The Saints improved to 4-and-10 on the season with Sunday’s 20-17 win over Carolina. New Orleans’ defense came up with a big stop to give its offense the ball with 57 seconds left. Charlie Symth’s 47-yard game-winning field goal sealed the deal. Head coach Kellen Moore says he’s proud of his team’s fight.

Cut 16 (15) “…of our guys.”

The Saints’ final three games are against the Jets, the Titans and Falcons. Those three teams have a combined ten wins, so finishing seven and ten is a possibility for New Orleans.

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team hosts Morgan State at 11 AM today for the annual field trip game as nearly nine-thousand schoolchildren from the Baton Rouge area will be in attendance. LSU is one of 12 teams still undefeated and lead in the country in scoring, averaging 109 points per game.

College football personnel expert Austin Thomas is reportedly leaving the LSU program for a third time. According to 247-sports-dot-com, Thomas is returning to Ole Miss. He left Lane Kiffin and the Rebels to rejoin the Tigers football program before the 2024 season. He helped bring in the nation’s number one transfer portal class last offseason. His decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU reportedly frayed his relationship with Kiffin.

LSU senior cornerback Mansoor Delane and Louisiana Tech junior safety Jakari Foster were both named Associated Press First-Team All-Americans. Delane had two interceptions and 11 pass breakups for the Tigers this season. Foster had seven interceptions, tied for the third most in program history.

Jayden Daniels’ season is done. The former LSU star reaggravated his dislocated elbow on December 7^th against Minnesota. He did not play this past Sunday and head coach Dan Quinn says it is best that last year’s Offensive Rookie of Year sits the rest of the year. After taking the Commanders to the NFC Championship game last season, Daniels has only played in seven games for the four and ten Commanders.

In just his third NFL game, Charlie Smyth from Ireland, kicked a 47-yard field goal with two seconds left to give the Saints a 20-17 win over the Carolina Panthers. Smyth has been with the Saints since joining the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program in 2024. But it wasn’t until New Orleans released Blake Grupe that Smyth got his chance and he is taking advantage of the opportunity…

Cut 17 (17) “…a dream scenario”

The Saints have won two in row and they can make it three straight when they host the Jets this Sunday at noon.

The Pelicans beat the Bulls for a second time this season as Trey Murphy and Jeremiah Fears eached scored 20 points in 114 to 104 win. Zion Williamson returned from a hip injury and scored 18 points off the bench.

The LHSAA Prep Classic ended on Saturday with Edna Karr beating district rival Saint Augustine 49-14 to win their second consecutive state championship. Cougars Coach Brice Brown says what they’ve accomplished the last two years is nothing short of incredible…

Cut 13 (16) “…to their character.”

The Cougars have won 27 in a row.

In the first game Saturday, Ouachita Parish won its first state title since 1989 by rallying from a two-touchdown deficit to beat top-seeded Ruston, 21-20. Lions Coach Benyi Lewis says they played their best football of the season in the postseason after suffering through a four-game losing streak…

Cut  14 (15) “…I’ve been around”

The Saints rallied from a ten-point deficit to beat Carolina for their second win in a row and second win over the Panthers this season. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough orchestrated a seven-play, 78-yard drive to tie the game with just over two minutes to go. New Orleans’ defense got a quick stop and that set up a game-winning 47-yard field goal by Charlie Smyth with two seconds left to win it.

Head Coach Kellen Moore says Shough showed a lot of poise in that game-tying drive.

Cut 16 (12) “…that it was.”

Shough threw for 272 yards and a touchdown. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 32 yards as starting running back Devin Neal left the game with a hamstring injury after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter. The 4-and-10 Saints have a chance at a another win as they host the 3-and-11 Jets this Sunday.

It had to be a fun weekend in Iowa as the Yellow Jackets won their first state championship in high school football by outscoring North Desoto 50-43. Iowa coach and lifelong southwest Louisiana resident, Tommy Johns, can’t say enough about the community support his team received throughout the year…

Cut 19 (11) “…this journley.”

There was also a big party in Ouachita Parish as the Lions won their first state title since 1989 as Ouachita Parish rallied from a two touchdown deficit to beat top-seeded Ruston 21-20. Ouachita Coach Benjy Lewis on the LHSAA Network…

Cut 20 (20) “….what they did”

Running back M-J Dade was the most outstanding player for Ouachita, as he had 147 yards and two touchdowns.

One of the wildest endings in Prep Classic history occurred last night in the Superdome as St. Charles Catholic came back in the final seconds to beat Shaw 23-21 to win the Division Two select state title. The Comets scored a touchdown with 35-seconds left to get within one point, but Tyler Milioto missed the extra point to tie the game.

However, Milioto got another chance due to a bizarre sequence of plays that included a Shaw player throwing his helmet into the air, thinking they had won, which resulted in a penalty against the Eagles. Also a bad punt by Shaw give Milioto a chance to win it with a 44-yard field. Our own Jeff Palermo had the call on the LHSAA Network…

Cut 30 (13) “….to hero”

It’s the Comets’ fourth state championship.

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Iowa won its first state championship in school history as the Yellow Jackets defeated North Desoto 50-43 to win the Division 2 non-select state title. Sterlington won its second title in a row as the Panthers defeated Jena 34-20.

Today at noon… Ruston is making its fourth straight state championship appearance and is looking to capture its ninth state title in school history. Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh says last season’s 42-0 loss to Central is something that’s motivating the players this season.

Cut 14 (15) “…for this year.”

Ruston will take on Ouachita Parish at noon. The Bearcats beat the Lions 21-14 earlier this season.

Today at 3:30 Edna Karr looks to complete its second undefeated championship season as the Cougars host St. Aug. The Purple Knights are looking for their first state championship since 1979.

You can start making plans for the fall of 2026 as LSU’s full schedule was released last night and Lane Kiffin will make his return to Oxford on September 19^th. The Tigers will kick off SEC play by visiting Ole Miss. The home schedule looks great, with games against Clemson, Texas A&M, Alabama and Texas, but LSU’s final two games are on the road…at Tennessee and Arkansas.

At the LHSAA Prep Classic, the Dunham Tigers won their first state championship since 2004 as the Tigers topped Calvary Baptist 34-17. The nation’s number one quarterback in the Class of 2027, Elijah Haven threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores.

And Haynesville won its 18^th state championship as the Golden Tornado denied Mangham its first state title since 1956 by beating the Panthers 39 to 37.

___________________________________________________________

The LHSAA Prep Classic continues today as Jena will make its first state championship game appearance at 3:30 as it takes on the defending champs in Division 3 non-select, the Sterlington Panthers. KNOE-TV sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Sterlington might have the best running game in the state…

Cut 11 (09) “…that is amazing”

Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough rushed for two touchdowns in last Sunday’s upset win over Tampa Bay. Shough says he always could run the ball and wants to make sure he keeps defenses on their toes.

Cut 19 (15) “…as I can.”

The Saints host the Panthers Sunday. Kickoff is at 3:25.

LSU’s third leading rusher on the season and one of the state’s most profilic high school quarterbacks says he’s entering the transfer portal. JuJuan Johnson rushed for 151 yards on 38 carries this season. At Lafayette Christian, Johnson set a Louisiana record for total yards with 14,451 and touchdowns 171.

According to LSU, since the hiring of Lane Kiffin, the school has received an additional 15-thousand season ticket requests and a large uptick in corporate partner and donor interest. LSU Economics professor Dek Terrell says Kiffin’s hiring will spark people to buy LSU merchandise this holiday season, but it’s nothing like winning a national championship…

Cut 12 (10) “…over 60-percent”

The Prep Classic starts today in the Superdome. Game one is the Division Four non-select state championship between the undefeated Haynesville Golden Tornado and the Mangham Dragons. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says Haynesville is undefeated, but Mangham is battle-tested.

Cut 4 (09) “…Haynesville team again.”

Also today, Riverside versus Ascension Catholic, and tonigh,t Dunham takes on Calvary Baptist.

An arena football league is coming to Monroe this summer as the Monroe franchise will be part of the Arena League, which is expanding from four to eight teams. League owner Jeff Holmes says their band of football features seven players on the field per side, and there is no kicking…

Cut 14 (07) “….receive the ball”

The team will play at the Monroe Civic Center and there will be a contest to name the team.

Several bowl eligible college football teams chose not to play in a bowl game this season, but despite a disappointing year the LSU Tigers accepted an invitation to the Texas Bowl in Houston. LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson says the Tigers never thought about not playing in a bowl.

Cut 16 (17) “…the right way.”

LSU will play 21st-ranked Houston on December 27^th. Several starters for the Tigers will not play, including Garrett Nussmeier, Whit Weeks, and Mansoor Delane. And Wilson is not sure what his future holds after the bowl game, whether he’ll be part of Lane Kiffin’s coaching staff.

Thoughts and prayers go out to LSU great Kevin Faulk, his 30-year-old daughter died unexpectedly last week. It’s the second daughter Faulk has lost at a young age.

The Jena Giants will make their first-ever trip to the state championship game on Friday as they will face Sterlington in the Division Two non-select state championship game. The Giants are 13-and-0 and the top seed. Head Coach Jay Roark says he’s proud of how the defense improved through the season…

Cut 11 (12) “…and getting better”

The Giants will face defending champion Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30.

Nice win for the McNeese men’s basketball team last night as the Cowboys defeated Rhode Island 66 to 64. Tyshawn Archie scored the winning bucket on a fade-away jumper with one second left. Archie had a career-high 18 points for the 8-2 Pokes.

Also, ULM upended Arkansas Baptist 79-69.

LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson is preparing to get the Tigers ready to play Houston in the Texas Bowl on December 27th….

Cut 17 (15) “…football team.

Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Mansoor Delane and linebacker Whit Weeks will not play in the bowl game. Nussmeier and Delane are hurt and will get ready for the NFL draft. Weeks is also recovering from a broken ankle, and could forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Will Wilson be on Lane Kiffin’s staff? Wilson says a decision on that has not been made. Kiffin is expected to bring Ole Miss running backs coach Kevin Smith with him to LSU, leaving Wilson without a spot on Kiffin’s staff.

The Jena High School football team is preparing for its first-ever state championship game appearance. After losing in the semifinals the last two seasons, head coach Jay Roark says it’s nice to get over the hump.

Cut 10 (14) “…than previous years.”

Jena is 13-and-0 and the top seed in Division Two non-select. But they will have to beat defending champ Sterlington on Friday afternoon.

Edna Karr is seeking its eighth championship as the Cougars are trying to go back-to-back. Karr Coach Brice Brown…

Cut 20 (20) “…doing it”

Karr and St. Aug on Saturday afternoon on the LHSAA Network.

LSU’s Frank Wilson will serve as the interim head coach for the Tigers when they play Houston in the Texas Bowl on December 27th. But Wilson’s future with the program is uncertain as he did not provide any clarity when speaking with reporters Tuesday morning…

Cut 9 (13)  “…in that regard.”

Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, linebacker Whit Weeks and receiver Aaron Anderson will not play in the bowl game, along with cornerback Mansoor Delane, but defensive tackle Ahmad Breaux is expected to play despite announcing he’s entering the transfer portal.

Eleven Louisiana Tech football players have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal. But Tech coach Sonny Cumbie says a few of those players have indicated they want to play in the Indy Bowl…

cut 18 (14) “…to their characther”

For the first time ever, the Iowa Yellow Jackets will play in a state championship football game. Iowa head coach Tommy Johns says the team has the Calcasieu Parish town buzzing.

Cut 29 (06)  “…a long time.”

Iowa will play North DeSoto on Friday at noon. The Griffins are the top seed in Division Two non-select. North DeSoto has never won a state title.

Mangham is looking for its first state championship since 1956 as the Dragons will take on Haynesville on Thursday at noon in the Division Four non-select title game. Mangham Coach Scott Wilcher says they are playing for their Richland Parish town.

Cut 15 (08) “…going to do.”

Mangham lost to Haynesville in its last State championship game in 2013 and 2014.

The Pelicans lost their seventh straight yesterday despite a triple double from rookie Derik Queen. New Orleans fell to the Spurs 135 to 132 and Queen had 33 points, ten rebounds and ten assists.

Two LSU players have announced plans to enter the transfer portal. Defensive tackle Ahmad Breaux from Ruston is leaving LSU after two seasons. He appeared in 24 games and recorded 36 tackles. Cornerback Ashton Stamps also says he will put his name in the portal. Stamps was a part-time starter in 2023, a full-time starter in 2024, but dropped behind PJ Woodland and DJ Pickett on the depth chart this season.

The Ragin Cajuns have eight more days to prepare for their bowl game against Delaware in Mobile. Coach Michael Desormeaux’s team is trying to finish the season on a five-game winning streak and U-L Lafayette is looking for its first bowl win in three years…

Cut 17 (14) “…to go do.”

Someone will win their first state championship in high school football on Friday afternoon when Iowa meets North DeSoto in the Division Two non-select state championship GAME. For the Griffins, this is their second-ever appearance in a state title game. Coach Dennis Dunn led North DeSoto to the title game in 2022…

Cut 20 (11) “…for them”

Iowa is making its first state championship game appearance in school history. Yellow Jackets head coach Tommy Johns says winning the time of possession will be critical in this game…

Cut 14 (05) “…track meet.”

All of the state championship games can be seen on the LHSAA Network.

The Pelicans rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit, only to lose to San Antonio 135 to 132. Career night for rookie Derik Queen as the Pelicans center had a triple-double, 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. But he missed a game-winning three-point attempt in the final seconds.