By JIM BUTLER

Brothers sometimes argue. Fortunately they usually work it out without violence. Such wasn’t the case Wednesday afternoon in Pineville.

Police responding to a shots fired call in the 200 block of Lee Street (between Lakeview and Sanders Streets) found Jacquez Burks, 20, wounded.

He later died at a hospital.

According to police “Quez” and half-brother Steven Bush, 18, were arguing when Bush shot him.

Investigators did not release information regarding the subject of the dispute.

Bush is charged with Murder 2 and evidence tampering with bail set at $1,025,000.

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

LAS VEGAS – Twenty-one years ago, 42-year-old Brian Kelly was busy coaching Grand Valley State to the second of back-to-back NCAA Division 2 national championships.

Twenty-one years ago, Lincoln Riley was a 20-year-old Texas Tech walk-on quarterback from Muleshoe, Texas. He was quickly converted by then-head coach Mike Leach into a student assistant working with the offense.

Twenty-one years ago after LSU beat Oklahoma in the BCS national championship game and USC conquered Michigan in the Rose Bowl, LSU and USC split the national title by finishing No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches and the Associated Press polls respectively.

Twenty-one years later here on Sunday afternoon before an Allegiant Stadium sellout crowd boosted by approximately 30,000 hard-partying LSU fans who began filtering in town on Thursday, the Tigers and the Trojans meet in the de facto 2003 national title tiebreaker matchup in the season-opening Modelo Vegas Classic.

The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff (4:30 in Las Vegas) and is nationally on ABC as the only televised college game of the day. LSU is a 4½-point favorite.

“You’ve got teams that shared a national championship, two elite programs coming together,” third-year LSU head coach Kelly said. “That’s the reason we wanted this matchup.”

Even though third-year USC head coach Riley was beating his chest earlier this week about the matchup between the 13th-ranked Tigers and 23rd-ranked Trojans – “If you don’t crave that (a challenge), then this ain’t the game for you and USC ain’t the place for you,” he said – Riley tried for two years to get out of the contract to play the Tigers.

Multiple-sourced media reports said since Riley and Kelly both have Trace Armstrong as their agent, Riley asked Armstrong for help changing Kelly’s mind.

USC’s administration offered LSU possible replacement opponents. Tigers’ athletic director Scott Woodward didn’t budge.

Since the contract was signed in August 2021, musical chair conference alignments have re-designed the college football landscape starting this season.

The SEC expanded to 16 teams adding Texas and Oklahoma and the Pac 12 imploded scattering members to several conferences, including USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon to the Big Ten (which has 18 members).

“We were too far down the line to make any (schedule) changes in this opener,” Kelly said. “Even given the (conference realignment) changes, it’s still an appealing opener.”

Especially because LSU and USC circa 2024 are two peas in a pod.

Both are replacing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks (2023 winner Jayden Daniels of LSU, 2022 winner Caleb Williams of USC) with Garrett Nussmeier and Miller Moss respectively who were named Most Valuable Player after starting and leading their teams to bowl wins (ReliaQuest for LSU, Holiday for USC) in the last post-season.

“I’m not a finished product yet, we’re not a finished product yet,” said Nussmeier, a 6-1, 200-pound redshirt junior who has patiently waited his turn and paid his dues to earn the permanent starting job. “Hopefully, I’m better in December than I am right now.”

Moss, a 6-2, 205-pound redshirt junior, followed Nussmeier’s career path of being a backup for the last two seasons. Riley waited until Aug. 20 to name Moss as the starting QB vs. LSU.

“It’s a good positive first step,” Moss said. “Now, it’s about going out and winning football games.”

And after LSU and USC finished 105th and 116th in total defense last season among 130 FB teams, Kelly and Riley made drastic changes.

Kelly fired the Tigers’ entire defensive staff and spent $16.11 million on new hires, including coordinator Blake Baker from Missouri. Riley fired all but one defensive assistant and went across town to hire UCLA’s D’Anton Lynn as coordinator.

Baker and Lynn have similar philosophies of showing different alignments to confuse offenses yet simplifying assignments to play fast and not overload defenders with too much information.

The new D-coordinators have quickly had their players buy into their systems.

“Coach Baker has a spectacular mind,” LSU pre-season first-team All-American linebacker Harold Perkins said. “He always brings something fresh to the table.”

USC linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, an Oregon State transfer, has similar confidence in Lynn.

“In his one year at UCLA, he (Lynn) made them one of the best defenses in the country,” Mascarenas-Arnold said. “I expect nothing less for us.” 

GO FIGURE 

3-3: LSU’s record in Sunday night games 

5: Heisman Trophy-winning running backs for USC 

7: Straight 10-win seasons for Brian Kelly 

8-3: Brian Kelly’s record vs. USC 

10: Starters on USC’s defense who are transfers 

18: States in which LSU has opened football seasons 

23: Times in last 24 years LSU is ranked in preseason top 25

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

Arrests are accusations not convictions.

August 22

April Coffey, 43, Boone, NC — OWI 1st, reckless operation, 7:12 pm, $810 bail. 

August 23

Charles Goss, 57, Bossier City — OWI, improper lane, expired plate/registration, no insurance, windshield required, 1:01 am, $900 bail. 

August 24

Joshua Fontenot, 47, Longville — OWI 1st, 12:53 am, $1,000 bail. 

August 25

Paul Bernard, 24, Deville — OWI, 7:23 am, $500 bail;

Jasmine Sheppard, 33, Sugarland, TX — OWI 1st, improper lane, suspension: revocation, obstruction court orders, possession, contempt 5 counts, 2:54 am, $10,300 bail.

Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

August 28 

Weapons

Steven Bush, 17, Pineville — murder 2nd degree, obstruction evidence tampering, $1,025,000 bail; 

Other 

LeeAnne Bruce, 45, Clayton — fugitive, contempt, $5,000 bail;

Kevin McKinney, 40, Colfax — criminal conspiracy, burglary 2 counts, theft, $4,000 bail;

Derek Robinson, 58, Alexandria — aggravated domestic abuse battery child present, domestic abuse battery 2nd degree, $2,000 bail;

Serena Robinson, 49, Alexandria — domestic abuse battery child present, domestic abuse battery 2nd degree, $2,000 bail.  

This date: 30 arrests, 11 including one or more contempt counts. 

Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

August 28

Charles Billops, 39, Alexandria — possession, contempt, $3,500 bail;

Joey Kimberlin, 54, Pineville — possession, probation violation, $2,500 bail;

Yance May, 38, Tickfaw — possession, OWI 1st, negligent injury vehicular 4 counts, obstruction tampering, child desertion, operating under suspension, improper lane, 12:35 pm, $82,100;

Yolanda Royal, 48, Pineville — possession, resisting, running stop sign, contempt, $6,100 bail;

Jasmine Sanders, 23, Alexandria — possession, cruelty to juvenile 2nd degree, $10,500 bail;

Angie Strong, 62, Alexandria — possession, paraphernalia, probation violation, $3,000 bail. 

Your chance to Win $100.00… CLICK HERE TO PLAY

Starting this week, the Rapides Parish Journal (RPJ) is proud to host the Red River Bank High School Football Pick’em Contest.

It’s easy … follow the link, pick the winners and track the teams scores. Each weekly winner over the life of the contest will be on the receiving end of $100 and will have their photo taken and featured in the Rapides Parish Journal as our weekly winner.

Anyone 18 and older is eligible to participate. All it takes is an email address and a combination of skill and a little luck.  Readers are eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $100 cash prize.  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of the predetermined 10 High School Football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests). There will be only ONE winner per week.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Rapides Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning at 6:55 a.m. It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.

All contest decisions by RPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Mondays.

So prepare to fire up your phones, notebooks or computers and let the pick ’em begin.

By JIM BUTLER 

Chris Osteen could well be out of jail by the time this is read. 

He was booked Tuesday for alleged unauthorized entry of a place of business. Bail was set at $25,000. 

Osteen, 41, of Alexandria was out on $20,000 bond from a July 27 arrest on an armed robbery charge when nabbed this week. 

He had posted bond in the armed robbery case two days after arrest. 

He bonded out after four other arrests this year in 12 hours of less: 

July 14, resisting, contempt, $2,500, two hours; May 6, burglary, motor vehicle theft, $20,000, three hours; February 27, criminal trespass (11 pm), $500, two hours; February 27, remaining after forbidden (1:20 am), $250, 12 hours. 

Osteen was also in custody 12 hours after an October 2023 booking on allegations of criminal trespass, unauthorized entry of an occupied dwelling and resisting. Bail was $3,500. 

More time was required to make bail after a November 2022 arrest on possession, aggravated battery 2nd degree and resisting charges. 

Bail set at $557,599 had Osteen in custody five days. 

Two arrests on contempt charges required six hours or fewer in May and February 2022. 

Records are not immediately available on when he posted $21,500 bail set for a February 2021 arrest or outcome of the case. 

Osteen was charged then with manufacturing/possessing a delayed incendiary device, trespassing and disturbing the peace. 

Officers called to a Sunday morning disturbance at a Jackson Street convenience store discovered the alleged device in Osteen’s vehicle.

By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine

I believe every year you can watch high school games like I do and find an athletic FB/TE/HB who can play at the next level because of hard work, strength, good hands, good feet, and a high football IQ and there’s a local player who fits the profile — Ryan Reeves, Class of 2025, Tioga High School.

Ryan is a true fullback for an FBS program as a walk on, who might fit at the FCS level as a starter at some point. In Division II or Division III, he could be a starter Day 1 at fullback or halfback.

Here’s a kid who goes 6-0, 210 pounds and will get heavier in college and even stronger. Reeves benches 315 pounds and squats 450 in the weight room.

He will also have an option to also play college baseball. Reeves is a captain of the football team and captain of the baseball team. He is a second-generation player for Tioga — his dad played baseball and football for four years, was a two-time All State baseball player and played for Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian).

Ryan has a 3.7 GPA with an ACT score of 22. He has a level head on his shoulders.

“Being a dual sport athlete has strengthened me both physically and mentally, allowing me to blend skills and leadership qualities from one sport into another,” he said. “Learning from multiple coaches has helped me better utilize skills and training in both sports.

“As a captain in both baseball and football, I’ve learned the power of team dynamics and the importance of leadership on and off the field.

“I strive to honor and glorify God, because I know every opportunity is a blessing. My strength and perseverance on the field are gifts that I believe are meant to reflect His grace and goodness, and I hope it shines throughout my teammates.”

Tioga offensive coordinator John Landry has nothing but praise for Reeves.

“Ryan is a great young man and a joy to coach. He is a physical player with good size and speed, 4.7 in the 40-yard dash. He is a smart football player that understands the game.

“We are able to use him in multiple ways all over the field. Ryan plays TE and HB for us. He blocks really well and has great hands. He had a nine-reception game for 124 yards and two touchdowns last season even though he missed five  games due to an injury. We look forward to getting him more involved and expanding his role in the passing game this year,” said Landry.

It’s players like Reeves who are the “glue guys” who make team dynamics work out so well. And they are fairly easy to spot on Friday nights. Team captains are that way. That distinction isn’t given randomly – it is earned.

I think he will have a very good senior season and will get a chance to compete as a college athlete in one sport — or maybe two, if he finds the right college and wants to give that a try.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on X @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

I didn’t need an alarm clock to wake up Monday morning.

Instead, there was Skippy the Wonder Bichon standing on my chest while I pried open my eyes.

“Today’s THE day,” the Skipper gleefully announced.

“You mean this is the day you actually obey me?” I replied.

“It’s GAME WEEK, baby, the start of our college football picks,” Skip said. “You, the self-proclaimed Mad Dog and your alleged 44 previous years of experience vs. me and my ambidextrous whizzing ability.

“I’ve been training for this the entire off-season. Yoga for hind leg flexibility. I spent a week with the state police K-9 drug dog unit learning to elevate my sniffing to the next level.”

Yes finally, the Skipperoo makes his official Journal college football picks debut. He follows my 25-year tradition of previous Higgins Wonder Bichons Sophie and Buddy 1 who were canine college football-predicting trailblazers.

Here’s Skippy’s picking method as established by his predecessors:

On his daily morning walks when he marks the entire neighborhood relieving himself, a left leg lift means Skip is picking the visiting team in a matchup. A right leg lift means he’s choosing the home team.

If the game is played at a neutral site, the team whose school is located closest to the game site will be the designated home team.

Here we go with Week 1 of the 2024 season: 

No. 13 LSU vs. No. 23 USC, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. (ABC) 

Betting line: LSU favored by 4½ points 

The skinny: Tigers’ head coach Brian Kelly spent $16.11 million signing a completely new defensive staff. With LSU losing four straight season openers (the last two under Kelly), he and Tigers’ fans want an immediate return on investment vs. the Trojans. The key matchup for the weekend will be Las Vegas police vs. some of the expected 30,000 LSU fans invading Sin City trying to swim the Bellagio fountain to cool themselves in the 105-degree heat. 

Mad Dog’s pick: Nuss Bus Ti-gahs 31, Surfer Dudes 27 

Skippy’s pick: LSU 

No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Saturday, 11 a.m. (ABC) 

Betting line: Georgia favored by 13½ 

The skinny: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is not keen on buying players from the transfer portal. Georgia has so much money for NIL deals that it probably has a separate account to pay for the 300 or more driving-related traffic offenses by Kirby Smart’s players in his nine years as head coach. 

Mad Dog’s pick: Kirby’s NASCAR All-Stars 35, Dabo’s Principles 13 

Skippy’s pick: Georgia 

No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M, Kyle Field, College Station, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (ABC) 

Betting line: A&M favored by 3 

The skinny: What more could you ask for in a season opener? A mascot in a leprechaun suit vs. an all-male cheerleading squad dressed like mental hospital attendants. Definite culture-clash. 

Mad Dog’s pick: Four-Leaf Clover Pickers 31, Gig’ Em Ags 23

Skippy’s pick: Texas A&M

No. 19 Miami (Fla.) at Florida, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)

Betting line: Miami favored by 2½ 

The skinny: Florida needs to win its games on the front end of its schedule because the Gators’ last four games are against preseason No. 1 Georgia, No. 4 Texas, No. 12 LSU and No. 10 Florida State. Somebody in the SEC office doesn’t like Florida head coach Billy Napier. 

Mad Dog’s pick: Hot Seat Billy 24, Miami Vice 20 

Skippy’s pick: Miami 

Western Kentucky at No. 5 Alabama, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Saturday, 6 p.m. (ESPN) 

Betting line: Alabama favored by 32 

The skinny: First-year Alabama head coach Kalen Deboer’s predecessor Nick Saban was 17-0 in season openers (7-0 vs. ranked teams) with an average victory margin of 31.7. Alabama has won 22 straight openers. Welcome to the pressure cooker, Kalen. 

Mad Dog’s pick: Nicktatorless Tide 38, Western Kain-tuck 3 

Skippy’s pick: Alabama 

In other games: 

Colorado State at No. 4 Texas, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) 

Betting line: Texas favored by 32 

Mad Dog’s pick: Spies of Texas Are Upon You 49, Rocky Mountain (No) Way 0 

Skippy’s pick: Texas 

Nicholls at Louisiana Tech, Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPN+) 

Betting line: Louisiana Tech favored by 8½ 

Mad Dog’s pick: Teddy Alllllen Techsters 30, Wooden Nicholls 17 

Skippy’s pick: Louisiana Tech 

Grambling at UL-Lafayette, Cajun Field, Lafayette, Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPN+) 

Betting line: ULL favored by 33½ 

Mad Dog’s pick: Perturbed Cajuns 41, G-Men 14 

Skippy’s pick: UL-Lafayette 

Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt, FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Saturday, 11 a.m. (ESPN) 

Betting line: Virginia Tech favored by 13½ 

Mad Dog’s pick: Hokie-Pokies 35, Comicaldores 24 

Skippy’s pick: Virginia Tech 

Southern Miss at Kentucky, Kroger Field, Lexington, Saturday, 6:45 p.m. (SEC Network) 

Betting line: Kentucky favored by 28 

Mad Dog’s pick: Crazy Kitties 37, Southern Missed 17 

Skippy’s pick: Kentucky

Contact Ron and Skippy at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Sports Information Director

TULSA, Oklahoma – When kickoff arrives for Northwestern State’s 2024 season opener at Tulsa, it will mark nine months to the day since first-year head coach Blaine McCorkle stood in the Stroud Room and introduced himself to the Demon fan base.

It took much longer than nine months for McCorkle to ascend to his current position – a journey that hits another milepost at 7 p.m. tonight when the Demons begin their 117^th season of football at Tulsa on ESPN+.

“I’ll have my emotions on game day and be excited for it, because nine months ago, we were standing in this room when I took this job,” McCorkle said. “I mentioned this has been a 26-year journey for me to get to a Division I program in the state of Louisiana, and here we are. I’m very thankful and grateful for that. It will be special, but we came here for these kids.

“To see them go out and play and do what they came here to do, I’ll be more excited for that. I’ve had my day and done that. It’s their turn, and I’m blessed to be the one to lead them out there.”

The matchup is the second all-time meeting between Northwestern and Tulsa – the first in 41 years. For the current Demon roster, it stands as the first time it hits the field since Oct. 19, 2023.

The Demons, to a man, are more than ready to see a different opponent across the line.

“We’re very eager,” junior linebacker Cadillac Rhone said. “It was a long offseason – a lot of weight training sessions and running, spring practice and fall camp. We’ve been hitting each other a long time. We definitely are eager to face somebody else.”

McCorkle’s addition – and that of most of his staff – isn’t the only change within the program.

Rhone, a Many High School product who led the Football Championship Subdivision in forced fumbles at 0.5 per game, has moved to linebacker in new defensive coordinator Matt Conner’s system.

That also includes a roster that is nearly split down the middle in terms of returning players and newcomers.

The Demons open the McCorkle era by facing a Tulsa team that enters its second season under head coach Kevin Wilson after posting a 4-8 mark in 2023.

“They are very similar to us but at a different level,” McCorkle said. “They have a pile of new players themselves. You look at the two-deep and the film and you can pick out a few guys who you know are going to be there, but the majority of their team will be a guessing game.

“They are doing it at the FBS level, and we’re at the FCS level. It’s a little different animal we’re dealing with. Like coach Conner says, they’re not going to eat us, so let’s play ball.”

For the Demons’ group of seniors, playing ball again has been a long time coming.

Now that it has arrived, the plan for the 12 regular-season games on the schedule is simple.

“I’m soaking in every moment we have right now,” tight end Chance Newman said. “I’m going to go out and enjoy every bit of it. That’s the goal for me – go out, have fun, be physical and try to get this win. If we can go out and execute, we’ll put ourselves in position to play a good football game and build confidence for these guys.”

Contact Jason at pughj@nsula.edu

Let’s say you have a 40-acre tract of forested property and you want your land to be more attractive to deer, turkeys and other wildlife. What can you do to make that happen?

Burn it. Say what? You’ve nurtured this tract for a long time so why would you want to set fire to it? On the surface, that doesn’t sound like it makes any sense but when done properly and under the guidance of people who know what they’re doing it’s maybe the best tool at your disposal to convert a standing tract of timber into something that attracts wildlife.

Jesse Davis is President of the Piney Hills Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) and this organization stays busy helping property owners improve their habitat by utilizing a prescribed, or controlled, burn.

“When done properly,” said Davis, “prescribed fire is the cheapest and most effective way to improve your habitat. Removing undesirable brush and ground litter exposes grasses and forbs and seeds that would otherwise never sprout. A prescribed fire removes things that wildlife never eat.”

When fire goes through a piece of property, how long does it take before wildlife can began using it?

“We’ve seen wild turkeys come to a fresh burn before the smoke even clears. They start finding things like acorns that become exposed when the brush and duff is removed,” Davis added.

When a fire goes through such areas, he noted that lots of native seeds and grasses that have laid dormant begin sprouting once sunlight begins to penetrate the forest floor. When desirable things begin to replace those that wildlife won’t eat, deer and turkeys are quickly attracted to the area.

When is a good time to run a controlled fire through a piece of property?

“Almost anytime is a good time but especially after a timber thinning or any time like after a storm causes damages that ground becomes exposed to sunlight,” Davis said.

What are some precautions that must be taken into account before planning a prescribed burn?

“The first thing that must be done is to have adequate fire breaks that will stop fire from going where you don’t want it to go. Wind direction and velocity is also important. It is also important to consider neighboring property and which direction smoke will travel. You especially don’t want to send smoke over neighbors, especially those with health problems,” Davis added.

Other than deer and turkeys, do other species of wildlife benefit from a prescribed burn?

“There are no wild creatures that won’t benefit from a prescribed burn. Birds and squirrels benefit as often, den trees are left for nesting as well as having foods they prefer begin growing,” said Davis.

Are you interested in learning more about prescribed burning on your property and if it might benefit you? There is a meeting scheduled for September 12 at 6:00 at the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office where anyone interested in this method of property management is invited to attend.

“We invite anyone who has an interest in what prescribed burning is all about,” Davis said, “and we want more people to realize just what a controlled fire can do to enhance what you already have.”

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

August 27

Demond Anders, 20, Baton Rouge — fugitive 2 counts, burglary, $10,000 bail;

Xzorian Fields, 20, Pineville — battery 2nd degree, contempt 2 counts, $65,000 bail;

Yolanda Jenkins, 48, Alexandria — theft, criminal trespass, failure to appear, contempt 15 counts, $111,500 bail;

Chris Osteen, 41, Alexandria — unauthorized entry place of business, $25,000 bail;

Jennifer Rives, 52, Clinton, MS — possession/sell firearm with obliterated serial number second or subsequent offense, firearm with drugs, disturbing peace, battery, $3,000 bail.  

This date: 23 arrests, 9 including one or more contempt counts. 

Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

August 27

Christopher Frederick, 39, Alexandria — possession with intent 4 counts, illegal carrying dangerous weapon, paraphernalia, contempt, $102,500 bail;

Robert Leyva Jr., 38, Pineville — possession, improper bicycle operation, $1,100 bail;

Nichole Martin, 23, Mustang, OK — possession, firearm with drugs, paraphernalia, OWI 1st, failure to yield, no driver’s license, 4:26 pm, $3,600 bail;

Shawn Tyler, 34, Boyce — possession 2 counts, obstruction evidence tampering, aggravated assault, probation violation, fugitive, $3,000 bail.