By Kyle Roberts

SHREVEPORT, La. — Sometimes in football it all has to go horribly wrong before going delightfully right.

For three quarters, Louisiana Tech struggled to move the ball, score points, and avoid costly penalties.

That flipped in the fourth quarter, as the Bulldogs (8-5) scored 17 points in the final stanza to rally and get a 23-14 victory over future Sunbelt Conference opponent Coastal Carolina (6-7) in the 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.

Despite numerous penalties on both sides to go with four Bulldogs turnovers, Tech got the job done Saturday with a gritty second half defense along with an efficient offense that looked practically inept for three quarters.

”I’m so proud of our team to end it like we ended it today,” Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie said. “We knew Coastal Carolina was going to be well-coached, and we knew they were going to play really hard in the midst of the difficult time they’ve had over there. Credit to how they played and competed. I’m so proud of our players — I think this game was an accumulation of a football team and program that has learned how to win.

“What an effort in the second half. We wanted to be the last team off the field tonight, and we were able to accomplish that. There was great energy (toward the end) that wasn’t there in the first half. The guys got settled in for the second half and made plays on offense, defense, and special teams. This win is going to springboard us into a new era because this team has learned how to win football games.”

The Bulldogs got the ball to start the game on their own 25-yard line, and following a false start on the first play from scrimmage, Louisiana Tech was able to convert a first down after a 16-yard run by junior quarterback Trey Kukuk on third down to the Tech 43 yard line. Kukuk would throw an interception on the next play and gave Coastal the ball on their own 42-yard line.

The Chanticleers came out in a hurry-up offense and moved the ball down the field to give junior kicker Kian Afrookhteh a 29-yard field goal attempt which was missed wide to the right. Tech would take over on its own 20-yard line for its second possession of the day.

The ‘Dogs followed with another false start to begin their ensuing drive and three plays later were forced to punt with 9:20 to go in the first quarter. On the ensuing four drives between the two teams, it looked to be a punting clinic between Tech’s John Hoyet Chance and Coastal’s Emile Sebafundi as the pair just swapped field position back and forth.

The Chanticleers did find the end zone for the first time of the day at the 3:30 mark of the first quarter with a 20-yard completion to freshman Dominic Knicely to put Coastal up 7-0.

The ‘Dogs got the ball on their own 25-yard line to start the next drive, and after a late hit out of bounds on Tech’s quarterback Trey Kukuk, the Bulldogs got a first down to Coastal’s 46-yard line at the end of the first quarter on a completion to sophomore Clay Thevenin. Despite getting snaps for the first time on Coastal’s side of the field, the Bulldogs were unable to convert for any points and were forced to punt again — this time to Coastal’s six-yard line.

Two quick pass completions by sophomore quarterback Tad Hudson gave Coastal breathing room to their own 39-yard line. A holding penalty backed the Chanticleers to their own 26 on 2nd down, and shortly after — you guessed it — Coastal was forced to punt.

After the Tech defense forced a three-and-out, the Bulldogs finally put together a scoring drive of 5 minutes, 26 seconds, which was capped off by a 42-yard field goal by freshman Kaegan Kent in his first career attempt with 2:49 to go before the half.

Coastal responded with a drive of its own, which was helped by a late-hit penalty by the Bulldogs to help set up a 16-yard touchdown pass from Hudson to sophomore Robby Washington with 1:16 on the clock.

Between the two teams, there were a total of 17 penalties for 153 yards in the first half alone.

Coastal got the ball to start the second half of play, but the Bulldog defense held the Chanticleers to a three-and-out. On the punt, sophomore Dedrick Latulas returned it 38 yards to the Coastal 32-yard line. The Tech offense, however, was only able to generate four yards of offense before a false start on fourth down sent Chance out for a 51-yard field goal attempt, which was good to cut Coastal’s lead to 14-6 with 11:45 on the clock in the third quarter.

Following a kick off out-of-bounds, the Chanticleers started with the ball on their own 35-yard line. On the first play of the drive, senior lineman Donovan Rieman to give the Bulldogs their best starting field position of the day on Coastal’s 40-yard line. The offense, this time, appeared to be able to move the ball on the ground more efficiently, and even were able to get inside the 15-yard line before another late hit penalty by Tech moved the ball back to the Chanticleers’ 28-yard line. Kukuk then fumbled on the following play on a read-option to give Coastal the ball back on their own 23-yard line with 9:28 to go in the third.

The Chanticleers wasted no time moving the ball down the field to set up a 22-yard field goal attempt for Afrookhteh, which was blocked by sophomore Kenyatta McNeese, recovered by senior Jakari Foster and returned to the Tech 33-yard line.

After another penalty-plagued drive, the Bulldogs were forced to punt, and in one of the weirder plays of the day, Coastal’s junior Bryson Graves muffed a punt that appeared at first to have been a fumble. The ball continued to roll backward, and went out of bounds despite five Bulldogs in the area to possibly recover. The official call was a touchback, giving the Chanticleers the ball at their own 20-yard line.

Following a Coastal punt to Tech’s 20-yard line, the Bulldogs were forced to punt themselves in the last minute of the third quarter to give the Chanticleers the ball at their own 35. Following three stellar defensive plays by the Bulldogs, including a sack and forced fumble by senior Chief Leota, the Chanticleers were forced to punt on fourth-and-25 to start the fourth quarter.

After a Bulldog first down, Kukuk hit a wide-open Marion Jackson in Coastal territory — Jackson, however, fumbled the ball after a big hit, which was recovered by Coastal’s Fredd Adams at the Chanticleers 36-yard line with 12:33 to go in the game. The ‘Dog defense, however, forced a turnover after a huge hit by junior Amari Butler on a Coastal receiver as he was catching the ball, which bounced into sophomore Jordan McRae’s hands for an interception at Tech’s 48-yard line.

Kukuk then hit Jackson for a 52-yard touchdown pass with 11:45 to go on a post-route for the longest Bulldog completion of the day. The two-point conversion was no good after a reverse and pass attempt was complete to junior Eli Finley and just short of the end zone, cutting the score to 14-12 Coastal with 11:45 to play.

The Chanticleers had both a false start and intentional grounding penalty on the next drive to set up third-and-long, but a roughing the passer penalty by the Bulldogs gave Coastal first-and-10 with 11:14 to play. After another Liota tackle for loss, Coastal picked up an offensive pass interference penalty that was declined to set up third-and-14. The ‘Dogs got the stop and forced Coastal to punt with 10 minutes to play.

Latulas then returned the punt to the Chanticleer 49-yard line and Coastal was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty after the play to give the Bulldogs first and 10 at their opponent’s 34-yard line. Kukuk then ran for 31 yards to set up first-and-goal at the Chanticleer 3-yard line. Two plays later, senior Andrew Burnette ran it in for a one-yard touchdown to give Tech its first lead of the day at 18-14 with 8:09 to play. The ‘Dogs again went for two, and Burnette caught the pass from Kukuk for the conversion to go up 20-14.

Coastal had to punt again with 7:04 after another strong defensive stand by the Bulldog defense. Kukuk then converted on third down with his legs to extend the drive and continue to run the clock. Burnette, however, fumbled two plays later to give Coastal the ball back with 4:10 to play. A critical QB hurry by Foster forced the Chanticleers to punt with 3:55 left to play.

Tech, however, could not get the first down it needed and punted back to the Chanticleers with 2:20 left to go. And another Coastal penalty — this time for holding during the punt — backed the offense up to their own 20-yard line to start their next to final drive of the night. With 1:52 left to play, Hudson threw behind his intended target on fourth down to give the Bulldogs the ball on the Chanticleer 20-yard line and set up Kent for his second field goal of the day — this time from 35 yards out to give Tech the 23-14 lead and final score.

Foster then gave the Bulldogs to icing on the cake with his eighth interception of the season with 0:22 left to play to seal the deal and giving the ‘Dogs the win in their record-breaking seventh appearance in the Independence Bowl.

Kukuk was named offensive MVP after throwing for 114 yards and running for 121 more. Leota led the defense with 10 tackles and two sacks.

”We never wavered,” Kukuk said. “That’s the character of this team that we showed down the stretch of the season. I just wanted to win it at the end of the day for the guys in the locker room. We wanted to bring that trophy back to Ruston for guys like Coach Cumbie and the rest of the staff that’s worked so hard.”

Combined, the teams set an Independence Bowl record with a total of 25 penalties and total of 228 penalty yards.

Louisiana Tech is now tied with Ole Miss for most I-Bowl wins overall with four apiece.

by Malcolm Butler

ALL-TIME BOWL RECORD: With the victory over Coastal Carolina, Louisiana Tech is now 9-5-1 all-time in bowl games. 

TECH FLAVOR: Louisiana Tech has now played in the Independence Bowl seven times in the bowl’s history, including five times since the Bulldogs joined the FBS ranks in 1989. Tech has appeared in more Independence Bowls than any other college football program with Ole Miss (5 times) ranking second. Nine other programs have played in the Independence Bowl three times. Tech also tied Ole Miss with four wins at the Independence Bowl.

1977: LA Tech 24, Louisville 14

1978: East Carolina 35, LA Tech 13

1990: LA Tech 34, Maryland 34

2008: LA Tech 17, Northern Illinois 10

2019: LA Tech 14, Miami 0

2024: Army 27, LA Tech 7

2025: LA Tech 23, Coastal Carolina 14

REPEAT PARTICIPANT: Louisiana Tech becomes the first program to play in back-to-back bowl games since the Alabama Crimson Tide played in both the 2006 and 2007 contests. The Crimson Tide lost to Oklahoma State in the 2006 Independence Bowl before defeating Colorado in 2007. The 2007 Crimson Tide team was coached by Nick Saban, who was in his first year in Tuscaloosa. 

MISSING INGREDIENTS: Louisiana Tech’s secondary was missing some key components with the absence of starters Jacob Fields (CUSA Defensive POY), Michael Richard, and Jamaal Shelby — who all entered the transfer portal after the regular season ended. It was obvious in the opening two quarters as Coastal Carolina QB Tad Hudson set his season high in passing yards … before halftime … with 194 yards on 15 of 21 passing. Fields, Richard, and Shelby combined for 180 tackles, six interceptions and 17 pass breakups during the regular season. 

CHIRPING: For two teams that have never met before, Louisiana Tech and Coastal Carolina didn’t seem to be in the Christmas spirit. Throughout the game, players from both sides were constantly exchanging post-play “pleasantries” and shouting towards the opponents sideline. It should have come as no surprise with the entire 2024 Tech defensive coaching staff now serving on the Coastal Carolina staff, including last year’s DC Jeremiah Johnson who served as the interim HC for the Chanticleers.

HEISMAN WINNER: Two years ago, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner — Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza — played in the Independence Bowl. Mendoza was playing for the Cal Bears, who fell to Texas Tech in the contest. Mendoza threw for 261 yards and one TD but was intercepted three times by the Red Raiders. 

ATTENDANCE:  The announced paid attendance was 30,298, which is the second lowest of the seven Independence Bowls that the Bulldogs have played in over the last four decades. 

48,325 vs. Maryland (1990)

41,567 vs. Northern Illinois (2008)

34,283 vs. Army (2024)

33,129 vs Miami (FL) (2019)

31,054 vs. East Carolina (1978)

30,298 vs. Coastal Carolina (2025)

22,223 vs. Louisville (1977)

KICKERS COME HOME: A couple of former Shreveport area prep stars came through in the kicking game for Louisiana Tech. While the Louisiana Tech offense was struggling, red-shirt freshman punter John Hoyett Chance was flipping the field for the Bulldogs. Chance, who prepped at Captain Shreve High School, punted eight times for a 49.5 yard average, with four of 50-plus yards and two downed inside the Coastal 20-yard line. Chance also connected on a 51-yard field goal on the Bulldogs first possession of the third quarter. Former Evangel Christian Academy kicker Kaegan Kent, son of former Tech placekicker Marty Kent, connected on a 42-yard field goal late in the second quarter. It was the first career field goal for Kent. And then with the chance to ice the game with :56 remaining, Kent calmly split the uprights on a 35-yard FG.

PENALTY FEST: The 17 combined penalties in the first half (10 by Coastal, 7 by LA Tech) were the most in a half in any FBS game in 2025. The 17 penalties resulted in 153 total penalty yards. The game finished with 24 penalties (3 shy of record) for a bowl record 228 yards. 

EARLY THIRD QUARTER OPPORTUNITIES: Coming out of halftime, the Bulldog defense did its job, forcing a three-and-out and also recovering a fumble. Following the three-and-out, Tech’s Dedrick Latulas returned the punt down to the Chanticleers 32-yard line. However, the Bulldogs were unable to generate a first down and settled for a 51-yard John Hoyett Chance field goal. On Coastal’s next possession, Tech forced a fumble that was recovered by Donovan Rieman at the Chanticleer 40-yard line. The Bulldogs picked up a pair of first downs — the second down inside the Coastal 15-yard line. However, an undisciplined unsportsmanlike penalty by Marlion Jackson following the play pushed the ball back to the 30. On the next play, Kukuk fumbled while attempting to pass and Coastal recovered.

DOGS SECOND HALF D: After surrendering 248 yards of offense (on 34 plays) in the first half, the Louisiana Tech defense came out with something to prove in the final two quarters. And it did. Tech allowed just 107 yards of offense on 39 offensive snaps while forcing three turnovers, including Jakari Foster’s nation-leading eighth pick that sealed the game with 22 seconds to play. Hudson completed 15-of-21 passes in the first half, but hit on just 10-of-28 in the second half. 

CHANTICLEER SECOND HALF DRIVES: Coastal had 11 offensive possessions in the third and fourth quarters but the Chanticleers were unable to do much. The 11 drives resulted in six punts, one fumble recoveries, two interceptions, one blocked field goal, and one lost on downs. 

THE BUTLER DID IT: In a game that saw plenty of jaw-rattling hits, Tech DB Amari Butler might have made the biggest. On 2nd down and 10 from the Coastal 36 yard line, Tad Hudson threw a deep sideline ball that was caught … before it wasn’t. Butler’s text-book hit on the Coastal receiver forced the ball to pop out and right into the arms of Jordan McRae for an interception — the first of McRae’s career — with 11:56 to play in the game and Tech trailing 14-6.

JACKSON MAKE GOOD: After fumbling the ball away after a 15-yard completion early in the fourth quarter, Marlion Jackson got a second chance. He made the most of it. On the first play after Jordan McRae’s interception of Tad Hudson, Trey Kukuk hit Jackson in stride around the Coastal 25-yard line and Jackson split Chanticleer defenders for a 52-yard TD with 11:45 to play in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 14-12. It was just the second TD reception of the year for Jackson and the longest reception of the year for him.

KUDOS TO KUKUK: To say it was a rough day for Tech QB Trey Kukuk may be an understatement. He missed open receivers early. He fumbled it away in the third quarter in Coastal territory. However, the fourth quarter was his. He hit Marlion Jackson on a 52-yard touchdown and then on the next possession, he took a snap and eluded multiple tacklers en route for a game-best 29 yard run down to the Chanticleer 5-yard line. Two plays later, Andrew Burnette scored to give Tech its first lead of the game with 8:09 to play. Kukuk then hit Andrew Burnette on a successful two-point conversion to push the lead to 20-14. Kukuk was named the Offensive Player of the Game, rushing for 121 yards on 19 carries and passing for 114 yards and one score. 

BIG DAY FOR CHIEF: Tech senior linebacker Sifa Leota (known as Chief) earned the Defensive MVP award after leading the Bulldogs with 10 tackles, nine solo, two sacks, three tackles for loss and one forced fumble. 

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The heartbreaking deaths of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family only a week before Christmas in a horrific plane crash in North Carolina was a true tragedy — one that reached all the way back here to the piney, red-dirt hills of Lincoln Parish.

That’s because in 2022, Biffle helped put Grambling State University on the NASCAR map as he drove a GSU-branded Chevrolet Camaro for the NY Racing Team at that year’s Daytona 500.

It all came about thanks to NY Racing Team NY Racing owner John Cohen, a GSU alum who played football under legendary coach Eddie Robinson, tabbed Biffle to drive the No. 44 car, painted in Grambling’s iconic black and gold colors, the big “G,” and “We are Grambling” on the trunk. It marked the first time a HBCU’s colors and logo were featured in the Daytona 500, highlighting a new era for HBCUs in the world of automobile racing.

Biffle usually drove cars emblazoned with a No. 16 car number. That was his signature number although he also used No. 51 in truck racing and No. 60 in Xfinity races.

But the Grambling State University car was emblazoned with No. 44 under Cohen’s direction.

For Cohen, “44” represented a legacy of firsts – after previously being worn by Ernie Davis, the first African American Heisman Trophy winner, renowned running back Jim Brown (who wore the number in college at Syracuse), home run leader Hank Aaron, Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson when he played for the Yankees, and Lewis Hamilton, one of the youngest drivers to ever win a World Championship and the only Black racer to ever compete in Formula One racing.

At the time, Cohen also noted that President Barack Obama was the 44th commander in chief and the first African American elected to the position.

“I want that 44 to be in the winner’s circle to be among all of those other prestigious numbers for me,” Cohen said.

“It’s all about representing HBCUs and especially Grambling along with a sport I love. I’ve been trying to bring racing to a wider audience since 2009. I hope that having the car look like it does with all the Grambling branding on it will help make that happen.”

The day after Biffle’s death, GSU President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., honored the driver for his representing “The G” during the Daytona 500.

“Greg Biffle was more than a champion on the racetrack; he was a devoted family man, an admired competitor, and a humanitarian whose impact extended well beyond the finish line,” Lemelle said in a prepared statement. “His courage, competitive spirit, and generosity of heart endeared him to many, and his legacy will endure in the memories of those he inspired.

“We also remember and honor the special partnership he forged with our Grambling State University family. In 2022, Greg made history when he drove the Grambling State-branded car for the NY Racing Team in the Daytona 500 — a moment of great pride for our community and a testament to the meaningful collaboration between our institution and alumnus John Cohen. That landmark partnership showcased our shared commitment to excellence and brought our ‘G’ to the forefront of one of the most iconic stages in motorsports.”

Being represented at Daytona was truly a shining moment for Cohen and Grambling State University as a whole. And it’s for that reason I remember and honor Greg Biffle.

Cohen once said that Cohen the biggest stigma around racing is that it is dominated by white males and that people won’t like you people who aren’t. And that makes Biffle a true trailblazer, just as Cohen is. Acting to bring about positive change is about trying to better the world as a whole.

And Greg Biffle did just that when he represented Grambling State during that 2022 Daytona 500.

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(Over the course of the next few weeks, the Lincoln Parish Journal is republishing some of its most memorable stories from the past year … some of our readers favorites).

by Malcolm Butler

Kelsey Stanley remembers the first time she heard her new boss, Trey Hanna, had a military background.

Stanley, who has worked for two decades as a dental assistant at Ruston Smiles – formerly John L Ward, D.D.S. –, jokes now about her reaction.

“I thought ‘Oh man. He is going to make us drop down and give him 20 pushups when things go bad,’” said Stanley.

Fortunately for Stanley and her colleagues, Trey didn’t and hasn’t.

In fact, the faith-driven, compassionate culture that the employees and clients were accustomed to under their former longtime boss, John Ward, has continued under Trey since he bought the practice in 2022.

And it should be no surprise.

Trey’s entire journey to Ruston and to the present day is filled with what he calls “God things.”

Trey, now 34 and the father of three girls, grew up in the small town of Meraux – population around 7,000 – in St. Bernard Parish, just a stone’s throw from the Superdome. And like so many south Louisiana residents, Mother Nature played a hand in his life path.

“The whole fact I’m even in Lincoln Parish is because of Hurricane Katrina,” said Trey, who began the journey north in August of 2005. “I moved here when I was in high school. I wouldn’t be married to the woman I am if not for a crazy event like that. I wouldn’t be here practicing dentistry. I would have never met Dr. (John) Ward.”

Trey remembers the beginning of what he now calls his life.

“I was old enough to remember evacuating at least 12 times for different storms,” said Trey. “I knew (Katrina) was different.

“I remember peeking out of my bedroom two nights before the storm hit, and I could see the way he was looking at the TV. My dad is a guy who never gets rattled or upset. But I could tell by his demeanor and the look on his face … he was shaking his head as he watched. I just knew it was going to be different.”

So, the Hanna’s loaded up the family RV and headed up I-55, originally landing in Vidalia for a week before then traveling further north and to the North Louisiana Exhibition Center for a short stay and eventually Lincoln Parish Park.

Memories are still fresh in his mind.

“I will never forget that apocalyptic image,” said Trey. “We were on the interstate, and everyone was going one direction. People were running out of gas. They were getting so fed up with sitting there.

“They would have to drive off road on the interstate if they wanted to turn around and go back. Once you got on there, everything was going in one direction. I will never forget that.”

As information about the damage in south Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast began to make its way to those who had left before the storm, it soon became evident that going home wasn’t an option.

“First responders we talked to were like, ‘Hey. Ya’ll aren’t coming back,’” said Trey. “People had seen our house, and it had like 30 feet of water. They were like, ‘There is nothing to come back to.’ So, Dad was like, ‘Okay. We will figure it out.’”

Trey’s father worked for State Farm as an insurance adjuster and, fortunately for the family, had the opportunity to continue to work in the same capacity in the Ruston/Monroe area.

Thus, Ruston became home.

After graduating from Ruston High School in 2009, Trey attended Louisiana Tech University where he earned his degree in chemistry. That’s when he met John Ward.

“When I was at Tech, that’s when I shadowed Dr. Ward and figured out dentistry is what I wanted to do,” said Trey.

John Ward remembers the college-age version of Trey Hanna.

“He was very inquisitive,” said Ward. “Most of the college students shadowing me did not stick around for an entire week. That’s one thing I remember about Trey. When he asked, I anticipated him staying a day, maybe two tops. He was there all week. That said something to me.”

As Trey was making the decision to pursue dental school, he also decided to fulfill another dream he had by joining the Army Reserves.

“I knew I wanted to serve and almost joined after high school,” said Trey. “My mom and my grandmother were like,” Trey, you can’t do it (now).’ So, I decided I had time and would do the whole college thing. I knew I would do it after college.

“I went into the military as a reservist. There wasn’t too much required from me while I was in dentistry school. I was in the reserves in dental school and then went active (military) after I graduated. I always wanted to serve.”

The military will pay for dental school (year-for-year) for active service. And with the cost of dental school approaching $300,000, Trey knew it made sense to make the decision that would allow him to fulfill multiple goals.

Upon completion of dental school from LSU-New Orleans in 2017, he enrolled in the Army and began a five-year run in what he calls “the coolest job.”

“Nobody had a cooler job than me in the Army,” said Trey.

He spent his first year with a residency program and then in year No. 2, Trey went to Ft. Bragg in North Carolina where he served as the dentist for the 82^nd Airborne Division.

“The unit I was a part of was literally referred to as the 911 number for the President of the United States,” said Trey. “That unit is the first to go into any operation. We trained to be able to deploy on 18-hour notice.”

Twice during his four years in service he received a “Green Corvette” text message, alerting him he would be deploying immediately.

In 2020, he deployed to Bagdad after the United State’s Embassy was overrun and then in 2021 to Afghanistan to assist with the withdrawal of troops.

“When you saw the stuff on the TV with people hanging on the planes … that’s what happens,” said Trey. “When the S hits the fan, you call the 82^nd Airborne Division.”

Trey also worked with the Green Beret medics during his time, instructing them on dentistry for their roles in the field.

“When special operations teams deploy, usually it’s a group of a dozen or so guys and each one have a specially designed skillset,” said Trey, whose grandfather served as a medic. “And there are usually one or two guys that are medics, and they do everything (when it comes to healthcare, including dentistry).

“When they go out, they have to take care of themselves and their buddies.”

During his five years in the military, Trey kept in close touch with John Ward. The two had become more than just acquaintances.

So as the timestamp on his service in the Army began coming to a close, Trey had to think about what was next for him, his wife Ashley, and their three daughters: Mara, Lena, and Wren.

He knew he wanted to come back to north Louisiana to be closer to family, both his and his in-laws.

It was during this time and during one of his dinners with John Ward when he broached the subject of returning to Ruston.

“I asked him what he wanted to do when he was finished with his obligation to the military,” said Ward. “He said he wanted to come back to Ruston. I remember telling him I would be happy to help him get started and mentor him through some of the potholes that I stepped in as a young dentist in 1984.

“He said, ‘No sir. You misunderstand. I don’t want you to help me get started. I want to take over your practice.’ To this day, Trey laughs when I tell that story and says, ‘Doc, did I really say that?’”

Trey has a similar version of the story.

“I was deployed until 2020,” said Trey. “When I got back into Ruston, I had dinner with Dr. Ward. I told him that if he ever thought about selling his practice to please holler at me. I knew I was a year or two away from exiting the service.”

Enter, “it really was a God thing.”

Just four months after this meeting, John Ward – who said he had zero plans of selling his practice anytime soon – received a phone all out of the blue.

“He got a call from LSU Dental School asking him to come teach down there,” said Trey. “Even Dr. Ward was scratching his head. It was just a God thing. His timing.”

“That’s when I thought, ‘Wow, this is lining up more God-like than I had anticipated,’” said Ward.

Fast forward to 2025.

John Ward is in his fourth year at the LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans. Trey Hanna is in his fourth year running Ruston Smiles in Ruston.

“I am so very proud of him,” said Ward. “It’s been an interesting transformation to watch a young man go from a military dentist to a really fine clinician who has a lot to offer a small town like Ruston.”

And most of the staff that worked for Dr. Ward remain at Ruston Smiles working for Trey.

“Trey is very caring,” said Kelsey who worked for both men. “He cares about our patients, and he cares about his employees, and treats us all with respect. He listens to our opinions on different topics.

“He is very understanding when it comes to things involving everyday life. A lot of us have young children, and he is always understanding when life throws us a curve ball.”

And just as importantly, the atmosphere within the practice has remained one that is faith-based. Every morning prior to the workday, the staff at Ruston Smiles gather for prayer.

“That was something we did with Dr. Ward, and Trey has continued that with us,” said Kelsey.

The similarities aren’t by coincidence.

“John (Ward) never met a stranger,” said Trey. “He’s one of those types of guys. His practice reflected that. I have worked hard to maintain that personal experience for our patients.”

Mission accomplished.

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Trey Hanna is a man of many talents.

Dentist by day … chef, musician, competitor by night.

Trey regular plays the drums during the contemporary worship service at Temple Baptist Church, and he even has his own YouTube channel where he – occasionally – will post some of his talents.

“I was inspired to get into music from my mom’s dad, my pappy,” said Trey. “My pappy played drums, and I probably spent as much time at their house in the summers than I did at my own house. Every time I would go over there, he had a drum room. He had an old record player and all these old Elvis Presley records. Rolling Stones. Things like that.

“He would put records on and crank it up and play drums to it. I thought that was the coolest things, so I started doing it. I was probably around 9 or 10. I have never stopped since then. I learned from my pappy. I took lessons, but he was the one who really got me into it.”

He is also pretty talented in the kitchen, where he says his favorite thing to make is gumbo.

“That comes from my grandmother,” said Trey. “I started playing drums because of my pappy and started cooking because of my grandma. When you are a kid, you remember smelling and seeing things. I remember once a week we would go to the seafood shop and pick up some shrimp, sitting there peeling shrimp with my grandma. I remember getting things ready for dinner.

“I always found myself in the kitchen. My brother would go play video games and I would go in the kitchen with Mimi and start cooking. She taught me how to make all the New Orleans style stuff, like red beans and rice. All the Cajun cuisine. I still love it. Honestly the best part of my week is on the weekend when I’m cooking … I will get some headphones in, and I’ve got all my stuff in the kitchen. I’m at peace.”

And somehow, Trey finds the time to stay in shape.

“I spent so much time running in the Army,” said Trey, who is a member at Crossfit Ruston. “You must be able to run to be a paratrooper. You must be light. You must have some strong knees.

“I wasn’t that big of a workout guy until I got into the military community. In special operations, CrossFit is a big thing. A lot of barbell stuff, stripped down-type of workouts.”

He is scheduled to participate in a Hyrox competition in Dallas in November.

“Hyrox started in Europe,” said Trey. “Essentially, the people who started it geared it towards the CrossFit community. It’s not just a race, it’s a method of training. It’s half running and half functional movements. A lot of body weight stuff. It’s meant to be for anyone.

“You can do it by yourself and do the full thing or you can do it with a partner and split up the reps and exercises. You can even do a relay, where four people split up the entire race. That way everyone is doing a quarter of it.”

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Ruston Smiles is located at 106 East Mississippi Avenue in Ruston. Call 318-251-9600 for appointments. Ruston Smiles offers some of the following services: 

3D Printed Dentures
3D Printed Night guards
Dental Implants
3D X-rays
Root canals
Cosmetic Bonding
Sedation Dentistry

“We utilize platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet rich fibrin (PRF) for some of the basic dental procedures like removing a tooth. We are taking blood from the patients’ arms, we are centrifuging it, separating the white blood cells from the red blood cells. So, if someone has a tooth removed, we will actually take the blood cells and add it into the site. It speeds up healing and fights off infection.” — Trey Hanna

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(Over the course of the next few weeks, the Lincoln Parish Journal is republishing some of its most memorable stories from the past year … some of our readers’ favorites).

By Kyle Roberts

BONN, Germany — You’ll be hard pressed to find a piano player who hasn’t heard of Ludwig von Beethoven.

And if you happen to be around Köln, Germany, then you’re only a 45-minute train ride away from this legend’s homestead — now a museum in his honor.

Turns out, we found ourselves in that exact spot this past June, and I, being a piano player, as is my older daughter Alice, absolutely jumped at the chance to go while we were serving on a mission trip this summer. It was a beautiful ride through the German countryside to Bonn, home to over 330,000 people with boutique shops and al fresco restaurants — and a town square fully leaning into being Beethoven’s home.

For the non-musical reader, it’s almost a rite of passage for a fledgling pianist is to learn the first movement of one of his most famous pieces: “Für Elise.” The opening is a mixture of somber, hope, and ease — perfect for the young piano player. You’ve heard the opening part, whether you know it or not. I played “Für Elise” growing up, and Alice is not far behind. Beethoven is often the jumping point into learning concert-style piano. He’s the equivalent of a basketball player wanted to see the childhood home of Michael Jordan, the greatest ever.

This is all on my mind as we are walking through the bricked streets of Bonn. I’m about to walk into the home of a piano legend.

When you arrive, the house is three stories high with a reflecting garden and courtyard in the middle, and every room has relics from centuries ago — old claviers, harpsicords, stringed instruments, paintings, letters, and sheet music. In his own hand writing. It gives you a glimpse into the mind of a true musical genius.

And my favorite part was learning more about who he was as a person. Oftentimes, we hear about artists and musicians and make the assumption they were tortured or destitute. Not ol’ Ludwig. He was the most famous human being in Europe in the early 1800s outside of royalty.

Today, we have Swifties. Yesteryear, they had Beeties.

And his health problems were not overexagerrated. He’s known for being an incredible composer and conductor while being completely deaf in his 40s — likely from a slow and painful lead poisoning that began in his 20s (not uncommon in Europe during that period).

Even in that, the dude was “Shark-Tank” business savvy. A large portion of his wealth came from playing publishers and concert venues against each other, waiting for the dust to settle and go with the highest bidder. He had no shortage of riches, fame and money.

Musically, he lives on into today, as do Mozart, Bach and Chopin, among others. Which is why it was so great to experience this with my daughter, who, too, will begin playing Beethoven soon. It made the venture that much more excited.

Because the trip wasn’t just für me — it was für Alice, too.

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(Over the course of the next few weeks, the Lincoln Parish Journal is republishing some of its most memorable stories from the past year … some of our readers favorites).

by Hanna Singh

Under the spotlight of the Dixie Community Theater, Gabe Garcia has transformed into countless characters, delighting and entertaining the Ruston community. Most recently, Garcia took center stage as Joseph in the theater’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

As an aspiring professional actor, Garcia has devoted countless hours to theater, pouring his heart into every role. During his time at the Dixie, he has performed in numerous productions, including “The Escapologist” in Matilda Jr., “King Agnarr” in Frozen Jr., “The White Rabbit” in Alice in Wonderland, “Shrek” in Shrek Jr., “Elmer Hopkins” in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, “Ben” in Descendants, “Motel” in Fiddler on the Roof, “Aslan” in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and a role in Cinderella.

In his most recent production, Garcia stepped into the role of Joseph—the biblical dreamer from Genesis. The musical production told the story of the familiar Bible story with a comedic twist, featuring numerous themed dance numbers and elaborate costumes. Garcia portrayed Joseph with a boyish charm that matured into confident leadership during the play. His incredible vocal talent brought life to the show’s musical numbers.

Director Dee Alexander boasted Garcia’s dedication to the role and to his theater career.

“Gabe is so hardworking and always prepared, in addition to his natural talent. He’s studied hard and matured as a vocalist over the years,” Alexander said. “He came into ‘Joseph’ and basically either knew of the songs —or quickly memorized them. He really dedicated himself to the role.”

According to Garcia, the role of “Joseph” has been his favorite to date and described it as a “dream come true.” It also marked his final local performance before heading to college. This fall, he will attend Sam Houston State University to pursue a degree in musical theater. Garcia reflected on what drew him to the stage and why he plans to make a career out of it.

“I enjoy that you get to work with everybody, all types of people,” Garcia said. “You learn so many social skills and get to work with people from all backgrounds. It’s cool to meet and become close to people that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. I have learned so much from these wonderful people and built relationships that I won’t forget.”

Those feelings have been reciprocated by his costars who expressed their pride in seeing Garcia stand center stage in his last role. Co-star Ashton Thomas, who played the Narrator in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” shared what it’s like working alongside him.

“Gabe has always been a joy to work with onstage. He always shows up prepared — he was already off the book at some of our earliest Joseph rehearsals,” Thomas said. “I’d describe Gabe as an encourager most of all. He’s nice to everyone he comes in contact with, and I really appreciate that. He will go far in life because of his kindness.”

Similarly, Chris Hanchey, who played the role of the Butler, expressed his enjoyment in working with Garcia.

“Working with Gabe on Joseph was so much fun. It was my first show with RCT, and he was encouraging every step of the way,” Hanchey said. “Gave was also happy to provide helpful advice as I needed it. His work ethic, positive attitude and incredible talent was consistently on display.”

As Garcia takes his next steps into his collegiate life, the impact that he made on the Ruston Community Theater won’t be forgotten. From the attendees who enjoyed his performances, to the costars who laughed and learned with him, Garcia has earned a place in the hearts of the community for years to come.

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(Over the course of the next few weeks, the Lincoln Parish Journal is republishing some of its most memorable stories from the past year … some of our readers favorites).

I’ve never been a coffee drinker. Just never took.

I tried more than 30 years ago when I worked the graveyard shift at Northern Louisiana Medical Center (called Lincoln General Hospital way back then). Midnight to 8 a.m. five days a week.

I learned two things. Humans aren’t intended to be awake all night, even if you sleep during the day (at least not this human). And coffee and I don’t mesh.

All of this to say that I’ve never been a big coffee shop goer. Hardly ever.

So, when Black Rifle Coffee Company opened in Ruston in February of 2023, I never thought I would become a loyal customer. Boy was I wrong.

I ventured into it with my buddy Kyle Roberts and his wife Judith a few times when it opened. Not for the coffee. More for the social time with Kyle and Judith.

Funny thing happened. I really — and I mean REALLY — enjoyed it. 

First off, I think the atmosphere is great. It’s got great space and a variety of seating opportunities from couches, to tables and chairs, to high tops with counters. 

The vibe is right up my ally. Great music (not too loud for this old guy). It can be a great social setting or if you are like me and don’t have an office … it’s perfect for getting work done. 

I even found a variety of items on the menu that I really like; non-coffee of course. 

And it’s both kid and dog friendly.

But the absolute best part about BRCC is the people. Chris Mason, one of the store managers, has a gift. She can make anyone and everyone who walks through the doors of the place feel special. She has a wonderful ability for remembering names. She’s never met a stranger. Ever.

When you walk in, you are Chris’ instant friend.

Most of her workers are college students, probably pretty typical for a college town coffee shop. They are friendly and helpful. 

I would dare to say that in the last two and a half years, I’ve spent more time at BRCC then anywhere but my house. And I see so many familiar faces every time I walk in to the place (which I think speaks volumes about how folks feel).

There aren’t too many days when I don’t see Robby and Justin and Tom (no last names as I don’t want these guys to try to claim royalties for their Name Image Likeness). 

With school starting back at Louisiana Tech and Grambling State, the median age is starting to come back down, although I still think BRCC is a hidden gem in Ruston. 

My hope in writing this column is twofold.

I wanted to give a shoutout to Miss Chris and the gang at Black Rifle Coffee Company and I wanted to encourage those who haven’t tried it out to give it a visit. 

Located at 1913 East Kentucky Avenue, BRCC sits on the north side of I-20 just off Farmerville Highway. 

Even us non-coffee folks love the place. 

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(Over the course of the next few weeks, the Lincoln Parish Journal is republishing some of its most memorable stories from the past year … some of our readers favorites).

By T. Scott Boatright

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

In that case, consider DeVaria Hudson Ponton one of the freest souls around.

Whether it’s giving back to her hometown of Grambling, universities stretching along Interstate 20 in north Louisiana, or simply anyone who needs a helping hand, Ponton is nothing short of a force to be reckoned with.

One of Ponton’s many services is serving as a member of Grambling’s City Council, and Mayor Alvin Bradley knows how much Ponton means to his community.

“She’s special,” Bradley said. “She is so talented and hard-working. She does so much beyond serving as a member of the City Council. She and her husband (David ‘Rusty’ Ponton) run a community garden here in Grambling that provides needed food for anyone who needs it.

“DeVaria is such an asset to Grambling. She helps write grants. She grew up and knows everyone here. She’s willing to do anything — never says no to anything anyone requests of her. She’s just special.”

Ponton says helping others is something she’s done for so long it’s second nature for her.

“My parents were always like that, my husband is like that — I know it sounds cliche, but I just like helping people. It makes me happy,” Ponton said. “This is my home. I was born here, I was raised here. Giving back is something important to me.

But while her love for all things Grambling runs deep — she was recently named Interim Director of International Student Affairs at Grambling State University, where she earned a Master’s in Sports Administration and a PhD in Education, Student Development and Personnel Services — Ponton began her college career at Dillard University in New Orleans, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Administration.

“I didn’t want to start college with all of my old Grambling Lab classmates,” Ponton said. “That would have been like 13th grade. I wanted to explore some. I’ve always liked to travel and try different things, which is why I love being in international services because I love the cultural exchange with different things.

“So, I graduated from high school and had two cousins who went to Dillard on the Hudson side of my family. And Dillard just attracted me with the small campus life with a family feel. The campus is beautiful. And I got to live in New Orleans. I love it. That’s my second home. That was just something I wanted — needed — to experience and it was the perfect choice for me at that point in my life.”

She also spent around 15 years in Florida, where she started working in and learned to love student affairs and working with international students.

“I would have to work with different consulates and embassies and different ministries in order to help students pay for their schooling

Before taking on her new role at Grambling State, Ponton previously served as Director of Admissions at GSU, Director of International Services & Programs at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Louisiana Representative for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and Director of Multicultural Affairs at Louisiana Tech University.

Ponton says working at ULM, Louisiana Tech and Grambling State has given her a perspective not many have.

“They are each uniquely and beautifully different,” Ponton said. “I think I’m in a very unique position because I can bring something from each one of those because they’re all on a regional level under the ULS (University of Louisiana System), plus they’re all just unique campuses on their own. They’re all great institutions of higher education.

“So, I still love being ‘Better on the Bayou, Ever Loyal Be, and GramFam.’ I have an affinity for all of them and I still reach out to my contacts at each university. I’m good at building and keeping relationships. And I’m not afraid to reach across the table and ask, “How did you do this? Or how’s that working out?’ I’m so happy it all worked out full circle and now I’m at GSU.”

Growing up in the part of Grambling called The Heights only made Ponton’s love of being back in her hometown and giving back even stronger.

“Thelma Williams lived in The Heights, Ruby Billups lived in The Heights, Jean Brown was my neighbor in The Heights,” Ponton said. “Mrs. Mary Cheeks, who worked in the cafeteria, the Whitakers, who taught on campus, Ms. Humphries all lived there. My first grade teacher was Ms. Miles and her husband taught science on campus.

“We had the Barbers over there. The Moores, and right across the street from me was Mr. White. It was a really well-knit community. It poured so much into me. If I got locked out of the house, because I would forget my key and my parents were still working, I would go to one of their houses. Me and Coach Donell Cowan would play checkers. And he did not spare me and would jump right over me with his pieces.”

The daughter of Edward Monroe Hudson and Remonia Gorree Hudson says it was from her parents that she learned to love giving back to others.

“Giving back is kind of intrinsic to me, but it was also taught to me,” Ponton said. “My mom did Vacation Bible School and was over the youth department at Springhill Baptist Church in Simsboro for the longest. My dad always gave back to others, including his home church.

“It’s about how you treat others. God and Jesus told us we should serve each other. So, I think that’s the basis — the foundation — of what my parents taught me. If you are to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, and if you are reading his word and living his word, then you’re going to be loving to others. That’s what you’re supposed to do. That’s what I’m supposed to do. So, that’s what I do. I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do.”

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A Bastrop man was found in possession of several pounds of marijuana after he was stopped on Interstate 20 near Ruston by Louisiana State Police.

Carlos D. Barnes, 22, was stopped on December 27 for improper brake lights and following another vehicle all at an unsafe distance.

Barnes said the vehicle belonged to a passenger and he was unaware of the malfunctioning brake lights. Barnes said he was traveling to Bastrop after taking his child to an appointment in Dallas. A trooper wrote in his report that when he asked Barnes the location of the appointment, Barnes became very quiet and stared at the trunk of the vehicle, leaning forward as if he was going to faint. The trooper grabbed Barnes to safely escort him to the ground.

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Although Barnes said his legs had become weak, but he was okay, the trooper noticed several signs of stress typical of someone engaged in criminal activity.

A state police drug detection K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Troopers found a black trash bag in the trunk containing five large vacuum sealed bags containing suspected marijuana. The marijuana weighed approximately 5.25 pounds.

Initially, Barnes said the marijuana did not belong to him, but later admitted ownership and that the passenger was not involved. The passenger and Barnes ‘s 9-month-old son were released.

Barnes was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for a possession of marijuana within intent to distribute and cruelty to juveniles.

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.

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

RUSTON, LA. — The Louisiana Sports Writers Association put three Bearcats on the 5A All-State team today and listed three more as honorable mention after an 11-3 season and a fourth consecutive trip to the Super Dome.

Seniors Brooks Brown and Ra’Keem Potts earned the honors for offensive and defensive line, respectively, while junior Ahmad Hudson was named the top tight end.

In honorable mention, Ruston added juniors Jayden Anding and Josiah Morgan and sophomore Dalen Powell to the list.

“We are always so proud of our guys that get recognized for their individual successes,” Ruston High Head Coach Jerrod Baugh said. “To me, it shows how much respect is given to our football team this year and our football program. There aren’t a lot of places you can go and find the success Ruston football has had over the life of the school.”

See full team below. Ruston players are bolded.

Class 5A All-State

Offense

WR Chantz Babineaux, Carencro, 5-11, 200, Sr.

WR Easton Royal, Brother Martin, 5-11, 190, Jr.

TE Ahmad Hudson, Ruston, 6-8, 242, Jr.

OL Brooks Brown, Ruston, 6-4, 216, Sr.

OL Ty George, West Monroe, 6-3, 330, Sr.

OL O’Ryan Mosley, Terrebonne, 6-3, 305, Sr.

OL Leon Noil, Karr, 6-4, 270, Sr.

OL Blaise Thomassie Catholic-BR, 6-5, 290, Sr.

QB Peyton Houston, Evangel Christian, 5-10, 200, Jr.

RB Malachi Dabney, Destrehan, 5-9, 185, Jr.

RB M.J. Dade, Ouachita, 5-5, 161, Sr.

RB Tre Garrison, Karr, 5-11, 190, Sr.

ATH John Johnson, Karr, 5-11, 190, Sr.

PK Asher Murray, Byrd, 5-10, 176, Sr.

Defense

DL Richard Anderson, Karr, 6-4, 330, Sr.

DL Dylan Berymon, Ouachita, 6-2, 320, Sr.

DL Darryus McKinley, Acadiana, 6-3, 275, Sr.

DL Ra’Keem Potts, Ruston, 5-10, 224, Sr.

LB Jeffrey Curtis, John Curtis, 5-9, 200, Sr.

LB Damari Drake, Evangel Christian, 6-0, 215, Sr.

LB Dylan Shelmire, Zachary, 6-0, 215, Sr.

LB Xzavier White, Alexandria, 6-1, 240, Sr.

DB Blaine Bradford, Catholic-BR, 6-1, 207 Sr.

DB Julian Burns, Neville, 6-3, 196, Sr.

DB Aidan Hall, Karr, 6-2, 200 Sr.

DB Hayward Howard, Karr, 6-2, 185, Sr.

P Owen Oliver, Terrebonne, 5-10, 185, Sr.

ATH Wydell Clark, Ouachita, 5-9, 155, Sr.

RS Kenny Darby, Airline, 6-0, 175, Sr.

OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Peyton Houston, Evangel Christian

OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Richard Anderson, Karr

COACH OF THE YEAR: Benjy Lewis, Ouachita

Honorable mention

Charley Abraham, Evangel Christian; Quincy Adams, Terrebonne; Cameron Allen, Southside; Jayden Anding, Ruston; Bo Armstrong, Barbe; Isaias Avalos, Acadiana; Cooper Babin, St. Amant; Tadan Bingham, Terrebonne; Jamieon Brown, Lafayette; Romeo Brown, Karr; Tyree Bruer, Bonnabel; Gary Burney, Parkway; Ethan Cabos, Jesuit; Jake Cain, Natchitoches Central; Andre Campbell, Captain Shreve; Geo Carter, Thibodaux; Marvin Causey, Bonnabel; Alvin Celestin, Terrebonne; Mason Coleman, Terrebonne; Emanual Collins, Southside; Montrell Conner Jr., Ouachita; Cody Corales, St. Paul’s; Vashaun Coulon, St. Augustine; Brandon Craig, Haughton; Tyray Darensburg, Chalmette; Trez Davis, West Monroe; Ashton Dawson, Evangel Christian; John Russel Demoss, Catholic-BR; Shawn Devers, Captain Shreve; Colin DiBetta, Acadiana; Ty Dominique, St. Augustine; Derrick Dunbar, Covington; Jeremiah Epps, Airline; Mister Finney, Carencro; Carlos Flemings Jr., Slidell; Cameron Florent, Destrehan; Alex Fontenot, Alexandria; Gabe Ford, Prairieville; Zaiden Foster, Liberty; Eli Fung, Alexandria; Travis Gallien, Acadiana; Tony Gladney, Parkway; Syre Gilmore, St. Augustine; Da’Jean Golmond, Denham Springs; Da’Sean Golmond, Denham Springs; Ian Gray, Byrd; Jelandon Gray, Barbe; Malik Grayson, Neville; Chris Green, Parkway; JaKyrin Griffin, Alexandria; Jordin Griffin, Barbe; Savoy Guidry, Holy Cross; E.J. Hanney, Sam Houston; Graham Harris, Central; Mitch Harris, Archbishop Rummel; Dylan Henry, Mandeville; Da’John Howard, Salmen; Carlin Kinchen, Archbishop Rummel; Braylen Jackson, Airline; Royaun Jackson, Huntington; Quincy Jackson, Bonnabel; Connor Jarreau, Thibodaux; Jake Jarreau, Central; Ethan Johnson, Haughton; Roderick Johnson, Parkway; Jermiah Jones, Thibodaux; Harrison Kidder, Catholic-BR; Ethan Kimmie, Zachary; Micah Levy, East Ascension; Jeremy Lowe, Natchitoches Central; Prentice Mackyeon, John Curtis; Brady McCluskey, Brother Martin; Jabari Mack, Destrehan; DeAndre Mansfield, Ouachita; Kevin Martin, Karr; Brysten Martinez, East Ascension; Van Martinez, Neville; Christian Maxie, Byrd; Brandon Mays, Captain Shreve; Tyrone Morgan, Woodlawn-BR; Jayden Miles, Catholic-BR; Josiah Morgan, Ruston; Damiere Mouton, Southside; Brenton Paul, Denham Springs; Bryon Perrilliat, Riverdale; Jaedon Phillips, Warren Easton; Jamarcea Plater, Captain Shreve; Christian Ponti, West Monroe; Dylan Post, St. Paul’s; Dalen Powell, Ruston; Jayden Reed, Neville; Parker Robinson, Neville; Karsen Sellers, Alexandria; Andrew Shofstahl, St. Paul’s; Albert Simien, Sam Houston; Ke’Rynn Smith, Holy Cross; Owen Smith, Natchitoches Central; Bennett Speer, Evangel Christian; Jackson Speer, Evangel Christian; Jaden Terrance, Archbishop Rummel; Xavier Villamor, Benton; A.J. Washington, Ouachita; Miguel Whitley, St. Augustine; Greg Wilfred, Karr; Kason Williams, Alexandria; Ray’Quan Williams, St. Augustine; Mason Willis, West Monroe; Keithon Womack, Central; Eric Veal, McDonogh 35; J.D. Yates, Airline; Ze’Land Young, Neville; Marques Zenon, Mandeville.

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Over the next few days, many will contemplate New Year’s resolutions.  People will commit to exercise plans, dietary focus, reading programs, or countless other pursuits. 

Gym memberships sales soar for the first few days of January.  We clean out refrigerators, purchase books, sign up for classes, and acquire equipment. 

However, research indicates that 90% will fail, and most of the failures will occur before the end of January.  The commitments, the acquisitions, and the goals quickly dissolve into the same busy schedules of the prior year.

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The problem is not lack of desire, motivation, or even commitment.  It’s not a matter of trying harder.  It’s not about reading the “right” self-help book – goodness knows there are plenty of those out there! 

Let’s take a very different approach.  It’s an approach that I use, share with others, and even share with organizations that are seeking sustainable improvement.

Identity: Focus on who you are becoming, not what you are achieving.  Most resolutions identify a goal to achieve.  We want to lose 20 pounds, run a marathon, read the Bible in a year, etc.  Goals are great when they support an underlying purpose.  When they stand alone though, they often fall apart when results are delayed, the process gets hard, or the benefit is not rewarding.

For instance, rather than losing 20 pounds, we want to be a person with a healthy lifestyle.  Losing weight may be a goal, but our identity is more than weight loss.  Rather than run a marathon, we want to become an athlete.  Rather than read the Bible in a year, we want to be a follower of Jesus. 

Clarifying identity will drive our actions, direct our goals, and change our life.

Lifestyle not commitment: Rather than focus on some unpleasant thing you must find a place for in your day, broaden your view to consider lifestyle change. 

For instance, rather than forcing yourself to get up 30 minutes earlier to go to the gym and do some workout you don’t enjoy, expand the view to altering your lifestyle as you focus on identity and purpose.  Maybe you walk away from an hour of scrolling on social media or watching Netflix so that you go to bed earlier.  You get up earlier, feel rested, find an activity you enjoy, choose to walk more during the day, and try new things that involve eating healthier, moving more, and becoming more active. 

Focus on change, not commitment.

Margin matters: Rather than inserting more stuff in our already busy lives, maybe we need to think replacement, not addition.  How can we do less to get more?  Doing fewer things better more consistently over time may be our key to real change.  Rather than filling our schedules and trying to do more to get more, consider doing “less” to yield better results.  Leaving a little margin in our lives allows us to think and take advantage of opportunities.

Those opportunities can be life impacting. 

In Philippians 1:6, Paul tells Timothy that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. 

It’s not self-help.  It’s not a new resolution.  Personal growth is a process of becoming and living out our identity daily.  That process is relevant for every stage of life!

Doug provides professional speaking and coaching services to organizations and individuals.  Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build a team culture, feel free to reach out to Doug at  doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.

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.

Grambling Police arrested a local man after responding to a disturbance call early on Christmas Eve.

Davarrius M. Mamon, 34, of Ruston, was arrested by Grambling Police on Christmas Eve for two counts of aggravated domestic abuse battery and aggravated criminal damage to property.

Grambling Police received a 911 call of a domestic disturbance on December 24 at about 2:30 a.m. Officers responded to a Young Street apartment where a woman said Mamon came home banging on the front door and when she went to open the door, he kicked the door in, causing it to fly open and strike her in the head.

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The woman said Mamon was drunk, cursing, and on a rampage. While inside, Mamon acquired several kitchen knives and physically attacked the woman. At some point, she sustained cuts to her hand and thigh. The woman also said Mamon punched the bedroom door until it broke in half and then started fist fighting with her daughter when she tried to stop him from punching the door

Officers saw that the front door would not close, the door trim on the living room floor and a hole in the living room wall and the broken bedroom door. Photographs were taken of the damage and of kitchen knives on the bathroom sink, along with the two women’s injuries.

Ruston Police found Mamon at a residence and took him in the custody. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center by Grambling Police.

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.

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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Click the three bars in the bottom corner and select “With Radar” to see current precipitation and storms in your area.

Each Monday through 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. 

Wednesday, Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve
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
12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)
Noon: GSU men’s basketball

Thursday, Jan. 1
Happy New Year!
6:30 p.m.: GSU women’s basketball

Friday, Jan. 2
2 p.m.: GSU women’s basketball
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech women’s basketball  

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Saturday, Jan. 3
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
4 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball

Monday, Jan. 5
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (Ruston City Hall)
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
6:30 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball

Tuesday, Jan. 6
6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.) 

Wednesday, Jan. 7
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
12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)

Thursday, Jan. 8
9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild meeting (Grace Methodist Church)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball 

Saturday, Jan. 10
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
2 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball

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By T. Scott Boatright

GIBSLAND — Lincoln Prep was pushed to overtime Monday night before heading home with a 66-61 win over the Gibsland-Coleman Bulldogs in a battle of two powerhouse teams.

Tied up at 47-47 at the end of regulation, the extra stanza didn’t begin much to the liking of Panthers coach Antonio Hudson.

“We gave up a 3-pointer, and then came down and we took a bad shot and went down and we fouled them,” Hudson said. “So, they went up by four and then once they were up by four,  we just kind of locked in. You know, sometimes the scores can be deceiving, but the way we defend it, when we’re on and can do a good job.

“But we’ve got to get better at rebounding the ball. We defend, force him into a bad shot, but we don’t offend if we don’t finish the position with a rebound. And that’s a problem. We were fortunate tonight because we did give them too many second chances.”

After falling behind by four points to start the OT period, the Panthers reeled off eight straight points to close out the game.

Trailing 14-10 at the end of the first quarter, the Panthers rallied back to lead 28-24 at the half.

The Panthers then stretched their lead to double digits in the third stanza before letting the Bulldogs back into the game.

“We’ve got to cherish every possession,” Hudson said. “There was a point in the third quarter that we were up by 11, but we didn’t cherish our possessions and threw the ball away and just did things that gave them momentum. And Gibsland is a tough place to play. I tip my hat to them because that’s a really good team.”

Jabari Levingston led the Panthers with 22 points while adding six rebounds, three assists and three steals while Zion Hicks recorded a double-double with 21 points, 11 boards while adding two steals, a blocked shot and an assist.

Trey Spann also scored in double-digits for Lincoln Prep with 11 points while adding six rebounds, six steals and three assists with younger brother Josiah Spann totaling seven points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Junior Devin Shine played a key role for the Panthers despite only scoring two points while adding five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

“Devin Shine made some great plays for us tonight, from tying up jump balls to rebounding,” Hudson said. “And then in overtime, heamade the shot that tied the game (at 41-41). You know, I can be tough on him and sometimes he doesn’t understand. But I’m tough on him because he can be a key player for this team.”

Next up for the Panthers, now 11-2, will be a game at Union Parish at 6 p.m. Saturday.

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Special to the LPJ

RUSTON, La. — Eight and one is a pretty solid record heading into 2026.

Ruston High Head Coach Jacquelyn Bean has plenty of reason to be excited going into the new year as the Lady Bearcats are sitting at No. 2 in the Division II LHSAA Power Rankings as the second half of the season is getting ready to start.

“With 12 different players scoring 50 goals so far, this group continues to thrive in a balanced and shared attack,” Bean said. “Defensively, our team has been just as impressive, recording five clean sheets and conceding only nine goals across the first nine matches. The combination of our depth and discipline, along with the hard work the team puts in week after week, has contributed to our success and sets the stage for an exciting push through the second half of the season.”

Most recently, the Lady Bearcats finished with a shutout win over Tioga 4-0 on Dec. 18 on the road after blanking Evangel 8-0 two days before. 

Their only loss of the season came to Parkway 4-3 in Ruston on Dec. 11.

The Lady Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 11 a.m. at Hoss Garrett Stadium against Beau Chene.

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GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State opened its post-holiday slate in emphatic fashion Tuesday afternoon, rolling past Centenary (La.) 90-58 at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.

The Tigers set the tone early, racing out to a 52-20 lead at halftime behind efficient offense and relentless pressure. Grambling State shot 52.6 percent from the floor in the opening half while holding Centenary to just 28.6 percent, forcing 11 first-half turnovers and converting them into easy scoring opportunities.

Jimel Lane powered the Tigers with a game-high 18 points off the bench, scoring efficiently around the rim and on the break. Mekhi Fitts followed with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Rickey Ballard added 12 points, knocking down four three-pointers. Devyn Franklin chipped in 11 points and a team-high 11 rebounds as GSU controlled the glass, outrebounding Centenary 46-28.

Grambling State’s depth proved to be a major factor throughout the contest. The Tigers received 50 points from their bench and finished with 23 points off turnovers and 16 second-chance points. Grambling also dominated the paint, outscoring the Gents 42-12 inside.

Centenary was led by Quentin Beverly, who scored 15 points, while Dontarius Coleman added 11 and Craig Collier finished with nine. The Gents shot better in the second half but were unable to overcome the early deficit.

The Tigers maintained control after the break, matching Centenary with 38 points in the second half and extending the margin to as many as 39. GSU finished the game shooting 49.3 percent from the field and committed just 10 turnovers.

With the win, Grambling State improved to 6-7 on the season, while Centenary dropped to 1-8.

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Howard Jackson 
January 6, 1934  –  December 27, 2025 
Visitation: 12:30-130 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Monroe 
Graveside service: 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at Hasley Cemetery, 1500 Arkansas Rd., West Monroe

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Louisiana Tech faces Coastal Carolina in the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl today at 1 p.m. at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. The game can be seen on ESPN.

By Kyle Roberts

SHREVEPORT, La. — It’s no secret Louisiana Tech loves the Ruston High pipeline two streets down from Joe Aillet Stadium.

That love is showing dividends for the Bulldogs, particularly in the linebacking corps as freshmen Zheric Hill, Zander Hayes and Jadon Mayfield are all gearing up for the 2025 Independence Bowl — the second appearance in two years.

And in a world where the transfer portal has ravaged rosters ahead of the postseason, it seemed to pass right over all the former Bearcats on Tech’s roster.

“(Playing in the postseason) is the reason we came here,” Hill said. “And we want to create a winning tradition here, just like we did at Ruston High.”

These guys understand winning — in a state where football reigns supreme at all age levels, they played as Bearcats at the highest stage imaginable more than once and even won it all in 2023. Now, since they’ve been on Tech’s roster, the Bulldogs have played in two consecutive bowl games and finished with the first winning season in half a decade this year at 7-5.

Coincidence? Bearcat Head Coach Jerrod Baugh thinks not, particularly since both Hill and Mayfield have seen more action on the turf this year (Hayes played in four games to protect his redshirt; he will be eligible for the bowl game).

“I’m not saying that those guys are the only catalyst behind it, but it’s no coincidence that they’ve qualified for a bowl and winning season the more those guys have had the chance to play,” Baugh said. “And it’s not just their play and ability — I think that their their attitudes and what they bring to the table leadership-wise is infectious. I felt like it was only a matter of time before they were able to affect that program in the way that they affected ours. And it’s really neat to be taking place right next door so you get a chance to see them fairly regularly. I think that’s pretty special.”

The 2023 5A Defensive Player of the Year, Mayfield just wrapped up his second season as a Bulldog and earned a spot on Conference USA’s all-freshmen team after playing in all 12 games and making six starts. He finished third on the team with 57 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Hill played in 10 games and registered 31 tackles as a true freshman this past season. And as the transfer portal claimed some Bulldog defenders this year, Hayes is expected to see some time on the field today at Independence Stadium.

The mission today is clear: beat Coastal Carolina, obviously. But into the future, the guys have something else in mind: build a brotherhood together just like they remembered at Ruston High. And not just with Ruston graduates but with all the new Bulldogs that enter the program.

“That’s been built in us,” Mayfield said, crediting both Baugh and former Ruston High Defensive Coordinator Kyle Williams. “(Coach Williams) told us to keep that mindset in us as we go into college. We worked hard in high school, and now we want to bring that here.

”For us, too, we get to see our families and friends at the games. And we’re about to have a lot of those people come to Shreveport to watch.”

Mayfield didn’t shy away, either, from one of his biggest goals: getting to the NFL. He believes he can do that right here at Louisiana Tech and not worry about the distractions that are common in this age of college football.

”I think that they have they understand they have an opportunity to write a legacy here,” Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie said. “They understand that they can play, be highly productive and win a lot of football games and win championships here at Louisiana Tech. 
And so I think that’s really important to them, and obviously it’s important to us. So to be able to keep those types of players here is critical. “

Hill believes one of the biggest building blocks available to his success is going to be the stability that comes with staying at Louisiana Tech — and he expects the same from some of his former Bearcats, as well.

“I’m a believer in just staying somewhere and improving as a player and as a person because you won’t want to just bounce here and there,” Hill said. “It’s just not going anything good for you. So especially when you have your teammates from high school; that’s what we’re trying to do: go back to the old school football when you had brotherhood and all that.

“We can’t build a brotherhood if everybody’s leaving.”

And while he didn’t single any players out by name, Mayfield sent out the clarion call for any former Bearcats listening in the portal: the winning culture is being built in Ruston, and all are welcome that want to join in on the work and the winning.

”If you’re watching, we’re winning over here,” Mayfield said in conclusion. “Come back and enjoy the time again with your family and friends watching. We’re ready to work.”

Kickoff is today against Coastal Carolina at 1 p.m. in the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. 

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By  T. Scott Boatright

Mildred Gallot was not only Grambling State University’s official historian, she also  played a key role in Grambling history itself.

Gallot, known for her work as a trailblazing educator, historian, author, entrepreneur and civic leader,  passed away Friday at the age of 88.

Grambling State President Dr. Martin Lemelle. Jr. called Gallot a guardian of GSU’s story and a steward of its soul. 

“She understood that history is not only about where we have been, but about who we dare to become,” Lemelle said. “We are better because she served, and we are obligated to carry forward the work she so faithfully advanced.”

Born in Washington, Louisiana, in 1937, Gallot exemplified a lifelong commitment to learning, service, and leadership, earning degrees from Grambling College, Louisiana Tech University, and Louisiana State University, culminating in the Doctor of Education degree.

She was a professor, Head of the Department of History and Geography, and Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Teaching Social Sciences for 44 years at Grambling State before retiring in 2003.

“It was a rewarding experience,” Gallot told The Gramblinite newspaper in 2011. “I would not change anything if I could. I appreciated and enjoyed working with the students. I always put the student first.”

Gallot was a former member of the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System, where she served as vice chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee after being appointed to the position by then-Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco in 2005.

She also served on numerous educational and community boards, including the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, the Louisiana Historical Records Advisory Commission, and the League of Women Voters. 

One of her biggest achievements Gallott was particularly proud of was authoring “A History of Grambling State University.”

“It’s a big loss because all of the Gallots mean so much to Grambling State University and the city of Grambling itself,” said former GSU baseball coach Wilbert Ellis. “Her husband was a former Grambling mayor and she was an important leader for both the city and the university.

“She was all about teaching and helping the university. She was a great lady and will be greatly missed.

A life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gallot was known for her mentorship and the development of future leaders including her son Rick Gallot, who served as Grambling State’s University 10th president from 2016-24 and is currently the President of the University of Louisiana System.

Current Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley made a Facebook post honoring Gallot on Monday.

“On behalf of the City of Grambling, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Mildred B. Gauthier Gallot and to every life touched by her extraordinary legacy,} Bradley wrote. “Today, we pause not only to mourn her passing, but to honor a woman whose influence helped shape the very fabric of our community. We join our university family by acknowledging her impact as a powerful civic leader, a champion for education, a devoted mentor, and an entrepreneur whose businesses strengthened our local economy. 

“By establishing multiple businesses in Grambling, along with her late husband, Richard Gallot, Sr., Dr. Gallot strengthened our local economy and demonstrated what it means to invest in one’s community with vision, courage, and purpose. She understood that progress is not accidental — it is built through service, stewardship, and a belief in the relevance of our city.”

Bradley also thanked Gallot for inspiring so many connected with the city and university.

“We honor Dr. Gallot not only by remembering her, but by continuing the work she championed: lifting our community, telling our story with pride, and encouraging us to continue building the Grambling she always believed was possible,” Bradley said. “As Mayor, I recognize that Dr. Gallot’s passing leaves a profound void in our community. Yet I also know that the example she set — her fortitude, her scholarship, her leadership, and her love for Grambling — will continue to inspire us. 

“The seeds she planted in education, civic engagement, and economic development will keep growing, shaping a brighter future for our city. Grambling is better because she served. And our future will be brighter because we choose to carry her light forward.”

Gallot is survived by her children Rick, Loretta Gallot-Lee and Daphne Gallot-Knighten and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Sr., who died in February of 2023.

In a Facebook post made Saturday, Gallot-Knighten said that her mother died hours before the 67th anniversary of her marriage.

“Mama had an appointment she had to keep,” Gallot-Knighten wrote.

Funeral services for Gallot will be held on Friday at St. Benedict the Black Catholic Church in  Grambling, beginning with an Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony at 9 a.m, a Knights of Peter Claver at 9:30 a.m., a Catholic Rosary at 10 a.m. and a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

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(Over the course of the next few weeks, the Lincoln Parish Journal is republishing some of its most memorable stories from the past year … some of our readers’ favorites).

By Kyle Roberts

The following is a Q&A with both Jeremy and Owen Hebert regarding the family’s trip to Greece to watch Owen represent the United States in a major international grappling competition. Content has been lightly edited for conciseness and continuity.

LPJ: “Where did all of this begin to get Owen to a place where he was able to qualify and represent the United States internationally?”

Jeremy Hebert: “There are several different organizations in the world of jiu-jitsu. One of them is called American Grappling Federation (AGF), and they teamed up with USA grappling. They are trying to create a feeder system to hopefully have something in the Olympics down the road. So USA grappling and AGF teamed up, and AGF was responsible for holding qualifiers across the country — four of them specifically in California, Orlando, St. Louis, Missouri, and Dallas, Texas. Owen went to Dallas and won his division. Once they took the winners from each weight class in each age division, (15 U is the specific one for Owen), then they met again in Aledo, Texas, at a gym with the winners from the other qualifiers and then they competed against each other for the number one spot. Whoever got the number one spot, went to represent Team USA — all expenses paid — in Greece.”

LPJ: “Owen, what was that feeling like for you to now know that you’re going to be representing the United States internationally?”

Owen Hebert: “Yeah, it meant a lot. I have done some big things before, but this was like on a whole other level. Just thinking about it is crazy. It was like, oh wow, I’m going overseas to compete for my country. It was awesome. And I really enjoyed the experience.”

LPJ: “So you get off the plane — what were those first few minutes like for you?

Owen: “Oh, well, I was a little tired, a little jet lagged. But it was super cool just being in another country and then you get there and it’s like, I’m about to compete here for the United States. And they had all of the flags set up (in Lutraki) representing different countries for all of the competitors. It was awesome.”

LPJ: “So what all did you get to do in Greece before the competition?”

Jeremy: “Not much. We landed late Friday evening and got to our hotel late Friday evening, then we got to go train with our team a little bit, then got back home. He was still cutting weight and then woke up the next morning and competed. It was all business for the most part (Unfortunately for Linzie and Jeremy, their luggage was lost by the airline. Thankfully, all of Owen’s clothes and gear were packed in a carry-on). Saturday after competition, we did go see the old city of Corinth, and then on Monday morning on the way to the airport, we went back into Athens and went to the original Olympic stadium. We got on on the track and sat in the stands — that was a pretty cool experience as well.”

LPJ: “Walk us through competition-wise, start to finish.”

Owen: “So the first day — we weigh in and drive to the building where we’re competing. We get back to the training room with our team and we’re warming up. Then they start bracketing us, and then we had to get ready. You’d see your name on the wall — they had your bracket and then you stand in these little lanes for each mat. You’re waiting to compete and your competitor is right next to you.

“Personally, it was a rough first day (Owen lost the opening round of the no-gi competition). It was a round I felt like I should have won. I put myself into a hole and tried to claw my way back, but it was too late. From there, I needed him to win to see if I could come back in the later rounds, but he ended up losing in the semifinals. That was really rough. I had to deal with that and try to come back the next day with those thoughts of ‘What if I lose again in the first round?’ but I had to throw those out the window and just get ready to compete again the next day..

“And that’s what brings us to Sunday (Gi competition) — my first match, I go against an Armenian, and it was a good solid match. It felt good getting those jitters out and getting the first win. And then after that, I felt like I was on a roll. Next match I had a kid from Greece. I double-legged him, got on top, took his back and then subbed him. After that, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m feeling it.’

“And then I faced a Ukrainian, which was a kid from the same team that I lost against the first day, and I made a mistake, and at these tournaments, you can’t make a mistake — they’ll put you away — and he straight ankle locked me. I took that loss in the semifinals, but thankfully, I still had a chance for third. So I had to flush it, get ready to go for third. It was still tough, tough. I had a match against somebody from India. I just went to work and finished it for third.

“And after that, there was an award ceremony. It felt like watching the Olympics, except you were a part of it. It was really cool.”

LPJ: “How about from a dad’s perspective, Jeremy? What was it like watching Owen compete?

Jeremy: “Well, (on the first day) obviously I thought he was ready and then when he came out, his opponent was longer, taller, stronger. He was very strong. When I saw the match going the way it was, it was very evident that Owen was suffering from being there first day, cutting weight, being tired — we didn’t maybe didn’t lean in as well on the travel side. We were emotional — all of us were, and we didn’t really know how to handle it, didn’t know what was going to be next. We’re kind of thinking, ‘Oh my God, we flew all the way over here and this might be it.’ And then when we saw (his first opponent) lose — when your son loses, I now become that guy’s biggest fan because if he keeps winning, then we get to get back in. Of course, he didn’t, and so we were done for the day and we had to stand around and watch the other US people, and you want to be supportive of them, but you’re also, it’s very difficult.

“Next day, he flushed it. He had a good, nice warm up, good, nice sleep, um, good meal the night before, and um, and, and I think the rest really helped, and you could see the difference on day two. Our kid wins two matches and then you’re thinking ‘Okay, man, if we win this next one, we’re in the championship match,’ And that kid just kind of surprised Owen with that ankle lock. So now we’re like, ‘All right, well, it’s not over.’ We’ve got another match to go.

“When he won third, obviously, it was very emotional. Watching that ceremony is very much, which you would imagine watching your kid be in the Olympics. They line them all up. They walk them on stage. They present them with medals. They played the national anthem — I mean, it’s a very special moment.”

LPJ: “Owen, what do you see for your future and on the horizon in grappling for you?”

Owen: “I want to keep continuing to do it, for sure. This year, there’ll be another 15U grappling team for team USA, and my goal is to try and make that team again. In the future, they’re starting to get grappling in colleges and get scholarships for those. I think that would be huge to try and get a scholarship up either in that or in like wrestling and maybe both. And, they’re probably going to get it in the Olympics within seven years. I think that would be perfect timing age-wise for me, and then having this platform already and experience-wise, just getting my name in there for possibly a world team.”

LPJ: “Jeremy, what do you think? What’s his future?”

Jeremy: “There’s a lot. We try to take it in small bites. I think the future is whatever he wants it to be, to be honest with you, whether it’s the sport of wrestling or grappling. The Bearcats now have a wrestling team, so he’ll be integral in that. We’re going to continue to chase really big wrestling tournaments. We’re gonna try to make the USA team again next year because that experience is something that not everybody gets an opportunity to do.

“If you can put yourself in that, it will open doors from a perspective of making world teams. I think they all play together, to be honest with you. Eventually, the roads will diverge at some point in time, I think, but right now, wrestling and jujitsu will both help Owen get to where he wants to be. I think the doors are open for for a Division-I wrestling scholarship as well, and we’ll see what happens in the grappling world.

“I think Owen’s got a path to either one of those, if not both of them.”

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