By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – After being placed in concussion protocol for the vicious fourth-quarter helmet-to helmet blow that knocked him out of last Saturday’s 42-28 loss at Alabama, LSU starting quarterback Jayden Daniels is listed as day-to-day for Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. SEC home game vs. Florida.

“I can tell you he has made some progress,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said at his Monday press briefing. “But this is a process that we’ll just have to see how it plays out from day to day.”

So, it’s likely when the Tigers return to the practice field on Tuesday, backup sophomore redshirt Garrett Nussmeier will be taking many snaps with the first-team offense.

After Daniels was removed from the Alabama game with 12:54 left to play when he was leveled by Tide linebacker Dallas Turner, Nussmeier ran LSU’s last 10 plays spread over two series. He finished 5 of 10 for 53 passing yards.

“Garrett really knows there’s some things that he’s got to work on during the week,” Kelly said. “It will be more of a focused working kind of situation for him and he’s one snap away from getting in the game.”

The 6-2, 205-pound Nussmeier has played in five games this season, completing 17 of 33 passes for 196 yards and 1 TD. For his Tigers’ career, he’s played in 16 games and completed 98 of 174 for 1,324 yards, 5 TDs and 1 interception.

Last season as Daniels’ backup, Nussmeier appeared in seven games and completed 52-of-84 passes for 800 yards, 5 TDs and 4 interceptions.

In his final two games vs. Georgia in the SEC championship game and vs. Purdue in the Citrus Bowl, he came off the bench and completed a combined 26 of 42 for 467 passing yards, 4 TDs and 2 interceptions.

His 294 passing yards in the second half against Georgia is an LSU record for passing yards in a half.

“We all believe in him for sure,” LSU running back Josh Willams said of Nussmeier after the loss at Alabama.

The Tigers (6-3, 4-2 SEC West), who slipped No. 18 and 19 respectively in the AP and Coaches polls, have to reset their season goals since hopes of winning the West Division have evaporated.

“If we want to be elite, we have to be consistent,” Kelly said. “We won 10 games last year. You need to win again, and that’s in front of you. You have an opportunity to win 10 games again this season.

“If you want to start closing the gap towards being elite, then back-to-back 10-win seasons start to do that. It’s a challenge to our football team in terms of how you want this program to continue to grow.”

KNOW THE ENEMY

No. 18 LSU (6-2 overall, 4-1 in SEC West) vs. Florida (5-4, 3-3 SEC East), Tiger Stadium, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Last game for Florida: Lost at home last Saturday vs. Arkansas, 39-36 in overtime. The Gators couldn’t stop Hogs’ QB KJ Jefferson, who threw for 255 yards and 2 TDs (including the game-winner) and ran for 82 yards. Florida placekicker Trey Smack missed a game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired in regulation.

Series record and last meeting: The series is even 33-33-3. Last season in Gainesville, LSU won 45-35. Tigers’ QB Jayden Daniels exploded for 393 total offense yards and six TDs. He threw for 349 yards and three TDs and ran for 44 yards and three TDs.

Florida head coach: Billy Napier (51-23 in five seasons overall, 11-11 in his second season at Florida)

THIS AND THAT:

Early betting line: LSU is favored by 13½ points

Number of Louisiana natives on Florida roster: 6

Number of Florida natives on LSU roster: 7

Number of transfers on Florida roster from 4-year schools: 22 players from 18 schools including 10 players from eight Power 5 conference schools

FLORIDA PLAYERS TO WATCH  

OFFENSE  QB Graham Mertz (221 of 299 for 2,409 passing yards, 17 TDs, 2 interceptions), RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (555 rushing yards, 4 TDs on 106 carries), RB Trevor Etienne (529 rushing yards, 4 TDs on 88 carries), WR Ricky Pearsall (55 catches for 773 receiving yards, 3 TDs), DEFENSE JACK LB Princely Umanmielen (24 tackles, 8 TFLs, 5 sacks, 9 QB hurries), LB Scooby Williams (41 tackles, 3½ TFL, 1½ sacks, 4 QB hurries), SPECIAL TEAMS PK/KO Trey Smack (14 of 16 field goals, 17 of 17 extra points, 54 kickoffs for 63.1 ypko, 43 touchbacks, 1 out of bounds), P Jeremy Crenshaw (30 for 48.47 avg., 4 touchbacks, 8 fair catches, 9 inside 20-yard line, 16 50 yards or more), PR Ricky Pearsall 11 for 126 yards), KR Travis Etienne (7 for 175 yards)

POP QUIZ

1. Who holds the Florida record for most 100-yard rushing games in a career?

         A. Fred Taylor

         B. Errict Rhett

         C. Emmitt Smith

         D. Tim Tebow

2. What was the significance of Florida’s 20-6 1964 win over LSU in Tiger Stadium?

         A. It was played as the last game of the regular season, moved to December after it was canceled in October when Hurricane Hilda hit south Louisiana

        B. Florida’s starting QB was future Heisman Trophy winner and future Gators coaching legend Steve Spurrier

        C. LSU was No. 7 nationally entering the game

        D. All of the above

3. Who are Florida’s three Heisman Trophy winners?

        A. Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Emmitt Smith

        B. Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Tebow

        C. Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Shane Matthews

        D. Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow Jr., Tim Tebow III

ANSWERS: 1. C 2. D 3. B.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia.com

Rapides felony bookings are accusations, not convictions.

November 5

Roberto Soto, 40, Alexandria — aggravated domestic abuse battery with child present, contempt, $500 bail;

Scott Vanlangedonck, 52, Alexandria — hit and run, improper lane usage, violation fire marshal’s order, contempt, $11,100 bail.

Rapides felony drug bookings are accusations, not convictions.

November 5
Delmarcus Brisco, 38, Alexandria — possession, contempt, $2,000.

By JIM BUTLER

In Ladarius Hicks’s alleged line of work, debt collection can be serious business.

Hicks was booked Thursday on four counts of attempted 2nd murder after being sought since October 20.

That day four people were injured when Hicks, 26, allegedly shot them in a confrontation on Kelly Street. L’Darius Taylor, 42, is also wanted in the case.

Hicks is being held under $1.6 million bail. Charges also include probation violation and contempt.

At the time of the shooting Hicks was out on bail on two arrests earlier this year.

On January 11 he was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, fentanyl/carfentanyl, CDS II, CDS III, counterfeit CDS IV, and cocaine, possession of firearm by convicted felon and illegal carrying firearm with drugs.

He posted $125,000 bail two days later.

Then on January 24 Hicks was booked on charges of possession with intent to distribute CDS I, II (three counts), CDS III and IV, possession of CDS V and paraphernalia.

Bail in that case was set at $77,000. He posted and was released on January 31.

On March 9 last year Hicks was jailed on charges of possession with intent of CDS II 28 or more grams three counts, heroin and CDS IV and possession of legend drugs without prescription.

That bail was fixed at $125,700. He posted on March 10.

By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

Six of the eight Rapides Parish football schools made the postseason brackets released Sunday morning by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

Tioga, Alexandria Senior High and Pineville all landed spots in the 24-team Division I Select bracket. Peabody and Buckeye are among the 24 schools in the Division II Select postseason, and Menard made the Division III Select playoffs.

Tioga (8-2) earned the highest seed among parish teams at No. 10 in Division I Select and is one of four Rapides Parish teams who will host a first-round playoff game along with No. 13 ASH in Division I, No. 14 Peabody in Division II and No. 15 Menard in Division III.

The Indians, whose only losses were to Jena and Neville, two teams that earned top-two playoff seeds, will host No. 23 L.W. Higgins (3-7) out of Marrero.

Offensively, the running back duo of junior Travis Adams (658 yards, 10 TDs) and sophomore Kenny Ponthier (344 yards, 5 TDs) lead the Indians along with senior receiver Josh Loyd (31-319, 6 TDs), who had a career game in the Week 10 win over Grant.

“We’re not putting anything new in,” Tioga coach Kevin Cook said. “We’re not doing anything new.”

ASH (6-4) brings a battle-tested team into the postseason as the four teams that beat the Trojans during the regular season finished with a combined record of 36-4. The Trojans face No. 20 Bonnabel (4-6).

The Trojans feature a balanced offensive attack that is nearly 50-50 in the number of passing plays and running plays.

Senior quarterback Ty Feaster has thrown for 1,783 yards and 24 touchdowns, and junior JT Lindsey has 1,187 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Senior EJ Scott is ASH’s leading receiver with 42 catches for 613 yards and eight TDs.

“We’re excited about what’s in front of us and the challenges,” ASH coach Thomas Bachman said. “I think that’s why you’re in – go measure yourself against the best and see how you stack up.”

Pineville (2-8), meanwhile, got the final spot in the Division I Select playoff bracket and will travel to No. 9 Carencro (8-2).

The Bears, led by sophomore quarterback Chantz Babineaux, beat ASH 48-26 to start the season and reeled off eight consecutive victories before losing the district championship to Acadiana (27-26) and a non-district contest against Shaw (57-50) the past two weeks.

The Rebels have struggled with efficiency in the passing game but have seen the emergence of sophomore tailbacks Ayden Tate (703 yards, 5 TDs) and Hy’keem Mix (169 yards, 2 TDs).

“We are looking for success this week, but we’re also looking for a springboard into what’s next,” Pineville coach Bryant Bell said.

Peabody (6-4) joins District 2-4A rival Tioga in the playoffs, but the Warhorses are in a different bracket as they received the 14th seed in the Division II Select playoffs.

The Warhorses head into the playoffs following consecutive losses to Tioga and Franklin Parish, but second-year coach Harry Coleman said he is confident in his team.

“We gotta just reset,” Coleman said about the two-game losing streak. “Everybody going into the playoffs, no matter where you’re playing at, is 0-0. We would have loved to have either a bye or a higher seed, but we can’t harp on that.”

The Warhorses will host No. 18 Booker T. Washington of New Orleans (4-6) in their first home playoff game since 2019.

While Peabody is at home this week, No. 18 seed Buckeye (5-5) will travel to New Orleans to face 15th-seeded De La Salle (4-6) – a team that finished as state runner-up in 2020 and 2021 before losing in the quarterfinals last season.

The Panthers bring an uptempo, spread offense led by junior quarterback Adam Brodnax, junior tailback Jim Burlew and junior receiver Haidyn Boone – all three among the top producers at their positions in the parish.

Brodnax has passed for 1,917 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. Boone has been his favorite target with 50 receptions for 925 yards and 11 TDs. Burlew, meanwhile, has been the top running back in the parish with 1,546 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns.

Buckeye coach Ben McLaughlin said the Panthers met one of their goals to make the playoffs, and even though they are facing a team with a strong recent tradition, they will put forth their best effort.

“We’re going to put the best game plan we can to go exploit as many things as we can,” McLaughlin said. “As coaches you have one job and that’s to put the kids in the best position they can to make plays, and then they have to go make plays.”

Menard (7-3) received the No. 15 seed in Division III Select and will host 18th-seeded Houma Christian (7-3).

The Eagles have ridden their stout defense all season, led by senior linebacker Cooper Scott and senior defensive end Drake Aldredge.

Menard also features a run-heavy offense that includes sophomore quarterback Jake Vaughn, sophomore running back Aidyn Moran and seniors Cooper Scott and Gavin Hilton, who have combined to score 13 rushing TDs on the season.

“We want to grind it out on offense and kinda shorten the game up,” Menard coach David Perkins said. “We like to run the clock, play tough defense and use our special teams.”

First-round matchups involving Rapides Parish teams in the LHSAA football playoff brackets released Sunday:

Select Division I

20-Bonnabel (4-6) at 13-Alexandria Senior High (6-4)

23-Higgins (3-7) at 10-Tioga (8-2)

24-Pineville (2-8) at 9-Carencro (8-2)

Select Division II

19-Booker T. Washington-New Orleans (4-6) at 14-Peabody (6-4)

18-Buckeye (5-5) at 15-De La Salle (4-6)

Select Division III

18-Houma Christian (7-3) at 15-Menard (7-3)

Not advancing (power ranking, school)

Select Division II

29- Bolton

Select Division IV

29-Northwood-Lena

Playoff history

ASH – 32nd appearance, 9th straight

Tioga – 25th appearance, 9th straight

Pineville – 28th appearance, last was 2020

Peabody – 16th appearance, 2nd straight

Buckeye – 17th appearance, last was 2017

Menard – 38th appearance, 15th straight

Research by Lee Hiller, Journal Sports

By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

Tioga needed a victory Thursday night and a lot of help to clinch a first-round bye in the Division I Select playoffs.

The Indians handled what they could control in emphatic fashion with a 46-6 road victory against Grant as sophomore quarterback Cace Malone passed for four touchdowns and ran for two more in his most efficient game of the season. 

Tioga (8-2, 3-1 District 2-4A) was stopped inside the 1-yard line on its first drive, but the Indian offense was in total control after. Following a three-and-out forced by the defense, Tioga scored the first of its seven touchdowns when Malone kept for a 4-yard touchdown.

Leading 6-0 after the first quarter, Malone connected with Josh Loyd for a 7-yard touchdown and then found Christian Iles for a 21-yard score as the Indians took a 19-0 halftime lead. 

Kenny Ponthier’s 3-yard touchdown run was followed by another TD pass from Malone to Loyd, this one from 16 yards out on the final play of the third quarter to give the Indians a 33-0 lead. Max Kadrmas set up the second Malone-to-Loyd score with an interception and a big return near the red zone. 

In the fourth quarter, Malone found a streaking Bradley Riccardi for a 41-yard pass down the left sideline to the 1-yard line before keeping for his second rushing touchdown, and then he capped the Indians’ scoring with a third connection with Loyd for a 36-yard touchdown. 

Grant (3-7, 0-4) scored on the final play of the game, a 1-yard run by Kaden Chandler, to prevent Tioga from picking up a fourth shutout of the season. 

Malone completed 14 of 19 passes in the game for 203 yards, including 11 connections with Loyd for 136 yards – both career highs for Loyd. Malone (9-53), Ponthier (9-65) and junior Travis Adams (17-85), who returned after missing the past two games due to injury, combined for 203 rushing yards for the Indians. 

“We just have a lot of faith in him,” Tioga coach Kevin Cook said of Malone. “We believe in our quarterback. He can do anything that we ask him to do, and he won’t overstep what he can do.” 

The Indians didn’t get the help they needed to lock up a first-round bye, but Tioga coach Kevin Cook said he’s pleased with their regular season. 

“We’re real proud of where we are,” Cook said. 

ASH 49, WEST OUACHITA 7

The Trojans locked up a home playoff game with 42 unanswered points as they pulled away from what was at one time a tie game in the second quarter. 

Ty Feaster tossed two touchdowns apiece to EJ Scott and Tanner Townsend, while JT Lindsey rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown as the Trojans (6-4, 3-2 District 2-5A) opened a 35-7 lead at the half. 

ASH led 7-0 after the first quarter on a 35-yard pass from Feaster to Scott, and the Chiefs (6-4, 1-4) tied it at 7 when Devin Ellis recovered a fumbled snap in the end zone for a 1-yard score. 

Lindsey and Feaster both finished drives with short TD runs as the Trojans took a 21-7 lead before Feaster connected with junior tight end Townsend for 12- and 15-yard touchdowns. 

Scott caught a 12-yard touchdown in the third quarter for a 42-7 Trojan lead, and Vaughn Dabon capped the scoring with a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter. 

Dabon turned in his first 100-yard rushing performance with 113 yards on 12 carries as the Trojans ran for 283 yards in the victory. 

Feaster finished 10-of-17 passing for 131 yards and four TDs with no interceptions, and Scott caught seven passes for 86 yards. 

OUACHITA 42, PINEVILLE 7 

The Rebels had a chance to lock up a guaranteed playoff berth and carry some momentum into the postseason, but instead they finished off a winless District 2-5A schedule and fell to 2-8 on the season. 

Kylon Bell rushed for three first-half touchdowns as Ouachita (3-7, 2-3) opened up a 20-point lead before the Rebels answered with their only scoring drive of the game. 

Senior Jaylan Witty found junior Justin Rachal in the corner of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. Witty completed 14 of 26 passes for 98 yards, hitting eight different receivers in the game.

The Rebels were unable to muster much of a running attack against Ouachita’s stout defensive front, however, finishing the game with 55 rushing yards on 30 carries. 

Freshman quarterback Jarvis Walker tossed three second-half touchdowns before CJ Spurs finished off the Lions’ scoring with a 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

Buckeye gave the No. 5 Jena Giants all they wanted for one half on Friday. 

The Panthers took a 14-0 lead to start the game before the Giants even touched the ball and trailed by six points at the half, but Jena’s defense rose to the occasion in the second half in a 74-38 win. 

The Giants (10-0, 5-0 District 3-3A) outscored Buckeye 36-6 after halftime after leading 38-32 at the break. 

Zerrick Jones rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns to get the best of Buckeye’s Jim Burlew in a battle of two of the state’s top rushers. 

Burlew, who rushed for 121 yards on 42 carries, gave the Panthers a 14-point lead in the first quarter with the first of his two touchdowns. Buckeye struck first on a double pass when Adam Brodnax tossed a backward lateral to Jesse Standlee, who then found a wide-open Bryce Warthen for a 45-yard touchdown. 

The Panthers (5-5, 2-3) then recovered an onside kick that set up Burlew’s first touchdown and the 14-0 lead. 

Jena answered with two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions to take a two-point lead after one quarter. Zach Barker hit Brayden Oakes for a 15-yard touchdown, and Cameron Koch scored a 25-yard touchdown. 

Koch added 111 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Giants rushed for 344 yards and eight touchdowns. The two teams combined for 1,005 yards of total offense in the game. 

Buckeye coach Ben McLaughlin said the Giants played extremely well for coach Jay Roark and are worthy of all their accolades. 

“What Jay’s built over there is amazing,” McLaughlin said.

The teams traded scores in the second quarter like two heavyweights throwing haymakers at one another. Jones’ 31-yard touchdown, in which he spun out of a tackle and raced down the sideline into the end zone, was followed by an 11-yard Burlew TD run. Koch added a 5-yard score before Brodnax threw the first of his three passing touchdowns, a 65-yarder to Haidyn Boone.

Jones broke off another 30-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, but the Panthers countered with an 11-yard connection between Brodnax and tight end Ty Curtis. 

The six-point difference at halftime came courtesy of the Giants’ converting four of their five 2-point attempts while Buckeye missed on four of its five attempts. 

Jena broke open the game in the third quarter when Barker connected with Zy Hunter for an 80-yard touchdown pass followed by a 26-yard run by Jones, which gave the Giants a 52-32 lead. 

Brodnax found Boone for a second TD from 24 yards out to cut the deficit to two scores, but that would be the last time the Panthers found the end zone on the night.

Koch got his third score from 3 yards out in the third quarter, and Jena added two more rushing scores in the fourth – a 3-yarder by Hunter and a 1-yarder by Zac Brown. 

Brodnax passed for a career-high 314 yards in the game, completing 23 of 43 passes, but he also threw a career-high four interceptions. Boone caught 12 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

McLaughlin said his first-year starting quarterback continues to show progress at the position. He highlighted a 4th-and-10 play where no receiver was open and Brodnax ran for a first down. 

“He’s playing the game,” McLaughlin said. “He’s made a lot of amazing throws. As a former quarterback to an offensive coordinator to a head coach, seeing him make that play shows how much he’s progressed.”

MENARD 24, GLEN OAKS 6

Cooper Scott scored three touchdowns and Gavin Hilton rushed for 108 yards as the Eagles piled up 279 rushing yards in the victory. 

Leading 17-6, the Eagle defense made a huge defensive stand, as Asher Davis forced a fumble in the red zone that was recovered by Ben Good late in the third quarter. 

Menard (7-3) then marched 88 yards over 10 plays, taking nearly eight minutes off the clock. Hilton broke loose for a 20-yard run, and Scott finished off the drive with a 23-yard touchdown. 

Scott got the Eagles on the board with a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and Menard took a 10-0 lead into the half following a 26-yard field goal by Ryan Hicks. 

Glen Oaks (2-8) scored its only touchdown on a 99-yard kickoff return by Darius Gross that trimmed the Eagles’ lead to 10-6. 

The Eagles overcame three first-half turnovers, including two in the red zone, and took firm control in the third quarter when Scott scored his second touchdown, finishing off a drive with a 5-yard run. 

FRANKLIN PARISH 15, PEABODY 6

Peabody’s high-powered offense was stifled by the Patriots, who got a short touchdown run by Michael Grant and a 24-yard field goal by Jackson Cordill late in the first half after a fumbled kickoff by the Warhorses (6-4). 

Peabody’s defense held Franklin Parish’s offense in check most of the night, frustrating Dezyrian Ellis into a 12-for-30 passing performance. However, Ellis did connect with Marshawn Whitley for a touchdown pass to go up 15-0. 

Malachi Duke caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Larry Roberts late for the Warhorses’ only score of the game.

It was the second straight loss for Peabody, and coach Harry Coleman said he was disappointed in his team’s performance. He said the Warhorses missed on several interception opportunities early in the game that would have given Peabody the edge.

“Those are momentum-shifters and game-changers where we would have ran away with the game if we completed one of those plays,” Coleman said. 

In other action in the parish last week, Bolton and Northwood-Lena wrapped up their seasons with losses to Caldwell and St. Mary’s. Caldwell defeated the Bears (0-10) 43-8, while St. Mary’s seated the Gators (1-9) 61-8. 

Rapides felony charges are accusations, not convictions.

November 2

Walter Baker, 61, Alexandria — battery 2nd degree, $15,000 bail;

Ladarius Hicks, 36, Alexandria — attempted murder 2nd degree four counts, probation violation, contempt, $1.6 million bail;

Jered McDaniel, 21, Fort Worth, TX — felony flight, possession stolen vehicle, safety belt violation, no registration in vehicle, switched license plate, driving on left, $1,000 bail;

Chukwaka Nwanji, 21, Alexandria — attempted rape 2nd degree, false imprisonment, sexual battery, $1,000 bail.

November 3

Markele Anderson, 18, Alexandria — battery 2nd degree, burglary three counts, $150,500 bail;

Amber Young, 26, no address — probation violation, criminal damage, burglary, illegal possession stolen things, $26,500 bail.

November 4

Hunter Guillot, 31, Pineville — illegal carrying weapon, no bail set. 

Rapides felony drug charges are accusations, not convictions.

November 2

Jessica Lujan, 47, Alexandria — illegal possession legend, probation violation, fugitive, $600 bail. 

November 3-4

No felony drug arrests. 

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

The LSU women’s and men’s basketball teams begin 2023-24 regular season play in diametrically opposite orbits tonight.

The Lady Tigers of Kim Mulkey stunned her and the rest of the women’s college world in her second season as head coach as they blitzed their way to a 34-2 record and the school’s first NCAA basketball title.

The Tigers of head coach Matt McMahon’s year one maiden voyage last season ran aground often when they went 14-19 overall by losing 16 of the last 18 games.

While Mulkey takes her preseason No. 1 ranked Lady Tigers to the bright lights of Las Vegas to face preseason No. 20th ranked Colorado in T-Mobile Arena,  McMahon opens his second season in the PMAC at home against Mississippi Valley State, possibly the worst Division 1 program in the country with a collective 19 wins in the last five seasons.

The women’s game tips at 6:30 p.m. on TNT. The men’s game starts at 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.

Armed with two returning starters from last season’s national title, the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class and the top two players in the transfer portal, Mulkey’s  Tigers can go 10-deep off the bench and not lose a step.

LSU won its two exhibition games over East Texas Baptist and Loyola of New Orleans by an average victory margin of 79 points. The Lady Tigers had six double-figure scorers vs. East Texas Baptist and seven vs. Loyola.

LSU’s starting five vs. Loyola – guards Hailey Van Lith, Bossier City freshman Mikaylah Wllliams and Flau’jae Johnson, plus forwards Angel Reese and Annesah Morrow – will start against Colorado. But Mulkey hinted that starting lineup isn’t set in stone.

“That may be the starting five for Colorado based on what gives us the best matchups on the defensive end of the floor,” Mulkey said. “And then we could play the next game and have Sa’Myah (Smith) in there with Angel. Or I could have a different wing player.

Returning starters Reese (a first-team All-American last season) and Johnson (last year’s SEC Freshman of the Year) said blending the newcomers like transfers Van Lith (Louisville) and Morrow (DePaul) and true freshman signee Williams has been seamless.

“We have a lot of talent,” said Reese, who averaged 23 points and 15.4 rebounds with an NCAA single-season record a year ago in her first year after transferring from Maryland. “I’m gonna have to sacrifice some things. Everybody’s gonna have to sacrifice points, minutes, like that’s just what’s gonna happen and you have to understand that.”  

Colorado returns seven of its top eight players from last year’s 25-9 Sweet 16 team. The Buffs have also added key transfers such as Michigan grad student guard Maddie Nolan.

“Colorado is more poised than us right now,” Mulkey said. “Colorado is playing LSU at the right time. I really believe that because they’re that good. They’re that good. We’re still trying to move people in and out. I’m still trying to figure out who are our defensive stoppers. Colorado doesn’t have that issue right now.”

On the men’s side, McMahon’s second Tigers’ team showed in its 132-44 exhibition blowout of NAIA sacrificial lamb Louisiana Christian that his roster renovation featuring six transfers and two true freshmen has raised the Tigers’ talent level substantially.

“We played with great energy and extremely hard,” McMahon said of his team’s exhibition game performance. “And then to finish that off with great unselfishness, which has to be the foundation of our team.”

McMahon’s opening night starting lineup hasn’t been decided, though he’ll start grad student transfers guard Jordan Wright (Vanderbilt) and center Will Baker (Nevada).

Wright, a 6-6 wingman and a Baton Rouge native, said he and his teammates have aligned with McMahon’s philosophy of creating daily habits to promote a winning culture.

“We want to establish the identity of playing tough, hard-nosed basketball which is the blue-collar style that he (McMahon) plays,” Wright said. “Ultimately, once we build those habits and align with his culture and fit the values that he’s brought to the team of hard work, dedication, joy and effort, we will be successful and win some games just built on those principles.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/YouTube TV

Coach Harry Coleman and his staff are doing a great job with the Peabody Magnet football program, carrying a 6-3 record going into Week 10 tonight, with playoff action ahead.

The program also has some really big-time sleeper prospects for college.

We will talk about some players I have watched in the last three years who are part of the Class of 2024 at Peabody – kids who can play college football somewhere.

The top Warhorses prospect in recruiting is Dartavian Depass, who stands 6-2 ½, weighs185 pounds and has legit 4.5 speed in the forty. Depass has 14 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards receiving through nine games.

He is a great player who can play wide receiver or defensive back (or maybe both) in college. He’s getting a lot of interest from several schools and should land at a Division I school. Depass is having one of the biggest statistical seasons in not only Cenla, but the entire state among receivers.

Several players are having excellent years in the senior class like Lathan Jimmerson (5-9, 165), a defensive back with 92 tackles, three sacks, 20 tackles for losses and an interception. Cedric Allen Jr. (5-8, 175) is also in the Peabody secondary and mirrors Jimmerson with 92 tackles. An impressive 15 tackles are behind the line of scrimmage, along with 10 sacks. He has two pick six touchdowns.

More Peabody excellence in the defensive backfield comes from Eric Vories (5-11, 160) with 48 tackles and an interception.  Jimmerson, Allen, and Vories all can play FCS or Division ball in college. Allen is currently talking to Tiffin University with an offer possible soon.

There’s also big-time upside in DE/OLB/TE Karl’Mareon Batiste (6-4, 220), who is currently talking to ULM. He loves the Oregon Ducks football program. Batiste I think can be a big time player in college and in another year can add 20 pounds and still run 4.8 or better in the forty.

The most improved player in the Class of 2024 for Peabody, coach Coleman mentioned to me,  is  Zy Taylor (6-0, 233) a DE/DT for the team. Zy has great feet and can really get after the QB.

One more Warhorse to mention is Brayon Vaughn (6-4, 315), an offensive and defensive lineman. He has missed this season with a injury. This kid had a great junior year and has the feet, and ability once he recovers, to be a big time steal at the FCS or D2 level.

Peabody isn’t just a basketball school any longer. Coach Charles Smith is a legend on the court, the winningest coach in Louisiana and a Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member. Girls coach Gary Stewart, a Vidalia product who played on an NCAA Tournament team at Northwestern State, had his team very close to a state title last winter.

But now coach Coleman, a former LSU player, has the Peabody magic working on Friday nights in the fall. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Warhorses make some playoff noise. They’ve already earned lots of respect and have some of the better talent in Cenla in the Class of 2024.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Technical College, Associate Degree, or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (preferred).
• Proficiency in computer skills
• Computer Literate (Word, Excel, MS Office)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities of the Benefits Coordinator and Payroll Assistant include: Assisting Accountants, Managers, and the Director in the Accounting Department to maintain accurate employee benefit and payroll records.

• Assist Payroll accountant to prepare payroll runs and payroll reporting.
• Assist in setting up new hires and maintaining employee record.
• Processing documents as required for the department.
• Organize payroll benefits enrollment periods.
• Work through accounting-related issues with external vendors.
• Be lead contact with vendors such as TRSL, First Financial, etc., to maintain accurate benefits data.
• Assist Accounting Department with assigned bookkeeping duties.
• Lead person in communication with any district employees and their problems with the handling of their payroll.
• Manage Strong Start Program.
• Responsible for wage verifications.
• Other duties as assigned.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  12 months

DEADLINE:     Wednesday, November 16, 2023, 4:00 p.m. 

WHERE TO APPLY:

Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel
Natchitoches Parish School Board
310 Royal Street, P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
Phone: (318) 352-2358

Website:  npsb.la

APPLICATION:   Application packets should consist of a letter of application, resume’, original transcripts from institutions awarding degree, (3) job related references.

Rapides OWI/DWI arrests are accusations, not convictions.

October 27
Matthew Milner, 48, Pine Bluff, AR — OWI 1st, 9:10 p.m., $1,000 bail.

October 28
Austin Rutherford, 22, Deville — OWI 1st, improper driving on left, reckless operation, modified exhaust, 2:04 a.m., $1,800 bail.

October 29
Dylan Breaux, 31, Woodworth — OWI 1st, improper lane usage, 5:30 p.m., $1,100 bail;
Omar Rodriguez, 29, Glenmora — OWI 1st, no driver’s license, careless operation, open container, 12:20 a.m., $1,300 bail;
Vanessa Stevenson, 19, Pineville — OWI underage, open container, improper lane usage, 12:57 a.m., $1,200 bail.

Rapides felony bookings are accusations, not convictions. 

November 1
Laneisa Cobb, 50, Lecompte — false swearing inconsistent statements, possession firearm by convicted felon, illegal carrying weapon, contempt three counts, $19,000 bail;
Kristen Lovas, 42, Pineville — murder 2nd degree, $500,000 bail. 

The tragic shooting death Oct. 12 of Northwestern State University football player Ronnie Caldwell Jr. has resulted in a wide range of reactions, many shared on social media. The police investigation continues. The NSU football season has been cancelled, including homecoming games last week at McNeese and this weekend here in Natchitoches. The parents of Caldwell have announced a pending lawsuit. A petition started by a football player, with an NSU SGA officials’ recommendation, has over 5,000 signatures asking for the season to resume. National and regional media coverage has developed.

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