LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones has declared for the NFL draft, which means the Tigers will need to replace four starters on their o-line. Jones is expected to be a second or third round pick.

Ragin Cajuns kicker Kenneth Almendares (al-mun-DARE-ez) has been named the Lou Groza winner in college football. Almendares is the first kicker in school history to win the award which goes to the nation’s best kicker. He leads the nation in field goals with 27.

Tony Franklin is back as Louisiana Tech’s offensive coordinator. Franklin’s offenses in Ruston from 2010 to 2012 averaged nearly 36 points a game and in 2012 Tech led the nation in scoring, averaging 51 points a game.

The Saints have announced Jake Haener will start at quarterback this Sunday against Washington. It will be the first career start for the former fourth round pick out of Fresno State. Derek Carr has been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

The three schools that won a state championship in football on Thursday, all won their third title in school history. Vermilion Catholic upended Ouachita Christian 33-21. V-C head coach Brock Prejean…

Cut 30 (07) “…more proud”

South Plaquemines defeated Haynesville 20-7 and Sterlington upset St. James 35 to 28.

E-D White goes for its third state championship at noon when it faces Archbishop Shaw. Cardinals Coach Kyle Lasseigne (Luh-saine) says he purposely arranged a tough non-district schedule to prepare his team for this moment…

Cut 17 (17) “…for this”

Kick off is at noon. Also today….Dunham takes on Catholic of New Iberia and Cecilia faces Franklinton.

LSU offensive tackle Emery Jones has decided to enter the NFL draft. He becomes the second Tiger offensive lineman to forgo his senior season. The other was Will Campbell.

At the Prep Classic, Vermilion Catholic won its first state title since 2013 as the Eagles defeated Ouachita Christan 33-21. Jon Jon Dartez rushed for 253 yards and two touchdowns and threw for two touchdowns.

Tonight Sterlington takes on St. James in the non-select division three state title game.

Tomorrow in the Prep Classic, Archbishop Shaw will be looking for its first state title since 1987. The Eagles have a talented running back in Jasper Parker. Shaw head coach Hank Tierney…

Cut 13 (12) “…good player”

Shaw will face E-D White at noon tomorrow.

The Saints are unsure who will start at quarterback this Sunday against the Commanders. Derek Carr has an injured non-throwing hand and is in concussion protocol. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says Carr’s backups, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, are sharing snaps with the first-team offense…

Cut 20 (12) “…quarterback situation”

Washington is 8-and-5 and led by former LSU star Jayden Daniels, who is a candidate to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Daniels talked this week about his adjustment to the pros…

Cut 19 (11) “…Sunday for real”

The Saints will need to contain Daniels if they’re going to win their fourth in five games since the firing of Dennis Allen. Kickoff Sunday at the Superdome is at noon.

After waiting three years for his opportunity to be the starting quarterback at LSU, Garrett Nussmeier is not ready to give it up. On Wednesday afternoon, Nussmeier announced that he would return for his fifth and final season at LSU. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says it’s unsurprising that Nussmeier is staying…

Cut 14 (10) “…coming back”

Nussmeier has thrown for 37-hundred yards this season with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Saints are unsure who will start at quarterback this Sunday against the Commanders. Derek Carr has an injured non-throwing hand and is in concussion protocol. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says Carr’s backups, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler, are sharing snaps with the first-team offense…

Cut 20 (12) “…quarterback situation”

Kick off is at noon.

Ouachita Christian is seeking its ninth state championship today as they will face top-seeded Vermilion Catholic at noon in the Caesars Superdome. The O-C-S Eagles are an 11-seed and Coach Steven Fitzhugh is excited for another chance to bring home a championship trophy to Monroe…

Cut 16 (13) “…what they’ve done.”

V-C and O-C-S played in a state title game in 2022 and Ouachita Chrisian won by two touchdowns.

At 3:30 it’s the division four non-select state championship game, as Haynesville battles South Plaquemines. The Golden Tornado is undefeated and they were runner-ups last season. Haynesville is looking for an 18^th championship. The Hurricanes are looking for their first title since 2008.

The final game of the day is top seeded St. James versus Sterlington, a rematch of a semifinal game last year won by the Wildcats. Kick off is at 7.

He’s coming back. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier posted a video on his social media pages to announce that he’s returning for his final year of eligibility next season.

Cut 13 (10)  “…is not over.”

Next season will be Nussmeier’s fifth season as a Tiger. This season he’s thrown for 37-hundred yards 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

And the Tigers 2025 SEC schedule was released last night. The league opener will be against Florida on September 13^th. The Tigers will visit Ole Miss on October 27^th. Alabama November 8^th and Oklahoma November 29^th. LSU hosts South Carolina and Texas A-and-M in October.

La Tech comes to Tiger Stadium on September sixth and Southeastern Louisiana will be in Death Valley September 20^th. The season opener is at Clemson.

The Saints are unsure who will start at quarterback on Sunday against Washington. It could be the injured Derek Carr. If Carr can’t go, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler will battle it out this week to see who will start. Commanders starting quarterback Jayden Daniels will make his return to Louisiana…

Cut 18 (12) “…for sure”

Today in the Ceasars Superdome, the Prep Classic Kicks off at noon as Ouachita Christian battles Vermilion Catholic. O-C-S has several talented players including Patrick Turpin who has ten touchdown catches and three interceptions on defense…

Cut 17 (16) “….Turpin does it all”

LSU does not play its bowl game until New Year’s Eve day against Baylor in the Texas Bowl, but it’s still a very busy time for the Fighting Tiger football program. Kelly says he and his staff are balancing game prep, practices which will resume tomorrow and the transfer portal….

Cut 27 (12) “…quite busy”

Kelly says he was at three different upscale restaurants in Baton Rouge last night to meet with recruits out of the transfer portal as the Tigers try to rebuild their roster.

Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta is interested in buying the Saints. Last year, Fertitta attempted to acquire the Washington Commanders. The Houston Business Journal reports Fertitta told Gayle Benson he’d be interested in buying the Saints, but has not sent her an official offer. The Saints are currently not for sale.

St. James is back in the state championship game for a second consecutive season after suffering a heart-breaking loss to Union Parish last season. Wildcats Coach Lavanta Davis is trying to bring home a sixth state title for St James…

Cut 16 (12) “…miscues.”

St. James will play Sterlington tomorrow night in the Division 3 non-select state championship game. Panthers head coach Lee Doty says his team has gotten better every week…

Cut 18 (23)   “…finally got healthy.”

This game will kick off at 7 PM tomorrow. The first game of the day tomorrow is Vermilion Catholic versus Ouachita Christian.

The Saints are struggling and if owner Gayle Benson ever wanted to sell the franchise, Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta is interested in buying the franchise. That’s according to a report in the Houston Business Journal. Last year, Fertitta attempted to acquire the Washington Commanders. Fertitta says he’s told Gayle Benson he’d be interested in buying the Saints, but has not sent her an official offer. The Saints are currently not for sale.

LSU back-up tight end Ka’Marreum Pimpton entered the transfer portal after catching six passes for 79 yards this past season. With starter Mason Taylor declaring for the NFL draft, the Tigers will now need to sign at least a couple of tight ends out of the transfer portal.

A couple of college quarterbacks are on the move. Former St. Thomas More standout Walker Howard is leaving Ole Miss and returning home to Lafayette to play for the Ragin Cajuns. Tulane quarterback Darian Meshan is transferring to Duke after leading the Green Wave to a nine-win season.

The Prep Classic kicks off tomorrow in the Caesars Superdome and there are three games on the schedule. At 3:30 PM, Haynesville goes after its 18^th state championship as the Golden Tornado face off against second seeded South Plaquemines. Haynesville Coach David Franklin is impressed with the Hurricanes team speed…

Cut 9 (05) “…well coached”

At 7 PM, it’s the Division Three non-select state title game as top-seeded St James takes on sixth seeded Sterlington. Sterlington relies on its ground game. They have two one-thousand yard rushers Hagen Herring and Gaven Evans. Panthers head coach Lee Doty says Herring is averaging ten years a carry…

Cut 19 (20) “…longest run.”

The first game of the day is Vermilion Catholic against Ouachita Christian.

Transfer portal news continues to dominate the sports scene. LSU back-up tight end Ka’Marreum Pimpton entered the transfer portal after catching six passes for 79 yards this past season. With starter Mason Taylor declaring for the NFL, the Tigers will now need to sign at least a couple of tight ends out of the transfer portal. One possible acquisition is Arkansas tight end Luke Hasz, who is on campus today. Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser and Purdue defensive end Will Heldt are also reportedly visiting LSU today.

Former St. Thomas More standout Walker Howard has ended his pursuit of playing at an SEC School. Howard, who led the STM Cougars, to two state championships will return to his home in Lafayette and play for the Ragin Cajuns. Howard is leaving Ole Miss after spending two seasons in Oxford. He signed out of high school at LSU, where his father Jamie Howard played.

The Prep Classic gets underway tomorrow in the Ceasars Superdome. The action gets underway at noon as top seeded Vermilion Catholic takes on 11^th seeded Ouachita Christian. V-C quarterback Jon Jon Dartez has led the Eagles to the state title game for the second time in three years…

Cut 30 (11) “…be back”

O-C-S beat V-C in the state championships in 2022.

Tomorrow night top seeded St. James faces sixth seeded Sterlington. The Wildcats have a freshman starting at quarterback. Ja’Juan Jackson has completed 70-percent of his passes for 1,840 yards and 23 touchdowns. St. James Coach Lavanta Davis says his 14-year-old signal caller has handled the offense well…

Cut 17 (17)  “…from it.” 

St. James suffered a heart breaking loss in the state championship game to Union Parish last year, but avenged that loss with a win over the Farmers in the semis.