By Aaron Dietrich, Megan Murray and Brendon Fairbairn
Oak Grove defeats Kentwood in its ninth straight semifinals appearance, 49-28. Haynesville takes down top seed Logansport, 31-14. The Tigers and Golden Tornado will meet for a rivalry State Championship matchup. OCS’s season ends in the semifinals to Southern Lab, 38-34. The Eagles gave up 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
By Aaron Dietrich, Megan Murray and Brendon Fairbairn
Sterlington falls short to St. James in its twelfth semifinal game in school history, 28-17. The Panthers lose a home playoff game for the first time since 2017 and snap an 11-game winning streak.
By Aaron Dietrich, Brendon Fairbairn and Megan Murray
Union defeated previously unbeaten Jena, 24-16. The Farmers are headed back to the Superdome for the fourth straight season. Top seeded Ruston handled business against Mandeville, 28-7. The Bearcats advance to the State Championship for the second straight season.
Northeast Louisiana fans payed their final respects to high school basketball coach Sidney Smith. The legendary coach amassed 837 career wins in a span of three decades at West Monroe, Wossman, Sterlington and St. Frederick. Smith was 84 years old.
In the 59th edition of the Battle of I-20, ULM women’s basketball beat Louisiana Tech, 60-52. The Warhawks increase their season winning streak to six games, snapping a five-game losing skid to the Lady Techsters and winning in Ruston for the third time ever. Daisha Bradford led all scorers with 26 points and nine rebounds, while Brianna Harris added 14 points and nine boards.
Just three days after Grambling lost to Southern in the Bayou Classic (27-22), Grambling announced that they would be moving on from Hue Jackson after two seasons. Jackson finish with a 8-14 overall record and 6-10 in conference play. Athletic Director Dr. Trayvean Scott announced that they also released five other assistant coaches while naming co-offensive coordinator John Simon as their interim head coach.
Throughout the football season, KNOE’s LaShanda McQuinn traveled around Northeast Louisiana each Friday morning to showcase the selected team for that week as they decorated their local Johnny’s Pizza House in preparation for the football game that evening.
The Jena Giants are having their best season in school history with a perfect record heading into the semi-finals. A big reason behind the Giants success is senior running back Zerrick Jones, who has over 2,000 yards and 35 touchdowns. Jones dynamic play style earned him this week’s Aaron’s Ace honors.
ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell announced on Sunday that the Warhawks would be moving on from Terry Bowden after three seasons. In that span, Bowden finished with a 10-26 overall record and 5-19 in conference play. Hartwell hosted a press conference on Monday to answer questions about the head coaching search.
By Aaron Dietrich, Brendon Fairbairn and Rylee Kramer
OCS had no problems with St. Marys as they had negative 31 yards in the first half. The Eagles soar past St. Marys, 56 to nothing, OCS now looks forward to a huge game against Southern Lab. Ever since Haynesville lost to Oak Grove, the Golden Tornadoes have not lost a game and they kept that streak alive with a convincing win over Jeanerette, 36 to 6.
Northeast Louisiana is packed in non-select division three with three teams advancing to the semi-finals. Sterlington went toe-to-toe with Pine but the Panthers pulled ahead with their lethal rushing attack, winning 33 to 20, next they will play St. James. Union Parish is again one game away from heading back to the Dome after sneaking past Bogalusa, 28-22. Jena is the Giant in non-select division three as they are still undefeated after rolling past powerhouse Amite, 30-7. Union will travel to Jena next Friday, winner goes to New Orleans for a shot at a state title.
The Ruston Bearcats are one win away from punching their second straight ticket to the Dome. Ruston was neck and neck with Walker early on but the Bearcats offense woke up and never looked back, blowing out Walker 56-17. Now Ruston looks ahead to a huge semi-final showdown with #21 Mandeville next Friday.
Mangham came into Oak Grove with a chip on their shoulder as the Dragons jumped to a 16 to 3 in the second quarter. Right before the half, the Tigers found their grove and scored two touchdowns to make it 17-16 at half. From there it was back and a fourth but a late red zone interception by the Tigers proved to be the difference. Oak Grove beat Mangham by running out the clock on their final drive, 31 to 30. The Tigers now switch their focus to #2 Kentwood.
Southern University Army and Navy ROTC, the Grambling State University Military Science Department, and Zachary High School Junior ROTC left Southern’s Baton Rouge campus at 5:30 a.m.
The end of the 2023 football season is nearing, and your chances to prove your skill against the Pigskin Picking Prognosticator are shrinking. Do you have what it takes to Beat the Ace?
Some of West Monroe’s finest baseball players came together and hosted a youth baseball camp for Thanksgiving. Jacob Pearson has over seven years of experience in the professional level. Former Louisiana Tech Bulldog, Taylor Young, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers last year and has been tearing it up in the professional ranks as well. Josh Pearson just won a national title with the LSU Tigers and John Pearson enters his senior season with the West Monroe Rebels with a state title under his belt. A lot of knowledge for these future stars to soak in between this star studded line up.
Two OCS players made history last Friday against Westminster Christian as quarterback Luke Vidrine hit wide receiver Jett Hudnall for a 98-yard touchdown. Oddly enough, that ties the OCS school record that was set back in 1998 when Luke’s father hit Jett’s dad for a 98-yard touchdown. 25 years later, the father-son duo reminisce and take in the record they can share together.
Running backs Jay Freeman and Trammell Colvin led their teams to second round playoff victories. Freeman scored three touchdowns, including a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown, in Oak Grove’s 49-20 win over Lake Arthur. The wide receiver turned running back has rushed for 978 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Sterlington’s Colvin rushed for a career-high four touchdowns in the Panthers’ 35-15 win over Mansfield. Colvin’s season stats include 845 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Speculation has run wild on social media regarding her absence but beyond Mulkey’s comments and Reese’s response, there’s nothing official from LSU to indicate that the star’s status with the team has changed.
By Aaron Dietrich, Megan Murray and Brendon Fairbairn
In the Division I Non-Select regional playoffs, No. 2 Neville suffered an upset loss at the hands of No. 18 Central, 17-16. The Tigers pounced on the Wildcats early, taking a 16-0 lead in the opening seven minutes of the game. However, Central scored 17 unanswered points to advance to the quarterfinals. For the first time since 2008, Neville will not practice during Thanksgiving week.
By Aaron Dietrich, Megan Murray and Brendon Fairbairn
In the first ever meeting between programs, (3) OCS dominates (19) Westminster Christian, 56-7. The Eagles improve to 47-14 all-time in home playoff games and will host (6) St. Mary’s in the Division IV Select quarterfinals. In a defensive battle, (7) St. Frederick falls to (10) Central Catholic, 6-2. Even though the Warriors outgained the Eagles in total yards, St. Frederick’s season comes to an end. Delhi Charter’s season ends at the hands of top seeded Vermilion Catholic.
By Aaron Dietrich, Brendon Fairbairn and Megan Murray
D’arbonne Woods is still looking for their first playoff win in program history after falling to Notre Dame at home, 49-7. Wossman’s impressive season comes to an end after being upsetted by #14 Northwest on the road, 24-14. Union returns to the quarterfinals after a huge win against Port Allen, 35-6. Jena continues their undefeated run after rolling past Caldwell, 46-7. Oak Grove showed no rust after their bye week by putting on a performance against Lake Arthur, 49-20. Mangham is red-hot after blowing out Centerville on the road, 53-14.
By Aaron Dietrich, Brendon Fairbairn and Megan Murray
Top seeded Ruston avoided a huge upset at home against Westgate behind huge defensive stops, winning 20-18. The Bearcats relied on their offensive weapons as Josh Brantley ran and passed for two touchdowns, while Jordan “Jet” Hayes ran free as well. Ruston now switches their focus to a home showdown against #9 Walker next week, winner advances to the semi-finals.
The University of Louisiana Monroe Water Ski team placed second out of 24 teams at the 44th Syndicate Waterskis Collegiate Water Ski National Championship on Oct. 28. This tournament marked the university’s 45th consecutive year appearing at the championship.
The Sterlington Panthers showed no rust after the bye week and extended their win streak to 10 after beating Mansfield at home, 35 to 15. The Panthers now look forward to the quarterfinals as they will play the winner of Pine and Avoyelles.
Louisiana Tech improves to 2-1 after beating the ULM Warhawks, 73-63. Isiah Crawford put on a show for Louisiana Tech, putting up 24 points and nine rebounds. The Bulldogs now head back to the friendly confines of the Thomas Assembly Center on Tuesday to take on Southern Utah. ULM looks to rebound against Ecclesia at home next Monday.
Louisiana Tech dominated Lyon College (Division III) in its home opener at the Thomas Assembly Center, 100-43. Isaiah Crawford (21 points, 8 rebounds, three steals) became the 45th Louisiana Tech basketball player to score 1,000 career points. Jaylin Henderson scored a game-high 24 points. Dravon Mangum recorded a double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds).
West Monroe High School removed the interim tag from Kevin Davis, officially naming his as head football coach. The Rebels went 7-3 after Davis took over for Todd Garvin in week two of the season. Davis’s resume includes 40 years of high school football coaching experience.
Delhi Charter running back Deandra Young rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns in the Gators first round playoff win over Slaughter Community Charter. Young finished the regular season as the fourteenth leader rushing in Louisiana with 1,539 yards, 9.68 yards per carry and ten touchdowns.
Beginning on Friday, Nov. 17, the ArkLaMiss community can vote on their favorite cheerleading team of the season. Voting ends at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 26. The cheer team with the most votes wins a pizza party hosted by KNOE’s very own, Aaron Dietrich!
West Monroe High School Coach Kevin Davis was named the official head coach of the Rebel football program, effective immediately, according to WMHS Principal Dan Lane.
The ULM Warhawks dropped their final home game of the season to the Troy Trojans, 45 to 14. The loss marks ULM’s eigth straight loss of the 2023-2024 season. The Warhawks went for it four times on fourth-down and did not convert once, two of those times were within 10 yards of the goal line. ULM now switches their focus to a tough road game against Ole Miss.
Louisiana Tech drops its fifth straight game, falling to Sam Houston 42-27. The Bulldogs handed the Bearkats their first win over a FBS opponent by turning the ball over four times and struggling on third downs on both sides of the ball.
By Aaron Dietrich, Brendon Fairbairn and Megan Murray
Ferriday shows out at home with a huge win over Jonesboro-Hodge, 34-6. The Trojans now switch their focus to #2 Kentwood. Delta Charter’s historic season comes to an end after falling short to Covenant Christian, 35-6. Kirk Academy beat Riverfield, 27-0. Briarfield’s season comes to end by Sharkey Issaquena Academy, 22 to 14.
By Aaron Dietrich, Megan Murray and Brendon Fairbairn
For the second straight season, Franklin Parish falls in the first round at home, dropping to Northwest, 42-20. West Ouachita put up a fight on the road, but ultimately lost to Salmen, 20-17. In a rematch from last season’s first round game, Caldwell got revenge against Richwood, 13-6. Delhi dropped to Homer on the road, 28-8.
By Aaron Dietrich, Brendon Fairbairn and Megan Murray
Ouachita sneaked into the playoffs as the last seed with a 3-7 record. The Lions’ traveled to fifth seeded St. Amant looking for an upset but the Gators held on to end Ouachita’s season, 21-0. Wossman hosted their first playoff game since 2016 and they put on a show as the Wildcats clawed past Brusly to advance to the second round, 26-7.
By Aaron Dietrich, Brendon Fairbairn and Megan Murray
The West Monroe Rebels’ season shockingly ended in the first round of the playoffs to #25 Northshore. The ending was controversial as West Monroe was trying to put together a game winning drive, Northshore stopped the Rebels on fourth down but the spotting of the ball being short was questioned by fans. Northshore still squeaks past West Monroe, 9-7. This marks the first ever 1st round loss at home for West Monroe.
