The Louisiana Christian Wildcats, who have scored a combined 130 points in their three victories, will host Fort Lauderdale’s winless Eagles Saturday in a non-conference football game.

Kickoff is noon at Wildcat Field. LCU is 3-2, coming off a 56-27 victory at Oklahoma Panhandle State in a Sooner Athletic Conference game. UFL is 0-4, outscored 162-24 after a 36-12 loss to Ave Maria. The Eagles play in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association.

The Wildcats have won three of their last four games, building a 3-0 record in SAC games.

They average 253 passing yards per game behind quarterback Bryce Perkins, who has thrown for 1,198 yards and seven scores while completing 55 percent of his 139 passes with five interceptions.

Alexandria Senior High grad E.J. Scott (23 receptions, 367 yards) and Omarius Davis (22 catches, 365 yards and four TDs) are the top producers at receiver.

A productive running attack averaging 161 yards is led by ASH product Datlan Cunningham, who is averaging 98 yards per game and has scored four touchdowns.

Kylon Polk’s 36 tackles leads the defense, with Brandon Johnson II at 30 stops. Polk has two interceptions and four pass breakups while Johnson has one pickoff and five pass breakups.

Marques Hamilton’s 21 tackles include 4 ½ for lost yards (2 sacks).

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It started with a simple question — have you seen my car key?

A complex answer boiled down to a no.

So the search turned to her purse, discovering a ring containing more than 40 keys, each with a label stuck on. Who keeps such?

Keys of all shapes and sizes, keys for various functions, each unlocking a memory tucked away and perhaps never again to be recalled by her.

Keys to our first garage apartment, three rooms (kitchen, bathroom, living room/bedroom). $60 monthly.

And the second, larger with separate bedroom (daughter had arrived.) $70 monthly.

Keys to a series of houses purchased over the years, each with its own place in our lives.

Hotel keys (remember them, before electronic cards?), most as result of work-related travel – Peabody and its ducks, Fairmont and cable cars, Del Coronado and movie celebrities, Plaza and THE city.

Two rental space keys, where things eventually disposed of are put until they fade from consciousness.

Key to Hot Springs Village property sold when beach held more appeal.

Ditto Gulf Shores condo when travel became complicated.

Speaking of travel, one Samsonite key. Suitcase, about $90 at the time, last seen at Athens check-in, bound for Turkey. Perhaps someone thought she was smuggling antiquities.

Car keys from various models over the years, conjuring images of vacations near and far.

And the treasure – GM key to 1956 Chevy, fondly labeled the Honeymoon Mobile.

Ten years old but new to us as we set out on this journey called life.

And a good ride it’s been, flat tires, detours and all.

Note: Never found her current key. Hallelujah.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

Oct. 1

Taylor Rose Arnold, 24, Deville – possession of CDS, $2,500 bail;

Anais Yvonne Brown, 28, Simmesport – three counts aggravated kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, home invasion, $900,000 bail;

Jimmie Michael Burch, 48, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $100,500 bail;

Jasmine Teniqque Celestine, 32, Pineville – possession of CDS, theft, $1,500 bail;

Kelvon Kyle, 25, Cottonport – disarming a police officer, flight from an officer, resisting a police officer with force or violence, driving under suspension, tail lamps must emit red light, two counts contempt of court, $53,700 bail;

Warren C. Lovely, 25, Alexandria – domestic abuse aggravated assault with child endangerment, no bail data;

Kristopher Michael Marks, 26, Alexandria – sex offender failure to notify change of address, failure to comply with provisions of supervised release, no bail data;

Devacheay Tray Martin, 24, Pineville – possession of firearm by convicted felon, attempted second degree murder, possession of marijuana, possession of fentanyl, simple escape, $575,500 bail;

Susan Delaine Purvis, 51, Pineville – OWI fourth offense, careless operation of vehicle, hit and run, open container, $100,700 bail.

 

Sept. 30

Benjamin Cal Brown Jr., 51, Alexandria – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, possession of marijuana, open container state law, $2,200 bail;

Javon Maurice Chappelle, 49, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS with intent, possession of marijuana, improper lane usage, $1,600 bail;

Justice Jimwalter Farris, 27, Pineville – aggravated kidnapping, simple battery, first degree robbery, simple escape, criminal damage to property, two counts contempt of court, $650,500 bail;

Caleb MacKenzie Hill, 39, Boyce – two counts possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Louisiana fugitive, illegal possession of stolen things, $25,000 bail;

Britney Nicole Johnson, 37, Pineville – possession of fentanyl, illegal possession of stolen things, two counts contempt of court, $107,500 bail;

Brian Keith Laroche, 63, Alexandria – attempted murder of a law officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, flight from an officer, contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Lindan Lee Lemoine, 20, Lecompte – speeding, no passing in school zone, flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of highway, improper lane usage, prohibited flashing lights driving under suspension, improper window tint, $30,700 bail;

Rkeizmond Miles, 21, Alexandria – aggravated assault with a firearm, domestic abuse battery with child present, stalking, home invasion aggravated assault, contempt of court, $105,000 bail;

Shelton Ray Morris Jr., 48, Lecompte – three counts simple burglary, aggravated burglary, criminal damage to property, $13,500 bail;

Elizabeth M. Newcomb, 58, Deville – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, expired driver’s license, $2,200 bail;

Nikki Valine Perkins, 40, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $3,000 bail;

Christopher Logan Poole, 31, Cheneyville – possession of CDS, theft, possession of marijuana, $3,500 bail;

Devetrick Dewayne Sanders, 27, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, possession of firearm by convicted felon, two counts contempt of court, $70,500 bail;

Christian Matthew Scott, 28, Simmesport – second degree murder, $1 million bail;

Catherine Skeeles, 40, Hineston – fraud in obtaining public assistance, theft, $1,500 bail;

Nachia Renee Stafford, 37, Alexandria – possession of CDS, bicycle reflectors, contempt of court, $4,600 bail;

Dereck Darnell Taylor Sr., 54, Alexandria – possession of CDS, contempt of court, $51,000 bail.

 

Sept. 29

Chloe Dauzart, 20, Alexandria – aggravated assault domestic abuse, $1,000 bail;

Elijah Mardel Eddie, 21, Colfax – possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, headlamps required, $2,600 bail;

William Clayton Folse, 29, Pollock – reckless operation of a vehicle, hit and run driving, criminal damage to property, driving under suspension, $7,100 bail;

Caleb MacKenzie Hill, 39, Boyce – possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal possession of stolen things, Louisiana fugitive, possession of firearm by convicted felon, $25,000 bail;

Jerald Wayne Huel, 30, Alexandria – possession of a firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry weapons, probation violation, $25,000 bail;

Jacobe Christiam Smading, 31, Ball – possession of marijuana, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, safety belt violation, driving under suspension, $3,700 bail;

Courtney L. Smith, 29, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with children present, $1,000 bail;

Kendrick D. Sylvester, 35, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with child present, $1,000 bail;

Christopher Morley Tiner, 29, Jena – possession of fentanyl, two counts taking contraband to and from penal institutions, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, criminal conspiracy, $110,000 bail;

Deonte Devon Walker, 31, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, $2,000 bail.

 

Sept. 28

Rhonda Carla Davenport, 62, Alexandria – criminal damage to property, theft, remaiaing on premises, illegal possession of stolen things, four counts contempt of court, $9,500 bail;

Kenneth Fajardo, 27, Otis – sexual battery, $1,000 bail;

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By JIM BUTLER

Central Louisiana Regional Port officials expect to issue a $10 million note today to effectively launch development and construction of an electrical substation manufacturing complex.

Commissioners voted last week to incur the debt under state provision for a Grant Anticipation Note.

It allows the project to move forward, secured by a grant pledge from the state, and any other lawfully available funds, without having the grant yet in the bank.

The grant is pledged by DOTD’s Port Construction and Development Priority Program though when it might occur is a legislative guess.

Meanwhile, under what is sometimes referred to as a bridge loan, the port can get started on on necessary preliminaries to what is a protracted, expensive manufacturing undertaking.

The note will be held by Regions Commercial Equipment Finance, with first interest payment (5.94%) on unpaid principal due April 1, 2026.

Terms of the indenture provide for optional $1 million minimum prepayments by the Port Authority.

They also include mandatory prepayment within 20 days of receipt of any of the grant proceeds.

Since the DOTD program began about 30 years ago the port has received more than $18.3 million in grants and guarantees, records show. That does not include the anticipated grant.

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By JIM BUTLER

A century after taking their place among Alexandria recreation sites and about a half-century after becoming an afterthought the city’s initial public tennis courts are about to become relevant again.

The four-court site on Hickory Street just off the Masonic Drive-Lee Street intersection are getting a facelift to provide modern recreation opportunity.

The City Council last week authorized bid solicitation for bringing the location back into the city’s play-time inventory.

On what are now the ruins of a once-premier facility the city intends to spend about a million dollars to essentially return an asset to productive use.

Before there were private tennis facilities, before there were Frank O. Hunter Park courts, before there was the Tennis Facility on Masonic Drive, there were the Hickory Street hard courts where city, state and regional championships were held year to year, where players of all ages and both sexes stood in line for the next available court (use limited to one hour when someone waiting).

Tennis on the renovated Sports Court will be limited to two places of the table variety. Three chess tables will also be provided.

Included in the plans:

• Four cornhole sets;
• A basketball court;
• Four 4-corner squares;
• Six pickleball courts.

Estimated cost of the multi-purpose court is $691,000. Parking lot construction is figured at $165,000 and lighting at $133,000.

Bids will be received through mid-morning on November 4.

The bid documents provide 90 working days.

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This past weekend’s Ryder Cup did nothing to “lower the temperature” in our hot-tempered country.

Not only did the feverish rally by the previously inept Americans on Sunday increase the voltage, tempers flared between the two squads and between the Europeans and the rowdy crowds at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, N.Y. To show how pervasive it got, even Scottie Scheffler’s laid-back caddie, Ted Scott, nearly blew his stack on Saturday. 

Scott grew up in Lafayette and has fond memories of playing golf at Bringhurst Golf Course in Alexandria as a youngster with his father, Ted Scott Sr., and grandfather, Don Scott, who were from Alexandria.

His grandfather, Don, was one of the first players from Menard ever to be named to an all-state football team, in 1936, as a center. He later coached golf at Menard and, as a city employee, lived in what is now the clubhouse at the Bringhurst Golf Course. He had two sons, Don Jr., and Ted, the caddie’s father. Both were athletic, playing multiple sports. His uncle, Don Jr., was once the golf coach at McNeese State.

During four-ball play Saturday, Ted had a brusque reaction with European vice-captain Francesco Molinari that stunned many, given how calm Scott usually is.

The tension between the two teams was so heavy at one point that Molinari

decided to step between Scott and Tommy Fleetwood, despite the two simply walking alongside each other and not even speaking. Scott and Bryson DeChambeau had just been in a heated discussion with Justin Rose after Rose, at the 15^th green, had asked DeChambeau’s caddie to move away from his line.

It doesn’t take much at a Ryder Cup to trigger irritation between rivals from the different countries.  When Molinari stepped between Scott and Fleetwood, he reportedly put his hand on Scott’s shoulder. Scott removed Molinari’s hand from his shoulder and was quickly jawing in his face, and Fleetwood’s caddie, Ian Finnis, acted as the peacemaker.

To his credit, Scott tried to bury the hatchet Sunday morning. He released a video on his Instagram account apologizing to Molinari for his actions Saturday. In the video, he puts his arm around Molinari’s shoulder, said some nice things about him and acknowledged the “heated moment” they had.

“But what many of you don’t realize,” he added, is they soon got over it.

“Neither of us want to make this competition about us,” he went on. “We want to let the players go out there and do their thing. Ultimately, I just want to spread love and joy. It’s a great competition, it’s great fun and this is a great man right here, so I just want to say I’m sorry.”

After the two shook hands, Molinari said, “I appreciate you. I have huge admiration for you, and I love you.”

If only the crowds at Bethpage would’ve followed Scott’s example, but no. They continued to be crass as they harassed the European golfers, especially Rory McIlroy. I found that odd since he was the darling of the patrons in Augusta, Ga., when he won the Masters last spring.

As an example, they made noise with squeaky rubber ducks, free giveaways with cocktails, when Rory was at the 10^th tee. Many spectators were removed over the course of the tournament, but not enough, as European captain Luke Donald accused the crowd of “crossing the line.”

“Crossing the line” didn’t work. It backfired. On one occasion Sunday, McIlroy stepped away from a putt twice because of the fans’ disruption and wouldn’t play for four minutes until the atmosphere cooled, but he answered their taunting by making a 34-foot putt.

What looked like an unprecedented rout by Europe, which led by seven points going into Sunday’s single matches, became a tense duel Sunday. No team has ever come back from such a deficit to win, but the Americans came close. The Americans rallied from four down to win in 1999, and the Europeans came back from a four-point deficit in 2012 to win.

That was the last year an away team won on foreign soil.

Although disappointed in defeat, the Americans got some solace in knowing they fought valiantly at the end in nearly pulling off the most remarkable comeback ever. Scottie beat Rory. Cam Young and Justin Thomas won white-knuckler duels at 18 against Justin Rose and Fleetwood. Xavier Schauffele crushed Jon Rahm 4&3.

The Europeans clinched it before Shreveport’s Sam Burns, the former LSU star, finished his match by tying Rob MacIntyre, the Scotsman who played a season at McNeese before getting homesick.

The Irish like limericks, even when the stories are sad. Well, here’s one for us that’s sad:

 

There once was a caddie named Scott,

Who, touched by Molinari, got hot,

He said he was sorry,

And Scheffler nipped Rory,

But ‘twere not enough wins in the pot.

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The unbeaten Alexandria Senior High Trojans football team rolled over Opelousas last week and moved up a spot to fifth in the Week 5 Class 5A Top 10 statewide poll conducted by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

ASH took advantage of a loss by last week’s No. 3 team, Catholic of Baton Rouge, to climb in the rankings. The Trojans’ only competitive game was a win two weeks ago over Destrehan, and their next game shapes up as a massive mismatch, a visit to struggling Class 2A Many, which lost at St. Mary’s last Friday.

But District 2-5A play begins the following week and the Trojans will face state powers Ruston, West Monroe and Neville along that path toward the state playoffs.

Tioga, out to a strong 3-1 start, is picking up voting support in Class 4A. The Indians get a chance to make a big impression this Friday when they travel to unbeaten Jena, the No. 6 team in the Class 3A top 10.

The Week 5 LSWA Top 10 polls:

 

Class 5A

School (1^st place votes), points, last week’s rank

1. Karr (11), 4-0, 132, 1

2. Ruston, 4-0, 116, 3

3. Central, 4-0, 95, 4

4. St. Augustine, 4-0, 92, 5

5. Alexandria Senior High, 4-0, 83, 6

6. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 3-1, 80, 2

7. John Curtis, 3-0, 73, 8

8. Zachary, 3-0, 56, 9

9. Brother Martin, 4-0, 36, 10

10. West Monroe, 3-1, 33, NR

Others receiving votes: Neville 16, Terrebonne 16, Evangel Christian 10, Ouachita 5, Destrehan 5, Parkway 2, Archbishop Rummel 2, Carencro 2, Airline 1, East Ascension 1.

 

Class 4A

1. North DeSoto (9), 4-0, 127, 1

2. Teurlings Catholic (2), 4-0, 120, 2

3. St. Thomas More, 2-2, 102, T3

4. Franklin Parish, 3-1, 101, T3

5. Franklinton, 3-1, 78, 5

6. Lakeshore, 4-0, 76, 6

7. St. Charles, 4-0, 70, 7

8. Plaquemine, 3-1, 58, 8

9. Iowa, 4-0, 46, 9

10. Archbishop Shaw, 2-2, 40, 10

Others receiving votes: Vandebilt Catholic 14, Tioga 7, Belle Chasse 5, E.D. White 5, Lutcher 5, Westgate 3.

 

Class 3A

1. Jewel Sumner (5), 4-0, 117, 1

2. St. James (2), 3-1, 113, 2

3. Sterlington (1), 3-1, 110, 3

4. Madison Prep (1), 3-1, 95, 4

5. Bunkie (1), 4-0, 94, 5

6. Jena, 4-0, 78, 6

7. University (1), 2-2, 73, 7

8. Lake Charles College Prep, 3-1, 50, 8

9. Erath, 4-0, 42, 10

10. Church Point, 3-1, 36, 9

Others receiving votes: Jennings 29, Marksville 8, Amite 6, John F. Kennedy 5, Westlake 2.

 

Class 2A

1. Ouachita Christian (8), 4-0, 125, 2

2. Dunham (1), 3-1, 113, 4

3. Lafayette Christian Academy, 3-1, 108, 1

4. Calvary Baptist (1), 3-1, 97, 5

5. Notre Dame, 3-1, 91, 6

6. Catholic-New Iberia (1), 3-1, 82, 3

7. Lafayette Renaissance Charter, 4-0, 58, 7

8. Oak Grove, 3-1, 54, 8

9. Ferriday, 4-0, 40, 9

10. South Plaquemines, 3-1, 37, 10

Others receiving votes: Kinder 13, Mangham 13, Newman 9, Union Parish 9, Northlake Christian 6, East Feliciana 3.

 

Class 1A

1. Haynesville (11), 4-0, 132, 1

2. Jeanerette, 4-0, 115, 3

3. Covenant Christian, 3-1, 99, 4

4. Southern Lab, 3-1, 93, 5

5. Hamilton Christian, 4-0, 83, 6

6. Opelousas Catholic, 3-1, 79, 2

7. Riverside, 3-1, 72, 8

8. Kentwood, 2-2, 59, 9

9. Ascension Episcopal, 4-0, 26, NR

10. Vermilion Catholic, 1-3, 22, 7  

Others receiving votes: Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 18, North Iberville 15, Logansport 13, Ascension Catholic 12, Westminster-Opelousas 10, St. Edmund 7, Grand Lake 2, General Trass 1.

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Former LSU All-American golfer Sam Burns and the USA team nearly conjured up a magical comeback Sunday at the 45^th Ryder Cup, but could not overcome Europe’s brilliant play over the first two days and clutch shots on the final day in a closer-than-expected 15-13 defeat.

Europe dominated the American side in the first 72 holes of competition, in foursomes and four-ball play on Friday and Saturday, and was on the brink of one of the biggest winning margins in Ryder Cup history.

The USA sparkled Sunday in singles play, as Europe struggled to score the clinching points until very late in the day, before Burns’ match with Scotsman Robert McIntyre was complete.

It ended when Burns’ drive on the 18^th hole found a sand trap leading to his eventual bogey, and allowing McIntyre’s par to earn a tie for the afternoon, giving each side a half point. That completed the day’s competition.

Europe won only one singles match Sunday, but tied in four. The foreigners needed only 14 points for an overall team tie to retain possession of the Ryder Cup that they won in 2023, and bot that when Shane Lowry birdied the 18^th to tie the USA’s Russell Henley. Tyrell Hatton’s draw with Collin Morikawa in the match in front of Burns-McIntyre put the visitors over the top and gave them the overall win.

Though Burns’ forte’, his putting, was not a strong suit over the weekend, the Choudrant resident was competitive in all three of his starts.

Friday afternoon the Shreveport native teamed with Patrick Cantlay, whose sizzling birdie binge on the back nine led the USA pair to a draw with the Irish duo of Rory McIlroy and Lowry.

Saturday afternoon, again in four-ball competition, Burns/Cantlay were in a tight match but this time fell 1-up to Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick.

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By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports

Alexandria Senior High and Tioga continued to roll, Pineville won the Battle of the Villes, but Buckeye stumbled in Week 3 of Rapides Parish football action.

Alexandria (4-0) had no trouble with Opelousas, taking a 59-6 homecoming win at J.L. “Butch” Stoker Stadium on Friday. It was the 15^th consecutive regular season win for the Trojans.

Quarterback Karsen Sellers passed for 199 yards and a season-high four touchdowns, all in the first half, hitting four different receivers. Sophomore running back Kason Willias rushed for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Tioga travelled to Richwood on Thursday and came home with a 54-30 victory to improve to 3-1.

Jackson Tarver scored on a 50-yard punt return in the first quarter. Kenny Ponthier scored four rushing touchdowns to pace the Indians. Quarterback Case Malone ran for two scored and connected with Kervin Johnson on a 60-yard touchdown pass.

Pineville (3-1) scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, one with about 30 seconds remaining, to overtake Leesville for a 28-21 homecoming win. Leesville led 21-14 after three periods of play.

After going 3-0 for the first time since 2014, the Buckeye Panthers were flying high. But Avoyelles smelled upset. And just like last year, the Mustangs took Buckeye down to earth with a 46-14 win to spoil the Panthers’ homecoming.

Holy Savior Menard edged past Class 3A Abbeville 15-6. Quarterback Jake Vaughan ran for one touchdown and passed for another to Matthew Hicks. Vaughan finished with 116 rushing yards.

Northwood Lena fell to 1-3 following a 42-6 loss to Lakeside. Bolton Academy lost to LaGrange 60-0 on Thursday. Peabody’s homecoming game against Franklin was canceled.

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By RICHARD THIBERVILLE JR., LCU Sports Information Director

GOODWELL, Okla. – The Louisiana Christian University football team scored 28 points in the second quarter to take control and 21 points in the fourth to pull away from Oklahoma Panhandle State for a 56-27 win over the Aggies Saturday night at Carl Wooten Field.

It was a slow start for the Wildcats (3-2, 3-0 SAC) in the contest as LCU was held scoreless through the first 15 minutes. At the end of the first quarter, OPSU (1-3, 0-2 SAC) held a 3-0 lead.

But when the second 15 minutes started, the points started rolling in for the Wildcats. Less than two minutes into the quarter Jaterrius Johnson capped an 11-play, 98-yard march with a one-yard plunge, giving Louisiana Christian the lead, 7-3, which they would not relinquish.

Less than five minutes later, Omarius Davis reeled in a four-yard Bryce Perkins scoring pass, extending the Wildcat lead out to 14-3.

The Aggies used a big play to pull closer, hitting on a 76-yard pass and catch to get back within four at 14-10.

But the Wildcats were undeterred, needing less than 90 seconds to answer that score with a 27-yard scoring scamper by Tyrese Mosby.

LCU seemed to take firm command of the game just three minutes later as Perkins found Jaden Wells for a 25-yard touchdown pass, putting the Wildcats up 28-10 with just three minutes remaining before halftime.

But the end of the first half tightened things back up considerably as OPSU hit another big pass, this one from 55 yards out, to cut the deficit down to 28-17. The Wildcats were then stripped of the ball on the ensuing kickoff, immediately giving the Aggies another possession. Panhandle State took advantage of the extra opportunity, hitting a 41-yard field goal as time expired to cut the LCU lead down to 28-20 at the break.

Both teams added touchdowns in the third quarter. The Wildcats got it started with a 20-yard rush by Darrell Waldon to end a 10-play, 76-yard drive which took more than 5:30 to complete. The Aggies answered with a 14-play, 75-yard drive of their own which ate up more than six minute off of the clock and capped it with a one-yard shove into the end zone to make it 35-27 Wildcats.

The fourth quarter belonged to LCU. Johnson got his second touchdown rush, this one from seven yards out. Wells added his second scoring reception of the evening to end a 13-play, 83-yard drive which took off a valuable 4:44 off of the clock. Datlan Cunningham added a four-yard plunge with just over 3:30 left for the game’s final score.

Perkins had one of his best games as a Wildcat, completing 21 of his 30 pass attempts, accumulating 299 yards and three scores.

His top target on the evening was Davis, who had five catches for 73 yards and a score.  Wells had just two catches on the evening, but the 38 yards he got on them was the maximum he could get as he scored on both.

Cunningham had a big night on the ground, rushing 18 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. Johnson added 51 yards and two scores on 13 carries. Mosby toted the ball eight time and accrued 48 yards with a score. Waldon’s only rush on the evening was the 20-yard touchdown jaunt. As a team, the Wildcats accrued 264 yards rushing on their way to 563 total yards of offense against the Aggies

The Wildcats step out of Sooner Athletic Conference play for the final time this season next week, coming home to host Fort Lauderdale. Kickoff of Saturday’s contest against the Eagles (0-4) is noon at Wildcat Field.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

Sept. 28

Juan Roberto Arevalo-Lopez, 57, Pineville – OWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,100 bail;

Kevin James Craig Sr., 56, Pineville – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Hoyt Donaldson Goodger, 26, Ball – OWI first offense, modified exhaust, improper fenders/mudguards, $1,200 bail;

Garrett Michael Kelly, 34, Hessmer – OWI first offense, improper backing, driving under suspension, open container, $1,300 bail;

Donald Edward Martin Jr., 53, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, $2,500 bail;

Joshua James Pryor, 32, Deville – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Thomas Wells, 71, Alexandria – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail.

 

Sept. 27

Quantez Windell Carter, 34, Colfax – theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, misrepresentation during booking, two counts probation violation, failure to appear, Louisiana fugitive, two counts contempt of court, $4,500 bail;

Jamarrious D. Dorsey, 23, Alexandria – four counts contempt of court, $120,000 bail;

Trystian Zenobia Eli, 24, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, running a stop sign, $1,200 bail;

Alvaro Gomez-Beltran, 28, Glenmora – OWI first offense, OWI child endangerment, speeding, open container, $1,700 bail;

Amanda Arian Johnson, 30, Pineville – OWI first offense, expired MVI sticker, $1,100 bail;

Ladarian Damon Johnson, 19, Alexandria – operating an unsafe vehicle, improper tint, improper driving on left, running a red light, running a stop sign, expired MVI sticker, safety belt violation, reckless operation of a vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, illegal possession of stolen firearm, aggravated obstruction of highway, flight from an officer, $87,200 bail;

Matthew Wesley Johnson, 44, Pineville – theft, four counts contempt of court, $56,500 bail;

Monica Cherese McGlothlin, 40, Ball – three counts contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Ty’juarr Dion Mix, 19, Lecompte – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, obstruction of justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, intentional littering, safety belt violation, criminal damage to property, probation violation, $86,600 bail;

Renee Cornelia Nelson, 37, Pineville – theft, resisting an officer, 14 counts contempt of court, $162,000 bail.

 

Sept. 26

Larry Doniel Allen, 63, Alexandria – five counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS with intent, possession of paraphernalia, $500,500 bail;

Jennifer Ann Barber, 62, Boyce – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Jimmie Rodney Bryan II, 52, Boyce – Louisiana fugitive, driving under suspension/revocation, $100 bail;

Janesha Nasha Bush, 29, Alexandria – possession of CDS, contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

Louis Maurice Courville, 25, Pineville – aggravated battery, $50,000 bail;

Michael Cox, 40, Pineville – two counts contempt of court, failure to appear/pay fine, $50,500 bail;

Aaron Lawrence Freeman, 18, Alexandria – possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, headlamps required, $12,600 bail;

Jimmy Allen Johnson Jr., 58, Pineville – OWI second offense, operating a vehicle under suspension for certain prior offenses, careless operation of a vehicle, open container state law, $2,200 bail;

Eric Dewayne Jones, 52, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, two counts driving under suspension, improper parking, two counts contempt of court, $55,800 bail;

Janice Marie Lee, 56, Alexandria – seven counts of theft, $140,000 bail;

Lonnie Ray Peterson II, 23, Alexandria – possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, brake lamp required, $5,600 bail;

Casey Paul Rachal, 27, Lena – contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Doris Marie Smith, 17, Pineville – six counts identity theft, $30,000 bail;

Marcus Terrell Smith, 37, Alexandria – possession of CDS, open container, obstruction of justice, flight from an officer, driving under suspension, no license plate light, three counts contempt of court, $10,300 bail;

Ronald Louis Taylor Jr, 58, Deville – seven counts contempt of court, $350,000 bail;

Derrick Dewayne Voorhies, 42, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, $4,500 bail;

Kayla Leigh Wooten, 39, Alexandria – two counts second degree murder, two counts attempted second degree murder, aggravated criminal damage, three counts contempt of court, $1,505,000 bail;

Tytiana Wright, 32, Alexandria – possession or sell firearm with obliterated serial number, theft, $5,500 bail;

 

Sept. 25

Serlento Ketontay Bowie, 39, Alexandria – taking contraband to and from penal institutions, obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana, $3,500 bail;

Louie Von Cole, 45, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, $3,000 bail;

William Henry Cole, 38, Center Point – violation of protective orders, no license plate light, $5,100 bail;

Tameka Shontell Ford, 42, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, open container, driving under suspension, failure to secure registration, contempt to pay fine, $2,300 bail;

Richard McComic, 56, Boyce – theft, resisting an officer, two counts contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Renisha Patterson, 18, Alexandria – possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, $5,500 bail;

Kimberly Ruth Phillips, 41, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, contempt of court, $7,000 bail;

Terry Reeves Jr, 47, Ragley – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, criminal conspiracy, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, $30,000 bail;

Colby Dean Ross, 26, Alexandria – OWI second offense, operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior offenses, no head light, $2,100 bail;

Dereck Darnell Taylor Sr., 54, Alexandria – possession of heroin, two counts possession of CDS, improper parking, $9,100 bail;

Shania Don’a Tooks, 25, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, contempt of court, $8,000 bail;

Chad Michael Travis, 53, Alexandria – aggravated criminal damage, $5,000 bail;

 

Sept. 24

Charley Authur Armstrong Jr, 65, Alexandria – OWI first offense, intentional littering, no insurance, $1,600 bail;

Tyrin Drakel Boyd, 33, Alexandria – Louisiana fugitive, possession of marijuana, use of CDS in presence of minor, expired MVI sticker, no child restraint system, safety belt violation, $6,300 bail;

Alvin Ray Giddings, 56, Deville – two counts first degree rape, Louisiana fugitive, resisting an officer, $1.105 million bail;

Amy Greenhoward, 41, Alexandria – driving under suspension, resisting an officer, failure to yield, four counts contempt of court, $18,700 bail;

Adrion Daron Harvey, 46, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, bicycle lamps, $3,100 bail;

Terrance Devonta Leach, 31, Alexandria – three counts possession of CDS, resisting an officer, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of firearm by convicted felon, probation violation, two counts contempt of court, $65,500 bail;

Dontae Robert Madden, 20, Alexandria – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Shaheem Malik White, 22, Alexandria – two counts second degree murder, second degree battery, simple battery, obstruction of justice, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, criminal conspiracy, two counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal use of weapons, $2.4 million bail;

Bryan Winfree, 29, Ville Platte – resisting police officer with force or violence, resisting an officer, theft, $1,500 bail;

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Somehow the duffers’ talk shifted from the Ryder Cup to Saturday’s LSU-Ole Miss football game, eventually settling on who’s the best quarterback in each school’s history.

The LSU view was Joe Burrow, with Bert Jones in the running.

Agreement was unanimous on Ole Miss – Archie Manning. No discussion.

Spoiler that I am, couldn’t resist asking- what about Jake Gibbs?

These were by no means young men though perhaps not quite my age yet. I was, and still am, shocked by the blank looks.

Who? Never heard of him? You sure he was Ole Miss? Was he old school, nothing personal?

So I tried best my memory would allow:

Three years at helm, twice national champions; member College Football Hall of Fame; two-sport All-American (also baseball).

Chose baseball career over pro football; 10 years or so catcher with New York Yankees; then longtime baseball coach at Mississippi.

Still not a hint of recollection among my table mates. Saw little point in mentioning Charlie Conerly on Rebels’ side or Y.A. Tittle on Tigers’.

Everyone smiled at one last reference:

“Gibbs to punt; Cannon to receive.” October 31, 1959.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

President Trump and Sam Burns, figuratively speaking, will probably arrive at the 45^th Ryder Cup competition about the same time today.

The president is expected at Bethpage Black on Long Island outside of New York City in time to watch the afternoon four-ball session between four teams from the USA and Europe.

Burns, the former LSU All-American, will not play in the opening early-morning session of foursomes (alternate shot), but most expect him to be announced late morning as part of an American duo teeing it up in the second round of the day.

The 29-year-old Shreveport native and Choudrant resident, who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club, was left off the starting lineup for morning foursome (alternate shot) action by USA captain Keegan Bradley when this morning’s four matches were unveiled Thursday afternoon. Bradley said the lineup was set a while ago and was no secret among his players, and that pairings for ensuing rounds were already established. Those might be adjusted, but Bradley said he wants to proceed “according to plan.”

Burns and the other players were not available to media after the mid-afternoon pairings announcement. But earlier Thursday, he was bursting with pride about President Trump’s visit today and a massive charitable gift he will direct back home.

“It’s a huge honor to have our president come to this event, support our team,” said Burns. “This is about representing the United States of America, and who better to represent that than our president. I think we are all excited.”

He was also excited discussing about how he will collect a half-million dollars this weekend earmarked for the folks back home. All 12 USA team members will get $500,000 to allocate as they choose to charitable causes, a stipend increased by $300,000 since the 2023 Ryder Cup.

“I’m extremely grateful the PGA of America is doing this. I live in a small town in Louisiana and that amount of money in that community for those charities is going to go a long ways,” said Burns in his media session Thursday morning. “It’s going to have a huge impact on our community and I’m just extremely grateful.

“To steward that money in our own communities at home – that’s a great thing,” he said.

But his main focus is doing what he’s done in two President’s Cup competitions as a pro, and two other international matches in his days at Shreveport’s Calvary Baptist Academy (2014 Junior Ryder Cup) and at LSU (2017 Arnold Palmer Cup). Burns is in it to win it for America.

That did not happen in his first Ryder Cup appearance in 2023 at Rome. Burns went 1-2 over the weekend in Italy. His victory, when paired with Collin Morikawa in four-ball play Saturday afternoon, rekindled American optimism. They rolled 4&3 over Viktor Hovlad and Ludvig Aberg, who had routed two other USA duos, notably the power tandem of Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka.

That sparked a 3-1 afternoon recovery but it was only a temporary surge for the Americans, who were dominated in singles play Sunday and got whipped 16 ½ – 11 ½. That outcome is on the minds of Bradley and his team, determined to prevail on home turf against a European roster that has all but one player and captain Luke Donald back from 2023.

“Losing is never fun. It doesn’t matter what sport or what game, whatever it is you know losing sucks,” said Burns. “We want to use those memories as fuel this week. Everyone that was on that team or watched vividly remembers what that feels like. You don’t want that feeling again.”

Today’s play will be carried on USA Network. NBC picks up coverage Saturday starting at 6 a.m. CT for two more rounds of foursome and four-ball action, and Sunday’s 12 singles matches slated to begin at 11 a.m.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports

In the game of football, it’s not just all about winning. Coaches know that, sometimes, it’s about how your team reacts to winning.

Alexandria Senior High, Holy Savior Menard, Buckeye, Northwood-Lena and Tioga all are coming off big wins. For Northwood, it was the first win of the season. Alexandria had to hold off a late rally to win at Destrehan. Menard and Buckeye escaped with one-point wins. Tioga got a statement win.

But there’s no time for resting on laurels as we reach Week 4 of the 10-game regular season.

For the first time since 2014, Buckeye is 3-0 following Friday night’s come-from-behind 27-26 win over South Beauregard. Preston Willis ran for 297 yards and two touchdowns, kicking the decisive extra point following his game-tying run with 1:47 remaining in the game.

This week the Panthers will host the Avoyelles Mustangs (0-3) for their homecoming celebration. Last year Avoyelles beat Buckeye 46-0.

“Our rallying cry this week is ‘remember last year,’” Buckeye coach Aaron York said. “We were 2-1 going into it and had just lost to South Beauregard. Mentally we went there and didn’t play very well. This year our focus is on one game at a time.”

After scoring a crushing 56-14 win at Pineville last week, Tioga (3-1 traveled to Monroe on Thursday where the Indias fought for a 54-30 victory over a Richwood Rams club that would not fade away.

This week Pineville (2-1) hosts the Battle of The Villes, hosting Leesville (1-2). The Rebels were in a tight game with Tioga before giving up 42 unanswered points. Kelmarion Phillips scored on a 66-yard run and a 73-yard run for Pineville, which opened with a solid win in Week 1 at New Iberia.

After dominating victories against West Feliciana (54-7) and Union Parish (57-0), Alexandria escaped south Louisiana last week with a 27-26 victory over traditional powerhouse Destrehan, thanks to some big plays and a running game that had to step up.

Running back Kason Williams ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, plus he caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Karsen Sellers. Sellers was 5 of 10 for 79 yards, 50 of which came on one play.

This week the Trojans (3-0, ranked sixth in Class 5A) welcome another traditional powerhouse, Opelousas, for homecoming. The Tigers, in their first year under former Peabody coach and LSU linebacker Harry Coleman as coach, are 0-2 following a lopsided loss to Teurlings Catholic (48-12) in Week 1 and a closer game against Lake Charles College Prep (41-34) in Week 3. They did not play in Week 2.

Menard may have spent a little time polishing the Bishop’s Bowl Trophy it took from St. Mary’s for the first time after last week’s 7-6 win – but not too much. The Class 2A Eagles (2-1) travel to Class 3A Abbeville (0-3), a team they defeated by just one point last season.

Menard will rely on senior quarterback Jake Vaughan, who passed for 122 yards last week and connected with senior receiver Matthew Hicks for the lone touchdown of the game. Hicks also made an interception in the second half. The Eagles rushed for only 86 yards in what turned out to be a defensive battle that coach David Perkins said was old school.

“It was almost like from my era in the ‘70s,” he said.

Senior Jacob Jeanise had seven tackles and two assists; junior Wyatt Heyward had five tackles and four assists and junior Jack Simpson had two tackles and seven assists.

Northwood notched its first win of the season last week, knocking off Pickering 14-6 for homecoming. This week the Gators will travel north to Sibley and visit Lakeside (2-1), whose running back, Kentravion Miller, averages 9.9 yards per carry.

Peabody had a rough road trip to Fontainebleau last week, leaving with a 30-6 loss after giving up 438 rushing yards. This week the Warhorses host Franklin (1-2), which is coming off a big 56-22 win over Berwick.

After forfeiting its Week 3 game, Bolton Academy returned to the field Thursday night, traveling to LaGrange, which handed the Bears a 60-0 loss.

Contact Lori at sportslyons@gmail.com

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GOODWELL, Okla. – Louisiana Christian knows how Oklahoma Panhandle State feels, and vice versa.

Saturday evening, one team will get some relief when they collide in a Sooner Athletic Conference football game that kicks off at 6 at Anchor D Stadium.

The Wildcats (2-2 overall, 2-0 in the SAC) and the Aggies (1-2, 0-1 SAC) both absorbed big defeats at the hands of ranked opponents last weekend.

LCU was blasted 52-17 by the NAIA’s No. 8 team, Hardin-Simmons, in Abilene, Texas. OPSU was drubbed 56-10 by No. 18 Ottawa (Arizona) in a conference game.

The Wildcats will count on a couple of former ASH Trojans offensively. Datlan Cunningham is the leading ground gainer for LCU with 341 yards and three touchdowns. EJ Scott tops the pass catchers with 23 receptions for 367 yards.

Quarterback Bryce Perkins has thrown for 899 yards and four scores, three to Omarius Davis, who has 17 receptions for 292 yards.

Top defenders for LCU are Kylon Allen (31 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups) and Brandon Johnson (22 tackles, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups).

Levi Hilborn has made six of seven field goal tries for the Wildcats.

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Celebration of the first 75 years of Pineville’s Martin Library brings to mind one of my newspaper life’s biggest surprises.

The library began with an endowment by her children to honor Mildred Martin, as in Roy O Martin.

Mildred “Virginia” Martin Howard was one of the children and the surprise in this look back.

When the receptionist rang to say Mrs. Martin was at The Town Talk front desk to see me it meant one of three things.

She thought we were guilty, again, of butchering some part of the King’s English, a music project needed deserved recognition, or something new was happening at the library and deserved our attention.

Mrs. Howard was culture personified, manners ingrained and as persuasive as a Philadelphia lawyer. (And it didn’t hurt she had the, in these parts, legendary family name.)

Yet her causes carried their own weight, though we often disagreed on her grammar challenges.

She felt libraries held the nation’s future, challenging young minds to read and learn life beyond their neighborhoods, and worried reading was taking a backseat in kids’ lives.

Actually she was persuasive enough to get me involved with a gang of 5th graders in the Reading Is Fundamental program in Rapides schools. (Gosh, those kids are now in their 60s).

But Mrs. Howard was most widely known for her music skills, as a teacher, at the keys, or directing choirs.

Compositions on the classical and religious scores were her normal fare.

And so we come to a night in the 1970’s, an after-party celebrating the final rehearsal of that year’s Press Club Gridiron Show. The annual sold-out event spoofing all manner of public figures and fiascos raised scholarship funds for area students planning to study journalism and communications.

The party was at Dooley and Tiz Nunnally’s Cherokee Village place. Tiz was the Gridiron pianist so many years that she was eventually named an honorary Press Club member.

After a periodic of finger food and banter back and forth someone of course urged Tiz to hit the 88 so we all could get more much-needed singing practice.

She approached the piano and from another room came Virginia Howard, a substitution beyond expectation.
In her perfectly tailored outfit she sat and we prepared for a downer.

Then she brought forth Scott Joplin, whose ragtime was enjoying new popularity thanks to a fairly recent Newman-Redford movie “The Sting.” (If you don’t know the music, go to YouTube; too bad the Gridiron productions didn’t end up there.)

Flabbergasted describes her audience. Then out came Ham and Hambone, more widely known as Bill Carter, Town Talk sports editor, and Bill Lynch, KALB TV executive and Gridiron director, with a soft shoe routine.

The prearranged activity closed with Mrs. Howard reminding us that music and a good laugh benefit everyone.

Perhaps as true today as then.

A footnote: The Virginia M. Howard Foundation since 2013 has awarded grants totaling about $500,000 annually to programs in Central Louisiana, including the Alexandria Museum of Art and Hope House, and other areas.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Sept. 24

Dillan Aught, 20, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, no bail data;

Brian M. Johnson Sr., 44, Evergreen – producing manufacturing distributing dispensing CDS, paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, two counts use of CDS in presence of minor, two counts child desertion, two counts no child restraint system, no head light, driving under suspension, expired MVI sticker, expired plate/registration, contempt of court, $39,100 bail;

Dantaveas Diante Lindsey, 31, Alexandria – theft, resisting an officer, four counts contempt of court, $7,000 bail;

Michael Mayberry, 25, Alexandria – aggravated resisting an officer with force or violence, criminal trespass, $2,000 bail;

Haylee Marie White, 25, Pineville – two counts failure to appear, two counts probation violation, contempt of court, $100,000 bail.

 

Sept. 23

Christian Bonita Carnahan, 35, Alexandria – home invasion, theft, $10,500 bail;

Walter Drago, 64, Alexandria – possession of CDS, contempt of court, $4,000 bail;

Sam Karl Gibson, 36, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, contempt of court, probation violation, $28,000 bail;

Tony Jake Hicks, 47, Echo – two counts criminal damage to critical infrastructure, two counts theft, two counts criminal trespass, $121,000 bail;

Audra Celesti Knapp, 37, Pollock – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, two counts contempt of court, probation violation, $6,000 bail;

Michael Keith Laborde, 63, Boyce – contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Ladonna Laprairie, 37, Deville – possession of firearm by convicted felon, probation violation, no bail data;

Justin Lee Lawrence, 30, Pineville – possession of firearm by convicted felon, probation violation, no bail data;

Monica Marie Morgan, 34, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, fraud of access device, three counts contempt of court, $55,000 bail;

Jessica Lynn Phillips, 41, Pineville – theft, forgery, two counts contempt of court, $56,000 bail;

Raymond Dale Ray, 37, Alexandria – unauthorized use of a movable vehicle, $5,000 bail;

Yolanda L. Royal, 49, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, possession of fentanyl, failure to appear/pay fine, $12,500 bail;

Matthew Lavelle Smith, 39, Alexandria – five counts of fraud (access to device), criminal conspiracy, two counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Tony Lynn Smith, 64, Ball – possession of CDS, probation violation, no bail data;

William Whiddon Jr., 52, Alexandria – residential contractor fraud, violation of protective orders, no bail data;

Truman Williams Jr., 56, Boyce – two counts resisting an officer, safety belt violation, four counts contempt of court, $8,600 bail.

 

Sept. 22

Robert Craig Johnson, 42, Pineville – OWI first offense, speeding, $1,100 bail;

Todd Leighton Lucas, 38, Pineville – OWI second offense, speeding, driving under suspension, expired plate/registration, $1,800 bail;

Edward Scott, 19, Alexandria – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Marion Glen Tolbert, 42, Pineville – Louisiana fugitive, drag racing with user injury/death, $5,000 bail;

Hunter Jessie Wiley, 20, Pineville – theft of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, criminal damage to property, probation violation, possession of stolen property, $7,500 bail.

 

Sept. 21

Dameion Dandrea Henry, 21, Alexandria – OWI first offense, possession of CDS, illegal carrying of a weapon, $6,500 bail;

Leslie Christina Howard, 34, Pineville – seven counts theft, two counts contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, $4,500 bail;

Freddie Johnson, 39, Minden – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Karlia Ty’neshia Miles, 31, Colfax – theft, contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

Charles G. Price, 47, Alexandria – OWI first offense, running a stop sign, open container, driving under suspension, two counts contempt of court, $5,300 bail.

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Louisiana Public Broadcasting is bringing back its original series “Behind the Glory,” premiering Thursday at 8:45 p.m. statewide, hosted by longtime Pineville resident Lyn Rollins with the first episode featuring LSU football great and Pro Bowl lineman Andrew Whitworth.

Developed by LPB as a spinoff of its annual live coverage of the annual Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, this short-form series has become a standalone favorite—bringing audiences memorable, Louisiana-focused stories that go behind the headlines to capture the spirit of Louisiana athletics. 

Hosted by Rollins, “Behind the Glory” takes viewers inside the personal journeys of Louisiana sports legends.

The Season 3 premiere spotlights Whitworth, who built a championship career at every level—first helping West Monroe High School win three Class 5A state titles (1997, 1998, 2000), then contributing to LSU’s 2003 national championship, and ultimately claiming a Super Bowl title with the Los Angeles Rams at Super Bowl LVI. Today, Whitworth serves as an NFL analyst for Thursday night Amazon Prime game coverage and has carried that same drive off the field, channeling it into his BigWhit 77 Foundation, which supports communities and youth programs across the country.

Following the premiere, new episodes this fall will profile Dale Weiner, one of Louisiana’s winningest high school football coaches; Herb Vincent, Associate Commissioner for Communications at the Southeastern Conference, and Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award honoree; and Vickie Johnson, Louisiana Tech standout, two-time WNBA All-Star player, and one of the league’s first African-American female head coaches. More episodes will follow next spring.

“At LPB, our mission is to tell Louisiana stories—and many of those stories unfold on the fields, courts, and sidelines,” said Jason Viso, Director of Programming at LPB. “With Behind the Glory now in its third season, alongside our weekly series Game Notes and Post Game Notes, we’re continuing to celebrate Louisiana’s sports legacy in ways that connect with fans and honor the people behind the game.

Viewers can stream past episodes anytime at www.lpb.org/behind-the-glory and on the LPB YouTube channel.

Rollins, a 2018 LSHOF inductee for his broadcasting career based in Pineville but reaching statewide and beyond, has been the official voice of the Hall of Fame since 2011.

Funding for this program is provided by Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau, celebrating the charm, history, and culture of Louisiana’s oldest city, and the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

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It was tough dealing with a security alarm and a mass evacuation from Terminal 2. It was tough, too, dealing with a five-hour delay in our departure from Dublin’s airport Saturday, but it helped to have some valuable perspective.

This perspective was a gift from the country of Ireland; more specifically, from New Ross, Ireland. This is the inland southern port from where William Graves & Son issued tickets in 1846 to passengers wanting to go to America after the Irish potato famine.

We found out on a tour excursion last week what such a trip was like, and it was bleak, to say the least. It took six-to-12 weeks to sail from New Ross to Savannah, Ga., for example. Many of the passengers didn’t survive. Second-class citizens spent all but 30 minutes a day in cramped quarters below deck, where the food was meager and messy, and one lantern sometimes was the only source of light.

It was another lesson that everything in life is relative. What may be miserable for one is cushy for another whose daily misery is far worse.

Enough of that. Janet and I just returned Sunday from the Emerald Isle for what we called an early celebration of our 50^th wedding anniversary in December, and we enjoyed it thoroughly. I’ve come back saying things like “aye” and “me wife” and “at your LEZ-ure” and “over thar.” But I quickly found out from a native unless you want to sound like a naïve American, you don’t say, “Top of the mornin’ to ya!” Not cool.

Our “Irish Highlights” bus tour, with 49 of us aboard, mostly Americans and Canadians, covered a lot of ground throughout the country. We started in Dublin on the east coast and made our way west and then south and finished back in Dublin.

Yes, the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast were spectacular. I’d seen pictures, but to see them in person – and we were fortunate it was a clear day when we could see them – was a treasure.

An unexpected highlight was attending Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral in Dublin. A “pro-cathedral” is one that serves as a temporary seat of a diocese. It’s beautiful and has a rich history, and we were part of a vibrant congregation. Providing a nice touch were the Boys and Gentlemen of the Palestrina Choir. You didn’t just hear them from above, they processed in to start the service, singing and striding in two-by-two ranks, and did the same for communion and at the conclusion. And their singing was heavenly.

Speaking of music, that’s one of the pillars of Irish culture, along with sheep, fresh food and humor. The Irish are fun people to be around with their gift of storytelling, snappy wit and their pride in serving same-day farm-to-table food. That goes for the waitresses, cab and horse-and-buggy drivers and bartenders.

Phil Coulter, a musician, songwriter and record producer from Derry, North Ireland, composed a song, “Ireland’s Call,” in 1995 that has become like an alternative national anthem. It was composed for the Irish rugby team to serve as a unifying anthem that players and supporters from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland would both be willing to sing.

“Ireland, Ireland

Together standing tall

Shoulder to shoulder

We’ll answer Ireland’s call.”

Heard the entire song and was so stoked I wanted to win one for “me Gipper.”

One more music note, the Irish – just as the Scottish – are known for playing bagpipes, and I sheepishly posed with a man in kilts playing a bagpipe at the Blarney Castle. Although some bagpipe songs like “Taps” or “Amazing Grace” can be stirring, I can never forget what golf legend Lee Trevino once said: “Golf is a game started by the same folks who think music comes from a bagpipe.” 

Every day we were there it rained, which isn’t unusual, but it never rained hard, and it never rained all day. Usually it was just a drizzle, and sometimes the sun would peek behind the clouds 10 minutes later. It was chilly but never below the  50s.

An Irish staple is Guinness beer, and we each had a half pint to get in the “spirit.” Better, though, when it came to getting in the spirit were visits to small-town pubs oozing with tradition and off-the-wall charm. One was the Shanty Bar in Tarbut, County Kerry and another was Malzards Pub & Hurling Experience in Stoneyford, County Kilkenny. At the latter, Janet and I danced to The Tennessee Waltz.

Both places were great for “craic,” an Irish term (pronounced “crack”) that refers to fun, good times, entertainment, good company, interesting conversation, and banter.

With all the fun, Irish stories and songs and limericks often have sad endings, and I think it was fitting, maybe, that we had our sad ending on our homebound travel day(s). Good ol’ Alexandria is a town where Irish immigrants Henarie Huie and Edgar McCormick co-founded The Town Talk, the once-proud daily newspaper, on St. Patrick’s Day in 1883.

That story has a sad ending, too.

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Jimmie Bodard and Ronnie Peterson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, suffered from continual wanderlust.  Jimmie wanted to go to New Mexico, and Ronnie wanted to go to Shamrock, Texas, but they disagreed on how they were going to get to their destinations.  Ronnie wanted to hitchhike, but Jimmie wanted to fly.  Neither had enough money for a plane ticket, but Jimmie had another idea.  Once before, when they were overcome by wanderlust, Ronnie had talked Jimmie out of borrowing an airplane, but Jimmie was more convincing this time.   As most thieves do to minimize their actions, Jimmie called it borrowing rather than stealing.  That evening in May 1948, Jimmie and Ronnie walked to Oklahoma City’s downtown airpark which was open to the public.  They agreed that they would wait until the following day to steal an airplane and spent the night in one of the many airplanes in the airpark’s hangar.  Rather than getting an early start on their trip, they spent most of the day deciding which plane to take.  While browsing, they stole a pair of headsets and microphones which they needed for their flight.  

Finally, a little after 5 p.m., Jimmie and Ronnie pushed their plane of choice out of the hangar and onto the runway.  In the cockpit, Jimmie started the engine and opened the throttle.  The airplane gained speed, Jimmie pulled back on the yoke, and the airplane lifted off.  It was a textbook takeoff.  Just after the plane got off the ground, the engine sputtered.  Jimmie reassured Ronnie that airplanes always did that on takeoff.  Ronnie was unconvinced until, just as Jimmie had said, the engine smoothed out.  Jimmie aimed the plane westward toward their destinations.  Their plan was for Jimmie to drop Ronnie off near Shamrock and then continue to his destination in New Mexico.  Jimmie and Ronnie took turns flying the plane until Ronnie decided he had had enough.  He told Ronnie to land so he could get out.  They found a large field and landed just northwest of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, about 40 miles from Ronnie’s intended destination.  Just after touchdown, the front wheel of the plane got stuck in the field.  They had no choice but to abandon the airplane.  

Undeterred, Jimmie and Ronnie stole a saddle horse from the farmer in whose field they had landed and rode toward Cheyenne.  At the Washita River, the horse refused to cross, so they abandoned the horse, swam across the river, and continued on foot.  Soaked to the bone, Jimmie and Ronnie drew so much attention in Cheyenne that someone notified the sheriff.  The sheriff questioned Jimmie and Ronnie, but they told the sheriff they had hitchhiked into town.  The sheriff arrested them after he learned that they were wanted by the highway patrol, but not for stealing the airplane.  A confused farmer located the airplane in his field the following day and called the police.  Investigators traced the airplane back to the airport, but no one at the airport had realized the airplane was missing.  Finally, after some tough questioning, Jimmie and Ronnie confessed everything to the shocked sheriff.  You see, Jimmie and Ronnie, the airplane and horse thieves, had run away from home.  They were fifth graders; Jimmie was 11 years old, and Ronnie was 12.  They had learned how to fly an airplane by reading comic books.

Sources:

1. Pawhuska Journal-Capital, May 21, 1948, p.1.
2. The Daily Oklahoman, May 22, 1948, p.30.        

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After an impressive win last Friday, the Alexandria Senior High Trojans have risen one spot to sixth in the Class 5A state high school football rankings voted by a Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel.

ASH (3-0) won 27-21 at then No. 9-ranked Destrehan. Meanwhile, No. 4 Neville was drubbed by Oak Grove (Miss.) and slipped three spots to allow the Trojans to move forward.

The only other Rapides Parish team to receive voting support in any classification was Tioga (2-1), which got three points in the Class 4A balloting. The Indians scored a resounding 56-14 win at crosstown rival Pineville, previously unbeaten, last Friday night.

ASH is at home Friday night against Opelousas (0-2). Tioga goes on the road to face Richwood (1-2) in Monroe.

This week’s voting by a panel of 11 regional high school sports journalists who are LSWA members:

Class 5A

School (1^st place votes), points, last week’s rank

1. Karr (11), 3-0, 132, 1
2. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 3-0, 117, 2
3. Ruston, 3-0, 114, 3
4. Central, 3-0, 87, 5
5. St. Augustine, 3-0,  81, 6
6. Alexandria  Senior High, 3-0, 78, 7
7. Neville,  2-1,  63, 4
8. John Curtis, 2-0, 62, 8
9. Zachary, 3-0, 50, 9
10. Brother Martin, 3-0, 23, NR

Others receiving votes: Archbishop Rummel 17, Destrehan 9, Terrebonne 8, Evangel Christian 7, Ouachita 5, Covington 3, Jesuit 2, Airline 1.

Class 4A

1. North DeSoto (9), 3-0, 127, 2
2. Teurlings Catholic (2), 3-0, 110, 3
3. Franklin Parish, 2-1, 102, 1

(tie) St. Thomas More, 1-2, 102, 4

5. Franklinton, 2-1, 79, 6
6. Lakeshore,  3-0, 73, 7
7. St. Charles, 3-0, 71, 8
8. Plaquemine, 2-1, 55, 9
9. Iowa, 3-0, 46, NR
10. Archbishop Shaw, 1-2,  39, 5

Others receiving votes: Vandebilt Catholic 16, Cecilia 10, E.D. White 8, Lutcher 6, Tioga 3, Westgate 3, Belle Chasse 1.

Class 3A

1. Jewel Sumner (4), 3-0, 115, 4
2. St. James (2), 2-1, 113, 1
3. Sterlington (2), 2-1, 111, 2
4. Madison Prep (1), 2-1, 95, 3
5. Bunkie (1), 3-0, 91, 6
6. Jena, 3-0, 80, 7
7. University (1), 1-2, 72, 5
8. Lake Charles College Prep, 2-1, 53, 8
9. Church Point, 2-1, 40, 9
10. Erath, 3-0, 38, NR

Others receiving votes: Jennings 21, Amite 11, Marksville 7, John F. Kennedy 7, Westlake 3, De La Salle 1.

Class 2A

1. Lafayette Christian Academy (10), 3-0, 130, 1
2. Ouachita Christian, 3-0, 116, 2
3. Catholic-New Iberia (1), 3-0, 109, 4
4. Dunham, 2-1, 95, 2
5. Calvary Baptist, 2-1, 94, 6
6. Notre Dame, 2-1, 67, 5
7. Lafayette Renaissance Charter,  3-0, 56,  8
8. Oak Grove, 2-1, 54, 9
9. Ferriday, 3-0, 44,10
10. South Plaquemines, 2-1, 33, 7

Others receiving votes: Kinder 16, Mangham 13, Union Parish 11, Northlake Christian 8, Newman 4, East Feliciana 3, Episcopal-Baton Rouge 3, Northeast 2.

Class 1A

1. Haynesville (11), 3-0, 132, 1
2. Opelousas Catholic,  3-0, 119, 2
3. Jeanerette, 3-0, 101, 3
4. Covenant Christian, 2-1, 92, 4
5. Southern Lab, 2-1, 85, 5
6. Hamilton Christian, 3-0, 70, 6
7. Vermilion Catholic, 1-2, 63, 7

(tie) Riverside, 2-1, 63, 8

9. Kentwood,1-2, 45, 9
10. Ascension Catholic, 2-1, 38,10

Others receiving votes: Ascension Episcopal 14, North Iberville 14, Westminster-Opelousas 9, Logansport 4, St. Edmund 4, General Trass 4, Grand Lake 2, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 1.

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