Louisiana is no stranger to hurricanes, but the last weekend of August is starting to become unpleasantly memorable.

As Ruston residents remembered the Category 1 Hurricane Laura that swept through the parish Aug. 27, 2020, and further back, the outpouring of support offered to Category 3 Hurricane Katrina evacuees following its Aug. 29, 2005, landfall, they also prepared to take in evacuees for this new hurricane, Ida, which made landfall about 11:55 a.m. Aug. 29 as a Category 4 near Port Fourchon.

NOAA’s National Weather Service Hurricane Center reported Doppler radar data indicated Ida’s maximum sustained winds when it made landfall were around 150 mph.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced during a press conference over the weekend that Ida would be one of the strongest storms to hit Louisiana since at least the 1850s. Ruston residents took in evacuees and worried for their family members who stayed behind.

“My mom is in Baton Rouge,” said Kari McGuire, a Ruston resident and teacher at Choudrant High School. “She’s got one of those built-in generators, but I’m worried about flooding.”

Louisiana Tech took in students from Nicholls State in Thibodaux and allowed students registered for fall quarter to move in early.

“Everyone who works at Louisiana Tech is interested in taking care of our students as if they were our own children,” said Tonya Oaks Smith, executive director of University Communications and Marketing. “For now, these Nicholls State students are members of our Tech Family, and we want them to feel safe and welcomed here in Ruston.”

For the most current information available regarding Hurricane Ida, text LASHELTER to 898-211 for information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lincoln Parish Sports Services

MONROE, La. – On offense, it was the “Dyson Fields Show” at the 2021 Bayou Jamb for the Ruston Bearcats.

On the first offensive play of the second half, the junior tailback ran through four Opelousas defenders on his way to a 58-yard touchdown rush that summed up the entire night for Ruston’s ground game, capping his night totaling 151 yards rushing. The Bearcats would go on to beat the Tigers by a final score of 27-0, shutting out their opponent from South Louisiana.

“Overall, I was pleased with us as a team by how hard we played,” Ruston head coach Jerod Baugh said. “That was what I wanted to see. We executed our game plan and the things that we do best; that was what I was really pleased with.”

Fields scored on a pair of long touchdowns in the first half, both over twenty yards. Fields totaled 93 yards on the ground and 48 yards through the air for 141 first half yards.

“Dyson had some big runs; he really showed he can be a physical runner,” Baugh said. “He had some nice stiff arms and turned back into defenders and scored on some long runs. Our offensive line and fullbacks did good things by openings areas for him to get started. I was very pleased with him and what he was able to do.”

Fields put the Bearcats on the scoreboard first with a 29-yard touchdown run with 4:35 in the first half thanks in part to a stellar downfield block by senior wide receiver Dawson Willis, and he was able to get his second touchdown of the half thanks to a clean pass in the flat by junior quarterback Jaden Osborne from 26 yards out.

The second touchdown for Fields came on a 26-yard touchdown reception after a check-down pass to the flats that saw Fields score nearly untouched by the Tiger secondary. Osborne completed his second touchdown pass of the half to senior Dylan Rhone for eight yards near the one-minute mark of the first half.

Baugh added how pleased he was with the way the entire defense played in holding the Tigers scoreless for the night.

“Our defensive line competed well up front,” Baugh said. “Any week, that’s a big determiner on how the game will go. Early on, we felt pretty good about our guys and the pressure they could put on the Opelousas quarterback. Anytime you can get pressure on just the line without having to blitz is a good thing. We felt really comfortable with our guys up front getting pressure on the quarterback and kept him off-tempo to make some errant throws. I was pleased overall on the both sides of the ball on the well they competed.”

The Bayou Jamb is an exhibition game format and is split into two 12-minute halves.

Ruston opens the 2021 regular season Friday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. against the Neville Tigers. The game will be broadcast live on KXKZ 107.5 FM with the pregame coach’s show starting at 6 p.m.

NOTES: Osborne completed 3 of 4 passes for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns… Ruston totaled 178 yards rushing on 20 carries… Rhone caught 1 pass for 8 yards and a touchdown… Fields averaged 21.6 yards per carry… Senior kicker Brady Beason converted 3 of 4 extra point attempts… Seven Bearcat defenders tallied multiple tackles… Junior running back Lajaveon Ellis rushed 5 times for 26 yards.

Jamborees are just that … jamborees.

Glorified scrimmages against another team.

But high school jamborees give coaches one final opportunity to see their teams live prior to the season opener.

On Friday night in Rayville at Mangham Stadium, Cedar Creek head coach Matt Middleton saw his Cougars win a pair of jamboree “games” defeating the host Hornets 6-0 before edging Lincoln Parish neighbor Lincoln Prep 8-6.

Junior AJ Thomas did the bulk of the damage for the Cougars offense, scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns – one in each game.

In the 6-0 win over Rayville, Thomas scored on a 12-yard run for the only points in the ball game. The Cedar Creek defense would do the rest, shutting out Rayville on the Hornets home field.

In the win over Lincoln Prep, Cedar Creek trailed 6-0 until three minutes to play in the game when Thomas scored from six yards out to tie the game at 6-6. Thomas finished the night with 20 yards rushing on three carries on what Middleton called the Cougars “goal-line package.”

Quarterback Caden Middleton then gave the Creek the lead and the eventual “win” with a successful rushing play for the two-point conversion.

Middleton said he was happy with much of what he saw.

“Defensively, we played really, really well,” said Middleton. “I was pleased with us defensively. We also moved the ball on offense. We didn’t punt all night long. The problem is we had two turnovers that ended a couple of drives. But we bounced back. We made some plays. We just have to circle up and clean up a few things offensively before next Friday.”

Middleton completed 11-of-15 passes for 129 yards and one interception in the two games while sophomore running back Lawson Lillo led Cedar Creek with six catches for 45 yards.

“We threw it (a number of) times,” said Middleton. “We threw a couple of vertical balls. We had a couple of 40-yard gains, which is good. We want to stretch the field. So we were able to do that. It opened some things for us.”

Middleton said he was pleased with his entire defense, but specifically praised the efforts of senior defensive back Jed Worthey, who recorded his third interception in two weekends, as well as junior lineman Bryce Rushing, senior linebacker Carson Riley and Thomas.

Cedar Creek will open the regular season Friday night when the Cougars travel down south to Baton Rouge to face Liberty Magnet at Olympia Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

PHOTO:  by Darrell James)

By T. Scott Boatright

RAYVILLE — The Panthers proved they’re competitive, but unfortunately, Lincoln Preparatory School fell in a pair of 15-minute games at the Rayville Jamboree.

Lincoln Prep was downedl 8-6 by Lincoln Parish rival Cedar Creek in the opening stanza/game.

“It was nip and tuck, pretty much,” said Lincolne Prep coach Glen Hall. “They threw an out and my guy (Chauncy Harper) picked it off and ran for a touchdown. “It was about 65 yards. We missed that PAT and pretty much we held them in check. They didn’t get a lot of long runs … they won by a two-point conversion with about 2:30 left.”’

Hall admitted fatigue and miscues paid a late price in the opener.

“We had a chance to win in the end and we ran out of time. It’s something we have to learn from,” Hall said.
In the nightcap, the Panthers were stung by the Hornets 20- 6.
Rayvillle 20-6

“We were tied 6-6 with 3:00 left,” Hall said. “ They scored up and went 14-6 and then picked a ball off later.
“They didn’t just beat us. They made a lot of plays. I just have to get my team in better condition”

Lincoln Prep opens the 2021 season at home on Friday against Beekman-Charter at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium.

Photo:  by Darrell James

Louisiana Tech welcomed 40 students from Nicholls State University this weekend as they sought to escape from Hurricane Ida.

The students arrived at Tech Saturday night and are currently being housed at Lambright Sports and Wellness Center with their two police officers and two staff members from Nicholls’ Residential Life.

“Providing support for Nicholls State students is a part of our culture and an expression of Louisiana Tech’s values,” Tech President Les Guice said. “These are the kinds of things we do as a system to support each other, and Nicholls State was helpful to us when we suffered from the tornado.”

Tech suffered greatly in spring 2019 when an EF-3 tornado ripped through the parish, destroying baseball, softball, soccer and tennis courts on the campus.

The Nicholls’ State students’ story is not the only time Tech has taken in students after a hurricane. Sixteen years ago, Tech took in students from Tulane University following Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane.

Ida made landfall Sunday morning as a Category 4.

“I want to thank President Les Guice, Louisiana Tech and the Ruston community for welcoming our students with open arms,” Nicholls President Jay Clune. “It is because of them that we can feel comfortable that so many students are out of harm’s way.”

Clune said he was saddened that his students’ experience is being disrupted in so many ways.

“So many families have already been adversely affected by the pandemic, and this storm will only pile on the stressors that they are facing,” Clune said. “But our student body is a resilient community. They care for one another. They will weather this storm and come out stronger than before. And we will do everything we can to support them.”

Jim Henderson, president of the University of Louisiana System, which includes both Tech and Nicholls State, said this was an example of the collaboration that is evident in the ULS.

“Louisiana Tech opening its arms to the students of Nicholls State is the embodiment of our notion of system,” Henderson said. “The collaborative leadership of President Guice and President Clune is focused where it should be: on students.”

Saturday morning at Joe Aillet Stadium served as a final rehearsal for Skip Holtz and the Louisiana Tech Bulldog football team.

With the 2021 season opener at Mississippi State less than a week away, Holtz and the Tech coaching staff utilized the opportunity to work on a number of areas despite not conducting a true game-like scrimmage.

“We have a couple of positions we are low on numbers as far as injury standpoint. Outside wide receiver and at linebacker we just aren’t as deep right now with injuries,” said Holtz. “So I ended up not going live this morning. I just couldn’t afford to lose another player at one of those positions. We just went team thud and really just simulate game day.

“We have so many new faces and so many new coaches that haven’t been through it. I wanted to go through pregame. We got coaches in the box. We are signaling in calls. Going gameday mechanics for everything. From a staff stand point it was really productive. And from a team standpoint in that we got a lot of those logistical things done in a game-like situation. It was productive.”

Holtz has yet to announce the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs, something the ninth-year Tech boss said he would do later in the week. However, during Saturday’s scrimmage, the Bulldogs looked a little lethargic on both sides of the football.

“I thought the play on the field looked like it was the last day of camp,” said Holtz. “These guys have been going non-stop almost every day for over three weeks. The scrimmage didn’t quite have the energy I would have like for it to have. There were some good things and some bad things. It was certainly a great teaching opportunity to show how drops, turnovers, penalties affect a football game. It was a good lesson for us to learn. It will be a good teaching tape for us to show when we come back on Sunday.”

Tech is coming off a 5-5 record and a seventh straight bowl appearance during the COVID-19 challenging 2020 campaign. The Bulldogs roster boasts more than 20 DI transfers and plenty of experience, something Holtz said provides Tech plenty of depth.

“One of the criteria we had for bringing in (transfers) was they had to have playing time (at their previous school),” said Holtz. “I didn’t want a guy who wasn’t playing somewhere who thought he was just going to transfer into a playing position. You look at our secondary, we have three guys who transferred from Arkansas, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt and have all played at that level. We just have much more experience than we’ve had in the past.”

Saturday’s opener in Starkville is set for a 3 p.m. kickoff and the game will be televised live on ESPNU. Tech fans can hear the contest on the LA Tech Sports Radio Network on 107.5 FM with the pregame show starting at 1:30 p.m. Malcolm Butler and Teddy Allen will provide the call of the game.

By T. Scott Boatright

The late Eddie Robinson, legendary football coach at Grambling State University once had a motto: “One job, one school, one wife.”

Just maybe, the phrase “one assistant should have been added.

Former longtime Grambling assistant coach Melvin Lee, a walk-on for the Tiger football team in 1952, met a lasting friend and mentor in Robinson.

Lee, who served as a cornerstone for Robinson, passed away Thursday in Shreveport.

Lee played both ways for Grambling — as center and linebacker, despite only weighing 195 pounds.

And in 1955, Lee played a crucial role in Grambling earning its first black college national championship.
After serving in the Army and working as a cement finisher in New Orleans, Lee returned to Grambling at Robinson’s request in 1960 to serve as offensive coordinator, a role he held until 1997.

That’s 37 years of guidance during Grambling’s greatest football heyday.

“Melvin Lee was an important and crucial part of Grambling College and later State University,” said Hall of Fame baseball coach and former GSU associate athletics director Wilbert Ellis. “He and his wife Pauline are in all of our prayers.”

Robinson could be a fiery, emotional coach. That wasn’t Lee.

“They called him ‘Silent Lee’ .. never raised his voice,” Williams said. “Coach Rob was famous for the ‘Wing T’ offense. And with that offense, you have to get the blocking down. That’s

the greatness Melvin Lee brought to Grambling. He knew it inside and out.

For Eddie Robinson III, Lee and his wife Pauline were more family than friend.

“Coach and Miss Pauline, they’re like my aunt and uncle,” Robinson III said. “I didn’t see it coming. A lot of people didn’t realize, he didn’t only build great offenses. He was a great builder and contractor. He was doing ‘Do-It-It Yourself’ projects all the time. … Always working …. always a force.”

As Hurricane Ida barreled into the Louisiana coast on the 16th anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Katrina, many south Louisiana residents sought shelter with friends and family in Lincoln Parish.

Aubrey Simmons, a Nicholls State graduate student originally from Ruston, returned home Friday with her cat to wait out the storm.

“I am nervous and worried for the people I know who stayed behind,” Simmons said. “They’ve assured me they’ve made the necessary preparations, but Ida is massive, and I’m just super worried.

“I’m also afraid of having nothing to go back to. Thibodaux has been my home for the past seven years – it’s a wonderful community – and it’s heartbreaking to know the damage and destruction that is about to happen.”

Simmons said she chose to leave Friday in hopes of avoiding empty gas stations and bumper-to-bumper traffic.

“When this storm started to really develop and we saw its possible path, my mom and I decided then that it would be best for me to leave,” she said. “Leaving Friday helped me to get ahead of traffic and I was able to easily get gas. I am fortunate enough to have been able to leave, but I am sure there are those who want to evacuate but do not have the means to do so, and my heart breaks for them. Thibodaux is doing a wonderful thing in that they are providing free transportation for wheelchair bound residents who were unable to evacuate and taking them to the shelter that has been set up.”

Simmons said Ida running through Louisiana on the anniversary of Katria is eerily similar.

“I have friends who went through such tragedy and loss for that storm, and I can’t even imagine the emotions they and other people in southeast Louisiana who went through Katrina are feeling right now on top of the worry for Ida,” she said. “I really do appreciate Ruston lending a helping hand to those in south Louisiana. I love the support that my hometown is showing to my Thibodaux/Nicholls community that I love dearly.”

Jayne Boudreaux, of Luling, evacuated with her 17-year-old cat, also named Boudreaux, who had to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina as well.

“She handled this evacuation better than I expected, but she’s not happy,” Boudreaux said. “She’s a homebody and not sociable. She did fine in Katrina, but we had her sister at the time, and they were still kittens.”

Boudreaux sought shelter with Ruston relatives, but her husband, A.J., is an emergency worker with Roehm.

“He actually should be in good shape,” Boudreaux said. “He’ll be safe at the plant and have air conditioning, food and shelter. I’m more worried about the house.”

The Boudreauxs home was recently remodeled, and Boudreaux said she wasn’t sure which – if any – of her neighbors had decided to weather out the storm.

“I’m still trying to see who is around,” she said. “I just don’t know.”

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

Monday, Aug. 30
6 p.m.: Inside Bulldog Football (Dawghouse Sports Grill)

Tuesday, Aug. 31
4:30-6 p.m.: Hillcrest Elementary School Open House

Wednesday, Sept. 1
5 p.m.: Trinity United Methodist Church free back-to-school tailgate
6:30 p.m.: Louisiana Tech women’s volleyball vs. Jackson State (Thomas Assembly Center)
7:30 p.m.: Trivia night at Champs

Friday, Sept. 3
Louisiana Tech fall quarter residence halls open
Noon to 3 p.m.: Mommy and Me Movie Day at 2 High Trampoline Park
4 p.m. LA Tech Volleyball vs. Prairie View A&M (Houston, Texas)
7 p.m. Cedar Creek Football at Liberty Magnet (Baton Rouge)
7 p.m. Beekman Charter vs. Lincoln Prep Football (Eddie Robinson Stadium)
7 p.m. Ruston High School Football at Neville (Monroe)

Saturday, Sept. 4
12:30 pm. Louisiana Tech Volleyball at Houston Baptist (Houston, Texas)
3 p.m. Louisiana Tech Football at Mississippi State (Starkville, Miss.)
4:30 p.m. Louisiana Tech Volleyball vs. Lamar (Houston, Texas)

Sunday, Sept. 5
3 p.m. Grambling State Football vs. Tennessee State (Canton, Ohio)
1 p.m. Nicholls State at Grambling State Soccer (GSU Soccer Complex)

Tech Volleyball Picks Up Win; Soccer Falters

Both the Lady Techster volleyball and soccer teams were in action this weekend on the road with the Tech volleyball squad picking up its first win of the young season.

Volleyball

The Lady Techsters opened their season with three games at the Arkansas Classic in Fayetteville and picked up their first victory with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-17) decision over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.

Tech (1-2) fell in the first two matches of the event, dropping 3-0 decisions to both the host Razorbacks (25-14, 25-17, 25-19) and Little Rock (25-13, 25-21, 25-18).

Sophomore Faith Menary led Tech in the victory over the Golden Lions with a career-high 22 kills, including the final point of the match.

“What I’m most pleased with in this win is we finally found a way to score in a number of different ways,” said head coach Amber McCray. “Faith Menary was on fire offensively and also made numerous runs behind the service line to lead us, but our first contact anchored by a core group of defensive specialists and Samantha Hicks gave us chance after chance to take confident swings in system.

“We also won a number of scrappy pursuit plays in crucial moments that were huge momentum builders for us against a fiery UAPB team who plays extremely hard. It feels great to end the weekend on a win, and we will look to carry that boost into our home opener this Wednesday against Jackson State.”

Menary earned a spot on the all-tournament team for her performance this weekend, totaling 34 kills and a .316 hitting percentage.

Hicks and Morgan Smith led Tech with five kills each in the loss to Little Rock while Tech totaled 10 blocks in the match with Carly Doros and Imana Ellis each registering five block assists.

Ellis (6) and Hicks (5) led Tech in kills against the Razorbacks, while Mallory Meers set a career-high with 24 assists.

Tech hosts Jackson State Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center. Admission is free.

Soccer

The Lady Techsters (2-2) managed just five shots on goal in dropping a 2-0 decision to McNeese State Friday evening at Cowgirl Field in Lake Charles.

The two teams played to a scoreless tie in the opening 45 minutes before McNeese State (2-1) scored two goals within a six-minute stretch to open the second half of play.

McNeese took a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute on a goal by Anna Watson and then added a second goal in the 65th minute on a goal by Abbi Morrell.

Anna Loftus recorded a pair of shots on goal for Tech while Valeria Rios, Lauren Egbuloniu and Greta Streich each added one.

“We competed hard, playing the way we wanted to play,” said Tech Interim Head Coach Steve Voltz. “At the end of the day, we lost to two goals that started 40 yards out. We did not get broken down defensively.

“Our players have been doing a really good job of keeping things in front of them. It was just two long, direct balls creating something out of nothing. I liked the way we moved forward and attacked. There is no quit in this group. We just need some of those bounces to fall our way.”

Tech returns to action Wednesday when the Lady Techsters travel to Natchitoches to face Northwestern State at 7 p.m.

RUSTON — With Louisiana Tech’s season opener less than a week away – the Bulldogs kickoff Saturday at 3 p.m. at Mississippi State – the inaugural 2021 edition of Inside Bulldog Football airs Monday at 6 p.m. at the Dawghouse Sports Grill in Ruston.

The one-hour radio show features Bulldog coach Skip Holtz and Malcolm Butler and will air live every Monday night (except bye week) with Tech fans being encouraged to come out to the Dawghouse Sports Grill and join the fun.

This week Holtz and Butler will take a look at fall camp, talk about position battles, new and old faces, answer fan questions, preview this week’s opponent in Mississippi State and more. Fans can text their name, location and question to the Inside Bulldog Football hotline at 318-614-4513.

LA Tech VP and Director of Athletics Eric Wood will also be a guest on the show to talk about his first 10 months on the job and what is in store for the upcoming year.

For those fans that can’t make it out to the Dawghouse Sports Grill, they can listen to the show on KNBB 97.7 FM, KDBS 1410 AM (Alexandria), KDBS 94.7 FM (Alexandria), WUBR 910 AM (Baton Rouge), KOKA 980 AM (Shreveport) and KOKA 93.3 FM (Shreveport).

Inside Bulldog Football and all 12 games can be heard through the Louisiana Tech Athletics app which can be downloaded through the Apple app store and Google Play.

Mary Brown
March 10, 1933 – August 27, 2021
Visitation: North Monroe Baptist Church, Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 9:30 am
Service:  North Monroe Baptist Church, Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 11:00 am
Cemetery:  Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Mary “Toady” Jordan
May 24, 1934 – August 27, 2021
Visitation:  River of Life Assembly, Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Service:  River of Life Assembly, Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 11:00 am
Cemetery:  Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Maurine Roberson Armstrong
August 13, 1932 – August 28, 2021
Visitation:  Paron Baptist Church, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 1:00 pm
Service:  Paron Baptist Church, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
Cemetery:  Rocky Branch Cemetery, Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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It’s the million-dollar question floating around the Louisiana Tech fan base as the start of the 2021 season gets closer and closer.

Who will be the Bulldogs starting QB when Tech opens Sept. 4 at Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

According to Tech head coach Skip Holtz – who is playing it close to the vest when it comes to announcing a starter – the QB room in the Davison Athletics Complex has plenty of options.

Aaron Allen. Luke Anthony. JD Head. Austin Kendall. Caleb Holstein.

It’s a starting five on a basketball court. But only one of them can take the field for the first snap in less than two weeks.

“All of the quarterbacks have rolled with ones,” said Holtz following Thursday’s practice session. “All of them have rolled with the twos and all of them have rolled with the threes.”

One thing is for sure. It won’t be Anthony, who is still recovering from off-season surgery following a gruesome injury at TCU last December. No definitive timetable has been set for Anthony’s return to the field, but the reigning Conference USA Newcomer of the Year will add valuable experience when he does.

Allen and Head both saw action in the New Orleans Bowl setback against Georgia Southern in mid-December and are a year older and that much further along. Allen made two starts in 2020, including the postseason bowl, and completed 73-of-121 passes for 602 yards and four scores.

“The quarterback competition has been really good so far,” Allen said. “We come out every day and compete and critique each other on what everybody needs to work on. It’s been going really good so far.”

Head saw his only action of the year coming off the bench in the New Orleans Bowl, where he was 9-of-14 for 78 yards.

“This fall camp has been awesome,” Head said. “All the quarterbacks have been battling it out and really competing. Not only competing, but also helping each other. We all want to see each other doing really good. I can’t complain about anything. I’m having a great time with the guys and having a great fall camp experience

“Aaron and JD have both done a great job and both had good camps,” said Holtz. “We’ve got three quarterbacks we could play with right now. We’re just going to have to make a decision as we come out of Saturday on who the starter is going to be and start to put the depth chart together.”

Kendall has received the most buzz from Tech fans after signing late this summer. The former Oklahoma and West Virginia signal caller should see time this year, even if he isn’t the opening day starter.

“You have a new quarterback in Austin Kendall who is learning the system,” said Holtz. “He’s done an excellent job with the short amount of time he’s had. Certainly, the newness sometimes shows up like, ‘Oh, I have to turn the other way’ and little mistakes. He has a lot of thinking going on. If Austin’s the guy, we’ll have to build the offense around him a little bit with him being here a short time.”

Kendall, a native of Waxhaw, N.C, played at Oklahoma for three seasons before transferring to West Virginia the past two campaigns.

“Fall camp has been good,” Kendall said. “We have a good group of quarterbacks with Aaron, JD and Caleb. Then Luke Anthony, I really appreciate him. He’s helped me a long way as far as learning the offense and certain reads because he’s been in the system for a year-and-a-half now. He’s been a lot of help to me as well as coach Sloan and the rest of the quarterbacks.”

The non-profit American Karate-Do Shotokai (AKDS) is a unique, traditional Japanese, non-competition martial art that provides practical self-defense training for those who cannot normally afford to participate.

Our motto is “Discipline, Integrity, Respect”. Certified instructors and students from Louisiana Tech Shotokai Karate Club donate their time and expertise to teach these skills. No experience is necessary to join. Youth who attend Louisiana Tech after high school are automatically admitted into the University Club.

Classes for youth ages 8 to 15 years old (adults by invitation) are held every Tuesday from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Classes for adults are from 6:30 to 7:30 PM on Tuesday, ages 16+.

Rates are $1 per session/per person. A $10 monthly membership qualifies participants for free belt grading and discounts on uniforms and equipment. Learn more at www.shotokai.org, or contact the instructor Robert Anderson, a Green Belt, at akds.ruston@gmail.com.

I love books.

I am one of those people who can’t do the digital readers because I haven’t figure out how to write notes in the margins or fold pages digitally. I am the old-fashioned book guy. I fold pages, highlight sections and write notes in the margins of books.

My books fall into two broad categories. The two categories are the pre 1981 books and the post 1981 books.

In 1981 I took a class at the seminary entitled The Parables of Jesus. One afternoon the professor was lecturing on the guy with all the barns. He had lots of barns. Then he had a great crop and he decided to pull down his copious barns and build more and bigger barns. The only problem was that death doesn’t pay any attention to our plans. The man died that night. What became of his barns and his crops?

The professor suggested the point of the parable was not about greed but about ownership. He then said something radical. He said, “Nothing in this life is yours.” To drive it home he continued, “You don’t own your books.”

You don’t tell seminary students their books don’t belong to them. We spent tons of money buying those books. We knew all the publishing houses that would give discounts to seminary students. This was New Orleans, on the weekends we haunted the used book stores in the French Quarter hoping some priest or minister had bit the dust and his widow or the bishop had taken his books to the used book stores. We all dreamed of landing the mother lode of used books from another minister.

Besides, my mom gave me a stamp that said, “From the library of Doug de Graffenried.” For my college graduation I receive an embossing stamp that said, “Personal property of Doug de Graffenried.” I wrote my name in my books. Then I double stamped my books to make sure that no sticky figured preacher type would borrow my books and not return them. Preachers are the only types who read preacher books. Would you read, Polarities of Man’s Existence in Biblical Perspective? Case closed!

My books were well stamped and protected. This seminary professor was full of exegetical bull. Those were my books!

That evening, after my fuming subsided, I sat down to work on a paper for another class. One of the sources I cited was a commentary on the book of Romans published in 1811. It was one of my books. I had written my name in it. It was double stamped!

I looked at the page in the front of the book where I had placed my stamp. I am the fifth preacher to “own” this particular commentary on the book of Romans. The Bible speaks of a generation lasting for 40 years. It appears that preachers “own” their books for about a generation. The book on Romans obviously isn’t mine. I am using it while I pass through this journey called life.

Since that night in 1981 I have not written my name in any book I have purchased. These books I love. These books I have moved several times. These books are on loan to me. I am surrounded by reminders that I will take nothing with me. I came into the world with nothing but the love of God and I will leave this world with nothing but the love of God.

Funny thing about people who are controlled by their money and their things, those things controlling them don’t belong to them. Ben Franklin suggested that people who try to fill a vacuum with money and things often end up creating a vacuum that sucks them in. What happens when your things own you?

Isn’t that a strange way to go through life?

Lincoln Parish Journal Sports Services

Ruston vs. Opelousas, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 28, at Malone Stadium in Monroe, La.

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It’s been three consecutive years in the quarterfinals for Ruston High School head football coach Jerrod Baugh and his Bearcats.

Overshadowed by the global coronavirus pandemic, last season’s unique schedule and format ended in a rainy 6-0 playoff loss at home to the Destrehan Wildcats to have the Bearcats (District 2-5A) finish a very respectable 7-3.

“I feel fortunate we were able to find a ball game,” Baugh said. “I think it says a lot for the Bayou Jam that Opelousas was willing to come play. It will be a good experience for the kids. It’s very unfortunate for Ash not to have scrimmage or jamboree. We’re looking forward to play Opelousas. Their coach is building a good program; they’re going to be ready to play. We’re looking forward to getting to play and having the kids have a chance to compete.”

This year the Bearcats, and the rest of Louisiana High School football, are hoping for a more familiar-feeling season with 10 regular-season games scheduled beginning on Friday, Sept. 3, at Neville High School. Ruston and Neville have played each other every season for nearly seven decades.

Before the regular season begins, however, Ruston will face off in an exhibition match with the Opelousas Tigers (District 6-4A), a last-minute addition to the Bayou Jamboree after the Alexandria Senior High Trojans were forced to quarantine due to COVID restrictions.

“We’re going to be depending on our seniors quite a bit with a few injuries to start the season for us,” Baugh said. “A lot of those guys are three-year starters; you always plan on leaning on them while the younger guys get some experience in their positions. It will help us naturally develop some depth if they’re productive doing what they’re asked to do.”

Ruston will also return home to James Field at Garrett Stadium after being graciously hosted by Grambling State University at Eddie Robinson Stadium for the 2020 season. Ruston High’s press box and other stadium amenities were repaired following the 2019 EF-3 tornado that came through the town.

Ruston’s games will be broadcast weekly on the radio by Kyle Roberts (play-by-play), Mark Cramer (color analyst), and Nick Brown (sideline reporter). Carl Johnson and Caleb Granger will oversee in-game stats.

NOTES: RHS returns both quarterbacks from last season… Junior Jaden Osbourne completed 53 percent of his passes for 491 yards and 2 touchdowns… Senior Dawson Willis will likely see time at the wide receiver position… Ke’Travion “Bull” Hargrove finished his senior season last year with 602 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns before signing with Mississippi State… Backfield is expected to rely heavily on junior Dyson Fields while senior Devian Wilson recovers from an injury… Junior defensive end Christian Davis tallied four sacks last season in 15 tackles off the defensive end spot… Senior BJ Green returns to the secondary after notching 21 tackles last season… Senior Dylan Rhone is the only offensive returner that caught multiple passes last season… Senior Brady Beason takes over kicking and punting duties.

As Tropical Storm Ida approaches, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., is urging both livestock and pet owners to monitor weather advisories and prepare their property, pets and/or livestock.

“Though the track of this storm remains uncertain, some areas in Louisiana could experience flash flooding and coastal flooding from storm surge,” Strain said. “Livestock and pet owners should be prepared to move animals to higher ground or evacuate, if necessary.”

Strain said no evacuations have been issued at this time but recommends checking the condition of trailer tires, having livestock health documentation in order and anything else you may need if you must evacuate and move livestock.

Important livestock items to take during an evacuation:

Health records, identification (especially proof of EIA testing for horses)
Food
Special medications
Bridles or leads

Important pet items to take during an evacuation:

Health records, identification
Food, water and bowls
Special medications
Pet carriers
Collars/leashes

Livestock owners should identify an area on the property that is least likely to flood where animals can quickly and easily be moved when severe weather threatens the area.

Livestock owners who need assistance should call their local Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP). For additional information related to pets during disasters, contact your local animal control and/or OEP.

By law, the LDAF is designated by the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act to assist in the evacuation and sheltering household pets for evacuated citizens going to shelters during declared emergencies. The LDAF has two mobile pet shelters to assist in keeping family pets in close proximity to their owners when an evacuation is necessary.

I’ve been fishing tournaments since 1990 and have loved every minute with most of the guys or gals I’ve had the pleasure to fish with. I’ve participated in team and pro/am events and each format is unique unto itself. But one question I’ve been asked over the years, is what have I enjoyed the most? Well, my experience with team trails has been awesome and I have had the best partners an angler could ever ask for. Nothing is more fun than you and a buddy (team partner) going out and putting a pattern together and doing well. And nothing is more rewarding than crawling into the back of a touring pro’s boat and catching fish. Fishing at the highest level certainly has its rewards but it can also be your worst nightmare if you draw the wrong pro.

Some pros are super nice and will do whatever they can to help a co-angler catch fish. Then there are some who won’t give you the time of day even if they’re wearing a watch. But the majority of the pros are great guys who want to see their co-anglers succeed. I’ve always tried to make sure my co-anglers catch fish because I’ve been a co-angler myself before and know what’ it’s like to be ignored or even recognized that you’re in the boat. I’ve always looked at it like this… the co-angler that’s fishing in my boat has paid his hard-earned money to fish just like I have. But the difference is that my entry fee is double what the co-angler pays and that’s why you’re at the mercy of the pro/boater in a pro/am event as the pro/boater has complete control of the boat at all times.

But to answer the question of my most rewarding year; was fishing as a co-angler on the FLW Tour in 2004. What an awesome experience that was to get in the boat with some of the best anglers on the planet and watch them work their magic. But the one thing I figured out real early, was that there is no magic…professional bass fishermen are on another level when it comes to skills like reading the water, understanding their electronics, not to mention their ability to cast and put baits in places average anglers would not even attempt. The skill level of the B.A.S.S. Elite and Major League Fishing (MLF) Series guys is off the chart and amazing to see in person. In 2004, I had the pleasure to fish with some of the best to ever wet a hook like former FLW and Basmaster Classic Champion Dion Hibdon, 2020 Elite Series Angler of the Year Clark Wendlandt, Japanese MLF Pro Shin Fukea and Texas MLF Pro Kelly Jordan. All of these guys were not only great anglers, but fine people as well. I learned a lot during my eight hours of fishing with each of these guys.

But why was 2004 the most fun I ever had fishing? First of all, I drew some of the top anglers on tour and caught a lot of fish behind these guys as I had three Top 10 finishes that year. But what I really enjoyed the most that year as a co-angler, I did not have to worry about all the details that come with fishing the pro/boater side. Co-anglers don’t have to worry about finding fish, putting gas in the boat, making sure they have enough oil in the reservoir, charging the batteries, or fixing and repairing things on the boat. Co-anglers don’t have to worry about a blown tire on their boat trailer or the wheel bearings going out. All I had to do was show up, put my tackle in the boat and go fishing with the best anglers in America! Not a bad way to go fishing and enjoy the day while learning from the best in the business.

One thing that’s very disappointing to me in 2021, is that MLF (formerly FLW) and the B.A.S.S. Elite Series Pro Circuits have eliminated the co-angler. The Elite Series does have what they call the Marshall program which is where you can apply and pay to sit in the boat and observed all day. But Major League Fishing (MLF) has not allowed that yet as their pros have a referee (who records each fish they catch) and a camera man. So, in the future when someone asks me “What’s the most fun you ever had fishing?” I’ll always reply 2004! Till we meet again, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!!!

Steve Graf
Owner/Co-host
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show
And Tackle Talk Live

It may not have been “Mama” calling him home like it was for Bear Bryant, but a phone call from his alma mater more than three decades ago brought Doug Ireland to the place he calls home.

Standing in the center of the 24,000-square foot edifice he poured his heart and soul into helping become a reality, Ireland finally took center stage during a Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame press conference to speak about himself instead of simply interviewing others.

“I wouldn’t have come back to anywhere else,” said Ireland, one of three Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism honorees announced Thursday during the Class of 2021 Hall of Fame induction news conference. “I worked at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette when it was USL from (19)82 to 85 with Hall of Famer Dan McDonald. That was a wonderful experience, and I loved what I was doing but wound up in the sports writing business and loved what I was doing there.

“I couldn’t imagine going anywhere until Northwestern called. I always thought I was going to go up the ladder as a sports writer and had some great experiences – covered some great games and some Hall of Famers – but Northwestern called. That’s home. Natchitoches already had my heart. They had me at hello.”

Typically, it’s Ireland who offers the initial “hello” from the Hall of Fame to its newest inductees, serving as the Hall’s chairman. He then emcees the annual news conference that airs live on Cox Sports Television.

Ireland, who spent more than 30 years as the sports information director and an assistant athletic director at Northwestern State, pulled double duty this time as the Hall inducted its second class in two months after the Class of 2020’s induction was postponed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As one of the driving forces behind the physical creation of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum that anchors the north end of downtown Natchitoches, Ireland saw his share of delays. The proverbial wait was worth it, however, for Ireland when the museum thrust open its doors in 2013 with a larger-than-life induction class headlined by Shaquille O’Neal, who dubbed the town “Shaqitoches.”

“No,” Ireland emphatically stated when asked whether he doubted the project would reach completion. “The greatness of the institution is so profound. You go all the way back to the first induction class in 1958 and the heroes, the legends, the stories. That transcends any region of the state. From Ida on the Arkansas border to Grand Isle, from Lake Providence to Lake Charles, there’s Louisiana sports history that anchors the state. Fortunately, governmental leaders and politicians all the way up to the governor’s office – certainly the lieutenant governors – they all understood that. That’s what kept us going.

“The building was far more than we dared to dream. To see it come to fruition was incredibly gratifying. Most of all, to have Hall of Famers who had been inducted – some for many years, some in their later years – to be moved by that experience and to be able to walk through here was pretty good stuff. Shelia Thompson-Johnson, who was our first girls All-American basketball player and later a player and athletic director at Louisiana College, she came and hug me and cried.”

Befitting his reputation as a storyteller and someone who shined a light on others for close to four decades, Ireland continued to talk about others on a day where he was honored. Even as fellow Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Kent Lowe asked him about his career, invariably Ireland turned it around to focus on someone beside himself.

“It’s really incomprehensible,” he said. “I’m here on the shoulders of so many people who have been my teammates, my colleagues, my mentors – from the Northwestern and sports information perspective, the sports journalism perspective and from the Hall of Fame perspective. This is the people’s sports temple in Louisiana. Our state leaders from 2000 forward, for the past 21 years, have been so supportive of recognizing how important sports are in this state and how much a part of the true culture and heartbeat of the state sports are. It is a mass of people who have allowed me to receive this accolade, and I’m absolutely blown away by the reality of it.”

Meleah Pea, a junior biology major from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, recently completed an eight-week internship

“This opportunity was my first exposure to research, therefore this experience has been a huge factor in determining whether I want to pursue a career in research in addition to my pursuit of a career in medicine,” she said. “In addition to helping me gauge whether a career in research was the right fit for me, this opportunity allowed me to connect with individuals that I truly look up to, can learn from, and help me in my journey.”

Her area of research was pathology – specifically exploring a major factor in atherosclerosis which is the underlying issue in cardiovascular disease.

The internship was an eye-opening experience, Pea said.

“I thought that once I got there I would do experiments, find what I’m supposed to find and present that at the poster presentation but it was nothing like that,” she said. “I had to learn that you can’t discover anything new if you do things “by the book”. Research isn’t a step-by-step handbook. It’s trying a little bit of this and a little bit of that to see whether your hypothesis is true or not. In the process, you might even find that you find nothing related to your hypothesis and that’s OK.”

If there is one lesson she learned, it’s that it’s OK to be spontaneous in research.

“Overall, it really taught me that it’s OK to go off course sometimes and it is in the spontaneity where you might find something even better than you had imagined,” Pea explained.

She said the Biology Department at GSU helped her to line up the internship opportunity.

“The Biology Department is truly a family inside of our big family at Grambling State,” Pea said. “I would like to thank everyone who made this internship possible. However, I would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Leung, Dr. Hill, and Dr. Franklin with Grambling’s Biology Department as well as Dr. Thibeaux and the Diversity Affairs Office, Dr. Mabruka Alfaidi, Dr. Orr and the entire Orr lab in addition to Denisha Thomas at LSU Health Shreveport.”

Pea is president of the President’s Student Leadership Initiative, director of Community Engagement for the Student Government Association, a resident assistant, HBCU Be the Match Intern for Grambling State University for the 2021-2022 academic year and Senior GRAMbassador.

About Grambling State University
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a historically black university that was founded in 1901. The institution has been accredited by SACSCOC, 13 associations, and in all programs required by the Louisiana Board of Regents. A member of the University of Louisiana System, Grambling State University has the academic strengths of a major university with the benefits of a small college. Offering 43 undergraduate and graduate academic programs, the 590-acre campus is home to world-class athletics, an internationally renowned marching band, and vibrant student life that enable our scholars to grow and learn in a positive environment.

James Lee Pierce passed peacefully at his home in Ruston, Louisiana on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 9:30 A.M. at the age of 97. He was born April 20, 1924 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

James served in World War II and the Korean War. He retired after 28 years in the military with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer II serving in the United States Army.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Janis Elaine Scogin Pierce of Shreveport, Louisiana. They had no children but adopted everyone they ever met.

James and Janis were married at Trinity United Methodist Church in June of 1952 and were devoted members for over 47 years. He loved the Methodist Children’s Home and Louisiana Tech University where he graduated; and later obtained a MS from Northeast Louisiana University. James and Janis traveled extensively during their tour in the military. They had many fond memories of visiting numerous countries while on tours of duty.

James spent his boyhood assisting his mother and step-father on a rice farm in Bayou Meto, Arkansas. He never met anyone he did not like and was kind to all. After the death of his wife, Janis, the love of his life, he permitted Annette and Johnny Maxwell and Donna and Steve Smith to help care for him. He loved his numerous next of kin. He is survived by his niece, Lynn Short of Little Rock, Arkansas; cousin, Anne Norris Wright of West Monroe, Louisiana and her lovely family, Sara Wright Holley and husband Travis, sons, Heath and Barlow Holley of Monroe, Louisiana; Lavonne Kennedy Goodeaux and husband Dennis, daughters, Morgan Taylor Kennedy and Emily Kennedy Webb of Monroe, Louisiana; Carla Wright Steele, husband Jimmy of Monroe, Louisiana; and Cousie Giglio, wife Susan, daughters Heather Giglio McCauley and Ashley Giglio of Indianola, Mississippi.

Much gratitude goes to Thelma Dyas for her loving and devoted care of James for over 4 years. Friends and family of James Pierce also wish to thank Robert Fields and Serenity Care Providers for their caregiving.

Services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the Burkhalter Chapel at Trinity United Methodist Church. Rev. Doug DeGraffenried and Rev. Rolly Walker will officiate with burial to follow at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held from 2:30 P.M. until the time of service, Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Louisiana Tech University, the Methodist Children’s Home or to Trinity United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www. kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com