Congratulations are in order to picker winner Taylor Lee for winning Week Nine of the Football Pick’Em Contest in the Red River Parish Journal.

To enter this week’s contest, CLICK HERE!  https://tinyurl.com/RRPJPickem
(Games played on November 8, 2024)

The Red River Parish Journal and American Bank are proud to bring you the 2024 High School Football Pick’em Contest presented by American Bank.

Anyone is eligible to participate for FREE and each week’s winner will go home with a $100.00 cash prize.  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

The American Bank & Tyler Insurance Agency High School Football Pick’em Contest will be conducted over the 10 regular season weeks of the High School season starting with Week 1 games (Sept. 6) and running through the end of November.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to subscribe to the Red River Parish Journal.

All contest decisions by Red River Parish Journal (RRPJ) management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run that week in the RRPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the RRPJ, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. Monday-Wednesday-Friday e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $100.00 each week!

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The Red River Parish Journal wants to thank American Bank & Tyler Insurance Agency for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s High School pick’em contest.

We also want to thank Better Finance and C&K BBQ for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.

Week 1: Pam Williams
Week 2: Debbie Bamburg
Week 3: Ty Birdsong
Week 4: Taylor Lee
Week 5: Venessa Birdsong
Week 6: Venessa Birdsong
Week 7: Ben Ledbetter
Week 8: Taylor Lee
Week 9: Taylor Lee

The Harrington Law Firm and the way they do business is about family, in the truest sense of the word.

“By definition, we are a family firm. But it goes way beyond that,” says partner Eddie Harrington. “My dad began practicing law over 46 years ago here and practiced with his brothers Rick and Billy Joe,” Eddie continued, “I joined him in practice when I finished law school 14 years ago. So the practice of law has always been about family for us.”

Rodney says that the family aspect of their firm extends to the way they treat their clients.

“We tell our clients that when you hire Eddie and I to represent you, you become part of our family, The Harrington Law Firm family. We believe that strongly and live it every day in the way we handle our business.”

“We think that the family aspect of our firm and the one on one treatment we give our clients is something that sets us apart from some of the big billboard/TV advertising firms, many of which are located in Baton Rouge and New Orleans,” says Eddie.

“We like to say that when you hire us as your attorneys, you get US, Rodney and Eddie,” he continued “You’re not shuffled off to some underling.” Rodney says that the firm’s focus on family is further evidenced by their staff.

“Our staff is an integral part of The Harrington Law Firm family” said Rodney. “We truly believe we have the best, most efficient, most caring staff in Louisiana” he continued, “some of them have been with us for multiple decades. They are hard working, fiercely loyal, respectful to our clients, and to us, they are family.”

“If a member of my actual family has been wronged, harmed, or treated badly in some way, I will stand up and fight to protect that family member. Most people would,” says Eddie. “We fight for our clients as if they were our blood relatives. Again, to us, they ARE family.”

Office Manager Melanie Hicks, who first began working for Rodney as a student worker nearly 30 years ago, echoes Rodney’s and Eddie’s sentiments.

“I think it goes back to the fact that Rodney and Eddie have big hearts and so do the members of our staff,” says Melanie. “People that come to us are coming because they’ve had some problem, been in a car wreck, had financial problems, been denied social security, something like that. Generally they’re nervous, scared, and upset. We realize that and always try to treat them with the same dignity, respect, and empathy that we would members of our own immediate family.”

“The thing we hear most from our clients”, Melanie continued, “is ‘They treated me like family.’”

The Harrington Law Firm handles cases in all of Louisiana and is also licensed in Texas and its practice is focused on all types of personal injury including car wrecks and other vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, bankruptcy, social security disability, and wills and successions. For a free appointment, call 318-352-5900 and for more information go to www.theharringtonlawfirm.com.

By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

COUSHATTA – When coach Ellie Drew started the Red River volleyball program in 2018, she knew it’d be a process to familiarize the youth and the community with a new sport.

Fast forward to 2024, and the Bulldogs will be making their third consecutive playoff appearance.

The No. 28 seed Bulldogs will saddle up and head north to No. 5 Calvary Baptist (24-8) on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

But this year feels different. The Bulldogs (10-11) aren’t simply going for the experience (Red River didn’t score double digits in any single set in either previous playoff trip).

After winning a program-record 10 matches, which included against more established programs like Evangel Christian and St. Mary’s, Red River believes they can compete.

“We’ve played our best by far this season,” Drew said. “This is the first year we’ve actually got to run an offense with players specializing in positions like setter, middle blocker and outside hitter.

“It’s really helped players to play a specific position and refine those skills instead of rotating through and playing a lot of positions.”

Drew has leaned on her three-member senior class of libero Anyla Young and middle blockers Caitlyn Jones and Anyah Ashton.

“With those three, whatever I need them to do, they don’t ask questions and give it their all,” Drew said. “They set such a good example for younger players.

“Caitlyn started as an outside hitter, but we moved her to middle blocker during the season, and she’s picked it up and is excelling.”

Drew also points to the formation of a junior high program several years ago that has yielded younger players who come in with basic knowledge and experience. Before that, girls would join the program as sophomores or juniors with no experience.

The result is a team that’s improved throughout the season, learning from its 1-8 start to win nine of its last 12 matches.

Drew points to a match against regional power Natchitoches Central as an early sign that this year would be different.

“We didn’t win a set or anything, but (NCHS) had to work for their points,” Drew said. “And then against Evangel, that was a real turning point.

“I knew we could compete with teams like that, but when we beat Evangel (15-13 in the fifth set), the players started believing. They developed mentally and said, ‘OK, we can do this.’ This year, we’re learning more than we ever have from playing bigger schools because we could actually compete with them.

“We’ve played some of the best and seen them, and we haven’t been scared of them.”

Red River reached the playoffs the past two years winning four and eight matches, respectively.

It’s a step up from a winless 2020, but with a solid foundation in place and more experienced players coming on line, Red River is aiming to make double-digit wins and competing in the playoffs an annual occurrence.

“One of the best things about this entire process is that whether we were winning one match or 10 matches, the support has always been there from the community, the teachers, and the students,” said Drew, who teaches at Red River Junior High but comes over to coach the high school volleyball team. “People have always been into what we’re doing and been supportive.

“This has been an ideal group to coach in that they support each other and cheer for each other. The parents have also been incredible, and that’s made it even more of a joy to coach.”

(Campti)-At 11:00am on Monday, Nov. 4, an increased law enforcement presence of Natchitoches SWAT and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were in the 100 block of Adkins Street in Campti searching for Sammy Pottain. He was wanted by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office on outstanding felony warrants and fleeing during a traffic stop over the weekend, according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.

Pottain was not located at that time. 

Later that afternoon, Red River Parish Sheriff’s Deputies took Pottain into custody in Coushatta.

He was booked into the Red River Parish Jail and will be transferred to LaSalle Corrections Facility in Natchitoches at a later time to face Natchitoches Parish criminal charges.

Source: Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook post

NATCHITOCHES –The Northwestern State University Louisiana Folklife Center will host the 16th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Multicultural Christmas Concert beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum, 800 Front Street, Natchitoches.

Singers, musicians, dancers and readers of both sacred and secular art are invited to join the multi-cultural celebration with the Natchitoches community with performances that address Christmas or the Christmas season.

To participate, please contact the Louisiana Folklife Center by Nov. 22 at (318) 357-4332 or folklife@nsula.edu.

A woman received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left work and stopped by the pharmacy for medication. Upon returning to her car, she found she had locked her keys inside.

She had to get home to her sick daughter and didn’t know what to do. She called home, and the sitter told her that her daughter was getting worse. The sitter suggested that the woman get a coat hanger to unlock the door.

The woman found an old, rusty coat hanger on the ground. Not knowing how to use it, she bowed her head and asked God for help. An old rusty car pulled up, driven by a dirty, bearded man with a biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought, “Great, God, this is what you sent to help me?” But she was desperate and hopeful.

The man got out of his car and asked if he could help. She said, “Yes, my daughter is very sick. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?”

He said, “Sure.” He walked over to the car and in seconds had it opened. She hugged him and through tears said, “Thank you so much. You’re a very nice man.”

The man replied, “Lady, I’m not a nice man. I just got out of prison for car theft.

The woman hugged the man again and cried aloud, “Thank you, God, for sending me a professional!”

If you have a medical problem, you want a physician. If your troubles are legal, then you want an attorney.

If you have a challenge with this bigger challenge called life, you need another kind of professional. I have good news for you, His name is Jesus. He is as close as a prayer.

The holiday season in Ruston, Louisiana, is nothing short of magical, especially for kids. From sparkling lights to festive treats, this town knows how to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Here are five adorable, kid-approved events that will make your family’s holiday season in Ruston one to remember.

What better way to start the holiday season than with a joyful open house and tree lighting that gets everyone in the festive spirit? Ruston’s annual Holiday Open House and Kickoff to Christmas on November 21 is the perfect start to the season, filled with family fun and excitement. Local shops and businesses decorate their storefronts, and everyone gathers around the tree to countdown the flip of the switch. Kids will love visiting with Santa, sipping hot chocolate, and adding local items to their Christmas wish list. 

Lincoln Lights up the Pines is a must if you want to see some true Christmas magic! This dazzling light display at Lincoln Parish Park turns the woods into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights on December 5-7 and 12-14. Families can pile into their cars, pack a thermos full of apple cider, tune the radio to holiday music, and drive through this 3-mile, stunning display.

The lights dance, sparkle, and fill the night with holiday cheer. Your kid’s eyes will be wide with
wonder as they take in the shimmering sights! 

Nothing says “Christmas magic” or “kid-approved”  like cookies! If your kiddos love cookies (and really, who doesn’t?), then Ruston’s Christmas Cookie Crawl on December 15 is an absolute must. Local businesses will feature locally-made holiday cookies, and families can stroll through town, collecting all sorts of delicious treats along the way. It’s a fun, tasty adventure as kids get to sample different flavors, and the excitement of filling up their cookie boxes makes it even sweeter. 

Race over to the Ruston Sports Complex for Christmas at the Complex on December 19-21 for a family-friendly event that guarantees an unforgettable and breathtaking (literally) holiday experience. The kids can enjoy a 5K fun run on Thursday, followed by a Christmas movie and ice skating on Friday, all capped off with food trucks, cookies and cocoa with Santa, and more ice skating on Saturday! The best part? All events on Friday and Saturday are totally free and open to the public. 

A highlight of the season, the Ruston Christmas Parade will roll into town on December 20, the perfect celebration of a magical holiday season! The parade is a must-see for all kids, featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and local performers all decked out in holiday attire. As you line the streets of downtown, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of marching bands playing festive carols and the sight of Christmas-themed floats making their way down the route. And don’t forget to raise your hands in the air to catch the candy flying your way! 

Ruston turns into a holiday wonderland that’s perfect for families and kids of all ages. Whether your kiddos are into cookies, lights, or spending time with Santa, there’s something magical waiting for everyone. So bundle up, bring your holiday cheer, and get ready to make some sweet, festive memories in Ruston & Lincoln Parish!

For more details on local holiday events and to plan your festive trip, visit www.experienceruston.com.

Red River High School will host a blood drive Thursday, November 7 from 9am until 2pm in the gym. Donors will receive a Blood Donors Sleigh sweatshirt. The public is invited to participate. Help them reach their goal of at least 18 units. Walk ins are welcome. You can preregister at https://donor.lifeshare.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/276460. 

Mighty Moms will meet Friday, November 8 at 6pm at First Baptist Church of Robeline. Christi Ray will the guest speaker. A meal will be provided. 

The 6th Annual Minden Makers Fair will be held Saturday, November 9 from 11am-4pm at The Farm of Cultural Crossroads (419 East Union, Minden, LA). Expect a day full of handmade goods, delicious treats, and fun activities for the whole family.

The DeSoto Parish GOP will host a Social on Monday, November 18 beginning at 11:30am at the RB4 Event Center, 791 Nash Road in Logansport. Secretary of State, Nancy Landry, will be the guest of honor. Lunch will be catered. RSVP to Brandy Pearce by November 15 at 318.218.6854.

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Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – The atmosphere around Red River High has been palpable.

Talks of the program’s first district championship since 2005 have been on everyone’s lips, and the Bulldogs would have an opportunity to secure the trophy at home and on Senior Night.

Red River made sure that the community could unleash nearly 20 years of not winning a title by dominating Winnfield from the first whistle.

The Bulldogs scored 38 first-half points and accounted for the game’s first 50 points in a 50-6 rout of Winnfield.

“It was great. That was a great high school football game experience,” said Red River coach Byron Keller.

“And being able to win the district title at home sealed the night.

“The excitement and celebrations after the game will be great memories for years.”

Red River (5-4, 4-0 District 3-2A) raced to a 22-0 lead after the first quarter and tacked on 16 more points in the second to erase any doubt of the outcome.

The Bulldogs have outscored their last three opponents 128-20, which included knocking off a previously unbeaten Lakeside squad in a 30-6 victory.

Red River’s 12 seniors can go ahead and submit their ring sizes after the Bulldogs completed a 4-0 district slate with wins against Mansfield (20-12), Lakeside (30-6), Many (48-8) and now Winnfield.

Names like receiver/cornerback Jomello McDonald and running back Montraveun Smith were central to Friday’s win as they’ve been all year.

But it’s more than just Red River’s most experienced players – juniors like quarterback Malique Smith and running back/defensive back Warren Bowman are growing in their roles.

Match that with an underclassmen-laden offensive line that’s steadily improved, and that explains why an offense that struggled early has surged in the last month.

“Malique especially has steadily improved as the season progressed,” Keller said. “He’s been able to handle more of the offense and improved tremendously in the passing game.

“The offensive line has also improved each week, which has allowed Malique to be comfortable and carve up defenses.”

The defense has experienced similar improvement throughout the season.

Winnfield has held to less than 200 offensive yards, including just three yards per rush.

“Alignment, assignment, and execution,” Keller said when describing the defensive’s performance Friday.

“We preach these three foundations.

“Then, when we add our fast and physical style, it gives opposing offenses trouble.”
Red River has now won seven of the last eight meetings against Winnfield.

While the Bulldogs have had some success over the past 20 years, particularly in the John Bachman years and then under Bachman’s coordinator Jeff Harper, there’s been a glass ceiling in district play with Calvary Baptist or Many as the preeminent power.

Calvary Baptist has been in a different district since 2016, and Many moved in and ruled the roost from there.

But Many’s demise allowed a wide-open district race, one in which Red River inserted itself and threw its weight around.

The Bulldogs’ four-game winning streak is its longest since winning four straight in 2020, which also included a Winnfield win.

Red River will attempt to make it five-in-a-row when they head to Oakdale (3-6) to finish the regular season.

The Bulldogs sit at No. 12 in the Division III Non-Select rankings.

The Red River Parish School Board will have a Special Called Meeting this morning (November 4) at 8:30am at Red River Parish School Board Administration Building.

The only item on the agenda is to declare a vacancy for District 6 and to call a special election for the vacancy for March 29, 2025. 

The regular monthly meeting will take Monday, November 11 at 4:30pm. 

By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

COUSHATTA — For a Riverdale Academy football team that has battled injuries to key players all season, the Rebels experienced a late-season surge to put the program in a familiar place – the second round of the playoffs.

Riverdale pitched its second straight shutout and leaned on its ground game to blank Union Christian Academy at home in a 44-0 win Friday in the first round of the playoffs.

“We were more aggressive this week, and it turned into a few good plays,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “Tyler Wilhite got his first career interception, and Logan Gryder got pressure all night.

“Having Brayden Pearah playing cornerback gives Tanner Carlisle the ability to play his more natural linebacker spot. Having Tanner and Ashton Almond both at linebacker gives our defense its best chance.”
No. 7 seed Riverdale (5-5) heads to No. 2 seed Lee Academy (4-5) on Friday in the second round of the Class 1A MAIS playoffs.

Against Union Christian (3-8), running back Kaidyn Williams took the lead with five rushing touchdowns to go along with the defense’s stifling performance.

“We kept it pretty simple (offensively) and just let our athletes make plays,” Edie said. “We were a little sluggish in the first quarter, but we turned it up in the second.

“Offensively, we need to maintain the style of football we have played the last two weeks. If we make our blocks, then our players will make plays.”

Williams continued to be a problem for Union Christian after he excelled running from the quarterback position in a Week 3 win (54-20).

Now that a healthy Ashton Almond is back under center, Riverdale was able to attack in more ways with Williams at running back.

The playoff win comes after Riverdale didn’t win a playoff game last year (first-round bye) despite a nine-win season in 2023. The Rebels lost a heartbreaker to Briarfield Chrisitan in the second round, a team that is the No. 1 seed this season after River Oaks’ forfeited its perfect season because of use of an ineligible player.

Federal Election Day falls on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, a tradition that dates back to 1845. Tomorrow, we will elect the 47th President of the United States. 

This year’s election won’t just give the nation a new commander-in-chief, it will also decide a total of 468 seats in the House and Senate that are up for grabs.

There are also local elections in the parish and a state amendment on the ballot.

Polls will be open from 6am until 8pm.

Election Day is not a federal holiday. However, it is considered a state holiday in Louisiana and some state offices will be closed. Red River Parish schools will also be closed.

When you go to cast your vote, you will be asked to identify yourself with either a photo ID or signature on a voter affidavit. You may use a Louisiana driver’s license, a Louisiana special identification card, a United States military identification card that contains your name and picture or other generally recognized picture identification card that has your name and signature.

Polling locations, sample ballots, and much more are available through the GeauxVote App, the Voter Portal, or www.GeauxVote.com. You can also contact the Registrar of Voters office at 932.5027.

Governor Jeff Landry has called the Louisiana Legislature to convene for a special session focused on rebuilding the state’s outdated tax system and growing the economy. It will convene at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

Topics include revenue, taxes, spending, budgets and teacher pay raises, among others.

“This special session fulfills the promise we made to the people of Louisiana to rebuild our economy and make Louisiana a place where people want to raise a family and create jobs,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Throughout this special session, we have the opportunity to give teachers a permanent pay raise, put more money in every worker’s pocket, eliminate the tax on prescription drugs, and provide much needed tax relief for seniors. I am eager to enact this new playbook and finally make Louisiana a beacon of hope—inviting families and businesses back home. It’s time we move Louisiana Forward.”

Landry’s urgency is coupled with a major state tax revenue dropoff next year, estimated at between $400 million to $700 million which could mean major cuts to health care for the poor, elderly and disabled as well as significant budget reductions for state colleges and universities.

Landry shared in a news conference earlier this month, “We have a crisis if we do not address it,” 

Final Adjournment no later than 6:00 pm on Monday, November 25, 2024.

This marks the third extraordinary session Landry has called this year. The first was in January directing lawmakers to draw a second majority-Black congressional district. He then called a second that focused on tough-on-crime-related items.

The Third Special Session Proclamation is attached here.

Red River High School will host a blood drive Thursday, November 7 from 9am until 2pm in the gym.

Donors will receive a Blood Donors Sleigh sweatshirt.

The public is invited to participate.

Help them reach their goal of at least 18 units. 

You can preregister at https://donor.lifeshare.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/276460

Walk ins are welcome also.

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By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

The Red River coaching staff consistently tells its senior class to “do something that people will remember.”

The Bulldogs (4-4, 3-0 District 3-2A) have that chance Friday in their final regular-season home game Friday against Winnfield (4-4, 1-1).

With a win, Red River would etch its name on the first district title since 2005.

“We stress the importance of what we are doing,” said head coach Byron Keller. “We tell the senior class to do something that people will remember, something that will have a lasting impact on the program.
“We do not want to share the title. We want it outright.”

For many of the years since that 2005 title, Red River has usually been in a district with state powers like Calvary Baptist or Many, the latter of which ascended in a more than a decade-long run under coach Jess Curtis, who left before the 2023 season.

Red River climbed the Many mountain this past week as the Bulldogs scored 42 straight points in a 48-8 win.

Many had won its last 10 district titles (although the Tigers have jumped in and out of Red River’s district during that run).

Winnfield has had its share of success on the state level in the late 1990s and 2000s as well.

There was a point in time where the Winnfield ‘W’ on the helmet had a similar effect as the Many ‘M.’

Keller said his players settled in this past week against Many after trailing 8-6 after the first quarter.
“We had energy (after taking the lead in the second quarter),” Keller said. “Our kids finally saw and believed that they could beat Many.”

Red River has won six of the last seven matchups with Winnfield, including a 26-6 decision this past year. So current players won’t place the same aura around Winnfield as they did with Many, who had won every meeting with Red River dating back to 2007.

This is a more than capable Winnfield bunch who logged big wins against Rosepine (33-7) and Many (48-0) before falling in a close loss to Mansfield (20-14) this past week.

The Tigers have district title thoughts of their own if they manage to beat Red River.

Winnfield would earn a share with victories against Red River and Lakeside in its final two games.

Early Voting has ended in Louisiana and the numbers are clear. More people are voting early in each election. 1508 people voted early in Red River Parish. That is more than 27% of the 5579 registered voters in Red River Parish.

Statistics on the early voters also tell a story. There were 1257 votes cast at the new Registrar of Voters office.  241 votes were absentee.  899 of the voters were female and 609 were male.

Other statistics are:
White   956
Black    534
Other     18
Dem.    647     25% of the 2591 registered
Rep.     694     37% of the 1890 registered
Other   167     15% of the 1098 registered

The total votes cast by District are as follows:
District One      195
District Two      228
District Three   229
District Four     171
District Five      213
District Six        176
District Seven   296

Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Health.

When asked the biggest contributing factor to a win or loss this season for Riverdale Academy, health has been at the center for a small roster that’s been without key players for critical stretches.

But the No. 7 seed Rebels (4-5) are feeling good and good about themselves heading into a first-round home game against Union Christian Academy (3-6) on Friday in the MidSouth Association of Independent Schools’ Class 1A playoff bracket.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

A fully healthy Riverdale bunch pitched its first shutout of the season in a 50-0 win against Tensas Academy, and that win helped secure a second-place finish in District 3-1A and a first-round game.

Coach Nathan Edie said the Tensas performance was the defense’s best of the season for a unit that has allowed five teams to score 40 points or more.

“It’s a big confidence booster for them I hope,” Edie said. “To shut out a team, any team, is always difficult.
“I think the boys understand the effort it took to do it and what they must do going forward.”

A healthy roster is something that’s largely escaped Riverdale this season, but the Rebels were at their healthiest against Tensas coming off a bye week, and the proof was in the pudding.

Senior Brayden Pearah manned a cornerback position, which allowed Tanner Carlisle to move back to his more natural linebacker position with Ashton Almond. Carlisle returned an interception for a touchdown against Tensas.

“We were able to give a full-team effort because we were healthy,” Edie said. “Brayden stepped up in a big way at cornerback, which gives us the option to move Tanner down to linebacker, where he’s more comfortable playing.”

Riverdale does own a win against Union Christian this season, a 54-20 road victory in which Kaidyn Williams manned the quarterback position for an injured Almond.

Williams led an offense that gobbled up more than 400 rushing yards in the win as Riverdale distanced itself in the second half.

Williams mostly ran the ball in his time under center, but Almond’s return allows Riverdale to be more versatile in its attack. Almond, who was injured in the opener, returned to action full-time in early October only to miss most of the Wilkinson County Christian game with another injury.

But he, and the offense, were at full strength in the regular-season finale against Tensas and will have all of their weapons for the playoffs.

Edie said an aggressive offensive line played a large role in Riverdale’s success, and he anticipates that will continue through the playoffs.

Union Christian has lost its last five games on the field (River Oaks forfeited wins against Union Christian and Riverdale) and scored just one touchdown combined in those five games.

Union Christian’s 20 points against Riverdale is its second-most of the season.

Riverdale is looking for its first playoff win since 2022 after a nine-win squad in 2023 earned a first-round bye but fell in the second round to Briarfield Academy.

Coushatta native, Zin’Tavious “Tre” Smith was selected as Athlete of the Week at Centenary College for October 28-November 3. He is in his junior year and is the starting quarterback for Gents football.

Smith transferred to Centenary this year after attending Army West Point and Robert Morris University.

He had a stellar offensive performance for the Gents in their 41-21 Homecoming win over Austin College on Saturday as he rolled up 238 yards of total offense – 149 passing and 89 rushing and had four rushing touchdowns.

He completed 19-28 passes and carried the ball 16 times for an average of 5.6 yards and a long of 37.

Smith scored on runs of 3, 1, 8, and 7 yards and scored on a 2-point conversion after his final TD.

The Gents (4-4, 4-2 SCAC) completed a season sweep of the ‘Roos (1-7, 1-5 SCAC) after defeating them 36-17 in Sherman, Texas last month.

Centenary finished with 411 yards of total offense – its second-most in a game behind only its 443 against Lyon College on Oct. 5. The Gents passed for 200 or more yards for the fourth game in a row and fifth time this season and they topped 200 yards rushing for the third time.

He has also been named SCAC Football Offensive Player of the Week for games twice this season. 

Source: Centenary Athletics Facebook page