The SEC and college football is mourning the loss of Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach who died last night after suffering a massive heart attack on Sunday. He was 61. Leach was in his third season in Starkville and just led the Bulldogs to an 8-and-4 season and a win over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.

He was one of college football’s most colorful personalities and loved to talk about things outside of the sport and also college football’s great traditions. While at Washington State he talked about how cool it is for LSU to have a live mascot on its campus…
cut 19 (11) “…that’s an awesome one”
LSU put out a statement on the death of Mike Leach. It says Leach transformed college football forever. He was an innovator and a visionary, whose authnticity and love for the game helped elevate the sport.

The Pelicans begin a three-game road trip tonight in Utah. New Orleans leads the Western Conference by a half a game over Memphis. Herb Jones who has been out with a left ankle sprain is listed as probable.

The 8-and-1 LSU Tigers host North Carolina Central tonight at 6 PM. K-J Williams has been named SEC Player of the Week after scoring a season-high 35 points and grabbling ten rebounds in the Tigers come from behind win over Wake Forest on Saturday.

LSU wide receiver Jaray Jenkins announces he’s entering the NFL draft and will not play in the Citrus Bowl. The Tigers opponent in the January second bowl game, Purdue, named Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters as its new head coach today. Boilermakers offensive coordinator Brian Brohm will serve as interim coach in the bowl game.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says he’s sticking with Andy Dalton as his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against Atlanta. The Falcons will start rookie Desmond Ridder at Q-B.

The Saints are back from the bye week and they are getting ready to host the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. There are four games left and Coach Dennis Allen says he’s sticking with Andy Dalton as his starting quarterback…
cut 27 (09) “…better positions”
The Saints are four and nine on the seaosn, three and ten with Dalton as their starter.

The Falcons are 5-and-8 and they plan on starting rookie Desmond Ridder who will make his first career start at quarterback.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan says he’ll appeal a 50-thousand dollar fine he received from the NFL. The league accuses Jordan of faking an injury to stop the clock in the loss to the Buccaneers, but Jordan says he tweaked something in his foot and has an MRI to prove he was injured. The Saints organization was also fined 350-thousand dollars. Allen received a 100-thousand dollar fine.

LSU wide receiver Jarray Jenkins has declared for the NFL draft and will not play in the Citrus Bowl. Jenkins leads the team with six touchdown catches.

Catholic High Football Coach David Simoneaux is leaving after two seasons with the Bears to be the new head coach at Central. Simoneaux led Catholic to a state championship last season and a semi-final appearance this year. The Wildcats did not make the playoffs this season.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is the Western Conference Player of the Week. In three games last week, Williamson averaged 33 points, eight rebounds, and four assists a game. Zion had 35 points Sunday in an overtime win over the Suns. New Orleans begins a three-game road trip tonight at Utah.

LSU men’s basketball will begin a four-game homestand tonight against North Carolina Central University. The Tigers are 8-and-1 after a come-from-behind win over Wake Forest on Saturday. N-C-C-U is five and five on the year.

Last night, the Ragin Cajuns handled Louisiana Christian 98-63. Jordan Brown had 37 points for U-L Lafayette.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been named Western Conference Player of the Week. In three games last week, Williamson averaged 33 points, eight rebounds and four assists a game. Zion had 35 points yesterday in an overtime win over the Suns. During that game, fans started chanting “M-V-P” towards Williamson’s direction. The former number one pick says he loves feeling the love from the home fans…
cut 19 (18) “…way they do”
The Pelicans are on a seven game winning streak and they will visit the Utah Jazz tomorrow night for the start of a three-game road trip.

LSU men’s basketball will host North Carolina Central tomorrow night. On Saturday, the Tigers rallied from a 20-point deficit in the first half to beat Wake Forest 72-70 in Atlanta.

The Saints are back in the practice facility after a weekend off. Coach Dennis Allen announced today that Andy Dalton will remain the starting quarterback….
cut 27 (09) “…better positions”
With Carolina upsetting Seattle yesterday, the Saints are in sole possession of last place in the NFC South with a 4-and-8 record. New Orleans hosts Atlanta on Sunday.

Legendary high school football coach J-T Curtis won another state championship on Saturday as John Curtis blanked Catholic League rival Brother Martin 23-to-0. It’s now 27 championships for the 76-year-old Hall of Fame coach. Curtis saw his veer offense grind out a 99-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, which set the tone…
cut 17 (11) “….played very hard”
.

The Pelicans have the NBA’s longest winning streak at seven games as New Orleans defeated the Phoenix Suns 129 to 124 in overtime yesterday. The Pels are getting dominant play from Zion Williamson who scored 35 points yesterday and 35 points on Friday in another win over Phoenix. Coach Willie Green is impressed with what the former number one pick is doing, especially after missing all of last year with a foot injury…
Cut 20 (20) “…with us”
The Pels begin a three-game road trip in Utah on Tuesday.

With Carolina upsetting Seattle yesterday, the Saints are in sole possession of last place in the NFC South with a 4-and-8 record. New Orleans hosts Atlanta on Sunday.

Legendary high school football coach J-T Curtis won another state championship on Saturday as John Curtis blanked Catholic League rival Brother Martin 23-to-0. It’s now 27 championships for the 76-year-old Hall of Fame coach. Curtis saw his veer offense grind out a 99-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, which set the tone…
cut 17 (11) “….played very hard”
Curtis will likely become the winningest high school football coach in the country next season.

LSU defensive end B-J Ojulari has announced he’s entering his name into the N-F-L draft. The Athletic projects Ojulari as a second round pick.

Mississippi State says head football coach Mike Leach is in critical condition at a hospital in Jackson. Leach was rushed to the hospital after suffering a personal health issue at his home in Starkville.

The Pelicans won their seventh straight last night as they defeated the Suns 129 to 124 in overtime. New Orleans also beat Phoenix on Friday in the Smoothie King Center and with an 18-and-8 record the Pels have the best record in the Western Conference. Pels forward Zion Williamson says it’s a nice accomplishment for December…
Cut 18 (15) “…deep team”
Williamson tied a season-high with 35 points last night. New Orleans is at Utah on tomorrow.

LSU men’s basketball will host North Carolina Central tomorrow night. On Saturday, the Tigers rallied from a 20-point deficit in the first half to beat Wake Forest 72-70 in Atlanta. Justice Hill made the winning basket with two seconds left. LSU is 8-and-1.

The 2022 Prep Classic saw two of the state’s winningest coaches win a state championship. Jim Hightower has been involved in over 500 games and he’s never seen a finish like the one he experienced on Friday as his St. Thomas More Cougars rallied from 10 points down in the final two minutes to stun Lafayette Christian 52-48. Hightower says it was a wild finish…
cut 16 (16) “…pretty special”
And on Saturday, J-T Curtis won his 27th state championship as John Curtis blanked Brother Martin 23-0. Jess Curtis at Many led the Tigers to the school’s third state championship with a 35-13 win over Union Parish.

LSU defensive end B-J Ojulari (O-juh-lar-e) has declared for the NFL draft. The junior from Marietta, Georgia, had 5 and a half sacks and a forced fumble this past season. The Athletic projects Ojulari as a second-round draft pick.

Zion Williamson put on a thrilling show Friday night as the New Orleans Pelicans star got the ball in the final minutes of the 128-117 win over the Suns and delivered a 360 windmill dunk that looked like something out of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. That move capped off a 35-point game for Zion who was 13 of 17 from the field with seven rebounds, four assists and a steal. The win keeps the Pelicans at first place in the West and they’ll play the Suns again Sunday in The Blender at 2:30.

The LSU men’s basketball team returns to the court this afternoon to take on Wake Forest in the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in Atlanta. The Tigers are 7 and 1 while the Demon Deacons are 7 and 2. Tipoff is at 1pm.

The seven and two Northwestern State Demons host ULM at 3:30 this afternoon. A win for Northwestern State and they will match the school’s best ten-game start in 70 years. The Warhawks are 3-and-6. La Tech is at Wyoming and the Ragin Cajuns host Samford.

The 2022 Prep Classic saw three terrific games yesterday in the Superdome. The first game was one of the best ever as St. Thomas More rallied from 10 points down with a minute and 45-seconds left to beat Lafayette Christian 52-48 to win the division two select championship. Cougars quarterback Sam Altman threw for 422 yards and six touchdowns.

St. Charles Catholic rallied from eleven points down in the fourth quarter to beat Dunham in the division three select state championship . The Comets are state champions for a second year in a row.

And Destrehan completed an undefeated season by winning the division one non-select title game as the Wildcats beat the Ruston Bearcats 17 to 10 to win the school’s fifth title.

Three more games today, starting at noon as Lutcher battles North Desoto then Union Parish against Many at 3:30. The nightcap is Curtis versus Brother Martin.

The Oak Grove Tigers kicked off the 2022 Prep Football Classic by winning the school’s seventh LHSAA state championship with a 17-0 win over Homer. At one time, Oak Grove had a 3-and-3 record, but Coach Ryan Gregory says the season turned around after losing to Haynesville in October…
cut 5 (12) “…saying something”
O-C-S won the school’s eighth state title with a 28 to 14 win over Vermillion Catholic. Tonight, Destrehan faces Ruston in the division one non-select title game. The Wildcats are led by three-year starting quarterback Jai Eugene. Destrehan Coach Marcus Scott says the Tulane commitment is focused on winning….
cut 15 (12) “….something special”
That game kicks off around 7 PM.

The Pelicans take a five-game winning streak into tonight’s game against Phoenix. New Orleans leads the Suns for first place in the Western Conference Standings by a half a game. The same two teams will play each other again on Sunday in the Smoothie King Center.

The LSU men’s basketball team returns to the court tomorrow to take on Wake Forest in the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in Atlanta. The Tigers are 7-and-1, while the Demon Deacons are 7-and-2. Tip-off is at 1:00.

The seven and two Northwestern State Demons host ULM at 3:30 on Saturday. A win for Northwestern State and they will match the school’s best ten-game start in 70 years. The Warhawks are 3-and-6.

La Tech is at Wyoming and the Ragin Cajuns host Samford.

WNBA star and former Baylor Bear Brittney Griner is back in the United States after spending nearly ten months in Russia on drug possession charges. LSU Coach Kim Mulkey issued a statement saying God is good, prayers are powerful and that our prayers remain with her and her family as they recover and heal together. Mulkey and Griner won a national championship at Baylor in 2012.

In the LHSAA Football Classic that kicked off Thursday in the Caesars Superdome, Third Seeded Ouachita Christian dominated the time of possession to notch a 28-14 victory over top seeded Vermilion Catholic in the Division IV title game. Oak Grove shut out Homer 17-0. This is Oak Grove’s 7th title in school history.

The Dunham School goes into its first LHSAA football title game in 18 years. They will look dethrone defending champion St. Charles Catholic this afternoon at 3:30 behind quarterback Jackson House, the son of LSU defensive coordinator Matt House. Dunham Coach Neil Weiner says House was able to learn from his father in the offseason and win over the locker room…:
Cut 14 (11) “…he’s been great.”
Destrehan and Ruston are set to play at 7:30 Friday night. Union Parish faces Many at 3:30 on Saturday.

More LSU Football players have announced they are leaving the team. Tiger cornerback Mehkhi Garner has reporetedly decided to enter the 2023 NFL Draft, and a few backups have entered the NCAA transfer portal. They include junior tight end Kole Taylor, junior edge rusher Desmond Little and redshirt Freshman linebacker Kolbe Fields.

LSU Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey has publicly spoken on the release of WNBA player Brittney Griner who was wrongfully detained in Russia for 10 months. Mulkey told ESPN, God is Good, and Brittney’s release means prayers have been answered. Mulkey coached Griner in college at Baylor.

The New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Pheonix Suns in the Blender tonight at 7:30. The two teams will also play Sunday. The Pels are on a five-game win streak right now, and the matchups with the Suns will determine who controls the West.

The 2022 LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight in the Cesar’s Superdome as eight champions will be crowned over the next three days. This year’s Prep Classic features some familiar teams like Oak Grove, Ouachita Christian, Lafayette Christian, St. Charles Catholic, and Union Parish. But Brother Martin is making its first appearance since 1989, Ruston’s is back in the Dome for the first time since 1998 and North DeSoto is making its first-ever appearance. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine is excited to see new teams in the Classic…

Cut 16

The Pelicans extended their win streak to five with a 104-98 win over the Pistons last night. Behind a 29-point 10-rebound performance from Zion Williamson, the Pels improve to 16-8 on the season. With the Suns blowout loss to the Celtics, New Orleans is now alone atop the West half a game ahead of Phoenix and Memphis. The Pelicans will host the Suns Friday and Sunday in a playoff rematch double-header to control the West. Tip-off tomorrow night is set for 7:30.

LSU senior safety Jay Ward has announced he will be entering this year’s NFL Draft. Ward says he still plans to play in the Citrus Bowl against Purdue. Purdue Head Coach Jeff Brohm announced he will be leaving the Boilermakers to take the head coach job at Louisville, his home town, meaning the Tigers will be facing an interim head coach in Orlando. Three more Tigers have announced they’ll be joining Wide receiver Jack Beche and Cornerback Damarius McGhee in the transfer portal. Cornerback Raydarious Jones, Defensive End Desmond Little, and Tight End Kole Taylor have all announced they will be seeking transfers from LSU. Cornerback Mekhi Garner has accepted his invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl and will be declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Saints running back Mark Ingram will likely miss the rest of the season with a slight MCL tear suffered in Monday Night’s loss to the Buccaneers. Coach Dennis Allen says the injury occurred on a critical 2^nd and 8 late in the game in which Ingram pulled up one yard short of the first down with the injury. The Bucs went on to get the stop on 3^rd and one and make the rest of their two-touchdown comeback.  Ingram will not require surgery, but will almost certainly miss the rest of the season with only 5 weeks left.

The New Orleans Pelicans won their fifth straight last night to move into first place in the Western Conference as the Pels defeated the Detroit Pistons 104-98. It’s the longest winning streak for the franchise since April 2018, and they’re doing it without Brandon Ingram who has missed the last five games with a toe injury. Zion Williamson continues to play well as he scored 29 points – his 4th straight game with 25 points or more. New Orleans will face the Suns tomorrow and Sunday who they lead for first place by a half a game.

LSU safety Jay Ward has declared for the NFL draft but will play in the Citrus Bowl. He’s played four seasons, but still had one more year of eligibility left because of COVID. The Tigers will face an interim coach in that January 2nd Citrus Bowl as Perdue’s Jeff Brown is returning to his Alma Mater to coach the Louisville Cardinals.

In college hoops last night, Southeastern topped Belhaven 107-71. Nicholls State fell to Texas Tech, 78-71.

The Saints are off this week, but that won’t stop the injury bug from cropping up yet again. That’s the case for Mark Ingram, who is likely done for the season after suffering a slight tear in his ACL during the Saints’ 17-16 loss to the Bucs, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The 2022 state football championships kick off later today in the Caesars Superdome. Jeff Palermo has more on high school football’s premier event:
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”