Don’t Be Fooled (The Richardson Report for the Week of October 11th)

Welcome back Football Fanatics. I don’t even know where to start. Five weeks of high school football in the books and last week may have been the most intriguing week of football we have seen; thrillers, upsets, undefeated records lost. It was a great week with many great games to discuss. And now, the fun will continue as we head into district play. I have been waiting on this moment of the season for months now. This is the point where we will really see who the top dogs in Northeast Louisiana are. I want to give another shoutout to the KTVE/KARD team who has been killing it all season long. We have been able to bring you tons of games on Friday. I can’t express how happy and proud I am to have so many people alongside myself to make Football Friday Night a success.

STAR of the Week, sponsored by Coney Island Connections and Chris Lewis, has gotten off to a smooth start. If you didn’t already know, we have some special young people in this area. Talented, smart, respectful, simply representing their schools and NELA extremely well. We are working on getting the t-shirts made to pass out to our winners. For those who have already been honored, I will circle back around to present those to you as soon as our first order comes in.

A reminder, Football Friday Night Xtra will be streaming on our website, myarklamiss.com as well as on our Facebook page and Youtube page every Friday night, so whether you are on the road back from a game or just out and away from your televisions, you won’t have to miss any of the action.

I do apologize, there was no Football After Dark last week as our show got off to a late start due to college football. I got back into the office and realized it was already 12:30. I promise, I will be back this week after the show to break down all of the action. I can’t wait to see you all on Friday.

Best regards,

Zach Richardson

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ZACH’S RANDOM THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK :

• I have got to start off with the BEST thing from the entire week–The ULM Warhawks keep on rolling with another big win to give James Madison their first loss of the season. #134 WHO??? What Bryant Vincent has brought to this program, to this community, has been incredible to see first-hand. Football is exciting in Monroe again. This community has rallied behind their Warhawks and has made it must-see football. James Madison came into Monroe after scoring 133 points in the last two games combined. The Warhawks held JMU to just 19 points in their win on Saturday. What I love most about this win is the fact that ULM won this game with class. They carried themselves like they had been there before. The Warhawks are 4-1 for the first time since 1993. They are also undefeated at home which is huge. Defend Malone. The Warhawks have done just that. We talk about JMU and Troy being top contenders in the Sun Belt, well, I think it is about time we add ULM into that conversation.

FOOTBALL 2024

BEST OF THE ARKLAMISS

7) GAVIN POLK, K, OCS

New OCS record for PAT’s made and new career best with 50-yard FG

6) DERRICK DEW, RB, UNION

14 carries for 141 yards and 3TDs vs Homer

5) DESMON STURDIVANT, DE, HAYNESVILLE

14 total tackles (4 TFLs), 3 QB hurries vs Lincoln Prep

4) PATRICK TURPIN, WR, OCS

4 catches for 101 yards and 3TDs vs Rayville

3) DEZYRIAN ELLIS, QB, FRANKLIN PARISH

243 passing yards and 4TDs, 158 rushing yards and a score vs Ouachita

2) COLBY CASEY, QB, MANGHAM

235 passing yards for 3TDs vs Madison

1) WYDELL CLARK JR., RB, OUACHITA

181 rushing yards, 2 KR TDs, 3 catches for 57 yards vs Franklin Parish

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FOOTBALL 2024

KTVE/KARD PRESEASON POLL

1. RUSTON BEARCATS (5-0)

Last Week: 63-17 win over Stephenville (TX)

Up Next: at Ouachita

HERE’S WHY: Ruston went to the state of Texas and dominated. Last week’s game against Stephenville was probably their most impressive win of the season. On the road, taking on the No. 1 team in 4A Texas football and the Bearcats put up 42 points in the first half. If you didn’t already know this team’s strength, now you do. Josh Brantley played lights out, throwing for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns in their win. This offense clicked on all cylinders. The defense was able to take the ball away early with a Terry Lewis interception and from their, Ruston would score 8 first half touchdowns and kick one field goal to run away with this game early. Jordan Hayes torched the Yellow Jacket defense with two first half touchdowns of his own. It was a balanced performance on the road with 251 yards through the air and 291 on the ground. Aidan Anding did Aidan Anding type things with an interception on the defensive side of the ball as well as an 86-yard kickoff return for a score. I am honestly surprised any team would take the chance to kick it to him, but then again, you don’t want to give the Bearcats any kind of good field position and that is the price you pay. It will be very difficult to remove the Bearcats from this number one spot from what we have seen from them so far this season.

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2. NEVILLE TIGERS (5-0)

Last Week: 17-10 win over Sterlington

Up Next: vs Pineville

HERE’S WHY: The Neville Tigers pulled out another gritty win against Sterlington last week in a game that didn’t turn out how some may have thought. Neville has been rolling all season and Sterlington had struggled early on, but they showed up and gave the Tigers a fight. The Tigers were down a few key players, but guys stepped up and did what they had to do to win. One of those guys being Tardashi Lemons who led the team in rushing with 64 yards and a score. On the outside, Trendan Dumas had a big day with 98 receiving yards. Despite last week being their lowest scoring game of the season, Neville is still averaging 30.6 points per game. Mike Collins and the Tigers continue to face whatever obstacle they are challenged with and always find a way–which leads back to the word they have been using for the last several months–toughness. It is homecoming week for Neville as they will host Pineville, which will be a tough district opener, but nothing has changed for the Tigers and they have their sights set on being 1-0 at the end of the night.

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3. OUACHITA LIONS (3-1)

Last Week: 51-47 win over Franklin Parish

Up Next: vs Ruston

HERE’S WHY: The Ouachita Lions were very impressive last week against the undefeated Franklin Parish Patriots. This was a real test for Benjy Lewis and company. Things got off to a great start jumping up 20-7 after a half of football. The Lions would bend, but they didn’t break as the Patriots began to come back in that one. A monster day for the Lions offense and special teams coming up big in this back-and-forth battle including a monster day from Wydell Clark Jr. who returned two kickoffs for scores while also rushing for 181 yards. Ouachita is up for a big test Friday hosting Ruston, but this could very well be another battle of powers. The Ruston offense has opened up and shown what they possess, but the Lions defense is nothing to play with. Their defense could very well cause some trouble for the Bearcats with that vicious defensive line who causes chaos up front. I believe the game changer will be how that Ouachita Lions offense comes out. No matter how talented you are on defense, Ruston will score points. The Lions offense will need to continue what they have been doing, putting points on the board and if that happens, this could very well be a thriller of a game.

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4. RIVER OAKS MUSTANGS (8-0)

Last Week: 60-0 win over Union Christian

Up Next: @ Briarfield Academy

HERE’S WHY: River Oaks continues to dominate in MAIS football with another shutout win for Bo Barton and the Mustangs. This is a team who is title chasing and nothing is slowing them down. I already love 8-man football–but this team makes it that much more exciting. We talk quite a bit about Lantavious Murphy, who has Division-I talent, but this team is so dynamic with multiple players who can break one at any given moment. It starts with Jayden Davis at QB. This young man has it made. He has the playmakers to get the ball to, but he can do it himself just as good. We saw the Mustangs pull some tricks out of their sleeves a few times last week and worked to perfection. Davis on the receiving end of a pass from Murphy. You know–they are having fun with this. Two weeks left for their season with games against Briarfield and Tallulah. I’m calling it now, this team will end the season hoisting a state title. They are that dang good.

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5. OUACHITA CHRISTIAN EAGLES (5-0)

Last Week: 45-8 win over Rayville

Up Next: vs Delhi Charter

HERE’S WHY: OCS is doing what they do–taking care of business and not letting any team come close. Luke Vidrine continues to get better and better each week throwing for 192 yards and 5 touchdowns–Patrick Turpin being on the receiving end of three of those. I am telling you, the Eagles are on track to make a trip back to the Dome, only allowing 14 points through five games. I am still super jealous–Jeremy Bryant and a few of our other shooters have had the pleasure of seeing this team play and I have not been able to make a trip over yet to catch them. I promise I will make my way over!! But this is a team who deserves this type of success. They do it right–classy coaches, respectful kids, and they simply play the game the way it’s supposed to be played.

6) OAK GROVE TIGERS (4-1)

7) WEST OUACHITA CHIEFS (5-0)

8) FRANKLIN PARISH PATRIOTS (4-1)

9) BASTROP RAMS (4-1)

10) FERRIDAY TROJANS (5-0)

ZACH’S WEEK SIX PICKS

JEREMY’S WEEK SIX PICKS

AYANNA’S WEEK SIX PICKS

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