Eddie Lee Wiley October 27, 1956 – December 22, 2023 Service: Wednesday, December 27, 2023, 2pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.
David “Tree” Garland July 31, 1962 – December 20, 2023 Service: Wednesday, December 27, 2023, 6pm in the Chapel of Hixson Brothers, Pineville.
Craig Joseph Guillot November 20, 1980 – December 10, 2023 Service: Saturday, December 30, 2023, 10am at Hixson Brothers, Marksville.
Tommy Joe Burnaman June 25, 1935 – December 8, 2023 Service: Saturday, January 6, 2024, 11am at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Alexandria.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
442-3825 has been been on my speed dial for as long as I’ve had a phone with that feature.
Good times and bad, busy times or slow, those digits have been a quick link to the Butler home base.
Across the connection went news of marriages, divorces, births, deaths, relocations, drafts and enlistments, discharges, graduations, promotions, firings, retirements – the myriad of events that merge to define our lives.
On one end of the line was someone with news, or looking for advice, or just wanting to chat a while.
On the other was a parent or sibling or in-law ready to hear the caller out.
That may give you some idea of the feeling I had as a recording told me this week that 442-3825 is no longer in service.
“No longer in service” says so much.
Both parents are now gone.
A sister who has been living in the family house, which made it still the family home, decided to move.
A buyer has been found.
The house, as well as the phone line, is no longer in the family service.
Families, of course, go through these transitions.
Losing parents, no matter the circumstances, is jolting to most of us.
It suddenly puts our own mortality front and center on the horizon.
And having siblings scattered about the globe changes how we think about family events and gatherings.
Sometimes such passages are pushed into the emotional background, making them easier to deal with and easing the next step along life’s path.
But sooner or later, we all discover that something taken for granted in our lives is no longer in service.
In this case, a confused moment followed before dialing a cell phone number and moving on.
That, perhaps, is as it should be.
I suppose I thought 442-3825 would go on forever, sort of like Pennsylvania 6-5000. But’s that’s a whole other story.
And while acknowledging our pride in LSU’s upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl appearance, we’re not talking about college football’s bowl season.
It’s Christmas season. It culminates this weekend with the observance of the birth of the Christ child more than 2,000 years ago.
The Rapides Parish Journal will not publish a Monday edition on Christmas Day.
Your RPJ will be back in your e-mail box at 6:55 Tuesday morning and on our RapidesParishJournal.com website, and our content will be available on our Facebook page, as always.
We thank you for your readership and look forward to providing you with free and informative locally-based content that doesn’t annoy you with pop-ups or overload you with stories that have no bearing on Rapides Parish.
Peabody senior Dartavin Depass is the RPJ’s Offensive MVP, while Menard senior Cooper Scott earned the Defensive MVP and ASH’s Thomas Bachman earned the Coach of the Year honor. (Photo illustration by BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports)
By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
Finding candidates to give the inaugural RapidesParish Journal All-Parish Football Team’s individual awards to was the easy task.
Picking the actual winners, well, that was a little bit tougher.
A jack-of-all-trades offensive playmaker who scored 30 touchdowns and a defensive stalwart who led his team to its first district title in 13 years earned the top two individual player awards, while the coaching award went to a veteran who turned his team around from an 0-2 start and led it on the deepest playoff run in the parish.
Peabody senior athlete Dartavin Depass and Menard senior linebacker Cooper Scott were selected as the RPJ’s inaugural Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, while Alexandria Senior High coach Thomas Bachman earned Coach of the Year.
Depass, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound running back and receiver, was a uniquely gifted player for the Warhorses who lined up all over the field, compiling over 1,600 yards of offense and scoring 30 touchdowns.
In his second season at Peabody, Depass rushed for 786 yards and 22 touchdowns while catching 43 passes for 820 yards and eight more scores while earning the District 2-4A Offensive MVP award despite playing on a Warhorses squad that finished fourth in district play.
Depass, the nephew of Peabody football coach Harry Coleman, was a starter at Class 2A West St. Mary where Coleman was an assistant when he took the Peabody job two years ago.
“He said, ‘Unc, I want to come,’” Coleman said. “‘I don’t want to be coached by anybody but you.’”
So Coleman gave his sister the option of letting Depass come live in Alexandria with him. Instead, she chose to relocate the entire family to give them more opportunity in Alexandria than Baldwin.
“He came in and he put his head down and he went to work,” Coleman said of his nephew. “Whatever the coaches asked him to do, he did it with tremendous effort.”
Depass lined up at running back, receiver, cornerback, safety and even a couple of series at defensive end when the Warhorses were low on bodies because of injury.
“The only position he probably didn’t play was O-line,” Coleman said. “When you get a kid like that you just try to get out of the way.”
Opponents also tried to get out of the way of Menard’s middle linebacker, but they didn’t have much success.
Scott was a tackling machine for an Eagles squad that went undefeated in District 4-2A and won its first playoff game in four years. He made 112 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and scored two defensive TDs.
The four-year starter made crucial plays at crucial times for the Eagles, including a 62-yard strip-and-score in the fourth quarter to seal a win over Pineville in Week 2 and back-to-back sacks to end a seven-point win over Avoyelles in Week 7.
Scott also doubled as a part-time running back with 403 rushing yards and six TDs, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter of a comeback 13-12 victory over Oakdale to clinch the district championship.
“Obviously, he was our guy,” Menard coach David Perkins said. “Defensively first, starting off, but offensively towards the end of the year. He would come up with plays at just the right time when we needed them.”
Perkins described Scott as the total package. He was big and powerful, but also fast and savvy. Scott used his size and his experience to put himself in the right position to make plays, particularly in clutch situations.
“He’s such a great competitor and he wants to win – and he is a winner,” Perkins said.
Scott was at his best late in games where the Eagles led. He would blitz his way into the backfield to make big play after big play. Menard’s scheme allowed the defensive linemen to take up blockers so Scott could flow downhill for tackles.
“He just kind of took over the defense and would get guys in the right positions where it would make his job easier to do and he could be more effective,” Perkins said.
Bachman salvaged what looked like a possible sinking ship for the Trojans by moving two of his best offensive weapons to cornerback to shore up his team’s biggest weakness.
After giving up 46 and 49 points in back-to-back losses to Carencro and St. Thomas More to start the season, Bachman knew his defensive secondary needed assistance. His answer: Take the team’s best receiver from 2022, senior Amyrion Mingo, and move him to cornerback.
It paid immediate dividends, as the Trojans won their final three non-district games and didn’t give up more than 14 points in doing so.
They started District 2-5A play with a road loss to eventual state champion Ruston, and they let a home game against West Monroe slip away, as well, as they dropped to 4-4.
So Bachman made another move, moving the team’s second-leading receiver from 2022, Jaylin Johnson, to cornerback as well. Johnson had started at corner as a sophomore in 2021 and only strengthened the team’s secondary.
“Thomas swears that’s the thing that got them triggered. That started it,” said Buckeye coach Ben McLaughlin, who worked as Bachman’s offensive coordinator for two seasons and communicates with him regularly during the football season. “That was the domino that kind of got them going.”
With the team at full strength defensively, ASH rolled past West Ouachita to end the regular season and over Bonnabel in the first round of the playoffs before going on the road and pitching a shutout over defending state runner-up Brother Martin.
That victory played out like a Hollywood script that proved Bachman’s moves worked perfectly for the Trojans.
“They were obviously a very good offensive team, but he felt like that brought more balance to them,” McLaughlin said. “That’s just such a dynamic decision. No doubt about it, he read the room exactly like the room needed to be read.”
The All-Parish individual awards were selected by RPJ contributor Bret H. McCormick and CenlaPreps.com’s LaMar Gafford along with consultation with the parish’s coaches.
Depass was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year ahead of the ASH duo of senior quarterback Ty Feaster and junior running back JT Lindsey and the Buckeye duo of junior quarterback Adam Brodnax and junior running back Jim Burlew.
Scott earned the Defensive Player of the Year honor in a nail-biter ahead of Tioga senior free safety Ja’Corian Norris.
Bachman, meanwhile, edged ahead of Perkins and Tioga’s Kevin Cook to earn the Coach of the Year award.
WEDNESDAY: The All-Parish offense and specialists
YESTERDAY: The All-Parish defense
TODAY: Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year
Garrett Nussmeier throws a pass in his final high school game in December 2020. It’s the last time he was a starting quarterback, but he will start for No. 13 LSU in the Jan. 1 ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Wisconsin.
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE — The last time Garrett Nussmeier started a game at quarterback was Dec. 4, 2020.
It was Senior Night for Nussmeier and the Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus Marauders pounded Plano East to close the regular season 9-0.
Nussmeier completed 16 of 19 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
“And that was the end of my high school career,” Nussmeier said. “I got hurt. I was running and I broke my fingers. I tried to do whatever I did until I broke too many (fingers).”
Since that game, Nussmeier has been sitting on the starting QB launching pad on hold his entire three-year, 37-game college career.
That is, until LSU’s Heisman Trophy winning quarterback and likely NFL first-round draft choice Jayden Daniels announced Monday he’s opting out of the Tigers’ Jan. 1 ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Wisconsin.
Which means after 1,123 consecutive days as a faithful, loyal and exceedingly patient backup QB, redshirt sophomore Nussmeier will finally have liftoff in his first college start.
“Let’s go, let’s get this right,” Nussmeier said Wednesday of his immediate reaction to Daniels’ decision to bypass playing in the bowl game.
Nussmeier has played in 17 career games and 326 snaps as the Tigers’ backup QB, competing 98 of 174 passes for 1,325 yards, 8 TDs and 6 interceptions.
This season playing in six games, he completed 17 of 33 passes for 196 yards and 1 TD, and scored on a 1-yard QB sneak on his only rushing attempt.
No, he doesn’t have Daniels’ wheels (who does?), which is an adjustment for LSU’s offensive line.
“He doesn’t really want to run, he wants to put the ball in the air,” starting offensive right tackle Emery Jones Jr. said of Nussmeier. “So, I just feel you’ve got to hold on to your blocks a little bit longer than you would for Jayden.”
Nussmeier, the son of a 24-year college and NFL offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, had to overcome a reputation early in his LSU career as gunslinging passer.
It started against Arkansas in the final of the four games he played as a true freshman in 2021. Then-LSU head coach Ed Orgeron pulled starting QB Max Johnson after two ineffective series and inserted Nussmeier to fire throws all over the place to heavily recovered receivers.
While Nussmeier completed 18 of 31 passes for 179 yards and a 29-yard TD pass to Jack Bech in which Nussmeier spun away from Arkansas safety Joe Foucha (who played for LSU last season after a transfer), he also threw two interceptions.
The second was a killer. It came in the end zone on LSU’s first possession of overtime and allowed the Hogs to kick a game-winning field goal on their possession for a 16-13 win.
Last season after Daniels won the starting job over Nussmeier, the backup QB opened some eyes in LSU’s final two games of a 10-4 season against Georgia in the SEC championship game and in the Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa.
In the Tigers’ 50-30 loss to the Bulldogs after Georgia led 35-10 at halftime, Nussmeier replaced an injured Daniels and threw for 294 yards. It was most passing yards in one half in LSU history – and two TDs as well as interception.
“Garrett gave us opportunities down the field, trusting us to make plays,” LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers said afterwards.
Then in the Tigers’ 63-7 Citrus Bowl beatdown of Iowa, Nussmeier led LSU to three TDs in four possessions, including two scores in the first half. He threw for 173 yards and had pass intercepted in the end zone.
“There’s no quarterback controversy,” Kelly said afterward. “Jayden is the No. 1 quarterback. Garrett will get an opportunity to compete, though. You have two really good quarterbacks, you have to have an open mind. You can’t be close-minded when you are looking at two elite quarterbacks.”
But this season, Nussmeier played the least amount of snaps (83) in his career. Daniels’ massive jump in improvement, and him having to play almost every snap for LSU to have a chance to win because of the Tigers’ poor defense, kept Nussmeier on the sideline.
“I take a lot of pride in the way that I’ve tried to prepare as if I was going to have to play in every game,” Nussmeier said. “When the clock hit zero, and I didn’t play it, it was hard, but you know, the easiest thing was if we won the game, I was happy.”
He was especially pleased with Daniels becoming LSU’s third Heisman winner.
“Jayden had an unbelievable year,” Nussmeier said. “He proved a lot of people wrong, and I was super proud of him for that.
“What I appreciate about our relationship was the competition and how much we pushed each other to be great every single day. “It taught me not to take off days. It taught me to approach every rep and every practice just like it was a game.
“I had to be good every single day because he’s such a good player. And that helped me a ton. That’s something that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career.”
Unlike the majority of college quarterbacks who transfer after a year or two believing a fresh start and new situation will jumpstart their career, Nussmeier stayed true to himself.
“I knew this was the place that I wanted to be,” Nussmeier said of LSU. “I wanted to be in this (LSU’s football operations) building. I knew I wanted to represent this university.
“It definitely hasn’t been easy. What helped me the most was putting my trust in God and His plan for me. It gave me humility and understanding I want things right now but it’s not for Him. His time is always right. It’s about trusting, putting your faith in Him and letting it happen when it’s supposed to happen.”
Mrs. Lewis’ 6th grade students at Oak Hill High School had some fun before the break in art class! They created a drawing that included a snowman and text, allowing students to play with scale and negative space. After sketching the scene, the students painted with watercolors to finish the project!
Pineville Police Department recently held Cookies with Cops as Officers visited Pineville Elementary students and helped them decorate Christmas cookies to enjoy and take home to their parents. This is a new program created by PPD’s Community Affairs Bureau to help engage children in a different way to build relations with law enforcement for the future.
Justin Shelton, 24, Pineville — OWI 3rd, theft of motor vehicle, speeding, $100,100 bail;
Mark Trapp, 28, Ball— OWI 1st, open container, improper lane usage, 1:20 a.m., $1,200 bail.
December 20 Carl Bates Jr, 64, Pineville — OWI 2nd, operating vehicle under suspension for prior offense, unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test, no insurance, no registration, contempt 2 counts, 6:12 p.m., $5,300 bail.
Gregory Alvin Lloid January 10, 1958 — December 15, 2023 Service: Friday, December 22 at 10 AM with internment with military honors to follow at Coldwater Baptist Church Cemetery
Adam Ambrose Carmouche, Jr. August 12, 1957 – December 12, 2023 Service: Saturday, December 23, 2023, 11am at Second Union Missionary Baptist Church, Alexandria.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
Louisiana’s leadership is acutely aware of the critical crossroads at which our state stands today, particularly concerning environmental sustainability and economic development. At the heart of this moment is the advancement of new technologies in the energy sector, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and hydrogen — tools that are not only pivotal for bolstering our economy but for protecting and harnessing our state’s important natural resources.
Louisiana’s unique position, with its extensive industrial infrastructure and geological formations conducive to carbon storage, makes it an ideal candidate to lead the nation in the CCS sector. This technology, which involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from sources such as power plants and industrial facilities before they reach the atmosphere, is more than just an environmental safeguard; it’s a proven pathway to substantial economic benefits. By investing in CCS, we can create new jobs, sustain our traditional industries, and simultaneously transition them towards more sustainable practices.
The economic implications of CCS are vast. It’s estimated that the technology could create thousands of jobs, ranging from construction and engineering to ongoing facility operations. These are not just jobs but careers that offer long-term stability and growth. One company in my backyard, CLECO, is advancing with a $900 million investment to build a CCS facility in Central Louisiana. Thousands of constructions jobs are on track to be created, and permanent jobs too.
Moreover, CCS technology is integral to the development of blue hydrogen. When hydrogen is produced from natural gas and is paired with carbon capture, the process becomes nearly emission-free. This coupling represents an important step towards cleaner energy.
Louisiana sits at the crossroads of our political future. Our state’s application for Class VI well primacy, which is set to regulate the injection of carbon dioxide into deep underground wells for long-term storage, is poised to be approved by the EPA in the coming months. As the EPA’s leadership recently noted, “we expect to make a determination on the Louisiana application for primacy by the end of this year.”
The adoption of this regulatory framework will not only streamline the deployment of CCS projects in Louisiana but also ensure that we stay at the forefront of this industry. This regulatory update couldn’t have come at a better time. The recent election of Jeff Landry as our state’s next Governor presents an opportunity to position our state as an energy leader of the future through our focus on CCS.
The financial viability of advancing with these critical projects hinges on both our ability to secure primacy, and on the federal government’s guidance related to crucial 45V tax credits in the hydrogen space.
Now is the time for Louisiana to receive the permissions, and tax guidance, that we need to advance with these critical projects. As we stand on the brink of adopting Class VI well primacy, we must seize this opportunity to lead the nation in CCS deployment. The dual benefits of economic growth and environmental protection offered by CCS make it an indispensable strategy for Louisiana’s future. By embracing this technology, we can create a sustainable, prosperous future for our state where economic development and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Michael T. Johnson State Representative, District 27 2757 Hwy. 28 East Pineville, LA 71360 P: (318) 487-5377 E: hse027@legis.la.gov
Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect vehicle or suspects involved in the shooting that wounded two people on Nov. 21.
From the video, the suspect vehicle appears to be a grayish blue mid-sized four door sedan. Detectives recovered 27 shell casings from a 7.62X39 caliber weapon at the scene. Latent fingerprint results are still pending.
The male victim is still hospitalized in critical condition requiring round the clock medical care. The female victim was hospitalized for several days but has since been released.
If anyone has any information on the suspects or the vehicle, they are asked to contact Detective B. Fuller or Detective J. Burch at 318-473-6727 or Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867.
A salon that Mayberry’s Floyd would surely not recognize is apparently the first applicant for a new Pineville alcohol permit.
Mancave Cenla published notice Wednesday that it has applied to the state office of Alcohol & Tobacco Control to sell low- and high-alcohol beverages.
The men’s barber shop is located at 2965 U.S. 165, at its intersection with Cottingham Expressway.
The city’s new “E” class permit allows alcohol sales or service at non-traditional businesses such as barber shops, salons, jewelry stores and others that want to so entertain customers, either complimentary or by sale.
Such options are in place in many jurisdictions and, Mayor Rich Dupree told the City Council in November, had been requested by some Pineville enterprises.
Mancave Cenla is owned by Cobborama Investments LLC, which filed charter documents with the Secretary of State Office in February.
The LLC’s registered agent is Alisha Cobb; member/manager is Christopher Cobb.
The city has three other alcohol permit classes — A, B and R. Permitted sales became legal in February 2019.
Members of the Rapides Parish School Board’s Literacy Task Force recently donated books Monday to pediatric patients at Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
LSU football coach Brian Kelly announced a signing class with 26 high school seniors Wednesday after leaning on the transfer portal heavily in his first two seasons in Baton Rouge. (Photo by GUS STARK, LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE — In his first two recruiting classes, 29 of LSU head football coach Brian Kelly’s 69 signees were plucked from the transfer portal.
Kelly had no choice. He took over Ed Orgeron’s decimated program that had less than 40 scholarship players.
It’s why Kelly was proud to announce Wednesday on the first day of the Class of 2024 early signing that his third recruiting class features 26 high school signees and a junior college star. Fourteen of those players will enroll at LSU in January.
“You can see the shift in transition towards developing our players and allowing them to grow within our program,” Kelly said. “We had some young players who had to play this year, and there’s some growing pains that come along with that. But I’m committed to that growth and that kind of development. I think in the long run that proves to be the way to championships, continuity and consistencies in your program.”
LSU’s signing class consists of 11 offensive players, 15 on defense and one specialist. The class has 12 players who won a high school state championship, 12 who played on both sides of the ball, and 10 who were invited to play in the All-America All-Star Games.
Also, 23 of the signees are from Louisiana and Texas with the Tigers signing eight of Louisiana’s 10 highest-rated players .
LSU’s north Louisiana signees included Ruston defensive end Ahmad Breaux, Parkway placekicker Aeron Burrell, Natchitoches Central offensive lineman Joseph Cryer, Evangel Christian Academy defensive end Gabriel Reliford and Many inside linebacker Tylen Singleton.
“I believe that there is a loyalty and a sense of growing up in wanting to play for LSU,” Kelly said. “It’s clearly here in the state of Louisiana that young boys grow up to young men that want to play for LSU. I really believe that there’s that passion.”
247Sports composite recruiting rankings (high school and junior college signees only) place LSU at No. 11 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC.
The Tigers’ highest-ranked recruit, according to 247Sports and ESPN, is Zachary High’s tight end Trey’Dez Green. In his last two seasons, the 6-7, 226 pound Green had 98 catches for 1,824 yards and 23 TDs.
“He’s just starting to scratch the surface in terms of what he can do as a football player,” Kelly said of Green. “His jump from last year to this year of understanding the game and coming easy to him was probably as big as anyone that I’ve seen in one year. The things that he did from last year to this year were pretty remarkable.”
LSU’s defensive secondary woes this past season – mostly the result of failed and injured transfer portal signees – were addressed by signing four cornerbacks and two safeties.
One of the cornerbacks is Ju’Juan Johnson of Lafayette Christian Academy, who’s rated as a 4-star prospect and the nation’s No. 9 cornerback prospect in the On3 composite. Johnson is also the most productive high school quarterback in Louisiana prep history with state records of 14,451 total yards and 171 TDs.
“When you watch him play you say `he’s gonna play this position’,” Kelly said. “Then, you watch him play again and you say `Maybe he can play this position.’ Watch him again and you say `No, he can play this position.’
“He can play anywhere. He’s remarkable and he’s been fun to watch. He’s done some things historically that have never been done in the state of Louisiana.”
Another perceived trouble spot for LSU has been its defensive line. The Tigers’ top four defensive tackles – Mehki Wingo, Maason Smith, Jacobian Guillory and Jordan Jefferson – are all draft-eligible.
Kelly signed four high school defensive linemen as well as East Mississippi Community College defensive tackle Shone Washington. The 6-4, 304 pound Washington, a 2022 Georgia signee, was considered one of the best junior college D-line players in the nation.
“With Washington, we satisfied that piece (signing an experienced D-lineman) early on before the transfer portal even got busy,” Kelly said. “So, we used him as kind of the model. Like if somebody is of that caliber of a player or better, maybe we’d be interested.
“And we feel good about retention (of LSU’s current D-tackles). Both of those things factored into where we’re at with the defensive tackle position.”
Three transfer portal players – Mississippi State wide receiver kick returner Zavion Thomas, Texas A&M safety Jardin Gilbert and Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann – have previously announced they are transferring to LSU. Kelly is expected to confirm on Friday the Tigers’ transfer portal acquisitions.
Thomas, a 5-11, 190-pound product of Marrero (La.) John Ehret, had 40 catches for 507 yards and 1 TD this past season. In his two years as a return specialist, he returned 22 kickoffs for 297 yards and 1 TD and 29 punts for 365 yards and 1 TD.
The 6-1, 200-pound Gilbert a former Baton Rouge University High star, played in 25 games for Texas A&M over three seasons. He started in 10 games in 2022 and had 61 tackles and 2 interceptions. He missed almost all of this past season after undergoing shoulder surgery early in the year.
In his two seasons as a Commodore, the 6-2, 225-pound Swann had 12 starts and played in 15 games. He started in all six games he played this past season, passing for 1,457 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Tioga senior free safety Ja’Corian Norris was one of several standouts at the deepest position in the parish this season, making a parish-high nine interceptions and returning five of them for touchdowns. (Photo by BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports)
By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
A front four that could get after the passer and stuff the run, combining for more than 20 sacks and 50 tackles for loss.
A linebacker corps that averaged more than 100 tackles apiece.
A secondary that was so deep we had to take five who had a nose for both taking away the football and finding the end zone afterward.
Below are the 12 players selected as the top defensive stars for the 2023 football season along with the best of the rest on the inaugural Rapides Parish Journal All-Parish Football Team.
The team was selected by RPJ contributor Bret H. McCormick and CenlaPreps.com’s LaMar Gafford along with consultation with the parish’s coaches.
Defensive Line: Jeremiah Jeffers-Wright, Sr., ASH (6-2, 280) – The anchor in the middle of the Trojans’ defensive line, Jeffers-Wright was a District 2-5A first-team selection and finished with 70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks and 10 QB hurries.
Defensive Line: Zyrian Taylor, Sr., Peabody (6-0, 235) – A dominant presence on the Warhorses’ defensive line, Taylor was a District 2-4A first-team selection and made 68 tackles on the season, including 30 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
Defensive Line: Drake Aldredge, Sr., Menard (6-2, 220) – Menard’s second-best player, Aldredge was the anchor of the team’s defensive line. A very physical football player who was a District 4-2A first-team selection, Aldredge made 72 tackles with four sacks and 11 pass breakups.
Defensive Line: Elijah Nelson, Jr., ASH (6-0, 220) – Nelson was a standout defensive end who improved as the season went along, earning second-team all-district and finishing with 62 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, four QB hurries and one forced fumble.
Linebacker: Cooper Scott, Sr., Menard (6-2, 215) – A four-year starter and the leader of a stout Eagles’ defense, Scott earned the District 4-2A Defensive MVP and finished with 112 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and two defensive TDs. Scott also doubled as a part-time running back with 403 rushing yards and six TDs.
Linebacker: Omarion Ford, Sr., ASH (5-11, 185) – The Trojans’ leading tackler and biggest playmaker, Ford was a second-team all-district performer and finished the season with 113 tackles, including 85 solo, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, four QB hurries, one interception and two pass breakups.
Linebacker: Kaleb Andrus, Jr., Tioga (6-2, 215) – The Indians’ play-caller on defense and leading tackler, Andrus was a District 2-4A first-team selection after finishing the season with 95 total tackles, including 33 solo, and nine sacks.
Safety: Ja’Corian Norris, Sr., Tioga (6-1, 185) – By far the Indians’ most important and most talented player, Norris made 34 tackles with nine interceptions, including five returned for touchdowns, earning first-team all-district in District 2-4A. He also was a dangerous threat at receiver with 16 catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns, and was one of the top return men in the parish with four kickoffs returned for touchdowns, including a 99-yard return against Neville.
Safety: Jason Blackwell, Sr., ASH (5-10, 150) – The heart and soul of the ASH defense, the Trojans’ free safety battled injuries all season but still was a first-team all-district selection in District 2-5A and finished with 76 tackles, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one interception returned for a TD.
Safety: Jacob Miranda, Jr., Pineville (6-1, 190) – The Rebels’ best player on either side of the ball, Miranda finished the year with 59 tackles, four fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception and two defensive touchdowns while earning second-team all-district.
Cornerback: Amyrion Mingo, Sr., ASH (5-11, 170) – Mingo began the season at receiver but flipped to cornerback early on as the Trojans’ tried to shore up their biggest weakness. He finished the season with 27 tackles, a team-leading three interceptions and 11 pass breakups while earning first-team all-district in District 2-5A. Mingo still caught 19 passes for 204 yards and four TDs in limited offensive action.
Cornerback: Max Kadrmas, Sr., Tioga (5-11, 180) – A legitimate track star, Kadrmas was the fastest player on Tioga’s team and stood out as the team’s top cornerback. He earned first-team all-district in District 2-4A and finished the season with 38 tackles and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
