A Grambling man was arrested early Wednesday after a traffic stop in Ruston revealed three active warrants.
Christopher Watts, 39, of Grambling, was arrested at 3:10 a.m. Oct. 28 by the Louisiana State Police.
According to an arrest affidavit, a trooper saw a black Chevrolet Cruze fail to come to a complete stop at a posted stop sign on Cedar Street at about 3 a.m. before turning left onto East Line Avenue. The trooper activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle.
Watts, who was driving, told the trooper there was no reason he failed to stop at the sign. A records check showed his Louisiana driver’s license was suspended and that he had three active warrants through the Ruston Police Department.
Watts was arrested on the warrants, handcuffed and advised of his rights. A search turned up nothing. He was issued citations for failing to stop at a posted stop sign and driving with a suspended license.
Watts was taken to Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked on the three Ruston warrants.
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 6:45 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Another common scam by telephone has prompted the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office to warn citizens of callers attempting to steal money who falsely claim to be affiliated with the agency.
According to the sheriff’s office, scammers have been calling local residents using employee names, ranks, and fake badge numbers in an attempt to appear legitimate. In some of the calls, victims are told they missed a court date and have an outstanding warrant, while others offer alternatives to a traditional bail bondsman or request payment through gift cards.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that it will never ask for gift cards, recommend a specific bail bondsman, or take any type of payment over the phone.
Residents who receive a suspicious call are encouraged to hang up and contact the sheriff’s office at 318-251-5111. Officials warn never to send money or provide personal or financial information to unknown callers.
LPSO noted the scammers can spoof the department’s phone number so it appears on Caller ID even though it is not coming from the sheriff’s office. If ever in doubt if the call is legitimate, citizens can hang up and call the LPSO to ask to speak to the caller.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents to share the warning with family, friends and neighbors.
Lincoln Parish Park will once again become a daylong retreat for body and mind on Sunday, Nov. 8, when Blue Sky Yoga hosts “Yoga at the Park” from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The event is built around a simple idea: a day to tune in to your internal wisdom through breath, movement, meditation and the practice of complete presence. Participants can attend every session or pick and choose the ones that interest them.
Community is what Ruston does so well, and Blue Sky Yoga is no exception,” said participant Lillian Smith. “Yoga at the Park is a fabulous day of movement and connection for all, whether joining the Blue Sky community for the first time or the hundredth.”
The day begins at 9 a.m. with an opening meditation and Dharma talk, followed by Yoga for Everybody with Emily Foster at 9:30 a.m. and Breathwork at 10:45 a.m. After a midday Flow class at noon, the schedule slows down with a 1:15 p.m. meditation with Andy Davidson and a Yin class with Capree Bramel at 2:30 p.m. The late afternoon is devoted to rest and restoration, with Yoga Nidra at 4 p.m. with Amy Marcus and a Sound Bath led by owner Donna Wood and teachers Capree Bramel and Emily Foster at 4:45 p.m. The day closes at 5:30 p.m.
“Blue Sky Yoga puts on an amazing yoga day event with immaculate vibes that nourish the mind, body and soul,” said participant Danielle Ewing. “My daughter and I look forward to it every spring and fall.”
All sessions will take place in the L6 Pavilion at Lincoln Parish Park. The pavilion is enclosed, so the event will go on regardless of weather. If conditions allow, the large garage-style doors will be opened to let in the fresh air.
Yoga at the Park is included for Blue Sky Yoga Monthly Unlimited Members. For all other participants, the cost is $35 for the full day.
The event is the latest in a series of community gatherings hosted by the downtown Ruston studio, which offers classes seven days a week, including Yoga for Life, Pilates and warm flow yoga.
For more information, call or message Blue Sky Yoga at 318-614-1619.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
A Ruston man was arrested early Wednesday after a traffic stop for speeding on South Maple Street.
Ja’laen Bonner, 24, of Ruston, was arrested at 12:15 a.m. Oct. 28 by the Ruston Police Department at South Maple and Saratoga streets.
According to an arrest affidavit, an officer conducting stationary radar at about 12:03 a.m. saw a gray 2026 Kia traveling about 42 mph in a 25 mph zone. The vehicle stopped at Saratoga Street, and Bonner, who was driving, told the officer his license was suspended and that he had traffic warrants.
Dispatch advised that Bonner’s warrants included a Third Judicial District Court bench warrant for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug. The officer ordered him out of the vehicle and searched him. Bonner told the officer he had a firearm under the driver’s seat and 8 grams of marijuana.
Bonner was placed in handcuffs, advised of his rights and put in the back of a patrol unit. He said he understood his rights and agreed to a search of the vehicle. The officer found a Glock 19x pistol, a plastic bag containing marijuana and a joint containing marijuana. The marijuana had a field weight of 11.1 grams. Dispatch advised that the firearm was clear and that Bonner was not prohibited from carrying one.
The officer issued Bonner citations for speeding and driving under suspension. Bonner was taken to Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked on a charge of possession of marijuana.
He was also booked as a fugitive from another jurisdiction on the Third Judicial District Court warrant. He was booked on two Ruston bench warrants as well, one for failure to register a vehicle and one for no liability insurance.
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 6:45 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
GET READY TO SHOP! The holiday season is right around the corner, and Holidays in CedarTown is back for another exciting year! Join us November 12–14 at the Ruston Civic Center as we transform the venue into a festive holiday shopping destination. Hosted by the Cedar Creek School Parent Club, this three-day market brings together shoppers and vendors from across the South for one of North Louisiana’s favorite holiday shopping traditions.
With more than 30 booths filled with unique gifts, holiday décor, clothing, accessories, and more, Holidays in CedarTown is the perfect place to get a head start on your Christmas shopping while supporting local and regional businesses. This year’s exciting lineup of merchants includes Goldie Boutique, The Fashion of Ruston, North Forty Woodworks, Sugarplums & The Vintage Marketplace, Heirloom, Rock Creek Farms, Legacy House Ruston, The Dance Wearhouse, Mid South Pecans, Arcadia Publishing, Blush by Elle, Bella Magnolia, Bows by Tammy, Simply Chic Boutique, Let’s Go Mahjong, Urban Collective, The Children’s Shoppe & Peach Lemonade, National Jewelry, Billy’s Barnhouse, American Flyway Waterfowl, Lilburns, Sis & Hunny, The Prissy Pelican, Sandy + Rizzo, Different Strokes, Big Creek Pecans & Honey, Art by Sarah Katherine Semon, and many more!
The festivities kick off on Thursday, November 12, with our Holidays After Hours Preview Party from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Shoppers will enjoy an exclusive first look at this year’s market while sipping and sampling complimentary drinks and appetizers from local favorites, including Crumbs Catering, Iron Cactus, Uptown Downtown, Ponchatoulas, Beau Vines, and Newk’s Eatery. Preview Party tickets are $30 and can be purchased online in advance. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, but don’t wait—last year’s event sold out!
Shopping continues Friday, November 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift or treating yourself to something special, there’s something for everyone! To add a little extra holiday cheer, some of our Cedar Creek Lower School students will be present to help spread the Christmas spirit with caroling performances throughout the day! And in celebration of Friday night lights, shoppers wearing their favorite team spirit gear can enjoy FREE general admission from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Saturday, November 14, brings a little extra Christmas magic with Santa’s Cookie Crew from 9:30 a.m. to noon! Little ones are invited to enjoy a festive morning filled with cookies, letters to Santa, and photos with the big man himself. Tickets are $10 per child and can be purchased online, with a limited number available at the door. Meanwhile, shoppers can squeeze in those last-minute finds as the market continues until 2:00 p.m. Saturday general admission is $10.
And while you’re shopping, don’t forget to stop by our Sounds of the Season raffle table for your chance to take home a Turtlebox Cub! Sponsored by Cross Country Infrastructure, raffle tickets are just $10 each or three for $20 and can be purchased online or throughout the event. The lucky winner will be drawn at the close of the market on Saturday, and you do not have to be present to win!
Mark your calendars, grab your shopping buddies, and get ready to kick off the Christmas season with us! Holidays in CedarTown returns November 12–14 to the Ruston Civic Center, and we can’t wait to welcome you for three days of shopping, holiday cheer, and festive fun.
This beloved holiday tradition wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our wonderful vendors, shoppers, and sponsors. Thank you for helping make Holidays in CedarTown a special part of the Christmas season in North Louisiana. We can’t wait to see you in CedarTown!
Holidays in CedarTown is a project of the Cedar Creek School Parent Club. For sponsorship, merchant, or ticket information, contact Cedar Creek School oradvancement@cedarcreekschool.org.
Cedar Creek School practices a nondiscriminatory policy whereby it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
As I sat in the Thomas Assembly Center late last week watching the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team practice, I stared at the roster sheet in front of me as much – or more – as I did the court.
Why, you ask?
Because tonight I will join my good friend Teddy Allen on the ESPN+ broadcast to call the Bulldogs’ season opener against Kent State. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
The season opener is always a bit of a challenge in any sport for any broadcaster as you try to familiarize yourself with a new group of players.
Before the transfer portal and name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and … well, let’s be honest … buying players became part of the college athletics landscape, I usually had to learn three, four, maybe five new names for a basketball season.
Not anymore.
Head coach Talvin Hester has a roster comprised of 13 players. Twelve of them will be wearing a Bulldog uniform for the very first time tonight.
Twelve. Out of 13.
Welcome to college basketball in 2026, where roster continuity has become more of a luxury than a reality. Second-year guard Jaylen Fenner is the lone returner from last year’s squad. He wears No. 4. I know that one. He’s easy.
The other 12? Well, let’s just say I’ve got some studying to do before tonight’s opening tip.
Hester lost some players to graduation. He lost others to the transfer portal. And now he faces the challenge of taking an almost entirely new collection of players and turning them into a basketball team. Whether we like it or not, this is the day and age of college athletics. At least until someone figures out how to fix it.
And while learning 12 new names and numbers might be a challenge for yours truly, it’s nothing compared to what Hester and his coaching staff have faced over the past several months.
Because learning names is one thing. Building chemistry, establishing roles, developing trust and getting 13 individuals to play as one cohesive unit? That’s an entirely different ballgame.
And it’s not something that happens overnight.
There is talent on this roster. There are players who have enjoyed success at previous stops, whether at the junior college level or at other four-year programs. But talent alone doesn’t guarantee victories.
The question is how quickly Hester can get these guys on the same page, particularly with the Bulldogs entering their first season back in the Sun Belt Conference after 25 years away from the league. If exhibition games are any indication (and sometimes it’s hard to tell), the Bulldogs appear to be ahead of schedule. Hester and Co. “defeated” North Texas, UT Arlington and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in their three preseason scrimmages.
Tonight will be a different monster. This one counts. For keeps. And it is the first time the Dunkin’ Dog fan base will see the product on the floor.
It’s a challenge that isn’t unique to Louisiana Tech. Coaches across the country are dealing with similar situations. The days of recruiting a freshman, developing him over four (or five) years and watching him graduate in the same uniform are becoming increasingly rare. It’s not necessarily better. It’s not necessarily worse for every individual involved.
But it is different.
And for those of us who have spent decades around college athletics, it’s taking some getting used to.
Hester has guided Tech to three consecutive 20-win seasons. He knows how to coach. He knows how to win. The question this season is how quickly he can get an almost entirely new group to do the same.
Until then, my challenge is learning new names, new numbers and a whole lot of new faces early in the season. That begins tonight. And if I happen to glance down at my roster sheet a few more times than usual during the broadcast, now you’ll know why.
Lincoln Parish Journal readers have an opportunity each week to win FREE money in the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em presented by Johnson Physical Therapy, Ruston Athletic Supply, and The Rental Association.
And the best part is it’s FREE … just like your subscription to the LPJ.
Bigger question. Are you ready to win $150 in cash … with the potential to make it $300 if you are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).
The Lincoln Parish Journal is holding the 5th Annual Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by The Rental Association, Ruston Athletic Supply, and Johnson Physical Therapy.
If you live in the deep south, you know College Football is King!
Anyone is eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $150 cash prize. Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 15 selected college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).
The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Ruston Athletic Supply, Johnson Physical Therapy, and The Rental Association will be conducted for 14 regular season weeks of the college season starting with Week 1 games.
There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Lincoln Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning. It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.
All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.
Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $150 each week!
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
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.
Monday, Nov. 2 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)
Tuesday, Nov. 3 Election Day 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
Wednesday, Nov. 4 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) 6:30 p.m.: GSU volleyball
Thursday, Nov. 5 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121) Noon: Louisiana Master Gardeners Easy Pruning Workshop (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal sponsored by Trinity’s Game Changers and Ruston Rotary Club to be served at the Ruston Housing Authority office, 901 MLK Drive. All are welcome. 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St., Ruston) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Nov. 6 6 p.m.: GSU volleyball 6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball 7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep v. Cedar Creek (at Cedar Creek)
Saturday, Nov. 7 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m.: GSU football 6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball
Sunday, Nov. 8 6 p.m.: GSU volleyball
Monday, Nov. 9 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, Nov. 10 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting (Lincoln Parish Courthouse)
Veterans Day 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, Nov. 12 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121) 5-8:30 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Nov. 13 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Out to Lunch concert series (Heard Freighthouse Food Park)
Saturday, Nov. 14 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center) 4 p.m.: LA Tech football
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Louisiana Tech’s winning streak reached five games Saturday afternoon, but it was the Bulldogs’ second-half defensive performance that had head coach Sonny Cumbie particularly pleased following a 35-20 victory over South Alabama at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
After surrendering 20 points in the opening half, Tech shut out the Jaguars over the final 30 minutes to remain unbeaten in Sun Belt Conference play.
The Bulldogs (6-2, 4-0) recorded their first 4-0 start in conference play since 2019 while completing an undefeated October for the first time since that same season. Tech has now won five straight games for the first time since 2019, outscoring its opponents 148-80 during that stretch.
“That was just a gutsy win by our football team,” Cumbie said. “I thought it was a complete team win. … I’m proud of how they played, proud of how they competed. I thought that this team played together and fed each other well at different points of time in the game.”
It was a tale of two halves for the Tech defense, which struggled to slow down South Alabama’s offense early before making the necessary adjustments at halftime.
The Jaguars (4-4, 2-2) scored touchdowns on three first-half possessions, but the Bulldogs responded by recording three sacks, seven tackles for loss and two takeaways while forcing three turnovers on downs.
“We have to tackle better in the first half — I think that was really a big concern,” Cumbie said. “We didn’t tackle as well as we could have in the first half. Second half, Coach Luke Olson and his staff did a great job of adjustments and the players did a good job of handling them, able to get a shutout in the second half.
“They just play really well together; they’re smart football players and they take coaching really well. I think that anything we do, from an adjustments standpoint or any tweaks we make at halftime, or even between drives, our players are able to apply it.
“I think they take a lot of pride in how they play, and they understood when we got in at halftime that it wasn’t enough to the standard of how they can play and there was room for them to be better, and they did that.”
Offensively, quarterback Blake Baker completed 10 of 16 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs scored 21 second-quarter points to erase an early deficit.
Marcus Calwise Jr. caught three passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns, while Rayshun Hurt totaled 107 all-purpose yards, including a career-long 67-yard reception.
Tech trailed 14-7 after the opening quarter before Baker connected with Calwise on a 22-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. The Bulldogs then took the lead on a double-pass play as Trey Kukuk connected with Jalen Mickens for a 27-yard touchdown. Baker later found Calwise on a 35-yard scoring strike to give Tech a 28-20 halftime advantage.
The game’s defining sequence came late in the third quarter when Lexington Matthews pinned South Alabama deep in its own territory with a punt. MJ Moultrie forced a fumble that Alonzo Jackson Jr. recovered at the Jaguars’ 10-yard line. Two plays later, Baker connected with Luke Watkins for a 4-yard touchdown and a 35-20 advantage.
“In terms of that punt, he flipped the field and did a great job of bouncing back in his response to not having his best punt when we were backed up and against the wind,” Cumbie said. “Then he goes against it again and flips the field, and one play later we get the fumble and then we score on offense.”
Jackson led Tech with nine tackles, a half-sack and a fumble recovery, while Jadon Mayfield added eight tackles. Janard Lockhardt sealed the victory with his first interception as a Bulldog with 1:40 remaining.
“I was so proud of Janard Lockhardt — he’s down about missing the interception before halftime, and responds with getting his one to seal the end of the game,” Cumbie said.
Despite being outgained 397-315, the Bulldogs committed no turnovers and continued their impressive run through their inaugural Sun Belt season.
“It’s going to be a fun drive home, and I’m glad to stay undefeated in Sun Belt play,” Cumbie said. “We’ll enjoy this one, and then go take on a good Troy football team next week.”
The Bulldogs will take their show on the road next Saturday when they travel to Troy for another important Sun Belt West Division match-up against the Trojans.
Tonight, the 2026-27 seasons tip off for the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters.
Louisiana Tech hosts Kent State on Monday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+ for the MAC-SBC Challenge, the first game in 100 years of Dunkin’ Dog basketball. Across the country, the Lady Techsters open their season on the road at Toledo in the same challenge, tipping off at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. Two programs, two cities, one national stage, and one home waiting for both.
It’s a new era of renewed rivalries for one of the most storied programs in women’s basketball history, and a great start to the celebration of 100 years of Bulldog basketball.
Welcome to Year 100
Tonight’s tip-off against Kent State begins 100 Years of Dunkin’ Dogs, a season-long celebration of everything that has happened inside this program and the people who made it happen.
Fifth-year head coach Talvin Hester returns to the TAC with a nearly new roster: 12 newcomers, with guard Jaylen Fenner the lone returner from last season’s 20-win team. The newcomers arrive from programs including Central Missouri, Northeastern State, and Lamar, along with junior college transfers and first-year players. Kent State arrives for the third meeting between the two programs and the first since 1983. Louisiana Tech has won both previous games.
The Lady Techsters Start From the Top
The Lady Techsters come off a 26-win season, their most wins since 2005-06, and the Conference USA regular-season championship, going 17-1 in league play under Brooke Stoehr, who begins her 11th season. Seven players return, including four starters: Jordan Marshall, Alexia Weaver, Hillary Dawson, and Isla Airey. Marshall was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team and Weaver to the Third Team, and Stoehr is on the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Preseason Watch List, one of 20 coaches named and one of two from the Sun Belt. They open with a first-ever meeting at Toledo, then return to Ruston on Thursday, November 5, for their home debut.
Both programs begin a new chapter together: their first season returning to the Sun Belt Conference.
One House
The Bulldogs and Lady Techsters share the Thomas Assembly Center, with 34 home games between them this season: 18 for the Bulldogs and 16 for the Lady Techsters. The TAC opened in 1982 and has been home to Louisiana Tech basketball ever since, and opponents know it as one of the toughest places in the country to play.
Credit goes to the people who make it that way. The Hoop Troop, Tech Cheer, and the Regal Blues bring the energy to every game, and Blue Bloods pack the Kennel, the student section, from tip-off to the final buzzer.
Built in the Eighties and Nineties
The house was built for big nights. The Lady Techsters grew from a first season in 1974 into national champions in 1981, with an undefeated season and the AIAW title, and then won the first NCAA Division I women’s championship in 1982. They added another NCAA title in 1988 and made a long run of Final Fours through the 1980s and 1990s, with players like Pam Kelly, Janice Lawrence, Kim Mulkey, Teresa Weatherspoon, Venus Lacy, and Vickie Johnson playing for coaches Sonja Hogg and Leon Barmore.
The Bulldogs wrote their own chapter in the same years. The Dunkin’ Dogs nickname took off in the early 1980s behind Karl Malone and Willie Simmons; the mid-1980s teams made NCAA Tournament runs including a Sweet Sixteen in 1985, and players like Randy White and P.J. Brown carried the program into the 1990s.
Both programs also called the Sun Belt home from 1991 to 2001, and the Lady Techsters owned the league for most of that decade. Now they’re back, and the old rivals are waiting.
Rivalries Renewed
For the Lady Techsters, the schedule revives rivalries from their championship years: Old Dominion visits on January 2, and ULM comes to the TAC on February 3 for the I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series, presented by Radiance Technologies. UL-Lafayette arrives on December 16, the first meeting in five years, and Southern Miss follows on January 28.
Many of the Bulldogs’ biggest rivalries go back to the early days of the TAC in the early 1980s: ULM, UL-Lafayette, Arkansas State, Marshall, and more. The Bulldogs open Sun Belt play at Troy on December 16 and host Appalachian State for their first Sun Belt home game on December 19. Marshall visits on January 9, Arkansas State on January 14, ULM on February 13 for the I-20 Showdown, and UL-Lafayette on February 24 to close Year 100.
Circle the Calendar
Monday, November 2: Tip-off of Year 100. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and fans get a Blue Bark Louder towel while supplies last.
Thursday, November 5: Lady Techsters home debut at 11 a.m. as an Education Game for area schools, followed by the Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m. The Amazing Tyler performs at halftime of both games – a full day at the TAC.
Monday, December 7: Lady Techsters host Memphis for Military and Service Appreciation and a Red Out, presented by Origin Bank.
Saturday, December 19: Bulldogs host Appalachian State in their first Sun Belt home game.
December 21 and 22: The Christmas Takeover, with Santa, an ornament and Santa hat giveaway, and Ugly Sweater Night on the 22nd.
Saturday, January 9: 100 Years of Dunkin’ Dogs: Legends Night against Marshall, presented by Origin Bank, with the Bulldogs debuting a new royal blue uniform set.
January 28 and 30: Southern Miss visits for a Bulldogs and Lady Techsters doubleheader during Suits and Sneakers Week, with Ohiole Dibua performing at halftime of both games. Two nights later, both teams host a Double White Out, with frisbee dogs on the court at halftime of both games.
February 3 and 13: The I-20 Showdown Rivalry Series against ULM, presented by Radiance Technologies. Lady Techsters host on Wednesday, February 3 (with a Pink Out), and the Bulldogs follow on Saturday, February 13.
Wednesday, February 24: Bulldogs close Year 100 at home against UL-Lafayette.
Promotions and dates are subject to change.
Every Crew Gets a Night
Belonging at Louisiana Tech starts with the people you show up with, and basketball gives student organizations a night of their own. SGA takes the spotlight on November 5, followed by Kappa Delta on November 12, Sigma Kappa on November 17, Delta Delta Delta on December 16, Union Board on January 14 (Champ Night), Phi Mu on January 21, and Alpha Chi Omega on February 17.
Each night features and recognizes the organization as the TAC welcomes its members, friends, families, and alumni to the game. The spotlight changes every few weeks, and the community around the building grows with it.
Find Your Seat
Basketball at Louisiana Tech works the same way for everyone: you walk into the TAC, find your people, and make it louder. Students, alumni, season-ticket families, kids at their first game, and anyone who’s been coming since the first Dunkin’ Dogs era all have a place in this house.
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Song Hui Franklin, who left us peacefully on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the age of 77. Song Hui Hyong was born to father Chae Ho Hyong and mother Chiong Hio Cho on August 28,1949 in South Korea.
Song Hui lived a life marked by love, kindness, service, and devotion to family and friends. Whether through a warm smile, a helping hand, or simply being there when needed most, she touched countless lives and made lasting memories with all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Song Hui worked for over 30 years in the Lincoln Parish School System splitting time between both Simsboro High School and Ruston Elementary. Song Hui found joy in cooking, gardening, and yard work, but nothing brought greater happiness than spending time with loved ones. Although her nature was direct at times, she had a unique way of making people feel welcomed, valued, and loved, and those gifts will be remembered forever.
Song Hui is lovingly remembered by her husband of 53 years, Ronald Franklin; son, Joseph Franklin (wife DeAnn Franklin); daughter, Elizabeth Wilson (husband Ty Wilson); and grandchildren, Matthew Franklin and Sarah Franklin. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Ann Ivey, sister-in-law, Robyn Franklin, niece, Laura Taylor and her family and a wide circle of extended family domestically and abroad. Though our hearts ache in her absence, we find comfort in the many stories, laughs, and moments of love that will remain with us always.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Her ashes will be scattered in the Florida Keys by family in a private ceremony where lasting memories will be shared and a life well lived will be honored. Rather than saying goodbye, we hold close the lessons, laughter, and love Song Hui gave so freely. She will forever remain in our hearts and in the lives she touched.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barbara Jean Morrow, 68, of Dubach, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, November 2, 2026 at LifePoint Church in Ruston, LA with Pastor Thomas Ussery officiating. Burial will follow in Henry Cemetery in Hico, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Barbara was born on November 17, 1957 in Bernice, LA, the beautiful daughter of Ruel and Shirley Hattaway of Dubach. She passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2026 in Ruston, LA, surrounded by her loving family.
Barbara was a loving wife of 54 years, mother, mamaw, sister, and aunt. She was a giving woman who loved God and her family, and she never met a stranger. She enjoyed gardening and feeding the squirrels and birds at her home. Barbara was especially known by anyone who met her for being selfless and putting her family over anything. (As well as being a wonderful cook!) She worked with Green Clinic for 33 years, showcasing her loyalty and dedication to her work.
Left to cherish Barbara’s memory are her husband, Jack Morrow; daughters, Candy Morrow (Jamey) of Dubach, Robin Morrow of Dubach, and Ginger Young (Autrey) of Simsboro; grandchildren, Sarah Klouda (Erik) of Dubach, Kailey Morrow (Zack) of Ruston, Matthew Morrow of Dubach, Daniel Powell of Baton Rouge, and Noah Powell (Brooklyn) of Simsboro; five great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Hattaway (Deanie) of Dubach; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Preceding Barbara in death are her parents, Ruel and Shirley Hattaway; in-laws, Ressie and Mollie Ruth Morrow; grandsons, Nathan Morrow and Jacob Morrow; great-grandchildren, Pax Morrow and Max Morrow; and siblings, Paul Hattaway and Brenda Hattaway Elledge.
Serving as pallbearers will be Daniel Powell, Noah Powell, Autry Young, Jamey Myers, Jason Council, and Justevian Turner. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew Morrow, Jackson Klouda, and E.J. Klouda. Visitation will be held from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM, Monday at LifePoint Church in Ruston.
Barbara Morrow Nov 17, 1957 — Oct 29, 2026 Visitation: 12:30-2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, LifePoint Church Funeral: 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, LifePoint Church Burial: Henry Cemetery, Hico
Janet D. Russell Mar 9, 1967 — Oct 29, 2026 Visitation: 9-10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at Owens Memorial Chapel Burial: Following the service at Chatham Cemetery
Louisiana Tech has spent the month of October building momentum, winning four straight games and putting itself in position to contend for a Sun Belt Conference championship.
Now the Bulldogs will make their first trip out of the state since it’s loss at Baylor back on September 19 and have an opportunity to take another important step.
A rather significant step.
Tech (5-2, 3-0) will look to remain unbeaten in conference play Saturday when it travels to Mobile, Alabama, to face South Alabama (4-3, 2-1) at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., with the game televised on ESPN+.
The matchup carries significant implications in the Sun Belt West Division standings, where the Bulldogs currently sit atop the division and the Jaguars are among their closest challengers. With a victory today, Tech would own a 2-game lead and the tiebreaker against USA and UL-Lafayette and a two-game lead over Troy with the Trojans next up for the Bulldogs.
Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie believes the challenge is making sure his team continues doing the things that have produced its recent success.
“As we started this month of October, we challenged our team,” Cumbie said. “We talked a lot about really this is an October of opportunity for our football team. We had five football games in this month, which is nearly half of our season. I am really proud of how they’ve handled this month, and how they’ve played.”
The Bulldogs enter Saturday riding one of their most impressive defensive stretches in decades.
Tech has recorded consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1959, blanking ULM 24-0 and Old Dominion 26-0 in its last two outings. Against Old Dominion, the Bulldogs limited the Monarchs to just 141 yards of total offense, including minus-13 rushing yards, while recording six sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
But keeping that streak alive won’t be easy.
South Alabama features the Sun Belt’s top rushing offense, led by running backs Keenan Phillips and PJ Martin. The Jaguars also present a dangerous play-action passing attack that could test a Tech defense that has dominated opposing offenses in recent weeks.
“They do it with two different backs that are really, really productive,” Cumbie said. “They’re really, really hard to tackle from the standpoint of Keenan Phillips and PJ Martin. So they do a great job in play action because they run the ball so well.”
Offensively, the Bulldogs have found their rhythm behind quarterback Blake Baker, who has thrown for 800 yards while completing 77 percent of his passes in three conference games. Baker has accounted for 10 touchdowns without committing a turnover during that stretch, helping Tech develop a more consistent offensive attack.
“I believe so,” Cumbie said when asked if Baker was playing the best football of his career. “One thing, too. Blake started 12 football games. He’s been here for four years … but he’s only started 12 games. For a quarterback, experience is everything.”
Cumbie also wants more production from Tech’s running game and better execution in finishing drives after the Bulldogs failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities against Old Dominion.
“We’ve got to have a killer instinct,” Cumbie said. “We’ve got to finish games better.”
Saturday also represents a return to the site of Tech’s last meeting with South Alabama, a 38-14 loss in 2022 during Cumbie’s first season as head coach.
“I remember in ’22 when we went there,” Cumbie said. “That was my first year here and we got our tail kicked. I mean, they absolutely got after us.”
The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 2-1. With five regular-season games remaining, Tech has an opportunity to strengthen its position in the Sun Belt championship race.
“For us, again, it is an opportunity to get better today on Monday, and it’s our one-week season,” Cumbie said. “Everything that we can pour into this one week to try to get us a football win on Saturday.”
Grambling State coach Mickey Joseph said that quarterback Ashton Frye (15) could return to the field during Saturday’s game at Texas Southern.(Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
by T. Scott Boatright
Coming off a loss at No. 1 Alabama A&M, the Grambling State Tigers will be looking to get back on the winning track when they play at Texas Southern at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at W.W. Thorne Stadium in Houston.
Grambling (4-3 overall, 2-2 in the SWAC West) will be looking to bounce back from a loss two weeks ago at Alabama A&M in a game the G-Men led 17-3 early in the second quarter before heading into the locker room trailing 19-17 at halftime.
By the time Grambling scored again late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs had built a 47-25 lead on their way to a 61-31 victory.
“We took the loss and had to use the bye week just to get mentally recharged and get charged up emotionally after a crucial loss. You take your hat off to Alabama A&M,” Joseph said. “Shade had them ready to play and I didn’t. We had some soul-searching to do this week and we did it, and hopefully we can get a game plan this week and we can go 1-0.”
Joseph admits his defense has to tighten up after allowing Alabama A&M to roll up 660 yards of total offense, including 443 through the air and 236 on the ground.
That left Joseph wishing he could have more than 11 players on the field at once.
“We can’t play with 14, so we couldn’t do that,” Joseph quipped. “We just had to find some things they can execute and execute at a high level. We had to figure out the game plan and what they’re capable of doing and not capable of doing and get input from our assistant coaches early on in the week instead of later in the week.
“What we need is some disagreement in that (defensive) room, and I expressed to them that’s what I wanted them to do. They had a good middle week last week as far as the staff and the players, and hopefully we can do the same going into this week.”
Joseph knows Texas Southern (2-5 overall, 1-3 in the SWAC West) will be looking to establish its running game, which averages 171.6 yards per contest, as its first order of attack. But TSU also features a balanced offense led by quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy, who wears No. 0.
McCoy has completed 57.7% of his passes for seven touchdowns while averaging 30.3 rushing yards per game and adding four scores on the ground.
“You always want to stop the run (defensively) and establish the run (offensively),” Joseph said. “TSU is very athletic on defense. They get off the blocks well. With (former NFL defensive back Cris Dishman, who is now Texas Southern’s head coach) being a DB guy, he’s always going to protect his DBs, and we understand that.
“And on offense, Zero’s probably the fastest kid in this league. I haven’t seen anyone catch him yet. He’s running away from people. He’s a big-time quarterback. And they’ve got two big tackles that make it hard to get around them, and when they get you on a train, they’re going to move you. It’s a good football league. You can’t look at their record because they’ve battled throughout the season, and they won last weekend over Southern, who’s a really good football team.”
Joseph said developing a solid game plan will be crucial in Saturday’s contest.
“It’s another challenge, going on the road and trying to finish on the road,” Joseph said. “We talked about that last week as a team, and I also talked to the coaches about that — about finding out what we can do this week to go 1-0.
“And it’s a very competitive league. You see week in and week out and teams getting upset. It’s an unpredictable league because these kids are going to play hard, and you’re going to need your ‘A game’ when you lace up on Saturday. And we’ve got to make sure we have the right game plan to fit what we have on the field and make sure that the kids understand the game plan and that we’re only doing what they can execute.”
Starter Jakobe Robinson played most of the game at quarterback for Grambling against Alabama A&M, while Hayden Benoit took some snaps in relief.
Joseph hopes redshirt senior quarterback Ashton Frye can return against Texas Southern after missing the Alabama A&M game because of an injury he suffered in Grambling’s sixth game against Jackson State.
“If you know Ashon, he’s going to do what he needs to do to make himself better and get ready for Saturday,” Joseph said. “We’ll have to see, but you know he’s going to try.”
RUSTON – It may not have been as crisp as Ruston High Head Coach Jerrod Baugh had wanted, but the Bearcats did more than enough right to get a 49-14 win over Pineville for the 2026 homecoming match and were able to get some meaningful minutes for some players who may not get varsity time each week.
Ruston scored on its first three possessions to lead 20-0 after the first quarter and led 35-0 at halftime at James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium. The Bearcats improved to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in District 2-5A. Pineville fell to 1-8 and 1-3 in district play.
The result was never in question, but Baugh focused on what he did not like. Penalties topped the list: Ruston was flagged six times for 80 yards.
“I thought we were sloppy at times,” Baugh said. “I thought way too many penalties. Some of it, I think, may be happenstance. I’ll have to go back and watch the video on all of it, but my initial thought is way too many penalties tonight.”
Baugh also was not happy with the Bearcats’ kick coverage as the game went on.
“The first handful of kickoffs, the guys did a good job covering, and then we let them out a few times,” Baugh said. “Of course, we were rolling some guys in there, and they may not have been in the spot that they work in sometimes in practice, so it’s a little bit different for them. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to do a better job with that, particularly late in the game.”
The Bearcats’ offense, meanwhile, piled up 489 yards on 51 plays, averaging 9.6 yards a play. Ruston passed for 241 yards and rushed for 248.
Senior quarterback Sam Hartwell was efficient, completing 10 of 14 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Aulds Garvin finished six of 10 for 40 yards and two touchdowns. Junior backup Aidan Adams also saw some time for the Bearcats at quarterback in an offensive series.
Baugh said getting Garvin and other players snaps was part of the plan going in.
“You really like to be able to work that without it being necessary,” Baugh said. “We didn’t tell them that was what was going to happen, and so I thought they handled those situations pretty good.”
Ruston needed little time to get going. Senior running back Kohl Gray scored from 2 yards out to make it 7-0, and Hartwell hit senior wide receiver Josiah Morgan for a 17-yard touchdown to make it 14-0. Hartwell then found senior tight end Ahmad Hudson from 16 yards out for a 20-0 lead after the special teams could not get the point after attempt off after a bad snap.
In the second quarter, junior running back Dalen Powell turned a shovel pass from Hartwell into an 80-yard touchdown, breaking five tackles on the way to the end zone. Hartwell kept the ball for the two-point conversion to make it 28-0. Garvin then threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Keshun Malcolm for a 35-0 lead.
Gray added a 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter for a 42-0 lead, which put the game in a running-clock situation. Garvin closed Ruston’s scoring in the fourth quarter with a 3-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver JP Moak.
Gray finished with 72 yards on eight carries, and Powell added 86 yards on 12 carries. Malcolm caught five passes for 42 yards, Morgan had four catches for 44 yards and Hudson had three for 59.
Baugh was less pleased with how the first-team offense handled its two-minute work before halftime.
“I thought we had two opportunities with the first group in there at the end of the first half to operate a two-minute offense in a situation that we really wanted to work, and we weren’t successful at that,” Baugh said. “In a situation like that, you’ve got to stay locked into what we’re trying to do. We were trying to work some situations in a live ball game that we needed to, and I was disappointed some in that.”
The Bearcats’ defense held Pineville to 233 yards, including 80 on the ground, and 4.5 yards a play. Junior defensive lineman Nicholas Hardison blocked a Pineville field goal attempt in the second quarter, and senior defensive back Jayden Anding recovered it at the Ruston 37-yard line.
Freshman defensive back Reed Williams led the tackle list with four stops, one for a loss.
Pineville got on the board in the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Braylon Joshua. In the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Kaleb Coleman threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Davion Young.
The crowd was a highlight for Baugh, who said homecoming has become a tradition worth protecting.
“I’m very pleased with what it’s turned into,” Baugh said. “I think it’s a very good tradition for people to make plans to be back for homecoming and visit with each other. I can’t say it enough times that there’s not a lot of places that have the tradition that Ruston does, and it’s something that these current students and the current players need to enjoy and need to experience. I’m glad to have them back.”
Ruston now turns to its regular-season finale at West Monroe next Friday at 7 p.m. Baugh said the Bearcats must be sharper against the Rebels.
“It’s always a tough place to play,” Baugh said. “They seem to have patched things up. I don’t think they’ve given up a point in three ball games. We’ll need to have good preparation leading up to that, but for sure better than what I feel like some days we’ve had here recently.
“We need to have a good week and really need to play really well in Week 10 and have a good feeling going into the playoffs, wherever it is we land there.”
HAYNESVILLE — Cedar Creek football coach Jacob Angevine wouldn’t call it a moral victory. But calling it a learning experience his team can grow from is another matter.
Angevine’s Cougars gave Haynesville, the defending Non-Select Division IV state champion, everything it could handle before the Golden Tornado pulled out a 29-20 win Friday night at Red Franklin Stadium in a District 1-1A showdown between two previously undefeated teams.
“I’m proud of our fight, proud of our effort and I don’t think anyone in the state gave us a fighting chance but us,” Angevine said. “We had our opportunities there late. It was a tied game at the half and we are still young. But we’ve got to learn to finish those ballgames.
“We’ve been in big positions before. But teams like (Haynesville) that have been in that deep dark abyss, been in that deep water, know how to pull those games out. And we have to learn how to do that. It was a great test for us. The good news for us is that we’ve got another game next week.”
Both teams came out like heavyweight boxers swinging for a knockout from the start.
Cedar Creek took the opening possession and needed only two plays to find the end zone. After Payton Harris picked up 11 yards and a first down, quarterback Brett Bell went wide right on a keeper and raced 84 yards for a touchdown that put the Cougars on top 6-0.
But the Golden Tornado came out swinging just as hard on the ensuing possession, running for seven yards on first down before L’travious Brooks took the ball up the middle, cut toward the right sideline and eventually angled back toward the middle on a 50-yard scoring scamper that tied the game at 6-6 following a missed extra-point attempt.
Haynesville intercepted a Bell pass on Cedar Creek’s next possession to set up a 45-yard touchdown run on first down as Moise Critton burst up the middle to put the Golden Tornado on top 13-6.
The Cougars answered by mounting a 13-play, 65-yard drive that culminated with Liam Durrett scoring on a 1-yard run. Campbell Woodard added the extra point to tie the game at 13-13 late in the opening quarter.
Haynesville regained the lead at 20-13 on a 37-yard touchdown run by Critton, but the Cougars sent the teams into the locker rooms tied at 20-20 after Harris scored on an 11-yard run late in the second quarter.
“We gave up too many big plays in the first half,” Angevine said. “We had our opportunities offensively in the second half and we just didn’t capitalize, and we’ve got to do a better job of that. That’s kind of been our M.O. all year. People just don’t drive the ball down our throats, but they do make big plays and we’ve got to find a way to fix that before we head into the playoffs. But like I said, the good news is that we’ve got another game next week.”
Cedar Creek’s defense tightened up in the third quarter, but so did Haynesville’s, with the Golden Tornado recording a safety midway through the period to move on top 22-20 after tackling Harris in the end zone.
“I think the defense had a little bad taste in their mouth from letting up all those big plays and people scoring on us,” Angevine said. “Not a lot of people do. We’ve had it happen the past couple of weeks. We’ve got to learn to finish ballgames like that.”
Haynesville’s final score came late in the third quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run by Critton that extended the Golden Tornado’s advantage to 29-20.
Cedar Creek had opportunities to answer in the fourth quarter.
The Cougars drove to the Haynesville 5-yard line, with Harris breaking loose for a 58-yard run on third-and-23 to keep the possession alive. But the drive stalled when Haynesville stopped Hayden Durrett for no gain on fourth-and-3.
The Golden Tornado appeared to put the game away moments later when Brooks broke free for a 90-yard touchdown run, but the score was wiped out by a block-in-the-back penalty.
Cedar Creek’s defense eventually forced a turnover on downs at its own 15-yard line, giving the Cougars one final opportunity.
But it wasn’t meant to be.
Haynesville forced its own turnover on downs after Bell threw incomplete on third and fourth down, allowing the Golden Tornado to take a knee on the final play and secure the victory.
“We’ve just got to learn how to finish these ballgames against tough opponents like Haynesville,” Angevine said. “And all credit to them, they made some adjustments. But again, I don’t think anybody in the state gave us a fighting chance so I think we woke a lot of people up tonight.”
Harris led the Cougars with 134 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, while Bell added 133 yards and a score on just five attempts. Liam Durrett contributed 60 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries as Cedar Creek finished with 356 rushing yards.
Haynesville countered with 374 yards on the ground and 386 yards of total offense, compared to 341 total yards for the Cougars.
Cedar Creek also held a 20-12 advantage in first downs.
“It’s big to be able to do that,” Angevine said. “You know, we’ve got six seniors, so we’ve got a lot of juniors playing and sophomores. So to know that we can come into an enemy territory like this, in this environment, I mean, this was a playoff-like atmosphere in Week 9. I’ve told the guys before, we are blessed to have this moment right here in front of us to get us ready for the run that we want to be able to make in the playoffs.”
Cedar Creek (8-1) closes out the regular season Friday by playing host to Lincoln Prep.
And while the Cougars saw their unbeaten season come to an end, Angevine believes the experience could prove valuable as his young team prepares for the postseason.
“There’s still a lot left to play for,” Angevine said. “We’ll see where we fall in the power rankings. I think it will be 8, 9, somewhere around there. But we’ve got another game next week and we can fix the little things and get us right before we go make a (playoff) run.
“And it’s big that we came out of this kind of game healthy. We’ve still got a lot to play for and I just hope this bad taste left in our mouth can fuel us the rest of the season, no matter how long it lasts.”
Lincoln Prep’s Jabari Levingston accounted for four scores and 284 yards of offense Thursday night against Glenbrook. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Three yards forward, five yards back — it was that kind of night for the Lincoln Preparatory School football team.
Unfortunate breaks, a plethora of penalties and a lack of disciplined play proved too much for the Panthers to overcome as Glenbrook defeated Lincoln Prep 50-36 in a District 1-1A showdown.
It wasn’t that the Panthers didn’t have their chances — they had plenty early on.
Lincoln Prep struck first as quarterback Jabari Levingston hit Josiah Spann on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Levingston then connected with Karmelo Goins for the 2-point conversion to put the Panthers on top 8-0 just 2:30 into the contest.
Glenbrook countered by marching 55 yards on eight plays, scoring on a 1-yard quarterback keeper to cut the Panthers’ lead to 8-7 with 6:18 remaining in the opening quarter.
But the Panthers battled back with a 55-yard, 11-play counterpunch of their own to push their advantage to seven points after Levingston broke loose on a 15-yard touchdown run with 1:51 remaining in the first quarter. The 2-point conversion attempt failed.
Glenbrook tied the game as the first-quarter clock expired when Apaches quarterback Louie Collins scored his second touchdown of the night, this time on an 11-yard run, to make it 14-14 heading into the second quarter.
After holding the Panthers to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, the Apaches drove 69 yards on 13 plays, with Ryan Reagan plunging 1 yard into the end zone to put Glenbrook on top 21-14 with 5:33 left in the first half.
But again, the Panthers clawed their way back as Levingston found Goins for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Levingston’s 2-point conversion run failed, but Lincoln Prep remained only one point behind at 21-20 with three minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Glenbrook added a 33-yard field goal with 23 seconds remaining to move in front 24-20.
Or so it appeared.
That was when the discipline issues started costing the Panthers. A Lincoln Prep penalty wiped the three points off the scoreboard and gave Glenbrook another opportunity.
The Apaches capitalized, scoring on a 5-yard run with 16 seconds left in the first half and adding a 2-point conversion run to take a 29-20 halftime lead.
The Panthers kept battling to start the second half, with Levingston, playing safety on defense, ripping the ball out of a Glenbrook ball carrier’s hands and racing 62 yards for a touchdown that cut the Apaches’ advantage to 29-26 just 1:14 into the third quarter.
Glenbrook’s ensuing drive was aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Panthers at the end of a 23-yard gain.
The Panthers were called for another personal foul on the next play as Collins scored his third touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run that pushed Glenbrook’s lead to 36-26 with 8:44 left in the third quarter.
After that, the Panthers simply seemed to lose control, with players yelling at each other and at coaches on the sidelines as the game spiraled away.
Glenbrook intercepted a Levingston pass following another personal foul against Lincoln Prep and drove 52 yards for a touchdown to push the Apaches’ lead to 43-26.
After Lincoln Prep failed to pick up a first down on its ensuing possession, Glenbrook drove 39 yards for another touchdown to extend its advantage to 50-26 with 8:37 remaining in the game.
Levingston scored on a 16-yard run with 2:43 remaining to account for the final points of the contest.
An obviously disappointed Panthers head coach Chaunce Davison struggled to find the words, or even understand, how a tight, hard-fought game had unraveled so quickly for his team.
“One good play and you take it away with two bad plays,” Davison said. “Plays that didn’t need to happen. Shouldn’t have happened. If you’re not disciplined, you can’t win. And tonight we weren’t disciplined. The players, the coaches, none of us were disciplined enough to get past what we did to ourselves.
“We get a stop and force Glenbrook to kick a field goal and then do something stupid to give the ball back to them and let them score a touchdown. It’s frustrating. We beat ourselves as much as Glenbrook beat us tonight, and that doesn’t make sense.”
The loss overshadowed a stellar performance by Levingston, who accounted for four touchdowns while rushing for 110 yards on seven carries and completing 10 of 18 passes for 174 yards.
Defensively, the Panthers were led by Howard Kirkpatrick Jr., who recorded eight tackles, including two for loss.
The Panthers close out the regular season next week with a road game at Cedar Creek, which entered Friday night’s game at Haynesville undefeated.
Others: St. Thomas More (7-2) def. Sam Houston, 49-24, Destrehan (7-2) lost to Zachary, 31-21, Northshore (8-1) lost to Mandeville, 20-17, Haughton (8-1) lost to Natchitoches Central, 27-14, John Curtis (2-6) vs. Holy Cross, Saturday, Southside (5-4) lost to Acadiana, 42-34, West Monroe (6-3) def. Peabody, 48-0.
6. Lafayette Christian Academy (7-2) def. Delcambre, 49-0
7. Mansfield (8-1) def. Many, 50-21
8. Amite (7-2) def. Northlake Christian, forfeit
9. Vinton (9-0) def. Pickering, 47-0
10. Lake Arthur (8-1) def. Welsh, 38-26
Others: Catholic-New Iberia (6-3) def. Franklin, 40-33, Pine (7-2) def. St. Thomas Aquinas, 20-0, Loreauville (6-3) def. West St. Mary, 28-0, Welsh (7-2) lost to Lake Arthur, 38-26, Caldwell Parish (7-2) def. Richwood, 21-0, Country Day (5-4) lost to Newman, 45-35, Rosepine (8-1) def. East Beauregard, 26-14.
Class 1A
1. Ouachita Christian (9-0) def. General Trass, 58-8
2. Riverside Academy (8-1) def. Catholic-PC, 54-6
3. Haynesville (8-1) def. Cedar Creek, 29-20
4. Southern Lab 9-0 def. St. John-Plaquemine, 40-0
5. Kentwood (8-1) lost to East Feliciana, 22-6
6. Ascension Catholic (8-1) def. South Plaquemines, 42-0
7. Westminster-Lafayette (8-1) lost to Jeanerette, 26-19
Others: East Feliciana (8-1) def. Kentwood, 22-6, St. Mary’s (8-1) def. Ringgold, 67-28, South Plaquemines (4-4) lost to Ascension Catholic, 42-0, Ascension Episcopal (5-3) def. Vermilion Catholic, 42-0, Jonesboro-Hodge (6-2) vs. Lakeview, n, Sacred Heart-VP (9-0) def. DeQuincy, 28-0, Grand Lake (6-2) Open.
