Following a 35-27 win over Acadiana Friday, Ruston will remain atop the Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll for the second straight week.

The Bearcats earned all 12 first place votes in 5A.

See the full classification rankings below.

Class 5A

School 1^st rec  pts   prev

1. Ruston (12)                 1-0  144   1

2. Karr                             1-0 132   2

3. Catholic-Baton Rouge 1-0 119  4

4. Acadiana                     0-1 101   3

5. Zachary                       1-0 100   6

6. Destrehan                    0-1   77    5

7. Neville                        1-0   71    8

8. John Curtis                  0-1   45    7

9. St. Augustine               1-0   43  10

10. West Monroe             1-0   20  NR

(tie) Carencro                  0-1   20    9

Others receiving votes: Alexandria 15, Airline 10, Brother Martin 7, Holy Cross 7, Mandeville 6, Dutchtown 6, Central 4, Archbishop Rummel 4, Warren Easton 2, Barbe 1, Evangel Christian 1, Sam Houston 1, Terrebonne 1, Walker 1.

 

Class 4A

School 1^st rec  pts   prev

1. North DeSoto              (8)   1-0   139  2

2. St. Thomas More        (4)   1-0   101  4

3. Opelousas                           0-1   99   1

4. Cecilia                                 1-0   97   5

5. E.D. White                          1-0   94   6

6. Westgate                              1-0   92   7

7. Archbishop Shaw                0-1    75   3

8. Teurlings Catholic              1-0   65   NR

9. Lutcher                                1-0   56    9

10. St. Charles                         0-1   31     8

Others receiving votes: Assumption 23, Franklin Parish 13, Wossman 6, Leesville 2, Franklinton 1, Iowa 1, McDonogh 35 1.

 

Class 3A

School 1^st rec  pts   prev

1. University (11)                    1-0   143  1

2. St. James (1)                       1-0   130  2

3. Northwest                           1-0   119  3

4. Sterlington                          1-0   107  4

5. John F. Kennedy                 1-0     97   7

6. Bunkie                                 1-0    73   8

7. Jena                                     1-0     62  10

8. Madison Prep                      0-1    60     5

9. Amite                                  0-1     58    6

10. De La Salle                       0-1    36    9

Others receiving votes: Bastrop 28, Parkview Baptist 11, Lake Charles College Prep 9, Jennings 5, Donaldsonville 1, Marksville 1.

 

Class 2A

School 1^st rec  pts   prev

1. Calvary Baptist (12)            1-0   144    1

2. Newman                              1-0   122    4

3. Oak Grove                           0-1   116    2

4. Lafayette Christian              0-1   111   3

5. Notre Dame                         1-0    92  6

6. Dunham                               1-0    86   7

7. Union Parish                        0-1    75   5

8. Ouachita Christian               1-0    69   8

9. Episcopal-Baton Rouge       1-0    45  10

10. Catholic-New Iberia         0-1     26   9

Others receiving votes: Mangham 10, Ferriday 8, Homer 8, Northlake Christian 8, South Plaquemines 5, Pope John Paul II 1.

 

Class 1A

School 1^st rec  pts   prev

1. Southern Lab (11)                1-0  143  1

2. Vermilion Catholic (1)        1-0  133  2

3. Haynesville                          1-0  115  4

4. Kentwood                            1-0  101  5

5. Riverside                               0-1  95    3

6. Logansport                            1-0  83    6

7. St. Martin’s                           1-0  70    7

8. Ascension Catholic               1-0  65     8

9. Opelousas Catholic               1-0  46     9

10.Central Catholic                   1-0  25   NR

Others receiving votes: Catholic-Point Coupee 22, Covenant Christian 18, White Castle 7, Jeanerette 5, St. Frederick 4.

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(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).

_________________________________________________

Name:  Kyle Kavanaugh

Age: 39

Employer: Louisiana Tech University Athletics

Title: Senior Associate AD for External Affairs & Chief Brand Officer

Hometown: Benton, LA

Years Living in Ruston: 21

Civic Volunteer Organizations: Through my work with Essential Coaching and Playmakers, I have had the opportunity to work with students, players, coaches, and teams on a local, national, and global scale through the lens of leadership and character development. Essential Coaching has provided a platform to reach people in all corners of the world through our weekly social media professional development chats and Essential Coaching Conversations podcast, while also allowing for the opportunity to work with students and athletes in person at local and regional schools.

Professional Highlights: I served 13 years as a classroom educator and coach within the parish spending time at Cedar Creek, Simsboro, and Ruston High; taught 11 different disciplines, ranging from 7-12 grades, and coached four sports, which included back-to-back state championships in basketball and a state runner-up in track and field at Simsboro; able to return to my alma mater, Louisiana Tech, where I began my coaching career as a GA for the men’s basketball team, and being able to serve in the capacities of Assistant AD, Associate AD, and Senior Associate AD; began my own business, Essential Coaching, to help coaches and other leadership professionals while also managing a 3-on-3 basketball business, Playmakers League, which exists to create a better, more positive experience for kids in youth sports

Gerald Jordan on Kyle Kavanaugh:

“Kyle Kavanaugh has developed into a respected leader in the Louisiana Tech Athletics department. During his tenure as the Assistant Athletic Director in Athletic Communications, his tireless work ethic, superb social media skills, disposition as a leader and great collaborative abilities stood out to me. This is someone I and others recognized as a leader in the making.

“When the lead role in external relations / lead brand officer became open, we knew he would be someone who possessed the transferable skills that would be a perfect fit for us. The impact he’s having on advancing the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand and the value he brings to our team are immeasurable. Our future with Kyle a the helm of this unit is bright and getting brighter every day!”

Q&A with Kyle Kavanaugh:

What makes Lincoln Parish special?

The short answer? It’s home. The long answer? It’s where I met my wife, Meghan, most of my best friends, started and raised a family, and has afforded me several professional opportunities in multiple corners of the parish. It’s the place that matured and molded me into the person I am today. I owe so much to Ruston. My family ties and history run deep through Lincoln Parish and Ruston been a part of my entire life, so much so I was named after a Tech quarterback. Some of my first childhood memories include playing in my grandmother’s office Kenny Hall at Louisiana Tech, where she served as Assistant Registrar, and running down the hill near the TAC into Joe Aillet stadium on a Bulldog Football game day. I know there are countless others here with those same stories and memories that work every day to leave Lincoln Parish better than they found it. The people, culture, and fabric make this an incredible town to call home. The fact that I get to wake up every day and represent a piece of the parish is a dream come true.

How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?

All I have ever wanted to do is serve and positively impact others and create exponential generational change. I’ve been fortunate to do that in several arenas and in several ways. Whether it be in a classroom, gym, office, or meeting room, there are opportunities every single day to recruit those around you, connect in a deep and meaningful way, and work to influence them for the better. Culture is hard to change by yourself or change in an instant, but the Climate of the present moment is in your total control. How we respond to what happens to us or simply how we interact with someone has the power to change that moment instantly and completely. That’s powerful. I try to stay as aware as I can and remember that every moment is an opportunity to impact someone for the better, even though that result may not happen until many years down the road. I have faith that living life in such a way can make the world a better place.

Who has played a role in your professional development and why?

My business partner, Aseem Rastogi, has pushed me to professional and personal heights I did not know were possible. I often say the best professional development I have ever had is the daily conversations I have with him. It’s not so much about the answers we seek, but the depth of the questions we are willing to ask ourselves. My career has pulled me in so many different directions, but he has helped me see the common denominator regardless of title, position, or role of it all; the people.

Ben Haddox served as not only my athletic director at Cedar Creek for several years but was a mentor in helping me learn what it took to be a head coach, a leader of student athletes, and how to manage coaching while starting a family, and has helped me stay grounded and centered with my life’s priorities even after my coaching career.

Most recently, all those that have helped bring me along and trusted me at my various steps along the way at Louisiana Tech where I have learned what it means and what it takes to serve as a collegiate athletics administrator. Dr. Eric Wood, Malcolm Butler, Gerald Jordan, Ryan Ivey, Hunter Geisman, Mary Kay Hungate, Tim Padgett, Colton Primm, and Dr. Jim Henderson have all played a huge part in not only my personal and professional development but have given me the confidence I need each day to show and be my best.

Most importantly, my wife Meghan, parents Lee and Katherine, brother Ryan, and a host of incredible friends for being my biggest support system. I don’t think you can positively develop professionally without developing personally, and any fork in the road or hurdle for me in my career where I have doubted where I was or what was next, they are the first to lead me and tell me I can do it.

All a leader is, is someone that has influence over others. Any good leader must also be a great follower and been influenced by other great leaders. While reflecting on all this I can’t help but think of several people, along with those previously mentioned, that at one time or another took a shot on me, believed in me, and influenced me since my time in Lincoln Parish. To all those, thank you.

Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications

Louisiana Tech University has announced the names of students on its Summer Quarter 2024 President’s and Dean’s honor lists.

Students whose names are followed by an asterisk earned recognition as members of the president’s honor list. That distinction signifies achievement of at least a 3.8 academic grade point average on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher), with no grade lower than a B.

To be eligible for the dean’s honor lists, a student is required to earn at least a 3.5 academic grade point average with no grade lower than a C on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher).

Courses yielding satisfactory/failure grades and courses audited do not count toward eligibility for either recognition. Only undergraduates with no incomplete grades are eligible to make either list.

Louisiana honor students are listed below by parish.

Allen

• Oberlin: Kristian Mae Anderson

Ascension

• Gonzales: Tamara Anne Ozol, Gavin Michael Soniat*, Claudia J. Wilkinson*
• Prairieville: Jadon Revel Shirley*

Avoyelles

• Bunkie: Timothy C. Ortego

Beauregard

• Longville: Kayleigh Rae Hudler
• Ragley: Kambria Ashlyn Lemoine*

Bienville

• Arcadia: Kelsey Blair Reed-dison*
• Bienville: Gracie E. Brown

Bossier

• Barksdale AFB: Jessica Jane Ramsay*
• Benton: Katelynn Renee Arnold, Heather Buckmaster, Garrett Ashton Lewis, Ethan Anthony Vina*
• Bossier City: Gary L. Bagley, Jamie L. Baily*, Hanna Elise Heng*, Ethan Lake Roberts
• Kara Nicole Hodges, Jada Johnson*, Mitchell C. Jones*, Ashley Martinez, Emalee R. McGrath, Nand Patel*, Coleman Hollis Stafford*, Kayia S. Wall, Noah White, Ariana L. Wilkinson*
• Haughton: Payton Michelle Elwell*, Hannah L. Robinson, Reese Stetson Seals, Nicholas Blake Sears*

Caddo

• Keithville: Madison G. Guerra*, Ainsley C. Mayo*
• Mooringsport: Zachary Donald Ashby*
• Shreveport: Taylor Ashley Beard, Elijah Deshawn Boston, Garett James Butler, Landon J. Craig*, Brayden Curry, Abigail Nicole Duncan, Ryan Andrew Eubanks, Grace Elizabeth Evans, Paige K. Greer*, Cameron S. Hale*, Stella-marie Jo Hobley-depestre, William Morgan Humphreys*, Danielle Renee Hynes*, Savannah Renee’ Lacoste, Andrew Walker Lattier*, Barro Joubert Massad*, Joe Michael McDonald, Haley Ann Meshell*, Brandon Nguyen Ngo, Kailyn Elise Oliver*, Elisha M. Poole*, Thatcher D. Ray, Hunter Lee Rice, Camryn Lane Thompson, Haley Elaine Vallery*, Wesley Jacob Wilkerson-spence*, Turner G. Wilkins*

Calcasieu

• Lake Charles: Noah P. Evey*, Haddie Poole*, Jake D. Smith*, Josie M. Smith*, Torey Danielle Washington*
• Sulphur: Kamden Emmett Perkins*, Lionel Howard Taylor*

Concordia

• Clayton: Jordyn Leigh Clayton
• Ferriday: Chastity Monae Ellis*
• Monterey: Wesley W. Brown

Baton Rouge

• Baton Rouge: Walter Mathew Ball*, Jeffrey P. Barker, Virginia Routh Bowen*, Abigail Elizabeth Crowe*, Viviana Elyse Foote*, Andrew E. Ivey, Cameron James Leblanc*, Hannah Rose Norwood*
• Zachary: Ava Grace Baudouin*, Elijah William Carr, Brianna Marie Hudson*, Emma Grace Marangos, Morgan G. Rathcke

Franklin

• Winnsboro: Avery Kaelyn Johnson*

Grant

• Dry Prong: Anna E. Caldwell*

Iberia

• Jeanerette: Madison Grace Parro*

Iberville

• Saint Gabriel: Abigail Marie Hanks*

Jackson

• Hodge: Garrison L. Perry*
• Jonesboro: Kyleigh Davis*
• Quitman: Olivia G. Borland*, Cameron M. Hollis*

Jefferson

• Metairie: Thomas Michael Maggio*
• River Ridge: Jason Lawrence Arena, Michael J. Berrigan*

Lafourche

• Cut Off: Trey J. Danos*
• Larose: Connor Joseph Collins*

Lincoln

• Choudrant: Noah Andrew Pitts*, Jackson Finney Worthey
• Dubach: Roselyn Marie Bennett, Turner Elizabeth Frasier*, Jolee Anne Roberson*
• Ruston: Yendri Cristina Alvarado Garro, Cassie Madison Bearden, Amelia Grace Brister*, Camila Nicole Derosa*, Triston Kennedy Duvall, Alec Henry Gatewood, Sarah Ann Hegab*, Aryaman Jana*, Ginger Lee Johnson*, Jacob James Johnson, Labreisha Johnson, Melissa D. Linder, Joshua K. Ogden*, Caroline Faith Parker, Riley Jules Patterson*, Emma Katherine Purifoy*, Brennan Marie Roberts, Kasey Danielle Roddy, Hope E. Strickel, Ashley Elizabeth Vining*, Ysabella Lorynn Warren*, Marlee Ann Watson, Elizabeth Brianna Woodard
• Simsboro: Andrew James Gleason

Livingston

• Walker: Ilea Robin Watson

Madison

• Tallulah: Howard Arnett Sevier*

Morehouse

• Mer Rouge: Jon-Thomas Dixon

Natchitoches

• Natchitoches: Elijah R. Tomlin*
• Robeline: Anna K. Arthur

Orleans

• Jefferson: Jacob Scott Terrell*
• New Orleans: Cameron Strider Camus, Jhamal Christopher Shelby, Troy A. Smith

Ouachita

• Monroe: Sage Ha’ane Bell*, Jameela Janell Cloman*, Gabrielle Anne Falla, Seth Anthony Flowers, James Oliver Meredith*, Jordan Marie Myles*, Kelly Campbell Parks, Kennedy O. Pittman*, Dylan M. Rodgers, Raven J. Stewart, Brendan Woods
• West Monroe: Andrew Carson Blaylock, Ethan Cole Dupree*, Blake Michael Everett*, Lauren Elizabeth Green*, Wesley Christian Humphries*, Sylvia Kristen Justus, Emory Ellen Murray*, Alex Neal Sikes*, Amelia Jo Wilson*

Plaquemines

• Belle Chasse: Raelynn Rose Panganiban*

Pointe Coupee

• Oscar: Elizabeth Dieguez*
• Ventress: Tia J. Ransom*

Rapides

• Alexandria: Dalton G. Michiels, Alyssa Aleece Moore, Jacob Ward Neely*, Ashlyn Grace Riley*
• Pineville: Emily A. Collins

Richland

• Rayville: Aubrey Joy Prewitt*

St. Charles

• Destrehan: Dylan J. Johnson*
• Luling: Shea Elaine Brassette, Elena Sherryann Simon

St. John

• Montz: Emma Alexandra Loup

St. Mary

• Patterson: Kaylee R. Craddock*

St. Tammany

• Covington: Michael D. Brookover*, Zachary D. Cottrell, Telemachus Rex Kilpatrick*, Meghan Marie Michel*, Alayna Reigh Stevens, Nicolas Anthony Vaccaro*
• Madisonville: Daniel Joseph Roy*
• Mandeville: Brandon Tyler Buster*

Tangipahoa

• Ponchatoula: Hanna M. Bankston

Tensas

• Newellton: Miller Kathryn Glass, Mykel D. Manuel*

Terrebonne

• Houma: Emma C. Moreau

Union

• Bernice: Brandi Nicole Jones*, Holden W. Wells*
• Downsville: Kaleb Jace Oliver*, John Ross Wilhite*

Webster

• Doyline: Hayden A. Engel*, Chase Hunter Sadler
• Minden: Jazmin Marie Abreu*, Emma Earnhardt, Molly Fowler, Emma Claire Pitman*, Cristalyn Nicole Quinn, Grace White
• Springhill: Angela Michelle Reynolds*

Carroll

• Oak Grove: Ethan Herbert McDaniel
• Pioneer: Morgan Elizabeth Philley

Feliciana

• Francisville: Abby Rae Benton, Alice Ann Holland*, Emma Claire Olsen*

Winn

• Winnfield: William Tanner Machen*, Lauren Marie Poole*, Amanda M. Womack*

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has announced lane closures on Interstate 20 from exit 93 “Choudrant/Sibley” to the Ouachita Parish line for maintenance bump grinding will occur Monday, Sept. 9, and Tuesday, Sept. 10.

On Monday, I-20 Westbound will be reduced to one lane from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lane closure will be moved and alternated from outside to inside lanes during this time.

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On Tuesday, Sept. 10, I-20 Eastbound will be reduced to one lane from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lane closure will be moved and alternated from the outside to the inside lane during this time.

All work will be done, weather permitting, and no detour route will be needed. DOTD reminds drivers use care driving through the construction area and to watch for work crews and equipment.

For more information, call (318) 549-8402 or visit the website http://www.dotd.la.gov/.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

On Friday, September 6, 2024, shortly after 6:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on LA Hwy 33 north of Farmerville. The crash claimed the life of 28-year-old Rodney Kesee Jr. of Farmerville.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 GMC Sierra, driven by 42-year-old Demetrius Miles, was traveling south on LA Hwy 33. For reasons still under investigation, the GMC exited the roadway and collided with a tree. 

Kesee Jr., who was properly restrained, received serious injuries. He was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. Miles, who was properly restrained, received minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Miles was determined to be impaired at the time of the crash. He was arrested and booked into the Union Parish Jail for vehicular homicide, no driver’s license, and careless operation. This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Police would like to remind all motorists that if you feel differently, you drive differently. Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other drugs have many effects on the body that negatively affect driving skills. These drugs can impair visual ability, alter the sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills needed to operate a motor vehicle and decrease reaction times. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and designate a sober driver. Not doing so can have deadly consequences.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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Ruston Police arrested a Bogalusa man Aug. 30 after he had allegedly caused a disturbance in the Walmart Supercenter.

Joshua R. Robinson, 43, was arrested for disturbing the peace by public intoxication and profane language and entering and remaining on premises after being forbidden.

Officers found Robinson in the store and detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverages. Store management said Robinson was told to leave after he was found drinking alcohol in the store. He then attempted to fight an employee who attempted to force him to leave.

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Once arrested and placed in a patrol car, Robinson began kicking the rear passenger door.

Once he was medically cleared by Ruston Fire personnel, he was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked.

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. 

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LSWA Week 1 Polls Fared

 

Class 5A

1. Ruston (1-0) beat Acadiana (1-0) 35-27

2. Karr (1-0) beat Shaw 48-21

3. Acadiana (0-1) lost to Ruston 35-27

4. Catholic-BR (1-0) beat Destrehan 23-20

5. Destrehan (0-1) lost to Catholic 23-20

6. Zachary (1-0) beat Plaquemine 49-14

7. John Curtis (0-1) lost to Rabun Gap, Ga., 27-12

8. Neville (1-0) beat Evangel Christian 42-24

9. Carencro (0-1) lost to St. Thomas More 21-20

10. St. Augustine (0-0) plays McDonogh 35 Saturday

Others receiving votes: West Monroe (1-0) beat Huntington 40-7; Airline (1-0) beat Barbe 52-49; Alexandria (1-0) beat West Feliciana 44-7; Archbishop Rummel (1-0) beat Lafayette Christian 42-35; Holy Cross  (0-1) lost to E.D. White 27-14; Mandeville (1-0) beat Salmen 42-14; Central (1-0) beat De La Salle 14-3; Brother Martin (1-0) beat East Ascension 23-14; Dutchtown (1-0) beat Madison Prep 31-6; Southside (0-1) lost to Notre Dame 21-20; Evangel Christian (0-1) lost to Neville 42-24; Terrebonne (1-0) beat Riverside Academy 48-42; Walker (1-0) beat Ponchatoula 43-14.

Class 4A

1. Opelousas (0-1) lost to Teurlings Catholic 21-14

2. North DeSoto (1-0) beat Union Parish 33-21

3. Archbishop Shaw (0-1) lost to Karr 48-21

4. St. Thomas More (1-0) beat Carencro 21-20

5. Cecilia (1-0) beat St. Martinville 40-8

6. E.D. White (1-0) beat Holy Cross 27-14

7. Westgate (1-0) beat Lale Charles College Prep 31-20

8. St. Charles (0-1) lost to Newman 24-10

9. Lutcher (1-0) beat Slidell 28-10

10. Wossman (0-1) lost to Bastrop 16-8

Others receiving votes: Assumption (1-0) beat Donaldsonville 18-15; Teurlings Catholic (1-0) beat Opelousas 21-14; Franklin Parish (1-0) beat West Jefferson 51-0; Leesville (0-1) lost to Sam Houston 56-41; Plaquemine (0-1) lost to Zachary 49-14; McDonogh 35 plays St. Augustine Saturday, West Feliciana (0-1) lost to Alexandria (44-7).

Class 3A

1. University (1-0) beat Woodlawn-BR 3-0

2. St. James (1-0) beat East St. John 20-0

3. Northwest (1-0) beat Eunice 21-14

4. Sterlington (1-0) beat Tioga 28-13

5. Madison Prep (0-1) lost to Dutchtown 31-6

6. Amite (0-1) lost to Franklinton 19-12

7. John F. Kennedy (1-0) beat Scotlandville 37-20

8. Bunkie (1-0) beat St. Mary’s 39-6

9. De La Salle (0-1) lost to Central-BR 14-3

10. Jena (1-0) beat Mangham 26-22

Others receiving votes: Parkview Baptist 26, Bastrop 22, Lake Charles College Prep (0-1) lost to Westgate 31-20, Jennings (0-1) lost Iowa 38-22; Abbeville (0-1) lost to Washington-Marion 20-7; Bogalusa (0-1) lost to Covington 48-6.

Class 2A

1. Calvary Baptist (1-0) beat Oak Grove 62-41

2. Oak Grove (0-1) lost to Calvary 62-41

3. Lafayette Christian (0-1) lost 42-35 to Rummel

4. Newman (1-0) beat St. Charles 24-10

5. Union Parish (0-1) lost to North DeSoto 33-21

6. Notre Dame (1-0) beat Southside 21-20

7. Dunham (1-0) beat Parkview Baptist 46-0

8. Ouachita Christian (1-0) beat Caldwell 42-0

9. Catholic-New Iberia (0-1) lost to Vermilion Catholic 14-10

10. Episcopal-Baton Rouge (1-0) beat St. Michael 15-13

Others receiving votes: Mangham (0-1) lost to Jena 26-22; Many (0-1) lost 46-7 to Logansport; Northlake Christian 10, Ferriday 7, Homer 7, Loreauville 7, South Plaquemines 2, Welsh 1.

Class 1A

1. Southern Lab (1-0) beat Liberty 34-16

2. Vermilion Catholic (1-0) beat Catholic-NI 14-10

3. Riverside (0-1) lost to Terrebonne 48-42

4. Haynesville (1-0) beat North Webster 35-7

5. Kentwood (1-0) beat East Feliciana 46-28

6. Logansport (1-0) beat Many 46-7

7. St. Martin’s (1-0) beat Pearl River 38-34

8. Ascension Catholic (1-0) beat H.L. Bourgeois 19-15

9. Opelousas Catholic (1-0) beat Iota 20-14

10. White Castle (0-1) lost to Central Catholic 27-24

Others receiving votes: Catholic-Point Coupee (1-0) beat Red River 26-6; Covenant Christian (1-0) beat Thomas Jefferson 35-6; Central Catholic-Morgan City (1-0) beat White Castle 27-24, Jeanerette plays Patterson Saturday, St. Frederick  (1-0) beat Loyola 8-6.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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Ruston’s Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha has won Best in Show in a national competition designed to demonstrate the collective power that comes when members do good works in their communities in the name of ESA. 

The Power of Us campaign was conducted by ESA’s national headquarters during the 2023-2024 year, from August 2023 through May 2024. Zeta Rho recently received word of its win.

The Ruston chapter submitted the most reports of any of the 42 chapters that participated in the contest and was judged “to shine brightest among all submissions.” Zeta Rho submitted reports concerning 19 activities across the areas of education, association and service, which are the main tenants of the organization. The entries were judged by a panel of ESA and non-ESA members.

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In the coming months, Zeta Rho will be featured in ESA’s Journey magazine and across the organization’s social media platforms, along with additional awards.

Mackeigan Bickel, marketing and communications manager for the international office, noted in the announcement email that besides the number of entries, judges were impressed by the quality of the accompanying photos and the nod to the 2023-2024 international president’s theme concerning connections.

Samples of Zeta Rho’s entries include:

Service – volunteering with the Monroe St. Jude Dream Home, KXKZ 107.5 St. Jude Radiothon, two St. Jude trike-a-thons, a St. Jude math-a-thon, Project4Hope for veterans, Christian Community Action food drives, two Ruston Special Olympics, and Grace Methodist’s mats for the homeless project.

Education (during chapter meetings) – a talk by a St. Jude mom, a how-to demonstration of making chocolate-covered spoons at Christmastime, a presentation by Ruston’s Master Gardeners, and an informative program on posture by a doctor of physical therapy.

Association – a social at Rolling Hills Bookstore and the group’s annual recruitment event.

Outgoing Zeta Rho president Sallie Rose Hollis and philanthropic chair Nancy Darland submitted the majority of the reports.

“We’re extremely pleased that our chapter had the chance to be recognized like this and that the judges deemed us worthy of such an honor,” Hollis said. “We don’t do what we do to be recognized, but when it happens, it’s always a nice feeling.”

Although membership is open throughout the year, Hollis said, if anyone is interested in joining the group, a special recruitment event will be held in the fall. “So stay tuned,” she said.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

By Kyle Roberts

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — What was supposed to be a five-hour trip south turned into a three-hour trip north for Ruston High’s cross country squad.

Inclement weather off of the gulf canceled a race in New Orleans on Friday but led to an opportunity to run at the Little Rock XC Classic in Arkansas.

And never mind the last second swap in venues — Ruston put up a dominant performance, winning first place in both the girls’ and boys’ respective races.

“I’m really happy and really proud of our kids’ performances today,” Ruston High head coach Dustin Cochran said. “The kids and I were really excited for (the New Orleasn) meet, and the circumstances could have been a recipe for a letdown this weekend. However, our kids knew the standard and they were really excited to chase it, no matter where we were running.”

The race was a 5K trek held at the War Memorial Golf Course, which Cochran described as hilly and challenging.

“Our teams stayed composed, ran the first half together and closed really well passing a lot of other runners in the last mile,” Cochran said. “It was exactly what we needed to do week one. It was a total team effort. Everyone played a really important part today.”

High school races in Arkansas use official times from five kilometer races (3.12 miles). In Louisiana, the official times will be converted to three miles flat.

For the boys, it was a team entirely made of up juniors, with Ben Boudreaux finishing fifth at 16 minutes, 18 seconds. Al-Amin Wilson took sixth at 16:18 with Taylor Huddleston at seventh with a time of 16:18. Joshua Daulton finished 15th at 16:36, while Luke Braswell took 25th at 16:54.

Wyatt Hancock placed 35th at 17:24, while Dawson Baker finished 43rd at 17:36.

On the girls’ side, junior Hallie Hebert led the way for third place at 19:24, while freshman Eden Dawsey finished in fifth at 19:36. Senior Parker Nations finished 11th place at 19:57, while senior Sydney Owens took 13th at 20:03.

Sophomore Aydan Murry placed 35th with a time of 22:00, while sophomore Anna Claire Williams took 63rd at 23:39. Sophomore Josie Bishop rounded out the Lady Bearcat finishers at 117th with a time of 26:39.

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Here are the latest Power Ratings for the Non-Select and Select football schools. These are used to determine playoff seeding at the end of the regular season.

Click HERE to see the complete list for each Select and Non-Select Division, including where Ruston (Non-Select Division I), Cedar Creek (Select Division IV) and Lincoln Preparatory (Select Division IV) are ranked.

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ABOUT THE POWER RATINGS

The changes the LHSAA made to the Power Ratings formula a few years back will have coaches and fans alike wondering why your calculations do not match GeauxPreps.

The top reason for mismatches is calculating Opponents’ Win points. Win Points are no longer just a straight up number of Wins by teams you have played. Points are now based on the number of wins vs number of games played. This was done to make up for playing opponents who did not play a full 10-game schedule.  

See the summary below on how PR is calculated:

• Result of Game: If you win, you get 10 Power Points. If you lose, you get none.
• Classification: If your opponent is in a higher class, you get 2 points for each class higher
• Opponents Wins: To calculate opponents wins: divide the number of wins by total games played, and multiple by 10.
• Add these three components, and this is the PR for that specific game played.
• Do this for all games played, add them all up, and then divide that total by the number of games you played.
• You can compare your calculations with ours by looking at the Team Schedules Pages, there you will see how many points we calculated for each matchup.

Another major factor that causes mismatches, is Out of State opponents.  We strive to make sure that we have to most accurate Win/Loss record for each out of state opponent. Since schools enter the W/L records for their OOS opponents, and because we don’t know how the schools get their record, we often are off on several matchups.

In addition, a team’s strength factor shall be determined by adding the sum of the opponent’s class to the sum of the opponent’s wins and dividing the result by the total number of games played. The strength factor is used when a tie exists between two or more teams and a head-to-head matchup does not exist.

GeauxPreps.com auto-generates its Power Ratings every two hours for football. If you think that you have seen an error or have any other questions, please contact hbower@geauxpreps.com.

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On Sunday, September 8, 2024, at approximately 1:50 a.m., Louisiana State Police/CID/Detectives-Monroe Field Office (LSP MFO) were requested by the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office (MPSO) to investigate a homicide that occurred inside the city limits of Tallulah.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a shooting occurred in the 200 block of Thomas Street, which resulted in the death of one subject.

LSP MFO will serve as the lead investigating agency, with MPSO assisting. The investigation remains active and ongoing. No further information is available at this time.

Anyone with information and/or pictures and video is urged to share that information with LSP Detectives. The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is available to the public through a convenient, anonymous, and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. The form can be accessed by visiting lsp.org and clicking the Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.

Monday, Sept. 9
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative meetups (Creatives At Work)

Tuesday, Sept. 10
Noon: Lincoln Parish School Board Meeting (Choudrant High School)
5-7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Schools College and Career Fair (Louisiana Tech Student Center)
7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting (Lincoln Parish courthouse)

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Wednesday, Sept. 11
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)

11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome

Thursday, Sept. 12
9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild (Grace Methodist Church)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
6-8 p.m.: Canning 101 (Ruston Farmers Market; advance registration required)
6:30 p.m.: Welcome night for Southern A’Chord, a women’s community a cappella chorus (212 N. Bonner Street)

Friday, Sept. 13
7 p.m.: Ruston High football game
7 p.m.: Cedar Creek football game
7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep football game

Saturday, Sept. 14
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

By T. Scott Boatright

 

GRAMBLING — A win is always a good thing, and Grambling State head football coach was happy to get his first one as head coach of the Tigers Saturday night.

But that doesn’t exactly mean he liked everything saw during GSU’s 37-20 win over Tuskegee in the Tigers’ home opener at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium.

And after it was all over, Joseph didn’t mince words talking about what he had seen out on the field from his team.

“You gotta take the win because you’re on the plus side,” Joseph said. “You’ve got to take the win. But you’re not going to beat many teams in this conference the way we played tonight. And I expressed that to the kids. We won’t win many games like that if we play that way.”

The Tigers started out in strong fashion, taking advantage of an interception by 56 that set them up to start their second possession at the Tuskegee 18-yard line.

On first down quarterback Myles Crawley connected with receiver Nicholas Howard on a pass that was initially ruled a touchdown. But after a lengthy video, officials ruled that Howard only made it to the 1-yard line before his knee hit the turf.

After running back Tre Bradford was stopped for a one-yard loss on the next play, Crawley connected with tight end Cordavis Knighten on a 2-yard scoring strike that put GSU on top 6-0 (Ryan Harradine’s point after kick drifted wide right) at the 11:44 mark of the opening stanza.

And after holding Tuskegee to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession for the Golden Tigers, Grambling quickly scored again as Crawley’s 53-yard pass to Javon Robinson set up a nine-yard touchdown pass to Howard, who twisted and stretched out over an attempted tackler to reach the ball over the goal line to put GSU on top 13-0 with 8:38 left in the first quarter.

Grambling pushed its lead to 20-0 on a four-yard touchdown pass to Tony Phillips 1:33 into the second quarter before a 36-yard field goal by Harradine made it 23-0 in favor of the G-Men with 2:38 left in the first half.

After forcing Tuskegee to punt again on another three-and-out possession, GSU scored again with 1:32 left before intermission as Crawley connected with Robinson on a 53-yard touchdown pass.

The G-Men weren’t done as Josh Darling returned a Golden Tiger fumble 19 yards for another score to make it 37-0 before Tuskegee’s Lorcan Ryan hit a 46-yard field goal with one second left in the half to make it a 37-3 halftime score.

But as strong as they started the game, the G-Men came out flat in the second half as Tuskegee outscored GSU 20 in the final 30 minutes of the contest.

“Good football teams come out and finish games,” Joseph said. “But we’re not a very good football team right now.”

Joseph has preached cleaning up a penalty problem that plagued the G-Men last season, but ended up being disappointed with the way his team handled that aspect of the contest.

“I thought we played good for 20 minutes out of 60,” Joseph said. “I thought we were clean for 20 minutes. But the other 40 were bad. We had 16 penalties for 166 (yards lost). That’s terrible. 

“We can’t revert back to foolishness and that’s what we reverted back to. I’ve got to do a better job as a head coach and I will and my assistants have got to do a better job. We’ll clean that up.”

Crawley completed 16-of-26 passes for 304 yards and four scores before being pulled in the third quarter while Robinson led Grambling with four catches for 151 yards.

“We got a little complacent in the second half but we’ll get better,” Crawley said. “We’ll celebrate the win and get back to work.”

But Joseph wasn’t happy with a run game that saw GSU average only 2.4 yards per carry. 

Bradford led GSU rushers with 52 yards on 13 carries.

“We had explosive players, so if we can get the ball into space to our kids that are explosive, they’re going to make something happen,” Joseph said. “But we have to establish the line of scrimmage. We did not establish the line of scrimmage on the offensive side of the ball and I was disappointed in that because I thought we were going to be able to run the ball.”

Personal fouls played a significant role in GSU’s plethora of penalties, something that really bothered Joseph, especially after a personal foul extended a final minute Tuskegee drive and resulted in a Golden Tiger touchdown.

“Some of the penalties were stupid things,” Joseph said. “They always catch the second guy. Our kid said ‘they slapped me in the face.’ OK, but he caught you though. So who’s guilty? You are. 

“We had some calls that didn’t go our way. But good teams play through things like that. We’re just not a very good football team right now.”

Andrew Jones led the G-Men with 11 tackles and added half a sack while Bryce Cage added six takedowns with one sack.

“I thought the defensive line played well,” Joseph said. “They kind of wore down toward the end but I thought they played well in the beginning. But football is a whole. You can’t have a D-line play better. Everybody’s got to play well. 

Grambling (1-1) will next play at 6 p.m. next Saturday at Texas-A&M Commerce, which lost to San Diego State in its season opener and was playing at Cal-Davis late Saturday night.

Joseph expects to see a better performance from his team next weekend.

“Like I said, we’re just not a very good football team and I’ve got to get it fixed,” Joseph said. “I’m not a very good head coach right now and I’ve got to fix it. I will.”

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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Funeral services for Allison Neal Turner, age 73, of Ruston, LA will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Kilpatrick Funeral Homes Chapel in Ruston, LA.  Officiating the service will be Rev. Ed Colvin.  Interment will follow in Williamson Cemetery in Sailes, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.

A visitation will be 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Kilpatrick Funeral Homes Chapel in Ruston, LA.

Allison was born on July 19, 1951, in Ringgold, LA and passed away on September 6, 2024, at her residence.  She grew up in Sailes, LA and graduated from Gibsland High School.  She attended Louisiana Tech University where she earned a master’s degree in education.  Allison taught high school English for over 40 years.  She was a proud mother, grandmother, and loved spending time with her family.  Allison also enjoyed gardening, trips to the beach, and her pets.  She is preceded in death by her parents Bill and Levohn Neal and her husband Richard Turner.

She is survived by her daughters, Ashley Shannon and husband Jimmy and grandson, Eli; Courtnei Doolittle and husband Chris, grandson, Brantlee, granddaughter, Allie; sister, Judy Jackson; brother, David Neal and wife Linda; niece, Jennifer Alford and husband Ted and nephew Connor; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The pallbearers will be Ted Alford, Will Neal, Cole Neal, Sam Smith, Tate Neal, Leo Clement.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brantlee Doolittle, Eli Shannon, and Connor Alford.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Allyson Martin for her loving care and support to our mother and family. 

 

 

 

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DeQuincy Holyfield 
Monday 08/28/1972 — Thursday 09/05/2024  
Visitation: Friday 09/13/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Funeral Service: Saturday 09/14/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home 
Interment: Saturday 09/14/2024 Following Service, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Lisbon 

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By T. Scott Boatright

 

GRAMBLING — A win is always a good thing, and Grambling State head football coach was happy to get his first one as head coach of the Tigers Saturday night.

But that doesn’t exactly mean he liked everything saw during GSU’s 37-20 win over Tuskegee in the Tigers’ home opener at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium.

And after it was all over, Joseph didn’t mince words talking about what he had seen out on the field from his team.

“You gotta take the win because you’re on the plus side,” Joseph said. “You’ve got to take the win. But you’re not going to beat many teams in this conference the way we played tonight. And I expressed that to the kids. We won’t win many games like that if we play that way.”

The Tigers started out in strong fashion, taking advantage of an interception by 56 that set them up to start their second possession at the Tuskegee 18-yard line.

On first down quarterback Myles Crawley connected with receiver Nicholas Howard on a pass that was initially ruled a touchdown. But after a lengthy video, officials ruled that Howard only made it to the 1-yard line before his knee hit the turf.

After running back Tre Bradford was stopped for a one-yard loss on the next play, Crawley connected with tight end Cordavis Knighten on a 2-yard scoring strike that put GSU on top 6-0 (Ryan Harradine’s point after kick drifted wide right) at the 11:44 mark of the opening stanza.

And after holding Tuskegee to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession for the Golden Tigers, Grambling quickly scored again as Crawley’s 53-yard pass to Javon Robinson set up a nine-yard touchdown pass to Howard, who twisted and stretched out over an attempted tackler to reach the ball over the goal line to put GSU on top 13-0 with 8:38 left in the first quarter.

Grambling pushed its lead to 20-0 on a four-yard touchdown pass to Tony Phillips 1:33 into the second quarter before a 36-yard field goal by Harradine made it 23-0 in favor of the G-Men with 2:38 left in the first half.

After forcing Tuskegee to punt again on another three-and-out possession, GSU scored again with 1:32 left before intermission as Crawley connected with Robinson on a 53-yard touchdown pass.

The G-Men weren’t done as Josh Darling returned a Golden Tiger fumble 19 yards for another score to make it 37-0 before Tuskegee’s Lorcan Ryan hit a 46-yard field goal with one second left in the half to make it a 37-3 halftime score.

But as strong as they started the game, the G-Men came out flat in the second half as Tuskegee outscored GSU 20 in the final 30 minutes of the contest.

“Good football teams come out and finish games,” Joseph said. “But we’re not a very good football team right now.”

Joseph has preached cleaning up a penalty problem that plagued the G-Men last season, but ended up being disappointed with the way his team handled that aspect of the contest.

“I thought we played good for 20 minutes out of 60,” Joseph said. “I thought we were clean for 20 minutes. But the other 40 were bad. We had 16 penalties for 166 (yards lost). That’s terrible. 

“We can’t revert back to foolishness and that’s what we reverted back to. I’ve got to do a better job as a head coach and I will and my assistants have got to do a better job. We’ll clean that up.”

Crawley completed 16-of-26 passes for 304 yards and four scores before being pulled in the third quarter while Robinson led Grambling with four catches for 151 yards.

“We got a little complacent in the second half but we’ll get better,” Crawley said. “We’ll celebrate the win and get back to work.”

But Joseph wasn’t happy with a run game that saw GSU average only 2.4 yards per carry. 

Bradford led GSU rushers with 52 yards on 13 carries.

“We had explosive players, so if we can get the ball into space to our kids that are explosive, they’re going to make something happen,” Joseph said. “But we have to establish the line of scrimmage. We did not establish the line of scrimmage on the offensive side of the ball and I was disappointed in that because I thought we were going to be able to run the ball.”

Personal fouls played a significant role in GSU’s plethora of penalties, something that really bothered Joseph, especially after a personal foul extended a final minute Tuskegee drive and resulted in a Golden Tiger touchdown.

“Some of the penalties were stupid things,” Joseph said. “They always catch the second guy. Our kid said ‘they slapped me in the face.’ OK, but he caught you though. So who’s guilty? You are. 

“We had some calls that didn’t go our way. But good teams play through things like that. We’re just not a very good football team right now.”

Andrew Jones led the G-Men with 11 tackles and added half a sack while Bryce Cage added six takedowns with one sack.

“I thought the defensive line played well,” Joseph said. “They kind of wore down toward the end but I thought they played well in the beginning. But football is a whole. You can’t have a D-line play better. Everybody’s got to play well. 

Grambling (1-1) will next play at 6 p.m. next Saturday at Texas-A&M Commerce, which lost to San Diego State in its season opener and was playing at Cal-Davis late Saturday night.

Joseph expects to see a better performance from his team next weekend.

“Like I said, we’re just not a very good football team and I’ve got to get it fixed,” Joseph said. “I’m not a very good head coach right now and I’ve got to fix it. I will.”

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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By Kyle Roberts

RUSTON, La. — Bearcat senior quarterback Josh Brantley picked right back up where he left off in the ‘Dome.

Named the most valuable player in last year’s championship win over Zachary, Brantley gave the Ruston High Bearcats the performance they needed for a 35-27 victory over the Acadiana Wreckin’ Rams in the 2024 season opener at James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium.

Rushing for 179 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, Brantley added an extra pair of touchdowns through the air to senior wideout Joran Parker and sophomore tight end/receiver Ahmad Hudson.

“We’ve talked about since the state championship game that we need Josh to be able to make those plays,” Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “We’ve got a lot of inexperienced guys still out there, and those that have been in the fire need to be able to pull the weight. By far, Josh was able to do that.”

Complementing Brantley was a young Ruston defense that looked impenetrable at times after only giving up nine yards in the first quarter, to then surrendering large plays to Acadiana throughout the night when the Rams settled into their heralded triple-option. Ultimately, the Bearcat’s defensive squad held when it mattered the most.

“That’s the thing for us is how fast can those guys mature as players and do the things we need them to do,” Baugh said. “We sure lost some really good football players off of last year’s team — in particular, on defense. I think those guys have quietly worked themselves into a spot where they can make those plays, too. That’s what we need them to do.”

The Bearcats won the coin toss and took the football, scoring on a 17-play drive that took six minutes off the clock in the first quarter. Senior running back Jordan Hayes punched in a touchdown from eight yards out with 5:53 left to play in the first.

Ruston scored on its next play, as well, on a four-play drive capped off by a 43-yard touchdown rush from Brantley to take a 14-0 lead near the end of the first quarter.

Acadiana got its first real break of the night with a blocked punt at the 7:54 mark of the second quarter, setting up the first of three touchdowns for Rams’ running back Jonah Gautier on the night.

Brantley answered on the next drive with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Parker with 5:52 to go in the first half, and then he scored his second rushing touchdown of the night after from 63-yards out with 1:59 left to play in the half to give Ruston a 28-14 lead.

Acadiana refused to go away, scoring a touchdown as time expired in the second quarter. A missed PAT later, and Ruston took a 28-20 lead into the halftime locker room.

The Bearcat defense would get a three-and-out on Acadiana’s first drive of the second half, and Brantley would connect on his second touchdown through the air to Hudson from 39-yards on an out-route on the far side of the field.

Hudson’s catch was even more impressive given the cast on his hand from an injury two weeks ago in a routine play against Byrd.

Acadiana would score again to cut the lead to 35-27, but Ruston’s defense did its job and held the Rams out of the end zone as the clock his zeros for the first win of the season.

“I’m really pleased with our guys that they did what they needed to do to win the football game,” Baugh said in conclusion. “We had an opportunity offensively to finish the game in a four minute drill. We weren’t able to do that, but the defense managed the two-minute situation flow. At the end of the day, we were able to do what we needed to do to win the ball game.”

Senior cornerback Fabian Stringfellow also picked up his first interception of the season for Ruston High in the second half.

“I’ve been very pleased with Fabian,” Baugh said. “He was really frustrated with himself down in the first half. He had really good coverage on their receiver in the end zone, and they completed the pass for a touchdown (at the end of the second quarter). But he continues to play hard. And if you keep doing that, you give yourself an opportunity to make plays. That was obviously a very big play for us.”

The Bearcats will be back at home Friday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. against Cabot High School out of Cabot, Ark., to continue a home-and-home series that began in the 2022 season.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

by Malcolm Butler

Delhi Charter rushed for 360 yards and six touchdowns to open the season with a 40-0 win over Cedar Creek Friday night in Delhi.

The Cougars struggled to stop the run as the Gators scored on runs of 28, 23, 4, 60, 23 and 5 yards while averaging just under nine yards per carry.

After trailing just 8-0 at the end of the opening quarter, Creek saw the Gators strike paydirt twice more in the second quarter to take a 22-0 lead into the halftime lockerroom.

“Just like the scrimmage and the jamboree, we started off rough,” said Cedar Creek head coach William Parkerson. “They really hurt us with a play tonight that they hadn’t shown on film. Credit their coaches for scheming something up and finding success and sticking with it.”

A trio of Cougars recorded double digit tackles in the win, led by Mason Wooden (12), Trigger Woodard (11) and Blake Robinson (10).

Offensively, the young Cedar Creek unit was unable to find the endzone as the Cougars stayed on the ground most of the night, rushing 32 times and only attempting one pass.

“We just couldn’t string good plays together,” said Parkerson. “We would get a drive going and then we would make a mistake that put us behind the chains. We just couldn’t finish drives. We had a chance to score twice. We got inside the 20 and we couldn’t execute when we needed to.”

James Myers led Cedar Creek on the ground, rushing six times for 46 yards, including a team-best 23-yard scamper.

“James Myers had some really good runs for us tonight,” said Parkerson. “That was good to see.”

Woodard added 25 yards while Wooten added nine as the Cougars rushed for 72 yards on 32 carries.

The Gators added three more rushing scores in the third quarter to seal the victory.

Cedar Creek will host Delhi next Friday in its home opener.

 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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by Malcolm Butler

No 1 ranked Ruston High survived a late scare from No. 3 ranked Acadiana as the Bearcats opened the season with a 35-27 win Friday night at James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium.

Impressive Opening Drive: After taking the opening kickoff of the night, Ruston used a 17-play, 80-yard drive that took 6:09 off the clock as Jordan Hayes scored on an eight-yard TD run on fourth-down and seven from the Acadiana eight-yard line. Ruston converted a pair of fourth-down plays on the drive, including a 16-yard completion to Ahmad Hudson on fourth-down and six from the Wreckin’ Rams 28-yard line.

New Look Bearcat Defense: Ruston High lost a number of key components of it’s state championship caliber defensive unit from a season ago. And although a number of key players return such as Zheric Hill and Aidan Anding, the Bearcats had plenty of question marks entering the season. For much of the game, the Bearcats hung strong against the run-oriented Acadiana Wreckin’ Rams attack.

“I was very pleased to see how we performed tonight,” said head coach Jerrod Baugh. “I knew that would be a big deal for us. How fast are those guys going to mature as players. I think they spoke really loud and clear as to that. We have to clean up some things and continue to work. It’s just week one. We made some mistakes here and there, but Acadiana is a really good football team that brought a lot of experience guys back off a state runner-up team. I knew they were going to be here ready to play.

“I think it speaks a lot for our guys who may have gotten a few snaps sprinkled in here and there and then their play on the JV was the majority of their time … they just continued to work and when their number was called to be the guy they stepped up and did it against a really good football team.”

Starting 1-0: The last two season, Ruston High has lost its season opener at home against Warren Easton (was awarded a forfeit following the loss in 2023). However, tonight the Bearcats found a way to pick up a marquee win to open the year against an Acadiana team that should be in the hunt for a state title in 2024.

“I think that is a big thing,” said Baugh. “It’s a big thing for me confidence-wise for these guys to start the season on a positive note and to shake off the state championship left over stuff and make an identity for this football team. They took that to heart. I’ve been pushing on them the past couple of weeks. That’s usually the first question I’ve gotten the past few weeks. ‘How is it going to go after the state championship season?’ I think these players were ready to move on and I think they did a really good job of that. Not to slight what we were able to do last year, but I think this team wants to do their own thing. And that’s a good thing.”

Hudson Comes Up Big Despite Wrist Injury: Sophomore tight end Ahmad Hudson was a bit of a surprise participant in Friday night’s game after suffering an injury in the scrimmage at Byrd a few weeks ago. Hudson missed the jamboree against Neville last week, but suited up for the Bearcats Friday night and made some big plays, including a 39-yard TD reception on Ruston opening possession of the third quarter. Hudson finished with three receptions for 60 yards and the one score.

“We are able to do a lot of different things with him because he played receiver last year and he is able to play some tight end. We are able to juggle him in and out (of the two positions). It make teams have to figure out if you get in two tight end sets, are they fixing to add defensive linemen. And then you are able to split him out and they aren’t sure how they want to handle all of those things. Having someone who can do a wide variety of things is a big deal. If you are 6-7, 215-pounds … that helps too.”

Brantley’s Deep Throws: While Josh Brantley rushed for 179 yards and two scores on just 10 carries, he also made his mark through the air. The senior signal caller completed 8-of-12 passes for 190 yards and two scores, including a 50-yarder to Joran Parker and a 39-yarder to Hudson. Brantley had two nice deep throws where he hit Parker in stride, one for the 50-yard score and another for a 45-yard gain. He also hit Hudson on a rollout that turned into a 39-yard score.

“At the end of the season last year, Josh really matured a lot as a football player. He really came into his own. After the great performance in the state championship game, I really think … He never said anything, but I think he wanted to show that that wasn’t a one-time deal. That he is able to do that. That he is a good football player and he can handle that game after game. I hope we don’t have to plan on him having all those big games but I think he took it personal. He wanted to come out tonight and have a big game, and he definitely did.

“We have some guys out there to throw the ball to. They shook some guys and got loose and we made some throws. We found some things we liked in the running game.”

Special Team Snafu Changes Moment: With the Bearcats leading 14-0 in the second quarter and controlling both sides of the football, a special teams mistake gave Acadiana life. On fourth-down and 12 from the Ruston 26-yard line, Acadiana broke through off the edge and blocked Cade Kelly’s punt, recovering on the Bearcats three-yard line. One play later the Wreckin’ Rams scored to cut the Ruston lead to 14-7.

“A guy came off the edge,” said Baugh. “We didn’t stay on our block long enough. He shouldn’t have had time. I think it was a combination of we didn’t stay on our block long enough and we held onto the ball a little too long. We should have been able to get that ball off.”

Third Quarter Start: After Ruston saw Acadiana score on the final play of the second quarter to cut the Bearcats lead to 28-20 at halftime, the Bearcats made a statement to start the third quarter. Acadiana received the opening kickoff to start the second half, but the Ruston defense held them to a three-and-out, forcing a punt. The Bearcats took over on the Acadiana 44-yard line following the punt and after back-to-back Jordan Hayes runs picked up five yards, Brantley found Hudson for a 39-yard TD pass and a 35-20 Ruston lead.

“That was big for them to score right before the half knowing they were going to get the football to start the second half,” said Baugh. “They could possibly pick up two scores back-to-back and possibly tie the game. We are really fortunate our defense came out and forced a three-and-out. That was a big deal. Offensively, we went down and scored the ball. You look at different aspects of the game whether it be offensively or defensively or whatever, the kids stood tall when they needed to and made the plays whenever we needed them.”

Baugh’s Thoughts on O-Line: Maybe the biggest question mark entering the year offensively is along the offensive line after the Bearcats graduated three starters from last season. On Friday night, the big boys up front did enough to help Ruston rush for over 300 yards in the win.

“They are coming along,” said Baugh. “I have been really hard on those guys through fall camp. I haven’t really felt like they were giving us what they had in them. But they have just come in every day and gone to work. Sam Nations goes down late and Cedric Rhone is waiting right there to jump in. You have to have those kids be ready to be available. We have done a lot of shuffling around on the offensive line. I think we can steady some things up and those guys handled some really good defensive linemen in the running game.”

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By T. Scott Boatright

A game of historic proportions is set to kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium as the Grambling State Tigers play host to the Tuskegee Golden Tigers.

Both teams stand at 0-1. Tuskegee is coming off a 21-13 loss to Johnson C. Smith last weekend at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery Alabama, while Grambling fell in its season opener by the score of 40-10 at Louisiana-Lafayette.

Grambling and Tuskegee haven’t faced off since before modern-day records started being kept in 1950. But that doesn’t diminish the fact that they are still two of the most storied teams in HBCU football.

And Tuskegee had another strong run from 2006-09 under then head coach Willie Slater when the Golden Tigers went 42-3, winning four SIAC championships and three Black college national titles (2007-09).

Grambling’s own golden era came especially from 1972-77 as the G-Men put together a 60-13 record during those seasons, taking four Black college national crowns (’72, ’74-75 and ’77 with shared two Southwestern Athletic Conference titles in ’74, ’75 and one outright championship in ’77.

While these days Grambling is basically considered to be the bigger and stronger program of the two, GSU coach Mickey Joseph said he has urged his Tigers not to take Tuskegee lightly.

“I told the team — don’t get fooled,” Joseph said. “This is a really good football team. They’re well coached, and they play hard. And I told the kids that they need to remember, we’re Grambling, and we get everybody’s best shot.

“So, they’re going to come here confident and thinking they can win this game. So we’ve got to prepare. We can’t have bad practices and just think things are going to turn on Saturday. We respect them, we respect their program, we respect their university and we know that they can win games and are always in the running for something.”

Joseph said the Golden Tigers won’t be impacted by a large crowd at GSU after playing before 15,000 last weekend.

And he’s still imploring GSU fans to show up and cheer on the G-Men against Tuskegee this weekend.

“We’ve got to make sure we (GSU fans) come out,” Joseph said. “We don’t need to wait for the Jackson State game. Let’s come out and let’s pack the stadium. We want everybody to come out and see what we’re all about.

“So, we’re going to come out and put on a show. We want to put on a clinic. That’s how we’re looking at it.”

Joseph also said his Tigers won’t get caught past Tuskegee and ahead toward future games.

“We always talk about the fact that we have 12 stops on the season,” Joseph said. “We talked at the Lafayette stop sign and didn’t get the results we wanted. Now we have to stop at this stop sign. So all of our attention is toward Tuskegee.”

Joseph said he expects Tuskegee to present a challenge in the trenches.

“I think they’re really good up front on both sides of the ball,” Joseph said. “I think they’re really athletic. They’re big up front, they’re athletic up front and their D-line moves a lot. We’ve got our work cut out for us and we’ve got to get ready.”

Joseph said containing the run game of Tuskegee’s quarterbacks will be a key factor for his Tigers.

“They have two they play,” Joseph said of Tukegee’s quarterbacks. “One is a big tall kid they play. We know we’ve got to watch the quarterback run because we know they’re going to do that. They run a really good scheme and we have to prepare for the quarterback run game.

“That’s hard to account for with a six-man box because that gives them seven people back there who can hurt you with their legs. So we really have to figure out how to slow that down. We can’t let them get that started.”

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By T. Scott Boatright

Football can be a game of inches.

It can also be a game of brief minutes, if not seconds.

The Lincoln Preparatory School learned that lesson the hard way Friday night.

Lincoln Prep saw D’Arbonne Woods break open a tight game in the waning minutes of the first half Friday night as the Timberwolves marched to a 36-6 home win over the Panthers in the season opener for both teams.

But it was anything but a runaway game early on.

The Panthers did get punched in the mouth early, as they drove to the D’Arbonne Woods 37-yard line off of strong play from D’Tavion Wright, who turned in a 17-yard run and nine-yard reception, on that drive before Lincoln Prep turned the ball over on downs.

D’Arbonne Woods responded by marching 72 yards on seven plays, with Dalton Albritton breaking free on a 36-yard quarterback keeper that put the Timberwolves up 6-0 at the 5:33 mark of the opening stanza.

Then things turned into a slugfest.

At least until the final minutes of the first half.

That’s when the wheels suddenly came off for the Panthers.

One of numerous bad snaps for Lincoln Prep resulted in a safety that pushed the Timberwolves’ advantage to 8-0 with 2:46 remaining in the second quarter.

“Problems with our center snaps killed us all game long,” said Lincoln Prep coach Glen Hall. “We rolled the ball all over the field without it getting to the quarterback, and that really cost us.”

The late first-half storm was only beginning for the Panthers.

D’Arbonne Woods stretched its lead to 16-0 on an 8-yard run by Albritton followed by a two-point conversion run by Stromile before the Timberwolves added an 80-yard interception return for a score with no time remaining in the first half.

“We were short a player who didn’t go out there and my quarterback just ended up having to throw ‘a punt’ that they returned for a score,” Hall said. “It all fell apart on us that fast.”

D’Arbonne Woods pushed its lead to 29-0 with 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter to make it 29-0 in favor of the Timberwolves before scoring again early in the fourth quarter to move on top 36-0.

Lincoln Prep’s lone score came with 6:48 left on the clock as quarterback Jordan Brown connected on a scoring strike to Cenario Wilson.

“Every time we took a step forward we took two steps back,” Hall said. “I try not to be frustrated because I did see some good things. But I also saw a team that got to a point way too early that thought they couldn’t win.

“That’s on me and we’re going to fix it. I guess I’m not doing a good enough job coaching them. But I believe in this team and know they have more in them. That’s what bothers me. I just have to get them to buy into the system and believe in themselves the way I believe in them.”

Next up for the Panthers (0-1) will be a home game against Magnolia Charter on Friday.

“We just have to put this one behind us — learn what we can from it and let it go,” Hall said. “We saw some good things and a lot of bad things. We need to balance that out. We need to find some consistency. And that’s my job. We just need to get back to it and work on getting better. There’s a lot of season left ahead.”

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

The Louisiana Tech Golf team gets its 2024-25 season underway as the Bulldogs host the Argent Financial Classic Sunday through Tuesday at Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant.

The event is free and open to the public.

The 18-team tournament field includes Louisiana Tech (two teams), Abilene Christian, Houston, Jacksonville State, Lamar, Little Rock, LSU (individuals only), Middle Tennessee, Nicholls, North Texas, Rice, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy, UL-Lafayette, UAB, ULM and WKU.

EVENT INFORMATION
Dates: Sunday – Tuesday, Sept. 8-10
Location: Squire Creek Country Club (Choudrant, La.)
Stats: LATechSports.com/GolfStats
Stroke Play: 3 rounds/54 holes (18 holes each day)
Round 1 (Sunday): 7:30 a.m. start | Hole 10
Round 2 (Monday): 7:30 a.m. start | Hole 10
Round 3 (Tuesday): 8 a.m. start | Holes 1 and 10
Yardage: 7,105 yards (Par 72)
Participants: 18 teams/99 individuals

This year’s event will mark the 25th time LA Tech has hosted a tournament on its home course, Squire Creek Country Club. Argent Financial Group, a wealth management firm with headquarters in Ruston, returns as the title sponsor for a second straight season.

LA Tech will feature two teams in the season opener. Team A will consist of reigning CUSA Freshman of the Year Niilo Maki-Petaja, sophomore Jake Plumb, senior Grant Smith, and a pair of freshmen in Freddie Surgey and Morton Bailey. Team B will be junior college transfer Oskari Schuvalow, juniors Joel Thomas Stephens and Riley Hnatyshyn, sophomore Gray Kingrea, and freshman Isaac Adams.

Maki-Petaja headlines the team, looking to build upon a freshman campaign where he put together a team-best 72.25 stroke average, the fourth best in program history. He recorded four top-five finishes and earned an at-large bid as an individual to participate in the NCAA Regionals.

Fellow sophomore Plumb looks to take the next step in his collegiate career after participating in seven events in his first year as a Bulldog. He tied for 33rd in his LA Tech debut at last year’s Argent Financial Classic.

Smith will be competing in his fourth home event while Surgey and Bailey, a pair of highly touted players from England, will make their Bulldog debut as will Schuvalow, who finished ranked No. 18 in the country as an individual in junior college, and Adams who hails from Longview, Texas.

Stephens and Hnatyshyn will make their third appearance at their home event while Kingrea will be playing in the AFC for the first time despite seeing action in five events as a freshman last season.

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