(Junior Josh Brantley rushed his way to a Ruston victory. Photo credit: Reggie McLeroy)
By Kyle Roberts
What began as a defensive struggle for both teams turned into an instant classic style finish for the Ruston Bearcats (5-0) as two separate three-yard touchdown runs by junior quarterback Josh Brantley proved to be the difference Friday night as Ruston topped Neville 14-10 at Bill Ruple Stadium.
Ruston High now enters District 2-5A play next week with a perfect record after a night that no fan for either team will forget with the Bearcat defense stopping drives and making plays when needed.
“We’re playing really well defensively and we needed to hold on long enough to figure out what we needed to do offensively,” Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “We got some things figured out because (Neville was) moving the front around. I thought our guys up front handled that really well.
“And then Josh made some really big, tough runs and got into a rhythm. I think their guys defensively got a little bit gassed at the end and we took advantage of that.”
Those tough runs paid off with 0:38 left to go in the ballgame as Brantley muscled his way into the end zone with a three-yard touchdown run to put Ruston up 14-10 and effectively sealed the deal for the Bearcats.
The winning touchdown was set up by a muffed punt that was recovered at the Neville 29-yard line by deep snapper Joe Morrow with 2:41 left to play.
After being held scoreless for the first 41 minutes of the night, Ruston finally got onto the scoreboard with 7:06 left to play with a seven-play, 67-yard drive, capped off by Brantley’s first touchdown of the night.
A key play during the first scoring drive was a play action out of the shotgun that led to a long completion to sophomore fullback Lander Smith to get into Neville territory.
“As the season is going along, the experience (Brantley) is gaining is very valuable in respect to the level of competition that he’s had to do that against; it’s really remarkable,” Baugh said. “I know it gets frustrating when we’re not scoring many points, but he’s doing a very good job and growing. I think that’s only going to give him confidence in the throwing game.”
Ruston’s receiving corps was down both senior wide outs Zhy Scott and Logan Malone.
Neville’s defense for the most part rendered Ruston’s rushing game ineffective until Brantley took over with his run attack in the fourth quarter. Brantley would rush 17 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
Baugh attributed Ruston’s success tonight in large part to remaining steady despite trailing for a majority of the night.
“One thing we harp on in particular is not getting rattled,” Baugh said. “That’s the way you have to be, regardless of what calls are made or how frustrating it can be; you can’t let those things affect what the rest of the game looks like.”
Defensively, junior linebacker Zheric Hill finished with nine tackles on the night and broke up a critical pass on Neville’s last drive to set up fourth down. Senior linebacker Jaden Mayfield finished with five tackles and a sack on the night.
Neville scored all of its points in the second quarter and took a 10-0 lead into halftime before the Bearcats scored their 14-unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
Ruston returns to action Friday, Oct. 6, at The Hoss for 2023’s homecoming matchup with Alexandria Senior High. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
EL PASO, Texas – Louisiana Tech put an end to its road losing skid while also remaining unbeaten in conference play, defeating UTEP by a final score of 24-10 on Friday night at the Sun Bowl.
LA Tech (3-3, 2-0 CUSA) used all three phases to get the victory. Offensively, it was a pair of explosive pass plays to go along with another 100-yard rushing performance by Tyre Shelton. Defensively, it was keeping UTEP (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) off the scoreboard in their final four drives. And on special teams, it was Smoke Harris electrifying with a punt return for a touchdown.
“I think it was good for our team and I think it’s the first time this season we started with a touchdown on the first drive,” Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie said. “It was a great start for us. And we talked all week about our defense being able to create an opportunity for us on special teams. And then (Harris) made it happen.
“Starting as quick as we did on offense with a 14-point lead and then we settled in defensively and played physically. The fast start helped us because there’s a lot of things to improve on from an offensive standpoint. But I’m really proud of how we started the football game; it was incredible.”
It was a downer when the Bulldogs lost the coin toss for the first time this season. However, the Bulldogs needed just five plays to find the end zone on their opening drive of the contest. The big one was Cyrus Allen going 85 yards on a catch-and-run down to the 1-yard line. Shelton punched it in from there to make it 7-0 just a little over two minutes deep into the game.
After the LA Tech defense forced a 3-and-out on the Miners first drive of the night, Harris took a punt return to the house for 67 yards to give the ‘Dogs a quick 14-0 lead.
Punter Blake Ochsendorf pinned UTEP back on its own 7-yard line, but the Miners proceeded to go on a 15-play, 93-yard drive that was made up of 13 rushing attempts. The 13th one put UTEP into the end zone on a 2-yard carry with the first play of the second quarter.
LA Tech did its own version of ground-and-pound later in the stanza, leading to a 32-yard field by Jacob Barnes to make it a 17-7 lead with 2:28 to go in the half.
UTEP got its own field goal, a 36-yarder to close out its opening drive of the second half. But that was the last time the Miners would find the end zone. The LA Tech defense forced another 3-and-out, had a turnover-on-downs near its red zone, and for good measure stopped the home team at the 4-yard line with multiple pass breakups.
“Our defense did a good job in the red zone,” Cumbie said. “Their backs were big; they had a good combination. I think defensively our guys did a nice job of tackling. We created some takeaways, and that was a key. We challenged our team in all four sides of the football. And I think we played well and got a tough win on the road. So I’m very proud of how our guys did that.”
The Bulldogs cashed in one more time in the second half thanks to an extended drive because of a UTEP penalty. As a result, Jack Turner dropped in a perfect pass to the back corner of the end zone to Tru Edwards on the first play of the fourth quarter for the 20-yard score.
Linebacker D’Tavion Wright (6) and the Lincoln Prep defense led the Panthers to a 6-0 road win at Lakeside on Friday night. (LPJ file photo)
By T. Scott Boatright
SIBLEY — The old football adage says that sometimes a team’s best offense can be its defense.
Lincoln Preparatory School took full advantage of that saying Friday night as the Panthers held on for a 6-0 win at Lakeside.
It was the Panthers’ second shutout of the season after defeating Plain Dealing 44-0 in Week Two.
“We played great defense,” Lincoln Prep coach Glen Hall said of his team’s effort against Lakeside, which fell to 3-2 on the season. “We ran around, we made plays and did the things we had to do to be able to pull out the win.”
Hall couldn’t say the same about the Panthers’ offense.
“Offensively, we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot,” Hall said. “We should have scored three other touchdowns but kept giving it up in the red zone.
“We had a first and goal on the Lakeside 1-yard line and the center snapped the ball over our quarterback’s head three straight times.
Starter Jordan Brown went the distance behind center for the Panthers.
“He completed about seven passes,” Hall said. “He completed a couple of sprintouts. We ran quite a bit of play action and some backside slants. We threw a couple of flares to our running backs, too.
Starting linebacker Wimberly got a chance to see some action in his first action at running back for the Panthers this season and hauled in a pair of those passes.
Lincoln Prep’s lone score came when D’Tavion Wright broke loose on a 55-yard run down inside the Lakeside 1-yard line before Lamarrion Burton plunged to paydirt for the touchdown.
“The thing is, we didn’t struggle moving the ball on offense,” Hall said. “We just kept making mistakes at key points in our drives, and they were always in the red zone.
“We’ve got to get more going offensively,” Hall said. “That will keep the clock moving and help keep us in the game with time running down. We have to find a way to move the ball and actually score with it.”
Lincoln Prep will next play at Richwood (2-3) starting at 7 p.m. Friday.
It almost felt like a running clock began even before the opening kickoff as Cedar Creek celebrated Homecoming Friday night by playing host to Tensas at Cougars Stadium.
Cedar Creek scored on its first two offensive plays from scrimmage with a pick six sandwiched in between as the Cougars roared to a 60-0 win over the Panthers in a contest where a running clock did start on the first play of the second quarter.
Cougars coach William Parkerson said the contest couldn’t have been scripted any better for the Cougars from start to finish.
“We needed that,” Parkerson said about the win that pushed his Cougars to 2-3 on the season. “We came out and played someone who wasn’t as good as us and dominated from the start.”
And in fact, Parkerson admitted his team had its first few plays scripted well before the game began, starting with a little trickeration.
Taking over at their own 45-yard line after recovering an onsides kick attempt by Tensas, Cedar Creek quarterback Ladd Thompson fired a quick button hook to James Myers in the right flat. But the Cougars had Noah Durrett trailing the play along the right sideline.
Luker immediately made a spin move and pitched the ball back to Myers, who grabbed the ball at the 40-yard line and hit the afterburners en route to a 55-yard touchdown that, after Gray Worthey’s two-point conversion run, put Cedar Creek up 8-0 only 20 seconds into the contest.,
“We had a few scripted early plays,” Parkerson said. “We put in that trick play to make a little run this week and threw it on the first play. We couldn’t have drawn it up any better.”
Tensas took over after the ensuing kickoff at its own 41-yard line and were hit with a holding call before quarterback Emajai Bethel lofted up a pass that Durrett jumped in front of and raced back 40 yards for a score that, after Worthy threw a halfback pass to Lawson Lillo for the two-point conversion, put the Cougars on top 16-0 only 55 seconds into the contest.
After forcing Tensas to a three-and-out — the Panthers were held without a first down throughout the contest to set a new Cedar Creek school record, breaking the previous mark of one set last year — the Cougars took advantage of a shanked 0-yard punt by Tensas to take over at the THS 12-yard line.
And on first down, Thompson handed the ball to Worthey, who battled up the middle for a 11-yard scoring scamper that following a two-point conversion run by Thompson pushed the Cougars’ advantage to 24-0 only 3:42 into the game.
The Cougars upped their lead to 32-0 at the 5:07 mark of the opening stanza on a 1-yard run by Lillo before Thompson pushed that advantage to 40-0 when he took the snap and ran a quick bootleg, looping right off tackle for a three-yard touchdown run followed by a two-point conversion run by James Myers with 1:59 left in the first quarter.
That running clock started on the first play of the second quarter after the Cougars scored on the final play of the initial stanza when Wyatt Gremillion scored his first career touchdown, fighting through several attempted tackles on a 14-yard touchdown run that after a two-point conversion run attempt failed put Cedar Creek up 46-0.
On their next offensive possession, the Cougars scored again as Worthey weaved his back and forth across the field on a 53-yard run that set up Myers seven-yard touchdown run followed by Lillo’s two-point conversion run that increased Cedar Creek’s lead to 54-0 with 5:28 left in the first half.
Cedar Creek’s final score came only 1:50 into the second half. The Cougars recovered a fumble on the kickoff to begin the third quarter to take over at the Tensas 26-yard line. Gremillion ran for 14 yards on the next play before Luker danced his way to paydirt on a six-yard quarterback keeper.
Worthey led the Cougars with 75 yards on three carries while Gremillion ran for 39 yards on four attempts and Blake Wade chipped in with 32 yards on five rushes.
Thompson and Durrett added 23 yards each with each carrying the ball twice. Thompson also completed all three of his attempted passes for 70 yards.
Parkerson was pleased it was the kind of game that let him empty his bench early and give his younger players some key playing time.
“It was good to get so many young guys some solid work,” Parkerson said. “Luker looked good at quarterback and did a good job of coming out and running the offense for the varsity team. You can see they executed, at least early. We got a little sloppy later on, but the young guys looked really good out there.”
The Cougars held the Panthers to -7 yards of total offense with Durrett leading the defense with five tackles.
Parkerson was also pleased to see his team unaffected by distractions that often surround Homecoming football teams and come out and put the Panthers away early.
“I was glad to see that,” Parkerson said of the focus his Cougars maintained during a Homecoming game. “I think it showed a lot of maturity that they came out and played focused for 48 minutes.
“Before the game I told them nobody is going to remember what they wore on Tuesday of Homecoming week, nobody’s going to remember the dance, but that they’ll always remember the game, so they needed to come out and take care of business and they did that.”
Next up for the Cougars is a road game at Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy on Oct. 13.
One popular belief in football is that teams can’t be rivals if only one is winning year in and out.
If so, that means Grambling State University will be fighting to reignite a rivalry with Prairie View as the Tigers and Panthers clash in the Texas State Fair Classic at the Cotton Bowl in a game set for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Grambling has lost five straight games to Prairie View going back to 2018. GSU leads the all-time series between the two teams 51-22-1. Since the teams moved their rivalry to the State Fair Classic in 1985, the Tigers have gone 27-10 vs. the Panthers.
Grambling State (2-2 overall, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is looking for its first victory over Prairie View A&M (2-2, 2-0) since the 2017 season when the Tigers won 34-21.
Last season, the Panthers came out on top 34-14.
Head G-Man Hue Jackson understands the meaning and intensity that will be behind this contest, especially with 20 of his players coming from the Dallas area.
“Rivalries are great things,” Jackson said during press conferences held in Dallas on Monday. “I was at USC and playing LSU was always big. It’s awesome being part of those kinds of rivalries. But this thing is a little different, because of the schools, the culture, and all the food they bring to these particular events. It’s outstanding and it’s great football.”
Jackson admits to feeling better heading into the game against Prairie View than he did this time last year.
“I don’t feel pressure this year,” Jackson said. “I felt it last year because I really didn’t know my football team. I didn’t know my staff. I didn’t know this event (State Fair Classic). I didn’t know anything.
“But this year I’m ready for this. My team is ready for this. And I’m excited about playing.”
Jackson said he also feels more comfortable this go round.
“I’m more comfortable,” Jackson said. “I understand the HBCU space better. I understand what my players have to deal with every day. And to me, that’s the most important thing — understanding what the players have to deal with on a daily basis. If you understand that, it makes you a better coach and you can coach a better game.”
Jackson has his offense rolling after defeating Texas Southern 35-23 last Saturday. The G-Men rushed for 282 yards led by Chance Williams’ 174-yard effort with a touchdown on 19 carries.
Those kinds of numbers have helped Grambling become the SWAC’s best scoring offense (33.5 ppg) and the best total offense (397.5 ypg).
GSU also has the second-best run offense in the conference, putting up 179.0 yards per game.
The key for Grambling’s defense will be holding Prairie View quarterback Tarzan Connley in check. Connley has averaged 175.8 pass yards per game with season totals of three touchdowns and three interceptions thus far this season.
Jackson said execution will play an important part in the outcome against the Panthers.
“What we’re trying to do now is take care of the little things,” Jackson said. “Prairie View is a great football team. They’re well coached. I understand that and my team does, too, so we’ve got to go do everything we can to try and win this football game.”
2023 Cedar Creek Homecoming Court (Photo by Tim Smith)
Members of the 2023 Cedar Creek Homecoming Court were presented prior to Friday night’s football game against Tensas. Below are letters written by Cedar Creek School teachers talking about the five young ladies.
Ava James,
Congratulations on being announced as Cedar Creek’s Homecoming Queen! What an honor to be chosen by your peers. I am as proud of you today as I was when I first met you as a tiny, beautiful baby.
I have loved watching you grow up. I’ll never forget how cute you were wearing a big, pink bow as you wandered around a preschool, Sunday school classroom, playing and talking with every child in that room. As a six-year-old, you grinned SO BIG throughout a Missy Crain recital, loving every minute of being a dancing bumblebee. Your joy in life has always been evident, and you exhibit the best characteristics of your mom and dad.
Your cheerfulness shows in how you tackle your many extracurricular activities. Regardless if you are cheering on the sidelines, giving morning announcements over the intercom, or planning senior experience activities, your genuine smile lifts up and encourages your classmates. I will miss hearing your giggle over the announcements next year, but I cannot wait to hear about your adventures after you graduate in May.
Ava, while your joyfulness is obvious to anyone who sees you perform at games or on the stage, your inner beauty shines in how you conduct yourself with your peers. You are both kind and genuine, making you a good friend to pretty much everyone in high school. Keep showing your joy and encouraging others. You may never know how much impact your friendliness has on your friends.
Teaching you over the last few years has been a joy. Classes are more fun with Ava James in them for me as a teacher (because you always pay attention and participate) and for your classmates (who love when you create quizlets). I am proud of the student you are, but I am especially proud of the major commitments you have made throughout your life.
Ava, your involvement in your church’s youth group is one of the most impressive commitments that I’ve seen you make. You are a light for Jesus both at school and through your involvement in Temple Baptist’s youth group. I pray that you will continue to keep Jesus at the center of your life.
“In Nothing Gold Can Stay,” Robert Frost describes a beautiful, ideal moment when nature shines at its best. This poem reminds me of my students who, like you, are living their best lives. Ava, always stay gold. Enjoy this moment! You will be a beautiful Homecoming Queen, and you will make Cedar Creek proud. Congratulations, again, on a worthy honor.
Much love,
Mrs. Myers
__________________________________________
Congratulations, Ainsley! To be chosen by your classmates who have known you since Pre-K is such an honor. This is a true reflection of who you are at heart and how others have perceived you through the years at Cedar Creek. You have shared your disappointments, your failures and, of course, your compassion and your true self with your classmates. You deserve to be chosen for Homecoming Court!
You’ve come a long way since my first memory of you, playing softball for Cedar Creek in eighth grade. Your perseverance to compete also led you to excel in basketball, cheer, and powerlifting. I’ve loved watching you on the basketball court and cheering on the sidelines at the football games; cherish these memories. Watching you and Ella stunt together and the bond it gave you two throughout your sophomore and junior years was also fun to watch. You two would laugh endlessly and enjoy the big and little moments cheer has to give. You are an amazing athlete with such passion! You are a beast!
I loved being your French teacher for three years. In French 1, I met a sweet, quiet freshman girl who, now as a senior, has grown into a beautiful young lady with exceptional creativity and a love for French. With your witty sense of humor and your sweet smile you made my day every single day! You made me laugh at your French name (Orteils- toes) and at the sweet notes you wrote on your tests (slay queen), and your hugs and smiles in the hallway.
What I love the most about you is that you are genuine and what God meant for you to be. Ainsley is Ainsley – you get what you see; the most beautiful down to earth, warmhearted, selfless lady, that once you’re friends with Ainsley you have a friend forever. I am so glad to see this trait firsthand with you, Ella, and Cara Beth ‘gooning’ on the weekends,
For all those chosen for Homecoming Court, I am proud of you and your time at Cedar Creek. You deserve this recognition! I hope you enjoy this time in your life because it goes by fast and many other memories in life will replace these high school years, and your senior Homecoming will be just one of many sweet moments in time. But it is the way you carry yourself through this world that will stay with you forever, and so far, Ainsley, you have got a great start.
I know your mom and dad are so proud of you. I can’t wait to see how beautiful and graceful you look on the red carpet and on the football field with your dad. Treasure these last moments of high school!
Je t’aime,
Mrs. Viator
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My connection with Ava actually began years before she was born. Although I hate to admit it, I have been at Cedar Creek for over three decades which has allowed me to teach several generations from the same family, and this is the case with Ava’s family. I had the privilege of teaching and coaching both her mom and her uncle when they were Cedar Creek students. As a result of my relationship with her family, I recognized Ava when I would see her around the elementary campus. I also have fond memories of seeing Ava at football games and other Cedar Creek events with her parents when she was an elementary student. However, I really didn’t know Ava personally until she walked into my seventh grade American History class.
The first thing that I noticed about Ava is her radiant smile. She can light up a room with her smile and her light-hearted personality. Secondly, it became quite obvious to me that Ava and I share a common passion – our love for basketball! During Ava’s middle school years, she and I enjoyed many basketball conversations. She loved talking about her team’s middle school games, and I enjoyed watching her and her team compete. As a middle school player, Ava performed with a skill set and a confidence well beyond her years of experience. She led her team and elevated the play of her teammates as they enjoyed successful seasons. Both Ava and I anxiously anticipated her high school career as her freshman year began. Then in the first game of the season, Ava suffered a torn ACL. As a result, she missed her entire freshman year. Despite this setback, Ava continued smiling, supported her teammates from the sideline, and worked to rehabilitate her knee so she could rejoin her teammates on the court. During her junior season, Ava began playing with the same confidence she had before her injury. Unfortunately, she suffered a torn ACL in the other knee. Two season-ending injuries are devastating and many athletes would just give up, but not Ava! She has shown tremendous determination, a positive attitude, and an unmatched perseverance as she is battling back to play her senior year.
Although basketball may be her passion, Ava is also an excellent student-athlete who is active in campus organizations and community service. She is involved in Key Club, FCA, Kindness Club, and DECA. She attends First Baptist Church and volunteers at Alpine Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as well as Hall of Hoops Basketball camps. Additionally, Ava spends her summers working at Hodge Bank and Trust Company.
Coaching Ava for the past three years has been a pleasure. It has been amazing to watch her navigate obvious hardships and yet maintain that radiant smile and a positive outlook. I admire her passion for the game, her fortitude in the face of adversity, and her grit in rehabilitating her injuries. I am looking forward to watching her on the court for her senior season!
Ava, I would like to congratulate you on being selected for the homecoming court. Your journey is inspiring and I know you will do BIG things in the future, and as always, I will be cheering you on!
Love you,
Coach Van
_________________________________________
What an honor it is to write Olivia Underwood’s Homecoming letter and try to explain how she made an impact on me and her teammates! My association with her has been through coaching her in softball. We share so many memories that I will always treasure.
When I think of Olivia, I think of someone who is quiet, independent, handles her business, and will stand up for herself and others. She is a good athlete. She has played multiple positions over the years because she doesn’t mind playing a position where she is needed. What unselfishness!! One major thing I love about Olivia is that she will be honest and speak the truth. There is no “sugar coating” anything!
In her years of playing, she always showed me that she has a great understanding of the game of softball. She is determined to succeed. She is always at practice, working extremely hard to improve personally to ensure her team’s success. She doesn’t seek or want the spotlight. She is happy for her accomplishments to speak for themselves.
As a lot of coaches use the expression in explaining a player, “They will run through a wall,” Olivia literally ran with full steam into a wall in a playoff game her freshman year. She was playing in right field when a foul ball was hit toward the right field foul line. The ball just kept drifting over, and she ended up catching the ball as she plowed into the fence. She busted her lip and was bruised badly, but never dropped the ball. Most players would have let the ball just hit the wall, but not Olivia. Even the walls can’t stop her. It sounds corny, but if you start with this mindset she possesses, then you believe that your ability has no limits. You will be more resilient when obstacles arise in everyday life.
There is a quote that comes to mind when I think of Olivia: “Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” Olivia can be, and will be, whatever she wants to be in our society, and it is my earnest feeling that our society will be the beneficiary of it all. Nothing will stop Olivia.
I want you to know what a special person you are. I wish you the best as you venture forth to accomplish great things. Olivia, I will miss you.
Julie Riser
_______________________________________________
I consider it an honor and a privilege to have been asked to write a letter for Cara Beth, who is exactly who God created her to be. I have had the opportunity to coach Cara Beth for four years in track & field, where she has transcended all expectations as a runner, leader, and teammate. God created Cara Beth to be a competitor, she has the drive determination and kindred spirit, and those traits serve her well. I know her ambition, loving, caring heart will continue to serve her wherever God’s path takes Cara Beth. I find Cara Beth to be confident, intelligent, athletic, determined, goal oriented, selfless, all the while, extremely humble. She is the epitome of a true student athlete who never complains or whines, does what is expected, plus more, and does it with a graceful demeanor.
I have always been inspired with Car Beth’s grit, work ethic, as well, her fun and loving nature. She has an infectious enthusiasm and I love her ability to be able to multi-task all of her cheering, athletics, and academics. Cara Beth strives for perfection and being the best she can possibly be but what I love most about her is her genuine love for others, the empathy she shows, she stands for right and wrong, and allowing God to be her guide. She is rooted in her beliefs and allows God’s light to be seen through her.
I know Cara Beth by her high character, integrity, love, leadership, and work ethic. She is someone that can communicate with others and know that they can rely on her because she is committed to the well being of others. Cara Beth is the consummate team player, student athlete and friend. She has an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations and has always put others and the team above herself. Cara Beth has a radiant beauty and is as beautiful inside as she is outside.
God has amazing plans for you Cara Beth and I can say with confidence that she can and will be anything that she sets her heart, mind, and soul to. Cara Beth I wish you much love and blessings.
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, shortly before midnight, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on I-20 near the Cheniere Drew Exit. The crash claimed the life of 64-year-old Jeranbttai Patel.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2022 Toyota Highlander was traveling east on I-20, in the right lane. For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota traveled off the right side of the road and overturned, causing Patel to be ejected.
Patel, who was unrestrained, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Shortly after, Troop F was notified that Patel succumbed to his injuries. The driver, who was also unrestrained and ejected, suffered moderate injuries. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Speed is a suspected factor in this crash. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Police would like to remind motorists to slow down, buckle up, and lessen the distractions in the vehicle. Crash forces do not care who you are or what you drive. The faster you drive, the greater the risk of serious injury or death; not wearing a seat belt dramatically increases that risk.
In 2023, Troop F has investigated 30 fatal crashes, resulting in 36 deaths.
Lincoln Parish residents can now sign up for the new parish-wide emergency notification system “Linc Alerts” that will be able to send important messages through text, calls or e-mail to those that opt into the system.
This will be essential for Ruston residents to receive notifications, as CodeRED is scheduled to no longer be used as of Jan. 1, 2024.
Residents will need to click this link in order to enroll in the messaging system. After confirming a phone number and e-mail address, residents will be able to select the types of alerts they wish to receive and unselect any type of message or any format that they wish to not be alerted by.
LincAlerts created through RAVE Mobile Safety, which was authorized by the Lincoln Parish Police Jury at the June 2023 meeting.
“In the past, the parish has used Alert FM, which the state was paying for,” Lincoln Parish homeland security director Kip Franklin said. “The state discontinued that contract and it went out after ten years. So we had to look for something different.
“RAVE Mobile Safety has multiple things that we are working with, such as alerts for schools and the panic button app feature. We are setting this up to use for our parish, and each individual municipality can use it for their geo-fenced area.”
Both CodeRED and LincAlerts will be utilized for the remainder of the calendar year before the city of Ruston goes fully with Linc Alerts.
Currently, LincAlerts will only be used for parish-wide messaging, but over the course of the next few months, nearly every municipality in the parish including Ruston is expected to migrate its emergency communication services at the end of the year.
A Ruston man and a Shreveport woman were arrested last Friday after both went to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office to file complaints on one another.
Dustin Devors, 27, was charged with battery on Elyssa Coker, 23, who is accused of entering Devors’s house without permission.
The two were interviewed regarding an incident that had occurred earlier in the day.
Devors told deputies he and Coker had been dating off and on for three years. He said he had been drinking and passed out. He said he woke up to find Coker in his house.
Devors said he yelled at Coker to leave, but she refused. Devors said he attempted to call police, but Coker grabbed his phone. Coker reportedly admitted he grabbed Coker by the hair and pulled her to the ground. Her head hit the ground, leaving a knot.
Police arrived, Devors said, and mediated the situation and the matter was more or less resolved. Devors stated, however, that Coker had been calling and texting him nonstop and he wanted her to stop. He said he went to the Sheriff’s Office to file the complaint, unaware Coker was also doing so.
Coker said she went to Devors’s house to check on him after he stopped replying to her and was worried about him. She said she knocked on the door several times and Devors stated. for her to come in. Devors said he did not recall telling her to come inside. He said the first thing he remembered was waking to find Coker in his house. Coker was asked if Devors had invited her over and she stated no, she was worried about him and went to check on him.
Coker was arrested for unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and Devors for battery of a dating partner. Both were booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Graveside services for Mr. John Carroll Smith, age 75 of Jonesboro, LA will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 30, 2023 at McDonald Memorial Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Burial will follow in the McDonald Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery in Jonesboro. Rev. Randy Dark will officiate under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
John was born January 3, 1948 in Jonesboro to Harvey Smith and Louise Bates and passed away September 27, 2023 in Shreveport, LA. He was raised and spent his life in Jonesboro. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandbabies. John enjoyed traveling as well as working on and looking at old cars. He loved helping others when he could. John was preceded in death by his parents; granddaddy Rob Masters; and granny Maggie Caskey Masters.
John is survived by his wife of 57 years Liz Smith of Jonesboro, LA; two children: daughter Shelly and husband Jim Griggs of Denham Springs, LA and son Greg Smith and wife Rhonda of Georgetown, TX; three grandchildren: Drew Leach and wife Lisa, Madyson Smith and Karlee Smith; two great-grandchildren known as his “sugar boogers:” Alexis Leach and Nathan Leach; and a host of other family and many friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Bobby Harvey, Jerry Bryan, Leroy Ashley, Jim Griggs, John Mall, Shawn Masters and Drew Leach. Honorary pallbearers are J.E. Townley, Bill Burrows and Ricky Allen.
Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 AM at the church.
Funeral Services for Gary Cooper, age 74, of Dubach, LA will be 2:00 P.M., Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel of Ruston. Officiating will be Rev. Stephanie Green. Visitation is scheduled from 12:00 – 2:00 P.M., Saturday, September 30, 2023, in the Kilpatrick Chapel under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes of Ruston.
Gary was an avid fisherman, an outdoorsman, and an excellent welder.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Juanita Cooper, and his brother and sister-in-law, Jackie Cooper and wife LaRue.
Gary is survived by his wife of 21 years, Brandy Cooper; his daughter Rebecca Morales; brother, Woody Cooper and wife Marianna; grandchildren, Andrew Morrow and wife Hope, Cody Morrow and wife Kirstin, Chloe Morales, Sebastian Morales; a host of great grandchildren; In-Laws, Ricky McGrew and wife Connie, and Jeff McGrew and wife Candace; along with many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.
Pallbearers will be Mike Hanks, Don Robbins, Bud McDonald, Phillip Billberry, Ricky Barmore, and Donald Norman.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, at https://www.stjude.org.
Leonard L. Elmore Friday 12/04/1959 –Thursday 09/21/2023 Celebration of Life: Saturday 09/30/2023 2:00pm, Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston Interment: Saturday 09/30/2023 Following Service
Eric B Patterson Wednesday 08/24/1960 — Monday 09/25/2023 Graveside: Monday 10/02/2023 11:00am, Patterson Memorial Garden, 1131 Patterson Rd, Kinston, NC
John Smith January 3, 1948 – September 27, 2023 Services pending
As news broke Thursday of JP Morgan Chase coming to Lincoln Parish, questions arose about the specifics for the payment in lieu of taxes agreement that both the Lincoln Parish School Board and Lincoln Parish Police Jury voted in favor of that morning.
In order to secure Chase’s new Operations Center in Ruston, the parish provided the company with a competitive incentives package that includes property and sales tax abatements. A Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement will be awarded contingent on the company’s creation of up to 200 full-time positions in Lincoln Parish over a course of time.
JP Morgan Chase asked for a 15 year tax sliding property tax abatement, as well as a 50 percent abatement on tax from construction equipment and an abatement of five years on sales taxes on computers and technology. The property tax abatement will be dependent on the number of jobs created: starting at 25 percent for 0-24 jobs and capping at 75 percent for 151-200 jobs.
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker feels that the addition of the operation center is just one more positive step forward for Ruston and Lincoln Parish when it comes to economic development.
“This collaboration stands as a true testament to the extraordinary potential that the City of Ruston holds,” said Walker. “A partnership like this goes to show the confidence in Ruston’s readiness for a future that will contain opportunities for everyone.”
Following passages of votes with both the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and the Lincoln Parish School Board Thursday morning, “Project Middle,” which was revealed publicly to be an investment and project by JP Morgan Chase, will move forward with building an operations center in Ruston and providing a projected 200 jobs with salaries beginning at $50,000.
The facility will be located “north of I-20,” according to Justyn Dixon, president and CEO of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership. When asked, the exact location has not been publicly revealed.
The Ruston facility will have a front operation office center with staff processing and computer processing of data with image scanners along with a vault that will be a large part of the square footage of the building.
Completion of the facility is projected to be by the end of 2025.
Ruston will make the familiar trip to Bill Ruple Stadium on the campus of Neville High School for the final non-district matchup of the 2023 regular season tonight in a continuation of a rivalry that has been decked out on the field 96 times over the years.
And to pour some extra hot sauce on what will likely be one of the most watched games in the state, both teams enter tonight undefeated at 4-0.
“I know I sound like a broken record, but we’re going to line up against a really good football team,” Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh said in his coach’s show interview with Nick Brown. “It’s another Neville team that sounds like the previous ones: really good skill players, and they do an excellent job of putting them in the right spots to be able to make plays offensively. They’re just an all-around solid football team.”
Neville most recently dispatched North Caddo 54-0 last Friday night and will host Ruston for their fifth consecutive home game of the 2023 season. They’ve already beaten both Evangel (30-29 in OT) and Ouachita 19-15 after the Lions took a 12-6 lead into the halftime locker room. The second quarter touchdown for the Tigers was a kickoff returned for a touchdown, which Baugh admitted has been a thorn in the side of Ruston in recent games with Neville.
“You have them stopped in one area and then, all of a sudden, they make a big play in another area,” Baugh said. “So what we’ll try to do is limit those guys’ possessions and limit the opportunities that they have to get their hands on the ball.
“In the punt and kickoff game, we’ll try to make sure we angle balls away from those guys and make sure that our coverage guys are in their lanes and taking care of all the things that they need to. That’s just always important.”
Ruston’s defense picked Lafayette Christian off five times last week en route to the 29-26 victory, returning two for touchdowns. The Knights, however, still had an opportunity at the end of the contest, but an offensive pass interference call on fourth down effectively ended with a Ruston victory.
Through the first four games, as predicted, Ruston’s veteran defense would be the bastion for the team as a young offense continues to get comfortable.
“There were points during the ballgame where our offense needed to possess the ball and take some time off the clock and give our defense a rest,” Baugh said. “They did exactly that. And I know a lot of people like to see you score it every time (you have it on offense). And we do want to score every time, but a lot of times with the game flow, you want to do it in a way that it’s helping the rest of your team out.
“There in the third quarter, we had a big offensive drive that ended up taking half of the quarter away from the other team. I think we’re really close to being really good, but you know, we’re going through some growing pains. But I think our kids and coaches know it’s a team game. And whenever one group is struggling or is not able to get things done, we generate some points from another area. I think that’s one of the best things about this football team.”
The Bearcats come in ranked No. 5 in 5A, while the Tigers are No. 2 in 4A as noted by the LSWA weekly Top Ten poll.
Ruston and Neville will kickoff tonight at 7 p.m. and can be streamed free of charge on BearcatNationNetwork.com and listened to on 97.7FM.
As the October 14 election day approaches, there are many races both state-wide and locally that Lincoln Parish voters need to be informed about heading into the poll.
“One of the most valuable voter information tools available to Louisiana citizens is the GEAUX VOTE MOBILE APP,” Lincoln Parish registrar of voters Sharon Parnell said. “We strongly encourage citizens to use this app to be prepared for voting. Most importantly, the app allows users to view their specific sample ballot before casting their vote. The app also helps users stay informed by checking registration status, party affiliation, polling place locations and directions, and they may enroll to receive notifications of upcoming elections and early voting dates and times. The GEAUX VOTE MOBILE APP is easily found in iPhone and Android app stores and at http://www.GeauxVote.com.
“We also encourage Lincoln Parish citizens to follow us on Facebook and to search ‘Lincoln Parish Registrar of Voters’ to access election information on our parish webpage..
Early voting begins Saturday, Sept. 30 and will go through Saturday, Oct. 7. Voting will be conducted from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. each day in the Lincoln Parish Registrar of Voters office on the ground floor of the courthouse at 100 W Texas Ave., in Ruston.
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s website (www.sos.la.gov) also provides sample ballots approximately three weeks prior to each election here. When searching precinct ballots, voters will need to know their ward and precinct. Voters can call the registrar’s office at 318-251-5110 for this information.
A summary of Constitutional Amendments 2023 is also available here.
Another trespasser allegedly carrying a gun was arrested early Tuesday morning at Grambling State University after officers responded to a disturbance in a dormitory.
William Charles Tackett, 22, of Columbia, La., was arrested after he was found in a women’s dorm room about 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.
The arrest is one of several involving armed individuals caught on campus since the fall semester began.
GSU Police received a call of loud screams and something hitting the wall in a room in Mary Bethune Hall. When officers responded, a crying female student came to the door. Tackett was found hiding in the bathroom.
The student told officers she discovered Tackett had been cheating on her and when she confronted him about it, he began to scream at her, picked up a laundry basket and threw it, damaging a wall.
Tackett was in violation of a campus curfew and taken into custody. A Stoeger STR-9C 9mm pistol was found in his backpack.
Tackett was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for disturbing the peace, criminal trespass, simple criminal damage to property, and carrying a firearm on a school campus.
Bail was set at $15,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Ruston Farmers Market celebrated its 15th anniversary with a dinner Sept. 21. The celebrants included current and former vendors, founding members of the market, volunteers, customers, and community members. The crowd enjoyed dinner prepared by Desi Bourgeois of Grown and Grazed, a “Louisiana Cooking” Chefs to Watch, live music from “Mixed Notes,” floral arrangements by Lauren Roebuck Designs, and spirits provided by The Keg.
Founding members and vendors were recognized and honored with plaques that will be hung in the market building. Speakers at the dinner recounted the market’s original parking lot location at the corner of Railroad Avenue and South Monroe Street and the collaboration with the City of Ruston that led to its current location in a building at 220 E. Mississippi Ave.
Whitney Hebert, who was hired to organize the event said, “It was such an honor to join the RFM team as an event planner for the 15th Anniversary Dinner. The live music, fabulous food, and spirits made for the perfect way to celebrate the market’s rich history. I’m looking forward to experiencing the RFM for another 15 years.”
The dinner also raised funds for market operations through a silent auction that featured donation from local artists, RFM vendors and board members, NCLAC, Lula Perl, Fess Parker Vineyard, and Keipersol Vineyard. The Ruston Farmers Market is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that benefits from donations, sponsorships, and grants. The Ruston Farmers Market has emerged as a premier destination in Ruston and operates one of the only state farmers markets with only Louisiana-grown and produced products. It operates year round, with typical annual sales of $300,000.
During its 15 years in operation, the market has greatly impacted the community. In addition to taking SNAP for purchase, since 2015, it has doubled SNAP dollars on the first Saturday of each month, due to a generous donation from the Lincoln Health Foundation. Louisiana Tech University School of Design mural classes painted the building’s external and internal murals. The market regularly hosts local musicians on Saturday morning, paid for by a grant from the Roy O. Martin Foundation. Finally, through a generous grant from Ruston Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau, the RFM nearly completed construction of a teaching kitchen, which will be used to serve the community with cooking classes.
Ladd Thompson (ball in hands) and the Cougars host Tensas tonight for homecoming. (photo by Darrell James)
By Malcolm Butler
With quarterback Ladd Thompson back and starting center Brett Johnson close to returning, the Cedar Creek Cougars are close to being full strength for the first time since a scrimmage at Lakeside back in mid-August.
And just in time.
The Cougars host win-less Tensas tonight at 7 p.m. at Cougar Stadium for their homecoming game. It’s the next-to-last non-district game of the season until the postseason arrives.
Following tonight’s game, the Cougars will have a bye week before traveling to Lafayette Renaissance Charter the following week for the final non-district game. Creek jumps into District 1-2A play Oct. 20 against No. 1 ranked OCS.
Head coach William Parkerson and Co. picked up their first win of the season last week with its 22-12 victory over Delhi, and the Cougars coach said he could tell a difference in his team when they were finally able to play from ahead.
“We finally got a second half lead and once we did that the kids played with a lot of confidence and really relaxed,” said Parkerson. “We just had a much better flow.
“It’s the first time we have had a lead in the second half. We just played a lot more free. The lead went from 8-6 to 16-6 and then you could really see the difference. We were able to just play. The stress (they felt) was gone.”
Thompson returned to the field after missing the Winnfield game, and Parkerson said his senior signal caller is progressing with his recovery from an injury in the loss to Vidalia.
“He is doing alright,” said Parkerson. “He is still fighting through some pain but he is doing okay and getting a little better every day.”
Parkerson also said he hoped to have Johnson back in time for its game against Lafayette Renaissance Charter, something that should help the Cougars offense tremendously.
Tensas has been outscored in its four games this year 215-28 with losses to LaSalle (46-8), Beekman Charter (60-6), Ringgold (50-14) and OCS (59-0).
“They do a lot of empty,” said Parkerson talking about the Tensas offense. “A lot of what so many teams do today. A lot of spread stuff; two by two, three by one, three by two. They have some four by one formations. They are just like everybody else in football today.”
Tensas, a member of District 4-1A, hasn’t had much success slowing its opponents down this year, surrendering 53.8 points per game.
“They run some version of a 3-4,” said Parkerson. “I am assuming they will crowd the line of scrimmage like Winnfield and Vidalia and Delhi have all done. Hopefully we can make them pay for it.”
The 2023 Homecoming Court will be introduced pregame starting at 6:30 p.m.
Parkerson said that with so many homecoming activities surrounding the entire week that they have tried to keep the players focused while being mindful of the outside distraction.
“For us it has business as usual,” he said. “We have tried to shorten practice this week with all the other stuff going on. We want to keep them as fresh as possible and focused. We want them to be mentally prepared as well as physically fresh so we just haven’t been practicing quite as long this week.”
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Ruston man early Sunday morning on a traffic stop after deputies learned of outstanding warrants for his arrest and drugs were found in the vehicle.
Keason D. Dixon., 21, of Ruston, was stopped by a deputy about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning on La. Highway 33 for a traffic violation. A records check revealed three outstanding warrants from Third Judicial Court.
When Dixon was placed under arrest, he admitted he had a little “smoke” on his person and allegedly pulled out a plastic baggie of suspected marijuana from his pants. A search of the vehicle yielded five tablets suspected of being methylprenisolone, a controlled substance.
Dixon was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish. Detention center for possession of a legend drug, possession of marijuana, and the three failure to appear warrants for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, and possession of marijuana.
Bail was set at $55,500.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The other evening, I decided that supper would include steaks. I did the early morning preparation for the late afternoon cooking ritual. Those steaks were well prepped.
The other part of the steak ritual involves the grill. I have one of the wood pellet grills. It is spiffy. My cooking has improved. Once upon a time, hamburgers that I grilled were not palatable and later used as official hockey pucks. I’m much better now. The wood pellet grill needs several minutes to warm up to steak temperature. It gets very hot but helps me avoid hockey puck cooking accidents.
The cover came off. I checked the inside of the grill. Verified the nice little drip bucket would have adequate room for drippings. The wood pellets were checked and determined to be adequate.
I reached around back to turn the grill on. Nothing! The switch glows orange when the grill is on. This switch was dark. I checked the plug, after all I had wired it with my redneck electrician method of designing an outdoor circuit. The GCFI plug was tested and verified to be working. It has a nice green light showing it’s functioning.
Never trusting the one outlet, I grabbed an extension cord and plugged everything into the other GCFI outdoor outlet. Nothing! Tried a couple of other outlets inside the shed. Nothing!
In my rapidly filling up mind, I decided the switch had gone bad. The steaks were begging to be cooked, so I reverted to the broiler inside. The steaks were marvelous. I was a little bummed about the grill though. It is not that old.
After the sumptuous steak supper, I grabbed the manual that came with the grill and turned to the troubleshooting chapter. Nothing! The switch would not light up. The grill would not come on, although clearly my redneck circuits were supplying power to the outlets.
I resolved to call and check the warranty. I walked back outside to put the cover on the grill and roll up the extension cord. That’s when I learned that I’m a dumb donkey. OK, I’m the other thing, but I can’t use that language in this family friendly publication.
The cord for the grill not only plugs into the wall, but it also plugs into the grill. The end of the cord plugged into the grill had worked its way loose. When I unplugged the grill cord from the extension cord, the other end fell to the ground.
I had to confess my stupidity. I resolved to check that end of the cord each time. But here’s the deal, I should have thought of it. Who would have thought that the other end of a power cord could come loose from where it plugged into the grill? The answer is, just about everyone!
In a conversation last week, a person said, “I don’t feel like I’m connecting with God very well these days.” I know who is unplugged. When God seems distant, you need to check both ends of the spiritual connection. If you don’t know about the two directions of a spiritual connection, come see me on Sunday, I’ll explain it to you. We might have steak!
Ruston Police arrested a 43-year-old man Saturday night after he allegedly battered a woman.
Quentin V. Barnes, of Ruston, was arrested for domestic abuse battery after the alleged victim said Barnes got upset at her and began giving her commands in an angry voice. She said when she did not respond fast enough, Barnes grabbed her by the throat and pushed her inside the house. He then allegedly hit her on the left side of the face.
The victim appeared to have bruising on her face just below her left eye and complained of pain on the left side of her neck. She also stated Barnes had kicked her. Three children were present inside the house at the time of the physical altercation. Barnes was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for domestic abuse battery with strangulation and child endangerment.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
