There were two great state football championship games last night in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. In Class One-A, Logansport scored 28 points in the 4th quarter to beat Haynesville 34-28. Logansport was down 28-6 entering the final quarter. Tigers quarterback Dalton Shaw threw three touchdown passes inlcuding a 14-yard hook up with Joe Caraway with 24 seconds left.

In the Class Two-A title game, Sterlington won its first football title by shocking top-seeded and undefeated Madison Prep 28-27. Carson Clowers had three rushing touchdowns to win the game, the Chargers went for a two-point conversion with 44 seconds left and they were denied.

There are three more championship games today…the 4A title game is a rematch of last year’s championship game won by Neville. West Monroe and Landry-Walker meet for the 5A title.

Unless the Saints make the playoffs, safety Kenny Vaccaro has played his last down of the 2016 season. Vaccaro will begin serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. Vaccaro was popped for taking Adderall. He had a chance to appeal, but decided not to. The 5-and-7 Saints are at Tampa Bay on Sunday. The Bucs have won four in a row.

Houston has named Baton Rouge native and former Catholic High star Major Applewhite as it’s new head football coach. Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was also up for that job. So does that mean Kiffin will be LSU’s next offensive coordinator, which has been rumored? Well, apparently Florida Atlantic is interested in naming Kiffin its new head coach.

They hand out the Heisman Trophy today, It’s expected Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson will win the award. Jackson and the Cardinals face the LSU Tigers on New Year’s eve day in the Citrus Bowl.
And the struggling Pelicans are at Los Angeles tonight to face the Clippers.

It looks like Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro has played his final game of the season as he’s dropped his appeal and he’ll begin serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for a performance enhancing drug. That drug was Adderall. With four games left, New Orleans has a 5-7 record heading into Sunday’s game against the streaking Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have won four straight.

New Orleans has also placed tight end Josh Hill on injured reserve after breaking his right fibula. And there are eight Saints players listed as qustionable for Sunday’s game, including center Max Unger and linebacker Craig Robertson.

Baton Rouge native and former Catholic High quarterback Major Applewhite is the new head coach of the Houston Cougars. Applewhite was Houston’s offensive coordinator this past season and gets the job over Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. That means Kiffin is still available to become the next offensive coordinator at LSU.

The non-select football championships kick-off this afternoon in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Class One-A title game has Haynesville versus Logansport. Tonight’s it’s Sterlington versus Madison Prep. The 4th seeded Panthers are playing in their first title game since 2002.

Tomorrow there’s three more championship games, including the 5A title contest between West Monroe and Landry-Walker. Rebels Head Coach Jerry Arledge says they need to win the time of possession…
cut 20 (14) “…this year”
The Chargin Buccaneers are led by one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Keytaon Thompson.

The Pelicans have one of the best players in the NBA in Anthony Davis, but the Pels are now 7-16 after losing to the lowly Philadelphia 76ers 99-88 last night. A-D said after the game that this is the most frustrated he’s been since entering the NBA.

Major Applewhite and not Lane Kiffin is the new head coach of the Houston Cougars. There were reports yesterday that Kiffin would get the job, but that didn’t happen. Applewhite is a Baton Rouge native, who played at Catholic High and then was a star quarterback at Texas. It’s possible Kiffin could still get the head coaching job at South Florida.

Bad loss for the Pelicans last night as they fell to the 76ers 99-88. Philadelphia snapped a 23-game road losing streak with the defeat. New Orleans is now 7-16 on the season and Anthony Davis says this is the most frustrated he’s been at any point during his four-plus NBA career. He had 26 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, it’s the Class One-A and Two-A state championship games. Haynesville faces Logansport in the Class One-A title and in the two-A championship game it’s undefeated Madison Prep versus Sterlington.

It’s the Saints and the Buccaneers this Sunday in Tampa Bay. The Bucs have won four in a row and they are tied for first place in the NFC South. But Tampa is only two and four this year at their home stadium and the Saints have won four in a row at Raymond James Stadium. Kick-off is at 3:25.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic concludes Saturday night with the Class 5A championship game as Landry-Walker faces West Monroe. Landry-Walker Head Coach Emmanuel Powell expects an intense game…
cut 19 (18) “…dangerous situations’
West Monroe is seeking it’s eighth state championship and first with Jerry Arledge as it’s head coach.

The other two games tomorrow, Lutcher and Amite in the 3A championship, Karr versus Lutcher in the 4A title.

The sequestered jury in the murder trial of former Saint Will Smith heard nearly 11 hours of more emotional testimony Thursday from five witnesses, including the longtime friend of the suspect. Kevin O’Neal was the passenger in the alleged killer’s vehicle in the April incident. He said at no time was Cardell Hayes angry or aggressive, and that they were both scared of Smith. He even suggested Smith brought on his own demise.

LSU defensive lineman Ed Alexander, linebacker Devin White and punter Josh Growden have been named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, the league announced Thursday.

Rumors have been swirling about LSU’s reported top choice for offensive coordinator. Lane Kiffin of Alabama was reportedly going to be the new head coach at Houston, but there is nothing official yet about his future according to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.

In the NBA, it was a hard game to watch for Pelicans fans last night as they fell to the 76ers, who snapped a 23 road game losing skid with the 99-88 win.

The non-select state football championships begin today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. One of the more anticipated match-ups is tomorrow afternoon’s Class Four-A championship as Karr takes on Neville in a rematch of last year’s title game won by Neville. Karr Head Coach Brice Brown says they need a good game from running back Santee Marshall..:
Cut 17 (18) “off balance”
The Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic concludes Saturday night with the Class 5A championship game as Landry-Walker faces West Monroe. Landry-Walker Head Coach Emmanuel Powell expects an intense game..:
Cut 19 (18) “dangerous situations”
In class 3A Lutcher will face Amite, 2A Sterlington takes on Madison Prep, And in Class 1A, it’s Logansport versus Haynesville.

Jurors heard important testimony from Kevin O’ Neal during the Will Smith shooting trial today. O’ Neal is a long time friend of Cardell Hayes, who is charged with second-degree murder. O’Neal was in Hayes hummer during the car accident that sparked the shooting. O’Neal says at no time was Hayes the aggressor in the heated situation. O’ Neal also said that the last time he saw the former Saints player alive, his wife was trying to push him away from the dispute.

There are reports that Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin could be named the new head coach at Houston. The reports say there is a possibility an announcement could be made tonight. Kiffin is reportedly LSU’s top choice to be its offensive coordinator.

In other coaching news…Ruston Head Coach Braid Laird is reportedly leaving the Bearkats football program to become the defensive coordinator and associate head coach at Northwestern State. Laird head that same job when Bradley Dale Peveto was the head coach of the Demons.

Tomorrow night in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, it’s the Class 1A and 2A state championships. Haynesville faces undefeated Logansport in one match-up. The Golden Tornado are making their fifth straight trip to the Dome. The Two-A matchup pits Madison Prep versus Sterlington. Neither team has won a state title.

There are reports that Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin could be named the next head coach of Houston as early as today. Kiffin is reportedly LSU’s top choice to be the Tigers offensive coordinator. According to a report in USA Today, former LSU coach Les Miles was eliminated from consideration from the Houston job on Wednesday.

A couple of Ragin Cajun players have been named to the All Sun Belt first team, wide receiver Al Riles and linebacker Otha Peters. UL Lafayette’s Elijan McGuire was a second-team selection, along with defensive lineman Joe Dillon and ULM’s Jeff Savage was a second-team pick along the offensive line.

Nicholls State quarterback Chase Fourcade and defensive lineman Sully Laiche finished in the top ten in voting for the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to Football Championship Subdivision’s top freshman.

In the NBA, the Pelicans are will try to get back on track as they face the 76ers tonight in the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans has lost 5 of their last 6. Philadelphia is 4 and 18.

In college hoops, UL-Lafayette shut down Loyola New Orleans 94-60. Southern fell to Tulane 84-75. Tonight, Nicholls State travels to face Florida State.

During testimony at today’s Will Smith trial, Kevin O’Neal took the witness stand. He was a passenger in Cardell Hayes’ hummer when the accident occurred and shots were fired by Hayes towards Smith. O’ Neal said Hayes and himself felt under attack during the heated argument that ensued following the traffic accident.

Quarterback Drew Brees was one of several current and former Saints players who were on hand for the opening day of testimony in the Smith murder trial. He says him and wife Brittany wanted to be there for Smith’s widow, Racquel,,,,
cut 17 (19) “…that time”
This Sunday, New Orleans visits Tampa Bay. A team that has won four in a row.

The Saints are getting to play one of the hotter teams in the NFC this weekend. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won four in a row and moved into a first place tie with Atlanta in the NFC South. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees says Tampa Bay is doing a lot of things well on defense…:
Cut 16 (19) “opportunistic”
The Saints kick off against the Bucs in Tampa at 3:25 pm Sunday.

LSU announced the details of Dave Aranda’s contract and he is now officially the highest paid assistant coach in college football. In a three year deal, the defensive coordinator will make $1.8 million in 2017, $1.85 million the next year then $1.9 million in 2019. He also receives the title of associate head coach.

In the NBA, the Pelicans are will try to get back on track as they face the 76ers tonight in the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans has lost 5 of their last 6. Philadelphia is 4 and 18.

In college hoops, UL-Lafayette shut down Loyola New Orleans 94-60. Southern fell to Tulane 84-75. Tonight, Nicholls State travels to face Florida State.

The Jefferson Parish Coroner has released the body of Joe McKnight to the funeral home after another inspection and collection of tissue samples; but he downplayed reports that a third autopsy was performed Wednesday. The former NFL player and John Curtis star was killed in an apparent road rage incident, and the circumstances surrounding exactly where he was shot are at issue. JPSO said McKnight was killed by Ronald Gasser who is charged with manslaughter.

Former Saints running back Pierre Thomas took the stand Wednesday and described what he saw when Cardell Hayes shot former NFL player Will Smith last April. Thomas says he thought a heated argument had cooled down. But Hayes attorneys say he shot Smith, because the retired athlete went back to his SUV to get a loaded gun.

LSU released the details today of LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s three-year contract extension. He’ll be one of the highest paid assistant coaches in all of college football, making one-point-eight million dollars in the first year of the deal. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says whoever they hire at offensive coordinator will make a similar salary…
cut 12 (10) “…it is”

LSU has sold about half of its allotment of tickets for the Citrus bowl on December 31st. The school received nine-thousand tickets from the Orlando bowl. LSU ticket manager Brian Broussard says LSU fans shouldn’t let the 11 AM eastern time kickoff discourage them from going….
cut 18 (09) “…New Years”

Former Saints running back Pierre Thomas took the stand today in the second-degree murder trial of Cardell Hayes, who shot former NFL player Will Smith. The defense says that Hayes shot Smith, because he went back to his SUV to get a loaded gun. Thomas said he saw Hayes firing shots into Smith’s SUV after a argument that he thought had cooled down after the two vehicles were involved in a minor wreck.

Postseason awards were handed out by Conference USA today and Louisiana Tech quarterback Ryan Higgins was named Most Valuable Player, Carlos Henderson was awarded the offensive and special teams player of the year awards and Skip Holtz was named Coach of the Year.

Cajuns wide receiver Al Riles was named an All-Sun Belt first team offensive performer this season. On defense, Cajuns linebacker Otha Peters was a first-team selection.

In basketball, UL Lafayette hosts Loyola tonight while Tulane will host the Southern Jaguars. Tomorrow night, the Pelicans host the Philadelphia 76ers.

Third day of the Will Smith shooting trial is underway in a court room in Orleans Parish. There was emotional testimony from the widow of Will Smith, Racquel, who said strongly that her husband did nothing to provoke the shooting. Cardell Hayes defense team paints a different picture.

W-W-L T-V is reporting that the Jefferson Parish coroner’s office will conduct a third autopsy on the body of Joe McKnight, who was killed in a road rage incident last week in Terrytown. Authorities reportedly want to do more forensic testing. Ronald Gassser has been charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of McKnight.

Saints veteran safety Roman Harper has been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which goes to the player who excels on and off the field. Harper has played mostly on special teams this season, while away from the game, he’s busy doing charity work. He has a reading with Roman program, which pushes students to read.

LSU has released details of defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s new three-year contract that makes him the highest paid assistant in college football. Aranda will make one-point-eight million dollars in 2017 and his salary will go up to 1-point-nine million in the third year of the deal.

After two days of selling, the LSU ticket office has sold four-thousand tickets, which is about half of the school’s allotted tickets. LSU’s associate athletic director for ticket sales, Brian Broussard, says you can get a good seat at a good price…
cut 17 (13) “….lower levels”

Louisiana Tech’s Carlos Henderson has been named Conference USA’s offensive and special teams player of the year. Tech quarterback Ryan Higgins has been named the league’s Most Valuable Player and Skip Holtz has been named coach of the year.

Former and current Saints players showed up for the first day of Will Smith’s murder trial. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

In New York last night, Former LSU quarterback Bert Jones was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Jones finished fourth in Heisman voting in 1972, and left the Tigers as the school’s all time leader in passing yardage and touchdown passes. He’s better known nationally for being the Colts star QB who won the NFL’s MVP in back to back seasons in the 70s. Jones is LSU’s 11th addition to the College Football Hall of Fame.

In the shooting of former NFL player Joe McKnight in Jefferson Parish, 54-year-old Ronald Gasser is charged with manslaughter. So what might this trial look like? Legal analyst Tim Meche says the Jefferson Parish D-A’s office could let a grand jury have a say…:
cut 11 (11) “of him”
Beyond that, Meche says if Gasser makes a good case that he was scared of McKnight, he could be found not guilty.

Ticket sales are going slow on the LSU side for the Citrus Bowl in Orlando between the Tigers and Louisville on December 31st. LSU ticket manager, Brian Broussard, says the 11am eastern time kickoff shouldn’t scare fans away…:
Cut 18 (09) “New Years”
About 4200 of LSU’s allotment of 9500 tickets have been sold so far.

Today in college hoops, UL-Lafayette hosts Loyola and Southern is at Tulane.