A6 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018 SPORTS Northwest-LCCP, Assumption-Leesville games to watch

In this edition of the Three Raiders 46-39 win over Ber- WA: Jonesboro-Hodge at team this week that beat them the chains moving and allow Point Stance, Rodrick Ander- wick. Oberlin. The Tigers have 54-32 in Week 9. Rosepine can the Wampus Cats to make big son and Warren Arceneaux RA: Assumption at Lees- lost in the regional round six rack up a pile of yards and plays on play-action passes discuss the regional round ville. Leesville is trying to straight seasons. J-Hodge has points in a hurry, so it will be and reverses. of the high school football reach the quarterfinals since scored 48 or more points five up the Tigers’ defense, who are RA: Iota’s backfield tandem playoffs. 2000 and will host the team times this season, including coming off their third shutout of Luke Doucet and Kollin What is the best game in- that knocked them out that 52 last week. Oberlin has held of the season, to slow down Guillory. The duo has com- THREE volving an area large school? season. Assumption has a seven opponents to single- the Eagles give the offense bined for more than 2,300 WA: Northwest at Lake three year starter at quarter- digit point totals with three good field position. yards and 34 touchdowns. At Charles College Prep. The back in Tijah Parker and a shutouts, including one over Name a player to watch. 215-pounds, Doucet bulls his Blazers shook off a sluggish Nicholls State commitment Northwood-Lena last week. WA: Leesville RB D’ante way through opposing de- first half against Erath last free safety that Leesville quar- RA: Rosepine at DeQuincy. Gallashaw has three straight fenses, while Guillory uses his POINT week, overcoming a 14-0 first terback Jacob Mount will have It’s another District 5-2A re- games with more than 100 speed and great balance to stay half deficit in a 28-14 win. This to watch out for. match. DeQuincy beat district yards rushing, including 144 on his feet. Both are capable week they face Northwest QB What is the most interest- rival East Beauregard 25-0 last yards and 2 touchdowns last of long runs which could lead STANCE Montaze Sam, who ran for ing game with an area small week to make up for a regular week. He has 1,126 yards and to a long night for Baker this 383 yards and five TD’s in the school? season loss and will face a 8 TDs on the season. He keeps week.

LSU LSU OFFENSE The LSU o!ense hit its peak in the 17 sign commitments to McNeese Continued from A4 upset of Georgia, but it’s been downhill fireworks and Mardi Gras last week ever since. A look at what the o!ense By David Berry averaged 14.6 points and 3.3 re- Rachel Young | Forward | Surprise, while picking up 359 yards in a 24-17 did in the six games prior to Georgia [email protected] bounds per game. The Lady Rebels Arizona (Shadow Ridge) win against Arkansas — the Razor- and the drop o! since: have made the playoffs each of the backs came in averaging 33 points a Rush Pass Total Pnts Men’s Basketball previous three seasons with Rat- Softball game allowed. First six avg. 190 203 393 32 cliff on the team. On the first day of the week-long Six players signed with the Mc- Orgeron has noticed. GEORGIA 275 200 475 36 early signing period for Division Neese softball team on Wednesday: “I think somehow, someway we’ve Miss. State 110 129 239 19 Women’s Soccer I basketball, the Cowboys signed Sydney Belvin | SS | New Braunfels, lost our identity since the Georgia Alabama 12 184 196 0 Eight players signed the Na- one player, 6-6 wing Chris Orlina. Texas (Canyon) game,” he said Monday. Arkansas 164 195 359 24 tional letter of Intent to join the And they’re working on it. Trying Last three avg. 95 169 265 14 The Newport News, Virginia-native Cowgirls for next season: Caleigh Cross | SS | Forney, Texas to get that Georgia magic back. Season avg. 170 192 362 27 currently plays for South Plains Jillian Bech | MF |Lake Charles (Barbe) (Forney) (TX) Junior College. Last season at “I asked (offensive coordinator Olivia Broussard | MF/F | Sulphur (Saint Janae Hernandez | OF | Menifee, Cali- Steve) Ensminger to go back and look South Plains, Orlina won the junior Louis Catholic) fornia (Heritage) at the (Georgia) game and figure out college national championship, ferent starting combinations up front Megan Donovan | F | San Diego, Cali- Jil Poullard | Util. | Moss Blu! (Sam what we did right there,” Orgeron averaging 8.9 points, 4,8 rebounds, in every contest due to injuries. fornia (Del Norte) Houston) said. “Because we were clicking “Maybe sometimes we feel like and 1.7 assists per game. pretty good that game. Let’s look at Kelly Hines | GK| Cypress, Texas (Cy- Whitney Tate | P | Columbia (Caldwell we’re handcuffed, we can’t get as Women’s Basketball press Woods) Parish) the things that we did.” many receivers out as we want to or He wouldn’t share what, if any- something like that because of protec- The Cowgirls also signed one Kiana Kukaua | MF| Valencia, California Taniece Tyson | OF/Util. | Lancaster, thing, Ensminger uncovered. tion or whatever it may be,” Orgeron player, guard Elizabeth Ratcliff (Valencia) Texas (Red Oak) But they’re also analyzing what said. “But I did ask (Ensminger) to go from Teurlings Catholic in Lafay- Kambrie McFarland | MF/F| Lumberton, has gone wrong in the last three back and look at the Georgia game, ette. The 5-7 Ratcliff is a four-year Texas (Lumberton) Baseball games. look at what we did.” starter and three-year letter-winner Abby Richeson | MF/D | Ontario, James Burchett | P | Kirbyville, Texas LSU has some obvious weaknesses What they haven’t done since is for Tuerlings. In her career, she’s Canada (Cardinal Newman Catholic) (Kirbyville) on the offensive side, most notably come anywhere near those gaudy trouble protecting Joe Burrow, a Georgia numbers. quarterback who can make all the “We looked at it, and we looked at job, it means a lot. If you’ve got to injuries for most of the season as throws when he has time, but who tendencies, we looked at the down and LAMAR take the pitch, you’ve got to take well. Jacobs acknowledges that the also sometimes complicates matters distance (and what) we called on it,” the pitch. If you’ve got to take the defense will miss Burris and Blunt by holding the ball too long in the Orgerons said. “We looked at forma- Continued from A4 quarterback, you’ve got to take the if they don’t play. But they still have pocket. tion, we looked at what are we giving they run some plays with both of quarterback. If we just stay disci- to go out there and play. They’ve often been forced into away, what are they doing to take it them in there that they can both plined and execute your specific job, “Having those two players on the “max protect” formations, which away from us. can run the option with. They’re we should be fine.” field does make a difference,” Ja- keeps additional blockers in to keep “And, you’re exactly right, it’s not doing a good job offensively.” Adding to the defense’s challenge cobs said of Burris and Blunt. “Be- Burrow vertical but takes them away working.” As with any triple-option offense, this week is the probability that cause B.J. is a great leader and ‘Von from the available receivers running The solution? There are no guaran- assignment football is key for the they will be without junior safety is an intense player. And they both routes. tees, but he suggested they want keep defense. But where as a lot of triple- Jovon Burris and senior linebacker bring pieces to the defense that we “I do expect Joe to play better,” trying the same old, same old. option teams have tightly-packed B.J. Blunt. Burris suffered a head need and that we love. But next man Orgeron said. “He’s had some really “I think it’s more or less to simpli- formations, Lamar runs it out of injury when he took a knee to the up. You’ve got to prepare like you’re good games, he’s had some OK games, fy. (Are) we putting too many things the shotgun spread. So there is helmet on the opening kickoff the starter each and every week and he knows that. He’s a competi- in? Are we trying to cover up some more space for the defense to cover, against NSU, while Blunt suffered a even when you’re not the starter. tor. I would expect him to pick up his things that are some weaknesses? and the Cardinals can also utilize knee injury late in the same game. Coach Guidry always preaches that. game the next couple games.” “We’re going to...look at what the the run-pass option. If neither are able to play, look You’ve got to practice like a starter Oddly, the production dropoff guys are doing to us on defense, the “Got to execute,” senior lineback- for sophomore Gabe Foster, who is so you can play like a starter.” has come with the offensive line the defenses that are giving us problems, er Christian Jacobs said. “When nursing a hamstring injury himself, The DWA is looking to get the at- healthiest it’s been all season. The (and) have answers for those defenses you have a job, you have to do your to replace Burris. Senior Tré Porter titude back after losing it for a half first seven games were mix and match because we’re going to see them job 100 percent. Can’t get your eyes could replace Blunt. last Saturday. as the Tigers were forced to use dif- again.” in the wrong place. Like I said, your The defensive line has dealt with

“I picked McNeese because it staff made a big impression on BEST was the best opportunity for me. him. LSU TIDBITS I love the coaches. It just seemed “I get to take another big step Continued from A4 like home. Since we are new here, it and play baseball, which I love,” he LSU was already missing a starting cornerback with WOUNDED TIGERS: and made sure I was OK. I’m a seemed like a great place to be.” said. “I loved the campus and the Kristian Fulton out for the forseeable future. Wednesday head coach Ed Orgeron said Bronco pitcher Will Thompson on the SEC teleconference that backup Kelvin Joseph, a freshman, is also “question- loyal person. I will be loyal to UL-L coaches, it felt like a second family.” able” for this week’s Rice game with an injury suffered last week against Arkansas.” because they were loyal to me.” signed to play at Hutchinson Com- LaGrange’s Cameron Pradia We’ll see how he’s going to be, hopefully he can play,” Orgeron said. If not, LSU will The Sam Houston baseball team munity College in Kansas. signed to play baseball at UL-Mon- likely use nickel back Kary Vincent on the outside with Terrence Alexander also seeing produced four Division I signees. The Lady Broncos also had a Di- roe. more playing time. Catcher Silas Ardoin signed with vision I signee, with infielder Jilyen McNeese added a pair of local Texas, shortstop Hunter Gotreaux Poullard signing with McNeese. soccer players in Jillian Bech of HOLD THAT TIGER: Orgeron couldn’t comment on it publicly yet, but signed with Nicholls State, out- “It is just close to home and it Barbe and Olivia Broussard of the Tigers picked up a major recruiting commitment this week when running back fielder Braden Duhon signed with has caught my attention my whole St. Louis. The Saints had another John Emery of Destrehan pledged to the Tigers. Emery, considered the nation’s top Louisiana Tech and pitcher Cam- life and I always wanted to go running back prospect by some, had previously committed to Georgia. Currently, LSU signee in Madeline Howard, who eron Meeks signed with McNeese. there,” she said. will play for Louisiana College. has 20 commitments, including the top six ranked players from Louisiana. “Our focus Barbe had a trio of baseball sign- is always going to be on the state of Louisiana, keeping the top prospects in Louisiana “I went to see other schools, but South Beauregard had a pair of ees. Damon Fountain is headed home,” Orgeron said. “It’s a battle. We’re happy where we’re at in recruiting right now. I knew I wanted to go to Texas as signees, with baseball player Chase soon as I went over there,” Ardoin to Tulane, Carter Quinn to South Obviously we’ve got to finish strong.” The first national signing day is Dec. 19. Fisher signing with Christian said. “The campus and coaches Alabama and Isaac Duplechain to Brothers and softball player Jaclyn were great.” McNeese. HONOR THAT TIGER: LSU safety Grant Delpit on Wednesday was Deason inking with Delta State. named of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski trophy, which goes to the nation’s top Duhon is the younger brother of “It is something I dreamed of as Joining Deason at Delta State will defensive player. He’s one of three SEC players among the finalists, joined by Kentucky McNeese catcher Dustin Duhon. a kid, to finally get to do it is a bless- linebacker Josh Allen and Alabama noseguard Quinnen Williams. The others are Michi- “I didn’t want to follow the same ing,” Fountain said. “Once they be Sam Houston’s Jenny Griggers. gan linebacker Devin Bush and Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. LSU has path. I wanted to create my own brought me in to visit the campus, Heading to Eunice for softball had one player win the award — defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey in 2007. path,” Braden said. it felt like the only place I wanted are Westlake’s Audrey Fisher and Scooter Hobbs Gotreaux said comfort was the to be.” Sam Houston’s Kyla Hamilton and deciding factor in his choice of Quinn said he expects a smooth Makenah Hamilton, Lady Bronco Nicholls. transition to college life. infielder Jordan Lafosse signed “I love it over there. Everytime “All of the coaches welcomed me with Mississippi College. I go there I feel like I am at home,” with open arms and I enjoyed being Barbe volleyball player Mal he said. around all the players and coach- Black signed with Lakeland Univer- Appeals court hears case Meeks, a transfer from Captain es,” Quinn said. “I want to leave a sity. Shreve, said he wanted to stay in legacy here at Barbe and win a state DeRidder Lady Dragons guard the Lake Charles area. championship. Dominique Davis is expected to of ex-Saints star Smith’s killer Duplechain said the McNeese sign with LSU later this week. By The Associated Press Assistant District Attorney Kyle Daly countered that Hayes was alone NEW ORLEANS — A defense attor- or having those fans come to The among witnesses in saying Smith ney for the man convicted of killing Hole, may be a bit more fruitful than brandished a gun or fired it. A semi- Quinn o! BERRY retired New Orleans Saints star Will schools like UIW, Houston Baptist, automatic handgun was found loaded Continued from A4 Smith in 2016 has told a Louisiana ap- and Abilene Christian. No offense to but unused in Smith’s car. And while pellate court that his client deserves a those schools, but they’re either too Barker said gunfire residue on Smith’s injured list out and start fundraising even more new trial, in part because of evidence far, or don’t have a big enough fan body raises doubt that he never fired, than they already have. Moving up to base to make a true impact yet. that surfaced after trial that he said Daly said it was consistent with be- Sta! reports the big-time isn’t cheap. lends credibility to Cardell Hayes’ self- I think this should happen because No more realistic shot at a national ing shot at close-range with a larger Lake Charles native and defense assertion. weapon. it will bring back some old rivalries championship. But playing to make it Hayes’ appeal attorney, Paul former Barbe star Trey with new names (UL-Lafayette and to a bowl game hasn’t been a buzzkill It was unclear when the three-judge Quinn was activated from the Barker, told three 4th Circuit Court of UL-Monroe) if McNeese went to to Group of Five schools for recruit- appellate panel would rule. injured list by the Washing- Appeal judges Wednesday that New the Sun Belt. The Cowboys would ing. And the chance to earn money Barker argued that trial judge ton Redskins Wednesday. Orleans prosecutors failed to dis- presumably go to the West Division for the football team and athletic pro- Camille Buras should have granted a Quinn was placed on the prove that Hayes acted in self-defense. and the Sun Belt would need to add gram goes up a bunch. The Sun Belt new trial because a witness who con- injured list with a high ankle Hayes is serving a 25-year sentence one more team for the East. As far as has five bowl game tie-ins. The lowest tacted the defense a day after Hayes’ sprain injury following the for manslaughter in Smith’s death travel goes, Texas State would replace pay-out is $250,000. The highest is conviction said he had heard two gun team’s opening game of the and attempted manslaughter in the Incarnate Word, Arkansas State $1.5 million. The average is $767,807. fire from two weapons at the time of season against Arizona. wounding of Smith’s wife during a the shooting. would replace Central Arkansas, and I’m not sure there are many, if any, Quinn returned two punts you’d travel an hour east to play ULL confrontation following a traffic colli- The witness, military veteran for 12 yards before leaving chances to make that much money for sion in April 2016. Michael Burnside, delivered rambling instead of an hour west to play La- one game at the FCS level. with the injury. mar. Troy is an old Southland foe that Hayes insisted at trial that he fired and at times profane testimony at a Quinn made the Redskins It makes sense from a rivalry and after a drunk, angry Smith retrieved a post-trial hearing last year. Daly ar- old Cowboy fans should have some financial standpoint. But it takes final roster as a seventh- familiarity with. Burckel played foot- gun from his car and fired first. gued that he wasn’t credible. Burnside round draft pick from SMU. money to make money. And patience, Barker said none of a host of wit- lived blocks from the shooting scene ball at McNeese when ULL, ULM, and in case someone wonders why this In the preseason, he had Arkansas State were on the schedule. nesses had a clear view of everything and, Daly argued, his testimony indi- seven receptions for 81 yards can’t happen by next year. And butts that happened amid the tumult fol- cated a series of shots fired at a slower He should know how important those in the seats of Cowboy Stadium, don’t and returned five punts for a games are. lowing the accident in New Orleans’ rate than the rapid-fire shooting Hayes 7.8 yard average. forget that. More butts means more Lower Garden District. had described. Traveling to some of those places, money. More money means hello FBS.