Haynesville and Many won state championships in football last night. In the One-A title game, Haynesville won its 17th state title in football by shutting out Mangham 16-0. KeAndre Harris had an 86-yard touchdown run. Many won its first state title by beating Kinder 22-15. Kentrell Maxie’s five-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the difference.

Today’s action at the Dome gets underway at noon as Livonia faces Amite in the Three-A title game. Neville will take on Warren Easton in the four-a championship and it’s Destrehan versus Acadiana for the Five-A Championship. Destrehan lost to Acadiana in the semifinals last year. Wildcats Coach Stephen Robichaux says his team knows what they are up against…
cut 19 (09) “…face em”
Destrehan is trying for its third state title in eight years, while Acadiana looks to go back-to-back for the first time in school history.

The Saints continue preparations for the Chicago Bears, who they’ll face on Monday night. New Orleans defense has allowed at least 27 points in its last five games. But they go up against a Chicago offense that’s yet to score 30 points in a game this season. The weather forecast in Chicago on Monday calls for a 50-percent chance of rain and temperatures in the 40s.

SEC football news…Will Muschamp is back at Auburn as that school’s defensive coordinator. And Ole Miss has finalized a new contract with head coach Hugh Freeze, who will make four-point-three million dollars next season.

In the NBA…Tykeke Evans had a season-high 31 points and 10 assists as the Pelicans beat Lebron James and the Cavaliers 119 to 114. Anthony Davis left in the first quarter with a chest contusion and did not return. Ryan Anderson added 31 points, while Lebron had 41.

In college hoops…LSU hosts Sam Houston State, while U-L Lafayette faces Centenary in the Cajundome.

The Class One-A and Two-A football championship games are tonight in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In the One-A title game, Mangham faces Haynesville. The two-a championship game will take place at 8:30 as Kinder matches up with Many.

Three more games tomorrow, including the Four-A title game between Warren Easton and Neville. Warren Easton is led by quarterback Deshawn Capers-Smith, who was named Louisiana Football Gatorade Player of the Year. Neville Coach Mickey McCarty says his defense will face a big challenge in trying to slow down Capers-Smith…
cut 17 (18) “….our offense”

Tonight in the Smoothie King Center…the Pelicans host the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron James is questionable, because of left knee soreness.

There’s only about 700 tickets left out of the 8,000 ticket allottment for LSU in the Music City Bowl, as the Tigers will play Notre Dame December 30th. LSU ticket office manager Brian Broussard, says he’s not surprised by the response, because of the opponent and it’s Nashville…
cut 13 (05) “…to visit’
Broussard says you can also purchase tickets through Ticketmaster, but the tickets LSU sells are in a better location.

It doesn’t look like South Carolina fans are exicted about traveling to Shreveport for the Duck Commander Independence Bowl. Reports say South Carolina has only sold seven-hundred of its eight-thousand allotted tickets.

Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton has been fined 82-hundred for his role in a fight that erupted last week after Carolina’s Cam Newton scored a touchdown. And former Saint, Darren Sharper,w as indicted today on aggravated rape charges for allegedly drugging and then having sex with two women in New Orleans last year.

Former Saints star Darren Sharper has been indicted by an Orleans Parish Grand Jury on two counts of aggravated rape. If convicted, Sharper faces a life sentence. He’s accussed of drugging and raping two women at his apartment in September of 2013. Two friends of Sharper, Erik Nunez of Metairie and Brandon Licciardi, a deputy with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s office, are also facing rape charges as result of a series of indictments that came down today. Sharper faces similar accusations in Arizona and California and he’s been in a Los Angeles Country jail since last February.

The high school football season comes to a close with five games over the next two days at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Tonight it’s the One-A and Two-A title games, both contests are re-matches of championship games from last year. In One-A Haynesville matches up with Mangham, And in Two-A…Many takes on Kinder.

Saints Coach Sean Payton calls a report that he’ll leave at the end of the season…silly. Payton says there’s absolutely no way that will happen. Payton also says expect to see plenty of safety Kenny Vaccaro on Monday, even though a report came out earlier this week that said Vaccoro was demoted. Vaccaro admits to having a one-on-one meeting with Payton, which he calls a very impactful conversation that can change his career.

LSU’s ticket office says they have about seven-hundred tickets left to sell for the Music City Bowl. The 22nd ranked Tigers will face Notre Dame in Nashville on December 30th. A year ago, LSU had trouble selling its allotment for the Outback Bowl.

In the NBA tonight…the Clevland Cavaliers make their only visit to New Orleans tonight as they face the Pelicans. But Lebron James might not play. He didn’t suit up last night as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Cavs 103-94. James sat out with left knee soreness and his status is considered day-to-day.

Five more state champions will be crowned in football this weekend. In Class 4-A, the Neville Tigers from Monroe are seeking their 11th state title in school history as they’ll face Warren Easton out of New Orleans Saturday afternoon. Neville head coach Mickey McCarty says his team is peaking at the right time

cut 16 (16) “Warren Easton team”

Warren Easton is led by quarterback Deshawn Capers-Smith, who was named Louisiana Football Gatorade Player of the Year.

Tonight in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, it will be the Class 1-A and 2-A state championship football games. In the 1-A title game, top seeded Mangham takes on second-seeded Haynesville at 4:30 PM. The Two-A title game, has top seeded Many facing second seeded Kinder.

In the 5-A Championship game tomorrow night, it will be Destrehan versus the defending champs, the Acadiana Wrecking Rams. The Wildcats last won a football title in 2008 and head coach Stephen Robichaux is trying to complete an undefeated championship season in 2014…

cut 18 (13) “you know”

Destrehan lost to Acadiana in the semi-finals last year.

Livonia takes on Amite in the 3-A final.

Earlier this week, the Monroe News-Star wrote an article that raised the possibility that ULM could drop football in a financial move, just as UAB did earlier this month. ULM president Nick Bruno issued a statement that says the university is committed to the football program. Athletics Director Brian Wickstrom added that discontinuing the football program has never been brought up in any of his conversations with Dr. Bruno.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says a report that safety Kenny Vaccaro has been benched is inaccurate and silly. But Payton wouldn’t say whether Vaccaro will start Monday night against the Chicago Bears. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t expect many changes with the team’s two-deep depth chart…
cut 18 (16) “…two games”
Payton did confirm a report from earlier this week that wide receiver Joe Morgan has been released. Rookie Seantavius Jones has been activated from the practice squad to fill Morgan’s spot on the roster. Jones is an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State. He’s six-foot-three, 200 pounds.

Also, offensive tackle Terron Armstead did not practice today because of a neck injury and defensive end Junior Galette was also held out, because of a knee injury.

Earlier this week, the Monroe News-Star wrote an article that raised the possibility ULM could drop football in a financial move, just UAB did earlier this month. Today, ULM president Nick Bruno issued a statement that says the university is committed to the football program. Athletics Director Brian Wickstrom added that discontinuing the football program has never been brought up in any of his conversations with Dr. Bruno.

Three LSU players made the Coaches All SEC Freshman team. They are running back Leonard Fournette, receiver Malachi Dupre and safety Jamal Adams. Fornette has nearly 900 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. Dupre has five touchdown catches, while Adams has 56 tackles.

Tomorrow night in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, it will be the Class 1-A and 2-a state championship football games. In the One-A title game, top seeded Mangham takes on second-seeded Haynesville at 4:30 PM. The Two-A title game, has top seeded Many facing second seeded Kinder.

The Saints are getting ready to play the Chicago Bears on Monday night. New Orleans can still win the NFC South, even though they have a five and eight record. They are competing with Atlanta and Carolina for the division title and a home playoff game. But NFL Analyst Mike Detiller says the Black and Gold can’t worry about that…
cut 17 (11) “…important thing”

The Falcons are hosting the Steelers this weekend and Carolina will take on Tampa Bay. Derek Anderson will start at quarterback for the Panthers, as Cam Newton is out with a back injury, after he was involved in a car accident.

In major league baseball…former Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Wade Miley has been traded to the Boston Red Sox. Miley was 8-12 with a 4.34 ERA last season with Arizona Diamondbacks.

LSU senior left tackle La’el Collins has received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which goes to the Southeastern Conference’s most outstanding blocker. Louisiana Tech quarterback Cody Sokol is the Conference USA newcomer of the year. And Ragin Cajuns sophomore Elijah McGuire has been named the Sun Belt’s player of the year.

In college basketball…the Ragin Cajuns defeated Louisiana Tech 94-86. Shawn Long had 24 points and 15 rebounds for UL Lafayette, while the Bulldogs Erik McCree had 25 points.

In the NBA…the Pelicans lost another close game on the road. Dallas defeated New Orleans 112-107. Anthony Davis had 31 points and 11 rebounds. But Dallas had four players score 20 points or more and led by Monta Ellis 26 points. The Pels are now 10-11. They host Cleveland tomorrow night.

The Saints return to work today to get ready for Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears. Since Sunday’s embarrassing loss to Carolina, wide receiver Joe Morgan has been released, safety Kenny Vaccaro has been benched and Coach Sean Payton has held several one-on-one meetings with team leaders. NFL analyst Mike Detillier on the situation

cut 16 (18) “roller coaster ride”

The Saints can still win the NFC South, even though they have a five and eight record.

The Saints reportedly worked out kicker Garrett Hartley yesterday. Hartley was released by the Black and Gold towards the end of last season and replaced by Shayne Graham, who has been the team’s field goal kicker since. Graham is 18-of-20 field goals this year, but he did miss a 42-yarder last Sunday.

Monta Ellis scored 13 of his 26 points in the final four and a-half minutes of the game as the Dallas Mavericks upended the Pelicans 112-107. Jrue Holiday scored 31 and Anthony Davis threw in 30 as the Pels fall to 10-11 on the season. The Pelicans host Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow night.

In college basketball, it was UL-Lafayette over Louisiana Tech 94-86 and Southern fell to Minnesota 85-57.

LSU senior left tackle La’el Collins has received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which goes to the Southeastern Conference’s most outstanding blocker. Collins has registered 84.5 knockdown blocks in 12 games this season.

Louisiana Tech quarterback Cody Sokol is the Conference USA newcomer of the year. Sokol is ninth in the nation in passing touchdowns and 22nd in yards.

And Ragin Cajuns sophomore Elijah McGuire has been named the Sun Belt’s player of the year. The all-purpose back rushed for over 1,000 yards this season and led the league with all-purpose yards per game.

The Saints reportedly worked out kicker Garrett Hartley today. Hartley was released by the Black and Gold towards the end of last season and replaced by Shayne Graham, who has been the team’s field goal kicker since. Graham is 18-of-20 field goals this year, but he missed a 42-yarder last Sunday.

There’s also report that Michigan interim athletic director Jim Hackett wants LSU’s Les Miles as the next head coach of the Wolverines. LSU athletic director Joe Alleva told the Baton Rouge Advocate that he has not been contacted by another school about speaking with Miles. Tiger Rag Editor Robert Stewart is like many who believe that the mad hatter will not return to his alma mater…
cut 10 (11) “….talent here’
Another report says that Miles’ agent has been contacted about Michigan’s football vacancy.

LSU senior left tackle La’el Collins has received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which goes to the Southeastern Conference’s most outstanding blocker. Collins has registered 84.5 knockdown blocks in 12 games this season.

Ragin Cajuns sophomore Elijah McGuire has been named the Sun Belt’s player of the year. The all-purpose back rushed for over 1,000 yards this season and led the league with all-purpose yards per game.

The Cajuns placed eight on the All-Sun Belt team. First teamers are offensive lineman Daniel Quave, defensive tackle Christian Ringo and nose guard Justin Hamilton. The Warhawks tallied 12 All-Conference selections. First team selections are wide receiver Rashad Ceaser, defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson, defensive back Mitch Lane and kicker Justin Manton.

And Louisiana Tech quarterback Cody Sokol is the Conference USA newcomer of the year. Sokol is ninth in the nation in passing touchdowns and 22nd in yards.

It’s being reported that the University of Michigan has reached out to LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles to fill their vacancy for the same position. Two websites that cover Wolverine athletics report that the school has contacted Miles’ agent to see if the LSU coach has interest in the position which was made available after the school fired Brady Hoke. Coach Miles played his college football at Michigan under coach Bo Schembechler from 1974-1975 and also served two stints as an assistant coach there. Miles was linked to the Wolverines last two head coach openings in 2007 and 2010.

Fresh off a three-game West Coast road trip, the Pelicans returned home last night to handle the New York Knicks 104-93. Tyreke Evans lead all scorers with 27-points. Anthony Davis added 18 and Omer Asik added 16 as the Pels improve to 10-10. Amare Stoudemire scored 26 for the struggling Knicks, who fall to 4-19 on the season. The Peicans have now won two-in-a-row. This is the first time the Pels have strung together consecutive victories in nearly a month.

Yesterday seemed to be an interesting day at the Saints facility in Metairie. It is reported that a minimum of 10 players were called individually into Head Coach Sean Payton’s office for a “review”. Payton has publicly stated his displeasure in the teams embarrassing loss to the Panthers on Sunday and has stated that he’s not afraid of making whatever changes are necessary to turn things around.

The Saints did waive fourth year wide receiver Joe Morgan yesterday. Morgan has had some physical setbacks in his career. He spent two of his four season on injured reserve due to knee injuries. Morgan has only appeared in five games this season. Morgan had 14 receptions for 471 yards and three touchdowns in his career with the Saints.

Safety Kenny Vaccaro has been pulled from the starting lineup. Vaccaro started all 13 games this season, grabbing two interceptions and breaking up five other passes. Jamarca Sanford, a free agent signed last month, will likely step into the starting lineup. Sanford started in Minnesota from 2011 to 2013.

In college basketball action… ULM upended Northwestern State, 82-74.

New Orleans Head Coach Sean Payton is getting serious about the team after dealing with backlash from the embarrassing loss to the Panthers on Sunday. He’s saying that some of the players are on notice and there is even a report today that wide receiver Joe Morgan has been waived. Payton alluded Monday some could be losing their jobs…:
CUT 6 (11) “who’s doing it”
The Saints have lost four of their last five games heading into a Monday night matchup in Chicago. However they are still tied for the division lead.

Speaking of the Panthers, team officials say quarterback Cam Newton has two transverse process fractures in his lower back after being involved in a two-vehicle crash not far from the team’s stadium in Charlotte. They have not given any estimate on how much time, if any, that Newton may miss.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon said Tuesday he’ll be back in 2 weeks after tearing the labrum in his shoulder. The Pels are 2-5 since he got hurt November 22nd in a game at Utah. New Orleans hosts the Knicks tonight in Smoothie King Center.

The Big Easy is once again expecting many football fans in town for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl and the Allstate Sugarbowl. New Orleans Tourism & Marketing Corporation President Mark Romig says the January 1 game between Alabama and Ohio State will pack the city…:
CUT 1 (10) “alumni presence”
He says the December 20th New Orleans Bowl game against UL-Lafayette and Nevada is expected to be a good one as Ragin’ Cajun fans always travel well down I-10.