized but bread was anything but standardized. It came in a variety of sizes, qualities, and prices. Unscrupulous bakers took advantage of the situation and sold poor-quality bread for premium prices. In 1266, the Parliament of the United Kingdom created the “Assize of Bread and Ale” to regulate the production and sale of bread and ale. Under this law, the weight and quality of a loaves of bread were specified and the price was set according to the fluctuating price of wheat. Bakers whose bread was not to up the standards set forth by the law were subject to the wrath of King Henry III.

This law slowly began to weed out the dishonest bakers, but honest bakers became worried that a simple mistake could get them into trouble. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, they could be fined, placed in a pillory (where the community was expected to throw things at them), be jailed, or have their trade taken away.

Honesty was the best policy. They were able to make bread that was good quality and sold it according to the law, but getting a standardized weight for each loaf was difficult. To ensure that they were well within the weight limit prescribed by law, bakers began adding a bonus loaf, what they called the “vantage loaf,” when someone bought 12 loaves of bread. That is why when visiting a bakery, you sometimes get a baker’s dozen.

Sources:

1. Helen Briggs, “Prehistoric bake-off: Scientists discover oldest evidence of bread,” July 17, 2018, BBC.com, Accessed November 30, 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44846874.

2. Sarah Bond, “Discovery of 8,600-Year-Old Bread Gives Rise to Half-Baked Claims,” Hyperallergic.com, March 18, 2024, accessed November 30, 2025, https://hyperallergic.com/discovery-of-8600-year-old-bread-gives-rise-to-half-baked-claims/.

3. “Oldest Fermented Bread,” Gunness World Records, accessed November 30, 2025, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/768791-oldest-fermented-bread.

4. Andrew Beattie, “Evolution of Money: From Barter Systems to Bitcoin,” Investopedia, November 25, 2025, accessed November 30, 2025, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/07/roots_of_money.asp.

5. “Why 13? The Tale of a Baker’s Dozen,” Freshly Baked, accessed November 30, 2025, https://www.freshly-baked.co.uk/2015/02/why-13-tale-of-bakers-dozen.html.

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Debra Ann Shahan was born to John Paul and Emma Lucille Shahan on May 27, 1957, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She lived in Bossier City for her entire 68 years. Debra passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Thursday, December 4, 2025, after a battle with cancer. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., immediately followed by the service at 1:00 p.m. The service will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Brother Harrell Shelton. Burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Ave., Shreveport, Louisiana.

Debra approached everything in her life with childlike enthusiasm. She enjoyed reading, painting, coloring, writing letters, sending cards, and going on outings. A good day was finding a treasure at Goodwill or the Dollar Store and going to McDonald’s. A great day was going to a movie, Disney on Ice, Comicon, or a car show. Everything was about the next special outing. She was also an avid collector. She had rooms full of her favorite things and enjoyed showing people her treasures.

Debra loved her church, Airline Baptist Church, and her Lord. She enjoyed singing on Sunday mornings, especially the old hymns. She loved hearing the word and reciting scriptures.

Debra worked at HAP House on Barksdale Air Force Base and Frost Industries in Shreveport. She enjoyed being busy, earning spending money, and she made lifelong friends at both companies.

Debra was preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her sister, Sandra Nix; niece, Cheryl Chavarria, and husband, Ben; nephews, Lance Nix and wife, Rhonda, and Brian Nix and wife, Jinkie; great-nieces, Chelsea Chavarria and Lindsey Golden, and husband, Trey; great-nephews, Brandon Nix, Sage Chavarria, Peyton Nix, Noah Nix, and Micah Nix and great-great-nephews, Hunter and Grey Golden.

Honoring Debra as pallbearers will be Lance Nix, Brian Nix, Peyton Nix, Ben Chavarria, Trey Golden, and Frank Wilson.

Special thanks go to Willis Knighton Hospice (Nurse Kay and Chaplain “Mr. Kendall”), Evergreen Ministries (Barbara, Monica, Tiffany, Marilyn), and Ms. Gardenia and AJ for being loving angels.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Airline Baptist Church, 4007 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana.

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With hearts of sorrow, the family of Mr. Raymond Caldwell announces his passing and requests prayers and support from friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. on December 13 at Memorial Funeral Home, 305 Lincoln Street, Plain Dealing, Louisiana 71064.

Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. on December 13 at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, located on Highway 2 in Plain Dealing. Interment will take place at Rock Springs #1 Cemetery, 593 Bolinger Cutoff Road, Plain Dealing, at 12 p.m.

The Memorial Funeral Home staff extends their deepest condolences and asks for continued prayers for the family and friends of Mr. Caldwell.

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It took a Caddo Parish jury under four hours to determine that a man forced himself upon an unwilling female acquaintance in an attempt at sex, in a trial on Dec. 5.

The six-woman, six-man jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court returned its responsive unanimous guilty verdict on Welton J. Guidry, 35, on the charge of attempted third-degree rape. The trial began Dec. 3 with jury selection.

On Jan. 8, 2025, the female victim came to the front desk at the Shreveport Police Department to report that she was raped by Guidry, her intimate partner. After telling officers what happened, she was taken Ochsner LSU Health hospital for further treatment.

Sex Crimes detectives responded to Ochsner to interview the victim and learned that Guidry and the victim were at the Royal Inn motel in the 1900 block of North Market Street when Guidry asked the victim to have sex and, when denied, forced himself on her.

The victim was able to push Guidry off, but he ultimately pinned her legs down and continued sexual intercourse. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners used a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit and obtained DNA from the victim that was tested by the North Louisiana Crime Lab and confirmed as Guidry’s DNA.

Six witnesses, including the victim, testified. When Guidry returns to court for sentencing Dec. 16, he faces up to 12 and a half years in prison at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence and must register as a sex offender upon release.

Assistant District Attorneys Chase Burgess and Jason Waltman prosecuted Guidry, who was represented by the Caddo Parish Indigent Defender’s office.

The case was Docket No. 406278.

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The Bossier Parish Police Jury has approved its 2026 budget, focusing on projects that will shape the future of the parish. While routine expenses remain part of the plan, officials emphasized bold investments in infrastructure and critical systems.

Transportation Tops the List

More than $30 million is earmarked for road and infrastructure improvements. A major highlight is the East/West Corridor, with $17.5 million, much of which will be federal funds, dedicated to design, surveys, and right-of-way acquisition.

Other traffic upgrades include:
• $1.3 million for a Highway 157 traffic study in Haughton, with state funds.
• $4.5 million for capacity improvements on Bobby Byrd, Frank Staton, and a new turn lane at Airline Drive and Swan Lake Road.

“Improving our roads and corridors is essential for growth,” said Glenn Benton, Police Jury President. “The East/West Corridor and other projects will ease traffic, support economic development, and make travel safer for everyone in Bossier Parish.”

Drainage improvements are also on the way for the Espanita neighborhood through the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, a $2 million federally funded project.

Courthouse and Facility Upgrades

To keep operations running during outages, the courthouse will get two 750 kW generators—a $1.8 million FEMA-funded project expected to finish within the year.

Other upgrades include:
• Replacing the 21-year-old automation system for HVAC and security ($1.5–$2 million)
• A $1.5 million plumbing overhaul at the Maximum-Security Jail to prevent leaks and improve water control
• Window repairs and other renovations, bringing total capital improvements to about $6.2 million

“These mission-critical upgrades ensure continuity of operations and strengthen security across our facilities,” said Benton. “This budget reflects our commitment to protecting taxpayer resources while preparing for the future.”

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Unfinished business.

When Zachary “Zeukos” Posey returned to LSU in Shreveport after what he called “a gap” year or two exploring the semiprofessional ranks of the tactical first-person shooter game Valorant, he wanted to help bring a national title back to the place where it all started.

The LSUS Valorant team won its grand finals match with a decisive victory against Albright College to secure the program’s first Esports national title in any game just three years after the Pilots reached the 2022 grand finals and lost in the game’s inaugural college season.

Posey rejoined former teammates from that 2022 squad in Eliana “TheLilGoddess” Gafford and Kenyatrick “KenMenBen” McClain along with newer team members Darius “yeeclaw11” Chargois and Dhyanam “Aizen Sosuke” Jariwala. Students’ “gamer tags” are in parentheses.

“It’s kind of poetic really,” Posey said. “Half of this team was part of that second-place run in 2022, and it felt redeeming to win the trophy with them.”

The Pilots finished the season with an 8-0 overall record and a 16-1 map record, earning the program’s first-ever No. 1 seed before dispensing Radford in the semifinals and Albright in the grand finals.

LSUS competes in the National Association of Collegiate Esports, consisting of more than 200 schools that sponsor a varsity Esports program across the U.S. and Canada.

While all five LSUS players are easily within the top half of Valorant players, Posey has set himself apart in an elite way.

At his highest ranking (Immortal 3), Posey ranked in the top 0.2% of Valorant players in North America, which prompted Posey to explore professional options and play on scholarship at a university in Michigan.

But the Bossier City native said he discovered he wasn’t quite good enough to turn professional, and he missed his Louisiana friends and family, bringing about his return to LSUS.

“I played in two big in-person events in Las Vegas and Chicago as part of an organization, but most of the competition is online, which is how we compete at LSUS. “It’s hard to maintain social relationships when you’re chasing something like that, and it’s hard to explain to people why I’m playing a video game this much because to most it’s just a game.

“You have a one percent chance to make it – no different than wanting to play in the NBA or the kid growing up wanting to be Tom Brady or LeBron James.”

Posey said to compete at the most elite level of the game, players dedicate eight or more hours of game play daily which includes film study and targeted skill building.

During his time away from college, Posey even coached the LSUS Valorant team for a bit.

But he said he missed “Louisiana culture, family and friends,” ultimately coming back to LSUS where he’s a sophomore studying psychology.

He got his gaming start on the Xbox version of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Siege, eventually shifting to the PC.

Posey picked up Valorant “on the second day of beta testing” and has been a staunch Valorant player since its 2020 release.

He assisted other players on that 2022 LSUS team to learn the game, laying the foundation for the 2025 championship. Valorant features 5-on-5 action in which teams take turns attacking and defending positions and planting/defusing “the spike.”

Valorant wasn’t the only LSUS Esports team to gain notoriety this year.

The Pilots’ Rocket League squad reached the grand finals as well, ultimately falling to Texas A&M International in a best-of-five series in which three of those games went to overtime. The LSUS Rocket League team finished 7-3.

As Esports continue to grow in popularity, Posey said LSUS’s established program is a recruiting tool that attracts prospective students.

“Esports is a slept on and underappreciated thing to have because just about every kid coming to college – man or woman – more than likely plays video games,” Posey said. “So to have competitive teams and an awesome Esports lab that’s open to all students, it really can be a difference in pulling in students and getting them engaged in something they’re passionate about.

“It’s hard to describe how much of a good thing it is to have a local college that has something everyone can enjoy and have interest in.”

Want to see a livestream of LSUS’s grand final win? Listen to former LSUS Esports players Elliot Hemstreet and Sarah Johnson stream the match and offer commentary.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Louisiana Tech is again a fill-in for the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.

But a year later, the Bulldogs are a very worthy one. They’ve won seven games, and are two painful last-second losses from a nine-win campaign, after being a five-win substitute a year ago when Marshall backed out due to player defections a week after accepting an I-Bowl berth.

Sunday, the Bulldogs were bowl bound. And in the space of a few hours, they were a perfect fit for the 49^th edition of the local bowl, when Iowa State (8-4) and Kansas State (6-6) both decided to accept a half-million dollar fine from the Big XII Conference and ended their seasons in the wake of coaching changes that rocked their programs last week.

The Big XII was unable to fill its Shreveport bowl slot. The Sun Belt had the other side of the pairing, and had a willing participant, 6-6 Coastal Carolina (5-3 in the SBC), even more pleased when Tech took the other side of the matchup.

“They mentioned that specifically, because Tech is about to go into the Sun Belt Conference, that they’re excited about (playing the Bulldogs),” said 2025 bowl chairperson Sarah Giglio.

The weekend didn’t shape up as labor intensive until K-State – which was eager to come to Shreveport before veteran coach Chris Kleiman surprised everybody five days ago with his retirement at age 58 after eight seasons in Manhattan, frustrated by NIL and the transfer portal – and Iowa State (who lost coach Matt Campbell to Penn State on Friday) changed course.

“When Kansas State and Iowa State pulled out, there were a lot of phone calls today,” Giglio said. “There was a lot going on that changed some things. It did definitely affect us.”

Tech was penciled in for various out-of-state bowls but will again play an hour from its Ruston campus. Last year the Bulldogs bowed 27-6 to Army in the I-Bowl to finish 5-8.

“There were extenuating circumstances last year, so it was really exciting for us, and I think for them, to be invited this year as a 7-5 team who had earned the right to come to a bowl,” said Giglio. “It was more exciting because they fought to get there.”

This will be the seventh Independence Bowl appearance for the Bulldogs.

“Typically bowls try not to have a lot of repeats, but Louisiana Tech’s a wonderful partner for us,” said Giglio. “Looking at our options, Louisiana Tech was our choice, that we wanted. Last year was a little bit of an outlier because of what Marshall did, so in my mind, this doesn’t count as a repeat.”

The game kicks off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST on ESPN.

The Chanticleers will be playing in their first Independence Bowl and their sixth bowl game in school history, with all of those games coming since 2020. The Independence Bowl will be their sixth straight bowl game.

It’s a 22-year-old program based in Conway, S.C., with one of college sports’ most unique mascots.

“I think it’s some kind of chicken,” Giglio laughed. “I’ll do my homework on that.”

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Calvary and Dunham, two semifinal underdogs who won on the road Friday night, will square off for the first time in three years in the LHSAA Select Division III state championship game that will kick off Thursday night at 7 in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome.

Calvary, the sixth seed, knocked off No. 2 Notre Dame Friday night 34-28 in overtime in Crowley.

A half-hour east in Lafayette, fifth-seeded Dunham got a two-point conversion with 1:46 to go and then finally stymied No. 1 Lafayette Christian Academy to claim a 49-48 shocker.

The Cavaliers-Tigers championship contest will be the last of three games on the first of three days in the LHSAA’s Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic.

Three years ago, the teams met in Baton Rouge on a rain-soaked field Nov. 25, 2022, in a state quarterfinal, won by Dunham 50-35.

Calvary went unbeaten the next season, winning the 2023 state title 34-28 in its first Superdome appearance by rallying past St. Charles Catholic, making a fourth-and-1 stop at midfield with 44 seconds left and five plays later getting the winning 20-yard Abram Wardell to Kolby Thomas touchdown with 18 seconds to go.

Last year, Calvary was on the verge of a return trip before Catholic-New Iberia pulled off a stunning 33-31 victory at Jerry Barker Stadium in a semifinal contest, scoring a touchdown with 1:02 left, converting an onside kick and a fourth-and-10, and getting the decisive field goal with a second left.

Dunham, the top seed, reached the 2024 state finals but Catholic staged a goalline stand in the last minute by intercepting Tigers’ sophomore star Elijah Haven in the end zone on fourth down  to prevail 31-28.

The state championship schedule and semifinal results:

2025 LHSAA ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL PREP CLASSIC

Caesars Superdome, New Orleans

THURSDAY

Non-Select Division IV Final

No. 1 Haynesville (13-0) vs. No. 2 Mangham (11-2), noon

Select Division IV Final

No. 5 Ascension Catholic (11-2) vs. No. 2 Riverside (11-1), 3:30

Select Division III Final

No. 5 Dunham (12-1) vs. No. 6 Calvary (12-1), Thursday, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

Non-Select Division II Final

No. 1 North DeSoto (13-0) vs. No. 2 Iowa (13-0), noon

Non-Select Division III Final

No. 1 Jena (12-1) vs. No. 2 Sterlington (11-2), 3:30 p.m.

Select Division II Final

No. 1 St. Charles (12-1) vs. No. 7 Shaw (9-4), 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

Non-Select Division I Final

No. 1 Ruston (11-2) vs. No. 14 Ouachita (10-4), noon

Select Division I Final

No. 1 Edna Karr (13-0) vs. No. 3 St. Augustine (12-1), 3:30 p.m.

FRIDAY’S SEMIFINAL SCORES

Select Division III

(5) Dunham 49, (1) Lafayette Christian 48

(6) Calvary 34, (2) Notre Dame 28, OT

Non-Select Division I

(1) Ruston 21, (13) Zachary 17

(14) Ouachita 14, (2) Neville 7

Non-Select Division II

(1) North DeSoto 58, (5) Plaquemine 44

(2) Iowa 28, (3) Belle Chasse 21

Non-Select Division III

(1), Jena 30, (12) Union Parish 6

(2) Sterlington 63, (3) St. James 24

Non-Select Division IV

(1) Haynesville 47, (4) Jeanerette 6

(2) Mangham 48, (3) South Plaquemines 14

Select Division I

(1), Edna Karr 17, (4) Catholic-BR 10

3) St. Augustine 31, (2) John Curtis 29

Select Division II

(1) St. Charles 34, (4) University 27

(7) Shaw 27, (6) Vanderbilt Catholic 0

Select Division IV

(5) Ascension Catholic 45, (1) Westminster Christian 14

(2) Riverside 42, (6) Ascension Episcopal 14

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

CROWLEY – Tripp Bachman’s blocked punt, returned 18 yards for a touchdown by Chance Freeman, got Calvary going when nothing was going right in the first quarter Friday night.

When the season was on the brink with 40 seconds left, Jacob Tibbett saved the Cavaliers by blocking a potential game-winning Notre Dame field goal.

A short while later, Connor Brookshire, Kole Green and Delancey “D2” Street delivered the knockout blow in Calvary’s 34-28 overtime victory in a Select Division III semifinal epic at Gardiner Memorial Stadium.

It was a fourth-down, 2 ½ yards to go, everything-on-the-line, last-play stop of the Pios’ sensational senior running back Joachim Bourgeois a yard outside the goalline, capping a five-play defensive series that denied second-seeded Notre Dame its first trip to the Caesars Superdome since 2018.

“They were waiting for it,” said Bourgeois, who ran for 1,972 yards in his senior season, 147 against the sixth-seeded Cavaliers, but needed one more he didn’t get. “I couldn’t get through. I think they stuffed me pretty good.”

Instead, the visitors from Shreveport and their fans staged a victory dance on the soggy grass field for 4-5 minutes, celebrating a very unexpected berth in the state final at the ‘Dome Thursday night at 7 against another surprise finalist, Dunham of Baton Rouge, which won 49-48 at top-seeded Lafayette Christian in the other D-3 semi.

“We lost a lot of guys (30 players, 17 starters from last year’s state semifinalists),” said undersized linebacker Mason Gourley. “Everybody thought we were nothing, but look where we are now.”

The Cavaliers are 12-1, bound for the ‘Dome for the second time, hoping to repeat their 2023 visit that produced a last-minute 34-28 (that score again) championship comeback victory over St. Charles Catholic. Their coach, Rodney Guin, became the winningest high school coach in Caddo-Bossier history with Friday’s triumph, the 217th of his 24-year career, the last eight with the Cavs.

“It’s hard on an old man,” he said moments later, grinning in between hugs, then noting the last two seasons have ended with dramatics in the final seconds – the 2023 triumph followed by the agony of a homefield semifinal loss last year to eventual state champ Catholic-New Iberia, who scored twice in the final 1:02, sandwiched around an onside kick that triggered a 33-31 stunner in the 2024 semis.

This time, thanks to a turnaround in the middle of the game as the Pios (11-2) threatened to build a three-score lead, and the game-ending heroics by the defense, the Cavaliers rode north very happy for a second straight week after beating a higher seed.

Considering Bourgeois, who threw a first-half 66-yard halfback pass for a TD and a 21-7 lead, accounted for 232 of Notre Dame’s 372 total yards, there was little mystery about who would get the call on fourth down in overtime. The Cavaliers had quickly taken the OT advantage with a second-down, 6-yard toss from Hudson Price to star receiver Braylun Huglon – on an ad-lib.

“That was actually not called,” said Price, “but I saw him 1-on-1 and I just threw it.”

Huglon did what he does, putting an ankle-breaking move on his defender for his third TD catch of the night and 21^st of the season. His second one, a 69-yarder, gave Calvary a 28-21 edge late in the third period – the third straight series the Cavs lit up the scoreboard.

“I saw everybody in the box was blitzing, and coach called the hitch. Hudson saw (the defensive back) was playing off a little bit, threw it, and I had to win the 1-on-1 backside,” he said. “Once I did, I knew I was going to the races, touchdown.”

Their 6-yard hookup on the previous possession drew the Cavs even at 21. Price had finished the first half on a 10-yard rollout that closed the gap to 21-14 nine seconds before the break, capping a 7-play, 55-yard drive in the last three minutes.

Calvary’s three-series roll from two scores down to a TD lead midway through the second half was answered by a 14-play Notre Dame drive, keyed by a 9-yard Bourgeois pass on a fake punt, and ending with his 3-yard run out of the Pios’ stacked I version of the tush push with 8:50 to go in the fourth period.

Then ND was poised to win before Tibbett’s field goal block with 31 seconds left forced overtime.

“I don’t want to say I did, but I did touch the ball,” he said, quickly sharing credit. “But everybody did.”

In OT, after Huglon’s TD catch, the Cavs momentarily appeared to have won it on a fourth-down pass breakup from the 5, but an interference flag gave Notre Dame one more chance from outside the 2.

“We watched out for Bourgeois every play. That particular play for sure,” said Guin. “We kinda knew what they were gonna do. You’ve gotta be man enough to stop it. If I had him, on big plays, he’s getting the ball.

“(In) the stacked I stuff, they run the ball 90 percent of the time. We got enough bodies up in there to hold them.”

Defensive coordinator Mark Miller was worried about the other 10 percent of the time.

“I was looking outside, because I thought they were about to throw it. And they cut back underneath. Our interior line, all night, was tough,” he said. “Sixteen (Bourgeois) is a special dude. We knew we’d run the risk of him running outside a lot, but he’d been creasing everybody with that ISO, and we were not going to give up the ISO. We committed to it, and they beat us on the edge quite a few times, but at the end, he cut back up inside and that’s where we’d been strong all night.”

It was vital because the Pios had blocked the Cavs’ extra point after the OT TD.

Senior middle linebacker Justin Reeves didn’t want the outcome resolved on a Notre Dame PAT kick – especially not with Tibbett laying in the mud on the sideline, overwhelmed by cramps after his field goal block.

“We were running real tired, and just had to find that next gear, dig deep,” said Reeves. “I was on ‘E’ – everybody was. We found a way to win.

“I can’t even describe what that feeling was in that moment. We got it done.”

“We didn’t come here to lose this game,” said Gourley. “We were gonna die before we lost this game.”

“It’s a storybook ending tonight,” said Miller.  “I’m so proud of them. Whatever happens next week, we have an opportunity, and I’ll bet on my dudes any day of the week.”

This Thursday night in New Orleans, he will again.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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Edward (Ed) Walter Chance III was born June 26, 1955, in Shreveport, LA to Evelyn Ann Davenport Chance of Ferriday, LA and Edward Walter Chance Jr. of Shreveport, LA. His celebrated life came to an end after a brief illness on December 3, 2025.

Ed is preceded in death by his father Ed and his mother Nan Chance. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nanci Rayburn Chance; his daughter Chelsey Chance Weatherly and husband, Eric; his brother John Dumas Chance, and wife, Kate; his sister Lisa Chance; his dear cousin Marke Robertson and wife, Gayle; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and life-long friends.

Ed grew up in Bossier City and was a 1973 graduate of Airline High School. He worked in his father’s store, Ed’s Supermarket, when he was young and later owned his own grocery stores in St. Joe and Haughton. After leaving the grocery store business, he built a career at Cintas and formed relationships that extended well beyond the workday. He had fond memories of his colleagues and enjoyed telling stories of those he dubbed “the old-timers”. He was a dedicated employee who had high expectations for trainees and a low tolerance for slackers. In those days, his “lunch” would often consist of a cigarette, a Diet Coke, and a BC powder.

A mutual friend set Ed and Nanci up on a blind date on opening day of dove hunting season in September 1980. They were married in April 1981 and had their daughter, Chelsey, in July 1982. Ed and Nanci were quite the pair, and were known for their affectionate—and often colorful—banter. Their relationship stood the test of time and was a true testament to sticking together in good times and bad, through sickness and health.

Affectionately known as Little Ed to some and Eddie C to others, he had a zest for life, a heart for helping others, and a quick wit with one-liners that left everyone in stitches. He was a gentle, kind soul who loved his pets. He was known to allow Chelsey to bring home animals on more than one occasion, often to Nanci’s dismay.

Ed had a lifelong love of hunting and fishing. He made many memories hunting with Jerry and the boys in Hall Summit. He especially cherished his trips—his most recent just three weeks ago—to visit his cousin Marke in Mississippi, where they reminisced about childhood and where he was guaranteed to find himself a deer. On nice days you’d find him on the lake with his fishing buddy, Tommy. During the summer, every other Thursday was dedicated to tournament fishing with his dear friend and fishing partner, Dudley. Nothing got in the way of those tournaments and all other activities would be scheduled accordingly.

Although he was an avid outdoorsman, Ed was not a camper. When the subject of camping would come up, he’d quip, “My idea of camping is black and white TV and slow room service!” He was quick with a one-liner, often while driving. A few of his frequent comments were, “I guess that model didn’t come with a blinker,” when someone failed to use their signal, or, “What shade of green are you waiting on?” when someone remained stopped after a green light.

Ed was an excellent cook and thoroughly enjoyed sharing his gift of good food with others. He could be found manning the BBQ pit at the Mardi Gras parades, selling chicken quarter plates for his daughter’s high school danceline, frying fish at church gatherings, and even as recently as this Thanksgiving, frying and smoking turkeys for family and friends.

Ed found great joy in spending time with family and was especially fond of the time spent with his nephews Brady and Jay. He was extremely proud of their accomplishments and thoroughly enjoyed watching their children’s sporting events. Ed also shared a particularly special bond with his son-in-law Eric, who he considered the son he never had. Ed enjoyed offering his personal tips and tricks to Eric, and Eric enthusiastically served at Ed’s beckoned call.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 8, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Bossier. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 9, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Espiscopal Church of the Highlands. Officiating will be Father John Henson. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.

Honoring Ed as pallbearers will be Eric Weatherly, Jay Snell, Brady Chance, Paul Kelly, Cory Sipes, and Mikey Haley. Honorary pallbearers include Marke Robertson, Dudley Beene, and Jerry Spiers.

The family would like to thank the team at WK Pierremont ICU, specifically Dr. Scott Howard, RN Bailey Carmody, RN Haley Bain, and Respiratory Therapist Cretia Straughan. Special thanks also to Dr. Jason Calligas, Dr. Jonathan Davis, and Dr. Melanie Smith. Finally, thanks to the spiritual care Ed and our family received from Father John Henson and Deacon Lois Mayberry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dream Hunt Foundation, 315 Deer Crossing Stonewall, LA 71078 (dreamhunt.tv).

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Mrs. Fran Chandler, 85, died December 3, 2025, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Services will be held Monday, December 8, 2025, at 12:00 noon at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana.

She was born Frances Marie Neal in Urania, Louisiana, on December 28, 1940, to Felder Francis Neal and Elma Marie Ford Neal. She graduated from LaSalle High School and Olla in 1959 and moved to Shreveport shortly after. Fran worked for several years at Southern Bell Telephone Company as a long-distance telephone operator before starting her family. She went to work for Western Electric in 1969, where she retired from there as AT&T/Lucent Technologies in 2000.

Fran was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, a member of the VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary, and a member of the American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary. She was a good wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and loved her family deeply. She also loved to go fishing with her husband and soulmate, Robert, and she loved connecting with friends on Facebook.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Felder Neal and Marie Dunn; grandparents, Chris and Rosie Neal; one brother, Ford Christopher Neal; and infant daughter, Velma Marie Whiddon.

Her survivors are her husband, Robert C. Chandler, whom she married in 1989; her four children (by her first husband, James B. Whiddon), Sondra Gay (Whiddon) Davis and husband, Richard; Teresa Joy (Whiddon) Cales and husband, David; Kimberly Annette (Whiddon)Jones and husband, Eric; and James Benton Whiddon, Jr, and wife, Stephanie; sister, Mary Lou Etheridge; six grandchildren, Ricky and Amanda Davis; Katie (Cales) Lucas and Lyndsey Cales; Samuel Jones Whiddon; and Lisa Nicole Jones, four stepgrandchildren, Heather and Zackary McLain; Erica Jones and Jana Matt, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Honoring Fran as pallbearers will be Denny Finley, Landon Finley, Hayden Finley, Michael Lee, Zackary McLain, David Romero, and Jeffrey Finley Jr. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Richard Davis.

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The Shreveport Police Department announced it will conduct a DWI sobriety checkpoint in south Shreveport on Friday, Dec. 5, beginning at 10 p.m. and continuing into the early morning hours of Dec. 6.

According to the department, the operation will follow all Louisiana Highway Safety Commission guidelines as part of ongoing efforts to improve roadway safety and reduce impaired driving incidents.

Officials urged residents to plan ahead if they intend to drink by designating a sober driver, using a cab or rideshare service, or making transportation arrangements before going out. Police encouraged the public to act responsibly to help ensure a safe weekend in Shreveport.

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A Shreveport man accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with a 12-year-old girl was convicted Wednesday, Dec. 3 of sexual battery of a juvenile under age 13 by a unanimous Caddo Parish jury.

The five-woman, seven-man jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court deliberated less than two hours before returning its verdict against Tyler I. Ford Sr., 29.

On Sept. 21, 2023, Ford’s girlfriend found a suspicious note on his phone, which referenced meeting in the bathroom to “do it” and also referenced giving someone shoes or money. When confronted about the note, Ford claimed it had previously been sent to a former girlfriend. Based on the content of the note, his girlfriend suspected the note had been sent to the 12-year-old victim. When the child’s mother questioned the girl, she disclosed that Ford had been sexually abusing her for several years.

The girl was interviewed at the Gingerbread House and that recorded interview, along with the note, was introduced into evidence at trial. Six witnesses, including the child, her mother and the adult sister, testified that Ford committed the crime of sexual battery of a juvenile under the age of 13.

When Ford returns to court for sentencing Dec. 16, he faces at least 25 years and up to 99 years in prison at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence and upon release must register as a sex offender.

Assistant District Attorneys Jason Waltman and Ashlin Thomas prosecuted the case. The Caddo Parish Indigent Defenders office represented Ford.

The case was Docket No. 399851.

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Caddo Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. recognized several deputies today during a ceremony honoring them for their promotions and years of service at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 4.

The following promotions were made:
– Melisa Merritt, Manager, Caddo Correctional Center – Medical
– Aaron Cornelius, Captain, Re-entry and the Transitional Work Program (TWP)
– Robert Montoya, Captain, Caddo Correctional Center Administration
– Tony LeBlanc, Captain, Homeland Security
– Jared Marshall, Sergeant, Investigations
– Ti’a Moore-King, Sergeant, Crime Scene Investigations

Deputy Dorcus Godfrey was honored for her 30 years of dedicated service.

In light of the unexpected passing of Captain Aaron Cornelius, his wife, Michelle, accepted his promotion in his place.

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Airline wide receiver Kenny Darby will sign today, most likely with an SEC school, just like everyone has known for quite a while.

During the recruiting process, he’s maintained a good relationship with various coaches, which will pay off in the immediate and near future.

As a four-star recruit, he’s spent a lot of time thinking about what it was going to be like when he finally signs his name.

Welcome to Kenny Darby’s dream.

Welcome to Kenny Darby’s nightmare.

Yes, Darby is likely to sign with an SEC school. No, it’s not the one he thought he was going to sign with.

What you need to know before we get into the sordid details of all of this is that there are plenty of Kenny Darbys out there. All over the country, there are lots of top-of-the-line recruits who have made a commitment to sign with their dream school, only to be told at the last minute that the school no longer shares that same commitment.

In fact, Darby isn’t even the only case of this happening in Shreveport-Bossier.

Yes, decommitments aren’t a one-way street. There’s no shortage of examples of athletes who pull a fast one at the last minute on a university.

But Kenny Darby isn’t one of them.

Throughout the recruitment, Darby has never wavered on his commitment to LSU. He announced in January he was so committed that he was shutting down the recruiting process. On Tuesday morning, he posted on X “I will be signing Wednesday, December 3rd at 1 pm” with a Callin’ Baton Rouge graphic as the background.

Only 25 hours before that signing was to take place, he was told that LSU was no longer interested.

And he wasn’t even told by LSU.

LSU brought new coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge on Sunday for an introductory press conference. A coaching change at any school always brings about turmoil in recruiting, especially with the calendar being what it is these days in college football.

But even with that, Darby got a call on that same day from one of Kiffin’s assistants, who had tried to recruit Darby to come to Ole Miss, telling the Airline product how excited he was to be able to get to coach him after all.

That sentiment was short lived.

Two days later, Darby’s advisor — every top recruit has an agent or advisor these days – got a call to inform him that there was no longer a scholarship offer. Left unsaid were the words “And could you please let Kenny know? Thanks!”

You may have read or heard that Darby had “decommitted” from LSU. Should you believe that, then perhaps it’s time we had a talk about the Easter Bunny.

Kids who decommit usually don’t have their emotions described as “crushed,” as one Airline coach described it.

But here’s all you need to know about Kenny Darby: The day after his football world was turned upside down, he didn’t run from it. Showed up at school. Attended every class. Chatted up everyone in sight as he walked the halls at Airline with that ear-to-ear grin he’s always been known for.

He may have been left at the station by one school, but everyone knew there was bound to be another train coming.

Next thing you know, Colorado’s Deion Sanders was on a Zoom call with him. Then more offers came in. Some were from places he was familiar with from early in the recruiting process. Others seemingly came from left field. But never doubt how many roads there are on the recruiting trail or where they can take you.

That’s why this really isn’t a Kenny Darby issue or an LSU issue. “Commitment” is a nice word to use by both parties in college recruiting, but what it really means sometimes is “hang on for now and let’s see of either one of us can find something or someone better.”

But that’s not what happened here. This was an old-school, can’t-wait-to-sign recruitment process almost from the beginning.

Nobody ever promised it was going to be fair. It’s always best to go into it with your eyes wide open, because anything can — and will — happen, given the right (or wrong) set of circumstances.

Unfortunately, it happened to Kenny Darby. Then again, when it’s all said and done, and it might not be unfortunate at all.

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

With two state championships and four semifinal appearances since 2020, it’s hard to find something the Calvary Baptist Cavaliers haven’t accomplished recently.

Until last week. Calvary’s 14-7 state quarterfinal victory at previously unbeaten Jewel Sumner snapped a skid of five straight losses on the road in postseason, and it was the first time this decade the Cavaliers won while scoring under 20 points.

That kind of defense and mental toughness will come in handy tonight at Gardiner Memorial Stadium in Crowley, when sixth-seeded Calvary (11-1) carries a 10-game winning streak against second-seeded Notre Dame (10-2) in a Select Division III semi.

“It was huge for us to go to a tough place against a good team last week and get a win on the road,” said Cavs’ coach Rodney Guin. “Now we try to do it again. We’ve been to Neville this year, we went to Oak Grove this year, and I think that helps us.”

He’ll take every edge he can find, anticipating a nailbiter, something he has shared with his team that has replaced 17 starters from last year’s semifinalists.

“We’ve been in four semifinal games the last five years. Every one of them has been a touchdown game, has come down to the last four minutes, and that’s what we’re expecting Friday night,” said Guin.

After containing Jewel Sumner’s explosive Wing-T running game last week, the Cavs have a similar challenge tonight.

“We tackled very well. That was the key. They were gonna run the ball, and we were able to hold them down pretty good,” said Guin.

“We’ve played the run well all year. Notre Dame is probably gonna run it 75 percent of the time, so we’re gonna have to line up and win it there.”

Led by dynamic tailback Joachim Bourgeois (1,774 yards, 23 touchdowns, 7.3 yards per carry), the Pios beat Division I quarterfinalist Southside in their opener to start a schedule with every team reaching the playoffs. They’ve lost to another Division I quarterfinalist, Teurlings Catholic  (24-20), and to Lafayette Christian (41-7), the top seed in the Cavs’ playoff bracket, hosting fourth-seeded Dunham in the other semifinal tonight.

“Notre Dame is so well coached, mistake-free on both sides of the ball. They play very, very hard. They’ve got some athletes – the running back is going to be as good an athlete as will be on the field, and the quarterback (Drew LeJeune), too. But they win with just great coaching (by Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame coach Lewis Cook Jr.) and no mistakes.”

Bourgeois has been an incredible leadoff man. He has scored on the Pios’ first play an amazing six times.

“We may put 11 guys on him the first play,” said Guin. “They may score, but we’re going to try to not let HIM score.”

Leading the Cavs’ defense is returning All-State safety Luke Miller, who tops the team with 96 tackles and 10 pass breakups, along with three interceptions.

Outside linebacker Mason Gourley had 13 stops last week.  Another linebacker, junior Jacob Tibbett, is a key cog while David Weeks anchors the defensive front with 13 tackles for loss.

“The whole defense has been really good and that’s what’s gotten us where we are,” said Guin.

Defense, and avoiding turnovers, will be at a premium. There’s the possibility of a soggy grass field – after dry weather for weeks, Crowley got about four inches

of rain over 36 hours Wednesday and Thursday – and the Pios’ deliberate running game.

“It’s going to be a limited possession game, like last week. We can’t turn the ball over,” said Guin. “If you only get the ball 10 times and you turn it over twice, that’s only eight chances against a really good defense.

“We’ve got to run the ball a little bit.”

Doing that will be Z’Ryan Miles, who is 50 yards shy of 1,000 for his first season as a varsity starter. Keeping Notre Dame on its toes is another junior, Braylon Huglon, who has focused on playing receiver after earning All-State honors last year at cornerback.

Huglon has 66 catches for 1,275 yards, 19.3 per catch, and has scored 22 TDs (18 receiving, 1 rushing, 2 kickoff returns and a pick six in spot duty in man coverage on defense.)

“He’s had a fantastic year with a new quarterback and a lot of new players around him. We’ve got to get the ball to him – he needs to touch it at least 10 times and we need a couple big plays out of him,” said Guin.

Sophomore quarterback Hudson Price has steadily improved and sparkled last week, going 9 of 10 passing and scoring on a 6-yard run. He has completed 68.5 percent (137-200, with only five interceptions) for 2,104 yards and 23 scores.

“We brought him along slowly on purpose and he’s gotten so much better. He made a great play on the goalline last week, when he pulled the ball and walked into the end zone, and he probably wouldn’t have done that earlier this season,” said Guin. “We’re super, super happy with his progress.”

The game will be streamed on VSN.com and broadcast locally on 90.7 FM.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

DURHAM, N.C. – No. 5 LSU’s NCAA record of eight straight 100-point games ended Thursday night.

But the Tigers stayed unbeaten at 9-0 in their first true test of the season, leaning on veterans Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams to hold off host Duke for a 93-77 victory in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Johnson scored 13 of her game-high 18 points in the final two quarters while former Parkway High star Williams scored 10 of LSU’s 20 third-quarter points to finish with 14 points and a team-high seven assists.

Duke (3-6), which was ranked No. 7 in the preseason polls, shot to a 14-point lead in the game’s first 3:45, hitting three 3-pointers while the Tigers committed five of their season-high 18 turnovers.

“They jumped on us like white on rice,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “They shot it better than what we saw on film. We were poor in transition defense early, and they got some second-chance points.

“They came out smoking, but we finally settled in. I was very proud of my team because you can’t get all those points back quickly. Just stay the course. Keep grinding, keep getting better, keep defending.”

Possession by possession, especially after reserve guard MiLaysia Fulwiley entered the game, LSU flipped game momentum. Fulwiley had 14 first-half points of her game-total 16 points, including a driving layup with six seconds left in the second quarter for a 51-43 halftime lead.

Transfers Fulwiley (South Carolina), center Kate Koval (Notre Dame) and Amiya Joiner (East Carolina) combined for 43 points and 14 rebounds. Joiner and Koval scored 14 and 13 points respectively. Freshman Grace Knox added 14 points, hitting all four of her field goal and free throw attempts.

Ashlon Jackson led Duke with 16 points. Taina Mair and Toby Fournier had 14 each.

Bossier City’s Williams, who made just 1 of 3 field goals in the first half, took over the game for the Tigers in the third quarter. She scored seven points in a 1:24 stretch with a 3-pointer and a pair of mid-range jumpers.

Then, she sent her team into the final period with a 71-61 lead on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the third quarter.

Johnson grabbed the reins to close out the win, scoring 10 points in 10 minutes, including 3 of 4 3-pointers. She did it against Duke coach Kara Lawson, who played Johnson in limited minutes last summer when Lawson coached Johnson on the 2025 USA’s gold-medal winning Women’s AmeriCup Team in Santiago, Chile.

 “I was happy for Flau’jae,” Mulkey said. “She’s had this date circled. She didn’t have a good experience with USA Basketball with Kara this summer.

“Kara had done a lot of wonderful things in her career. But when when you become a coach, whether it’s USA Basketball, LSU, or Duke, players aren’t always going to be happy and content.

“Flau’jae lost a lot of confidence this summer playing USA Basketball. My job when I get her back on campus is to bring her back to where she can help us do what we need to do.

“I had a conversation with her many times this summer. I had a conversation with her before we came here. I just winked at her, and I said, `Just be you. Do what you do for LSU. Don’t make it personal. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not. In that purple uniform, those three letters speak volumes.’”

The Tigers return to action on Sunday at 3 p.m. with a road game at the University of New Orleans.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

The LSU Shreveport basketball teams roared out of holiday breaks and smacked visiting Texas College in a pair of lopsided Red River Athletic Conference wins Thursday night at The Dock.

LSUS will host another RRAC doubleheader Saturday against Jarvis Christian in the annual Toy Drive Game. The women’s game tips at 1 with the men slated to start at 3:30. Admission is free with a toy donation.

LSUS MEN 107, TEXAS COLLEGE 63: After a 10-day break between games, Khi Wallace paced all scorers with 26 points and 14 rebounds while adding two blocks, and Hayden Brittingham contributed 21 points and 12 boards with two blocks of his own.

The Pilots improved to 4-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The Steers fell to 1-6 on the season and 0-2 in RRAC action.

LSUS carried a 54-37 lead into halftime, then opened with a 14-2 run to blow open the matchup.

Thaddeus Johnson matched Brittingham’s scoring output with 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Emareayon McDonald finished with 18 points and six assists. Alexzaye Johnson led LSUS with nine assists.

LSUS WOMEN 61, TEXAS COLLEGE 35: Playing for the first time in 14 days, the Pilots restricted Texas College to 19 percent shooting overall including 13 percent from beyond the arc, improving to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Sami Slusarek and Slema Markisic scored 16 points each. Slusarek recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds and added four steals. Markisic finished with six steals and four assists.  Toni Coleman contributed 10 points, five assists, five steals, and four rebounds. 

Texas College dipped to 2-5 and 1-1 in the RRAC.

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By T. SCOTT BOATRIGHT, Lincoln Parish Journal

RUSTON — Much has been written and talked about legendary Grambling State University baseball coach Wilbert Ellis and all of the honors and Hall of Fame inductions he’s earned over the years.

But a publication party event celebrating a magazine profile written by GSU History Department Head Edward Holt focused not on Ellis’ athletic achievements, but instead on the impact he has made on so many people across the state of Louisiana – and around the country.

Holt’s story was written for the new edition of 64 Parishes magazine. A panel discussion featuring some of Ellis’ closest friends was the highlight of the event held Thursday night inside the Lincoln Parish Library’s Events Center.

That panel consisted of former Ruston, LSU and NFL quarterback Bert Jones, Pastor Maurice White of Mt. Zion Traveler Baptist Church, former Grambling and MLB pitcher Gary Eave, attorney and former Louisiana State Rep. Patrick O. Jefferson, and John Belton, District Attorney for Louisiana’s Third Judicial District (Lincoln and Union parishes) with Holt moderating the discussion.

Discussed were things like what lessons learned — aside from baseball — panel members have taken away from their relationships with Ellis.

“The thing that sticks out from all I’ve learned from Coach Ellis is that you have to finish,” White said. “You have to finish strong. The second lesson I’ve learned from him is that you have to be patient. 

“He always tells me, ‘Pastor, you have to be patient, God will work it out.’ ” 

For Jones, the lesson learned is never forgetting to give time to others.

“I was at a College World Series, and nobody was bigger than Coach Ellis,” Jones said. “I mean, every coach in the stadium, which is every major coach in the country, looked up to him. And he spoke to everyone, including my grandson, and made them all feel special and gave them all the time they wanted.”

For Eave, it was the lesson of always being ready to give back what’s been given to you.

“That’s something he taught me and hundreds of players that played for him over the years,” Eave said. “In the Bible, the word of God says to whom much is given, much is required. And that’s in responsibility, that’s in showing up, that’s in dedication, that’s in commitment, and that’s just in being able to know what you can be counted on. That’s what Coach Ellis instilled in me and the guys that I played with.”

The panel also talked about the impact Ellis, a Ruston native, has had on their lives as well as others.

“Service — service to God,” Belton said. “Service to his family, service to his community. He is selfless. He is not selfish. He is a father figure worth respect. He is a leader respected in our community and in our state. 

“Leaders are not afraid to stand up and say they believe in God. Leaders are not afraid to stand up and tell you the truth, and not put a spin on things. We need more of that. And that’s what Coach Ellis represents — a true man of God.”

Jones, the 1976 NFL Most Valuable Player and a former American Legion pitcher for Ruston’s T.L. James team, noted he never got his wish to try to strike out one of Grambling’s greats, 1974 National League batting champion Ralph Garr, who was in the audience. But he said he was proud to emphasize Ellis’ greatest impact is serving to bond his community together.

“Coach, you are a glue for his community,” Jones said. “You have done so much, just by yourself, bonding people, bonding communities, bonding projects for the hospital, baseball camps, just building camaraderie for the community of Ruston and Grambling.

“You are the glue in this community that has made us stick together. And for that, we thank you,” 

Jefferson said one of the bigger impacts he’s seen Ellis make has been the baseball coach’s work in keeping alive the memory and accomplishments for his near lifelong friend, late GSU football coach Eddie Robinson.

“I don’t know of any other individual who has championed, who has furthered, who has maintained, the legacy of Coach Eddie Robinson than Coach Ellis,” Jefferson said. “Most people in his position would feel that it’s their time to receive the recognition they deserve, but Coach Ellis continues to sing the praises of Coach (Fredrick) Hobdy (former GSU basketball coach and athletics director) and Coach (Eddie) Robinson.

“We need great men. Great men who stand. Great men who are heard. Great men who are seen. Great men who contribute. Great men who unite, great men who bind together as the glue, and that’s what tonight is about as we celebrate this man.”

As he closed out the night with his personal remarks as someone who is a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the  Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the SWAC Hall of Fame, the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame and a man who has been awarded with the Ruston-Lincoln (Parish) Chamber of Commerce’s Robert E. Russ Award, which is the highest award that is given for community impact  in Ruston or Lincoln Parish, and the Bill Best Humanitarian Award, Ellis admitted the night was a special one for him.

“I’ve been honored in other places, but there’s nothing like being honored at home,” Ellis said. “God bless Lincoln Parish. God bless Grambling State University. And God bless everybody here, and those who are not here. And God bless America.”

Contact Scott at tscottboatright@gmail.com

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Patricia Rosbottom Cunningham, known as “Pat” and “Patsy,” passed away peacefully at Ochsner LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Born in Bastrop, Louisiana, Pat devoted her life to serving others with grace, wisdom, and unwavering compassion.

Pat was a lifelong resident of Louisiana and a member of The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church in Natchitoches and previously First United Methodist Church in Shreveport. She grew up in Bastrop, Louisiana, moved to Haynesville where she graduated from high school and was voted “sweet heart of the campus”. Pat graduated from Centenary College where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority; and LSU Baton Rouge, where she furthered her career in educational therapy and became an avid LSU sports fan. She taught school in Shreveport at Barett Elementary and A.C. Steere Elementary and later as an education consultant for Bossier Parish. For decades she served as a beacon of hope and shepherd to countless students, parents, and fellow educators. Her work extended far beyond the classroom— The impact of her wisdom and compassion ripples through generations of families across Northwest Louisiana. .She was an active member of the St. Denis Gardening Club, PEO international, and Northwestern Symphony Society. She was also a long time board member and chairman of the NRMC Foundation.

Pat was preceded in death by her father, Murphy Oliver, mother Willie C Jonston Midyett and stepfather, Jack H Midyett. Pat is survived by her husband, Joe Cunningham of Natchitoches; her daughter, Amy Elizabeth Rosbottom Beringer of Dallas, Texas; her son, Harold Loe Rosbottom, Jr. of Addison, Texas; five grandchildren: Carter Polk, Katherine Rosbottom Alessandro, Lauren Elizabeth Rosbottom, Harold Loe Rosbottom III, and William Christopher Rosbottom; stepsons Joe Cunningham Jr. (Terri), John Cunningham (Kim) and Roger Cunningham (Rachel), as well as numerous step grandchildren and step greatgranchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday December 8 in the chapel at Blanchard St Denis Funeral Home with a private burial immediately following. The family will receive friends and visitors on Sunday, December 7, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Harold Loe Rosbottonm Jr., Harold Loe Rosbottom III, Christopher Rosbottom, Carter Polk, Joe Cunningham Jr and Roger Cunningham. Honorary pallbearer will be John Cunningham. …

Pat often shared her favorite poem, “Miss Me, But Let Me Go,” which beautifully expressed her wish for those she loved. Patricia Rosbottom Cunningham’s legacy lives on in the students she guided, the family she nurtured, and the community she served so faithfully. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

“Miss me a little, but not too long, and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared. Miss me, but let me go.”

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in memory of Pat for the Scott Alessandro cancer fundLink in Pat’s memory. P O Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106

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