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Page 26
152nd YEAR, NO. 46
Sims’ new term as DA is steeped in financial reality BY SARA PAGONES
Contributing writer
PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS
Whiskers puts on a show for Lillian McCray, who is looking for a new best kitty friend at Northshore Humane Society.
SHELTER ALIVE WITH ANIMALS AND PEOPLE
General patiently endures his checkup and round of vaccines delivered by Dr. Estelle Staff writer Felarise and vet tech Rachael Bendernagel No southeast Louisiana animal shelter and is rewarded with lots of love and a has all the space and supplies needed to yummy special treat.
Take me! Take me! It’s the same message on most of the faces in a Northshore Humane Society kennel when humans are in the vicinity. ä Story and photos. PAGE 8A
Northshore Humane Society, they get no government money and must raise theirs from animal-loving donors and umbrella animal groups. A typical day at Northshore Humane shows animals being fed, walked, watered, played with and, as needed, getting bathed, medicated and seen by shelter vet staff. All the while, residents come in and out to sur-
render animals they can no longer keep, bring in found animals, report suspected abuse or neglect and — happily — to find a shelter pet to adopt. On top of all that, the Covington shelter is also executing a major fundraising campaign to build a bigger, better facility nearby — a larger animal complex to replace its deteriorating old one, which was started in 1953.
BY SHEILA GRISSETT
provide humane care for the ever-growing population of homeless animals, primarily caused by owners not spaying or neutering their pets. As far as finances, public shelters get what local governments give them from their tax-funded budgets, then supplement around that, where possible, with volunteers and the good will of supporters. In the case of a nonprofit shelter, such as
When qualifying for the Nov. 3 election closed earlier this month, Collin Sims had clinched his first full term as the 22nd Judicial District Attorney without drawing an opponent, but that doesn’t mean the career prosecutor isn’t in full campaign mode. He’s staring down a Dec. 12 vote on a quarter-cent sales tax for St. Tammany’s criminal justice services that will determine whether he’ll face deep cuts to an already strapped budget or will finally have financial stability Sims for the 130-person office that handles criminal prosecution for St. Tammany and Washington parishes. The issue has dominated his time in office, which began in 2023 following the death of Warren Montgomery and Sims’ subsequent defeat of attorney Vincent Wynne in 2024 for the remainder of Montgomery’s term. “It has been the constant albatross around this office for years,” Sims said in an interview that followed a packed staff meeting about parish plans to educate the public ahead of the vote. “We absorbed one $1.86 million cut, and we are being advised to expect another $1.86 million,” he said. “If you’re sitting in that room, you have to feel so uncomfortable knowing that everything hinges on this presentation and the voters understanding the value that this office brings them.”
ä See SIMS, page 2A
St. Tammany Parish’s second charter school, Academy of Classical Education, opens BY JIM DERRY Staff writer
For quite some time, the Academy of Classical Education in Covington was nothing more than a dream for those who wanted to bring a different form of education to St. Tammany Parish. After years of debate and construction, that dream has become a reality. ACE just wrapped up its first full week of K-8 classes, and it is now home to 1,000 students from across four parishes. Local government and education officials were on hand, and the parish’s second-ever charter school celebrated with a ceremony in the
“We want our students to ask questions and engage in ideas.” CARLOS SAM, deputy director of Charter Schools USA gymnasium and an outdoor ribbon cutting that followed. “We simply are not teaching students what to think, but how to think,” said Carlos Sam, the deputy director of Charter Schools USA, a management organization that operates ACE and about 100 other schools across five states. “We want our students to ask questions and engage in ideas.”
Sam and other school officials say their approach is different from traditional public schools across the parish, and they tried to show that on Aug. 21 with third graders speaking Latin phrases learned the first week in class, while younger students sang and clapped through their lessons. “My kids get in the car every day and say it was the best day ever,” said Camille Kent, who has a second-grader and kindergartener at the school. “They are liking how they’re learning and aren’t coming home exhausted.” Many of the parents who decided to move their children
PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Trip Loup, Brooklyn Clemons and Caroline Pellow work on some math at the ä See CHARTER, page 2A newly opened Academy of Classical Education in Covington on Aug. 21.
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2A ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ St. Tammany ✦
Vera Brosgol visits library for evening of storytelling The St. Tammany Parish Library invites the public to an evening with award-winning cartoonist, storyboard artist and author Vera Brosgol on Sept. 18 in Slidell. Born in Moscow, Brosgol moved to the United States at age 5, growing up in this country and pursuing her lifelong passion for art, Eva visual narrative Saladino and storytelling. CHECK IT OUT In 2005, Brosgol received the Kimberly Yale Award for Best New Talent and the Nelvana Best Film Prize for her film “Snow-Bo.” Over the next two years, “SnowBo” also received the award for Best Animated Film by a NW Filmmaker, as well as a Darkly Award. “The film was made using traditional methods, animated in pencil and cleaned up with brush and ink,” Brosgol explains on her website, “The backgrounds are watercolor on board, and the color and compositing was all done digitally.” Building on her early animation success, Brosgol went on to earn both an Eisner Award and a Harvey Award in 2012 for her debut graphic novel. She followed that success in 2017 with a Caldecott Honor for her picture book “Leave Me Alone!” which follows an exasperated grandmother who travels to extraordinary lengths just to find a quiet place to finish her knitting. In 2025, Brosgol received a second Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids for her book “Plain Jane and the Mermaid.” The St. Tammany Parish Library now invites the local community to hear from Brosgol as she gives a presentation starting at 6 p.m. in the Slidell Branch at 555 Robert Blvd. Early attendees can enjoy a scavenger hunt and a StoryWalk based on one of Brosgol’s books. Brosgol will begin her presentation at 6:30 p.m. to speak with the community about her life, her creative process and her artistic journey. A Q&A session will follow her presentation. To conclude the event, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Brosgol, get their books signed and request autographs. As part of the library’s author event with Brosgol, the students and staff of Whispering Forest Elementary School in Slidell will also get to meet and hear from the cartoonist during two morning sessions on Sept. 18. Community members can explore Brosgol’s titles available at the library by visiting bit. ly/4wMFohi and place a hold on their favorite one. For more information and updates about the children’s author event, visit bit. ly/4gbPOQY/.
Friends’ sale The Friends of the Slidell Library will hold their monthly Used Book Sale on Aug. 28 and 29 in the Slidell Library meeting room. The members-only takes place on the first day from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The public sale is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 29. Anyone not currently a member can a Friends group at the door of the sale — or renew a lapsed one — and shop Aug. 28 as well. Annual memberships cost $5 per person or $8 per family.
Other events Lecture: Dr. Bruce Craft, of Southeastern Louisiana University, will lecture at the Madisonville branch on Sept. 1 and explore Louisiana poets of the past and present from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visit bit.ly/4xP4i0j to register. Mat Yoga: Join in a morning of relaxing yoga at the Covington Branch on Sept. 2. The instructor will lead participants in a floor mat yoga class from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring props or can use ones offered. Visit bit. ly/4gmu19w to get registered. Virtual Qigong: Follow along as the instructor leads participants through gentle moves that generate focus and clarity of the mind on from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sept. 4 through Zoom. Visit bit. ly/4zpIdY3 to get registered.
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SIMS
Continued from page 1A In remarks that were part call to arms and part pep rally, Sims praised the contributions of staff member after staff member and encouraged them to offer feedback on the tax campaign, while also offering his own critique. “Your presentation says nothing about what we do in this building,” he told the parish officials. “Somehow you’ve got to remind everybody.” Sims’ argument is that the public simply doesn’t know what his office does, from successfully prosecuting criminals to task force efforts aimed at drug trafficking and child exploitation to less visible activity. “I don’t think anyone has any idea that we collect $20 million a year from people who don’t want to pay child support,” he said. He’s encouraging his staff to tell the agency’s story. But in the shadow of six prior failures to get voter approval for a criminal justice tax, Sims says he must also work on a contingency plan. “I’m 90% salaries and benefits. I don’t have equipment — I have people,” he said. He’s looking at health insurance. He’s already not replacing people who leave. He’s using some reserve funds and has been helped by the state agreeing to provide $700,000 for assistant district attorney salaries only. But with what amounts to a 60% decrease in funding, the task is daunting. “You can’t cut salaries for everyone across the board, because then everyone leaves. So, you end up having to preserve salaries at a competitive wage or maybe a little bit more and then downsize the staff. But how long can they handle that level of volume and strain?” Before Sims took the helm, he was head of the criminal division, so he’d already been in the thick of the finance issues. The politics, however, were new to him.
“But I had the opportunity, with Warren, because of these financial problems since 2018, of him sending me to meet with all the parish council people. So I guess I got a little bit of a dry run on that,” he said. As his new six-year term begins in January, Sims hopes to get the finances behind him so he can focus on being district attorney in what he says is one of the busiest courthouses in the state. He’s seen the office go from charging 2,600 felonies per year to 3,150 with the growth of the parish. That includes things like building an opioid task force, which he credits with a steep decline in overdose deaths, and a special victims unit that is pursuing leads from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Chilldren that had not been worked aggressively in the past. Those endeavors are serving as models for other places, he said. “I love doing it. I think it’s the coolest and most rewarding thing to put those things together,” he said of his role as DA. With a decisive win in his last election and the lack of an opponent this time around, Sims has heard speculation that he could continue in the job indefinitely. But he’s reticent when it comes to talk of his political future and whether it includes a run for higher office. “I don’t t know about ambitions. If my career ended here tomorrow, I would feel completely fulfilled,” he said. Offices need stability, he said, but two full terms for a district attorney is 12 years. “Twelve years is a long time, but six years is short,” he said. “There’s a thing (about) new ideas, a fresh, different pair of eyes on something. You don’t sacrifice the consistency and the good work product for something new just for the sake of something new,” the 46-year old said. “But if there’s someone else out there who is willing to do this and has the competency and passion for it, then maybe it’s their time.”
PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Latin teacher Jacelyn Gray holds the microphone as Mariah White gives a Latin presentation. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington held a ribbon cutting on Aug. 21.
CHARTER
Continued from page 1A out of existing schools spent years researching “classical education,” which the organization’s web site calls “a broad and expansive approach to learning that seeks the flourishing of its students in mind, body, and soul.” It was a difficult path for ACE to get off the ground. The St. Tammany Parish School Board, which loses $9,900 for each parish student that attends the school, objected to its founding. STPSB Chief Financial Officer Terri Prevost said at the July 20 meeting it adds up to about of $9 million of lost revenue from its approximately $500 million budget. Board members also often argue charter schools don’t have the same public oversight regulations to adhere to as the public school system. Charter USA was unanimously denied by the St. Tammany school board in 2023. The school took the fight to the state BESE board, and soon after, ACE’s application was granted. “The (STPSB) said their school district is so good, no one wants to go to another school here and that we didn’t offer anything different. My response was, ‘What do you have to fear then?’ ” said Lonnie Luce, the state director of Charter USA. “Since then, we had developers who were helpful, as well as members of local parish government. The biggest plus was having (BESE) board members who were local and who rallied and really wanted this badly.” The school had originally planned on an enrollment of 900 students. How-
ever, during the one-month application period near the end of 2025, it received about 1,800 requests. Officials then chose 1,000 students from a lottery system and placed the other 800 on a waiting list. It has been quite the whirlwind for founding Principal Melissa Howe, who is in her 33rd year in education and 15th as a principal. “I prayed so hard for the right people to be in the right seats on this bus, and to have teachers who love children and love their craft,” she said. “We have students who never before would have been able to experience something like this.” One of the school’s eighth graders, Isaac Talley, was a chaperone for those touring the facilities Aug. 21. So far, he likes what he sees. Come May 2031, he expects to be part of the school’s firstever graduating class. ACE’s campus at 70700 West Ochsner Blvd. is set to grow. Next week, school leaders are set to break ground on a high school they expect to open in time for the 2027-28 school year. The campus also will house football, baseball and softball fields. “I wanted something more than cramped classrooms, so we said, ‘Let’s try this place.’ ” Talley said. “It has been mind-boggling coming from a school that had 14 kids in my class to one that has over 100 kids in each grade. It’s great.” Jim Derry covers St. Tammany Parish, and has been part of The Times-Picayune staff for much of the past 36 years. Jim can be reached via email at jderry@ theadvocate.com.
Gen Alpha slang is taking over, so don’t be a chud
Well chat, we’re cooked. School is back in session, and while our teachers bust their gyatts to educate our children and teach them how to properly articulate the Jessica English lanSaggio guage — they have decided to change it altogether. After all, talking like an Unc is buns. Don’t worry. I will translate later. Every generation does it, after all. We change the lingo, the slang, the chatter to reflect the uniqueness of our place in the vaults of history. In the ‘60s, you might watch “the boob tube,” and if you weren’t fun you were “a square.” Seventies “cats” were “righteous’ or “far out,” and if you needed to get somewhere fast you better “book it!” The ‘80s gave us “rad,” “gag me with a spoon” and everyone’s favorite retort to something stupid, “no duh.” In the ‘90s, we said “as if” and “talk to the hand,” and if you were “the bomb” you were “all that and a bag of chips.” The early 2000s kids (my generation) invented “chillax” and all of the acronyms we use as words — lol and omg, for example. And if you were a “baller,” you wore that “bling bling.” GenZ gave us “low key,” “mid,” “rizz” and “no cap.” And alas, Gen Alpha has arrived on the scene to make sure we know they are, in fact, “peak.” “People are going to think you’re cringe,” my daughter just told me as I factchecked my use of these terms. Oh well. Us elderly folks need a translator. Gen Alpha is the generation of kids born between 2010 and 2024 who are now rising in ranks, slowly taking over middle and high schools across the country. They’re a special breed, mostly raised by Millennials, and have a magnificent and hilarious way of keeping us all on our toes —”no cap.” They’re funny. They’re tech savvy and by and large, they are so weird. But their language is taking over, and if we don’t take some notes soon, we’ll be left in the dark ages, the land before time, the 1900s! Here are a few terms to add to your arsenal, fellow senior citizens, also known as anyone over the age of “like 40 and up,” says my 11-year-old daughter. Rude. Let’s start with what we don’t want to be, so if a Gen Alpha “baddie” throws an insult our way, we’ll know exactly what they mean. First and foremost, we don’t want to be “pick me’s” or “masons.” Pick me’s are typically girls who crave attention – especially from boys – and “masons” are the male versions of the insult with “cringey” habits like saying “6-7.” The term 6-7
GETTY IMAGES/DESIGN BY DORA SISON
Don’t want to be cringe? Then get with the program, all you uncs out there.
shall remain in 2025 and all those who use it in present day will be shunned. Masons, furthermore, are boys with big egos, often not backed up with any actual skill. And if a Gen Alpha calls you “Unc,” it simply means you’re old. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t be “larping,” because that means you’re only interested in something because it’s trendy. I believe us elder millennials called that being “a poser.” Don’t let them call you a “chud,” though, because that means you’re a dummy, or “chopped,” meaning ugly. Lastly, not to be confused with a tasty baked good, if something is “buns,” it’s bad. Buns, as in reference to your “gyatt,” more commonly known as your booty. Now, on to if something is good. Letting someone “cook,” means letting them get to their point, but in a supportive way. “Cooking,” however, means someone is making progress. Neither of these have anything to do with food, or, you know, actual cooking. However, if you cook something — literally — and it is good, it’s not just good. It’s “bussin.” These kids don’t use formal titles. Everyone is “bro.” Moms, dads, siblings, grandparents, the president of the United States, animals. It does not matter. They are bro. Almost like dude. But, dude can only be used if it’s pronounced, “Doooooooooood.” And for those lucky enough to secure the title, “Huzz,” it is the new word for “crush.” While there is quite a bit of crossover between lower Gen Z and the Alphas, they do share one sentiment — we gotta keep this new knowledge “Quiet on the Creek.” Translation: Secret. As soon as they find out millennials, GenX and, God forbid, Boomers are catching on to their lingo, they will promptly deem it all Skibidi — which I’m pretty sure is a term in the same category as “6-7.” It never made sense, never will and now it is very not cool. Nevertheless, I hope you all enjoyed your lesson in teen slang, took extensive notes and can now apply these terms to your everyday life. Or, at minimum, defend yourself when outnumbered by these little Gen Alpha squirts. Class dismissed.
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✦ St. Tammany ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ 9A
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS ON STAGE
FOUR OF THEM: Audiences had best brace to meet the “Four Old Broads” who will entertain for two weekends, Sept. 11, 12, 18, 19,20, on stage at the Cutting Edge Center of the Arts. Leading the pack is burlesque queen Beatrice Shelton, who desperately needs a vacation, and thinks the “Sassy Seniors Cruise through the Caribbean” may be just the ticket. She must convince BFF Eaddy Mae Clayton to stop praying and go cruising instead. Unfortunately, more things are aflutter at Magnolia Place Assisted Living since nurse evil Pat Jones began working there. Magnolia’s newest resident, Imogene Fletcher, is suddenly losing her memory, while Maude Jenkins remains obsessed with her favorite soap opera and planning her own funeral. (None of that cools the jets of erstwhile ladies’ man Sam Smith, the retired Elvis impersonator who eyes every female in the place.) So many problems could sink Beatrice’s dream cruise unless she takes matters in her own hands. Veteran actor-director Sara Pagones directs this one, assisted by Michael Tanner. Kimberly Mueller plays the brash Beatrice; Teresa “Ms. Tee” Augustine plays the God-fearing Eaddy Mae; Lisa Baradell Castro is Imogene, the new resident who is — or is not — losing her memory; Suzette Songy Ferrari is obsessive Maude; Sam Smith plays William, the would-be charmer; Sandy Wolsefer is the evil nurse; and Heather McLemoire is her counterpoint, sweet, new nurse Ruby Sue. Shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the 767 Robert Blvd. theater in Slidell. Tickets $32 to $38 at cuttingegetheater. com/events-tickets. WHO: Oh, the things you can think when Dr. Seuss’ best loved characters cavort and collide on stage in front of a live audience at Slidell Little Theatre during “Seussical,” the colorful musical showing for three long weekends Aug. 28 through Sept. 13. See Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty bring to life Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude and so many more. Travel with them to the Jungle of Nool and the invisible world of the Whos. Scott Sauber and Christina Kelly will co-direct the 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows at the 2024 Nellie Drive theater. Tickets $25 and $35, plus taxes and fees, at slidelllittletheatre.org/. Y2K: From local playwright David Armand, “Late Shift” is a play in two acts set during the Y2K panic on New Year’s Eve 1999. The story centers on two siblings and their widowed mother as they nav-
STRINGS: Slow/Fast Jam with Madeline Hill Aug. 30 (last Sunday) from noon-2 p.m. at St. John’s Coffeehouse, 535 E. Boston St., in Covington. A free jam and excellent educational opportunity for those who are interested in playing fiddle tunes, especially Celtic tunes. In the first half of the session, tunes are played at slower tempos, and veteran string educators are on hand to offer insight and encouragement. In the second half of the session, tempos increase to their normal performance speed. JAZZ: A Traditional Jazz Jam with clarinetist and teacher Ben Redwine on Sept. 5 (every first Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. John’s Coffee, 535 E. Boston St. Two hours open to all listeners and players, usually a mix of students, amateurs and professionals. No cost. Confirm session at nstms.org; sheet music available at redwinejazz.com/ education.
ART
igate family tensions, uncertainty about the future, and unexpected connections. One of the siblings meets Russell, a semi-retired Army veteran, on New Year’s Eve, setting in motion a series of conversations and discoveries that unfold as the world waits to see what midnight will bring. Directed by Julie Keen, who is assisted by Armand. Starring Larry Bergeron; Casey Lipscomb; Aaron Bridges and Casey Jones. Shows Sept. 4-6; tickets $14 to $22, plus taxes and fees. COMEDY NIGHT: The comedy team of Magen King and Donna Lee will present their stand-up show, “Not Our First Rodeo,” Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. on stage at 30 by Ninety Theater in Mandeville. These comediennes believe that resilience can be funny, and that laughter is the best way to survive the chaos of living every day. Their show at 880 Lafayette St. is rated PG-13, and general admission tickets are $32 at 30byninety.com.
MUSIC
A PAIR: The husband-andwife duo of Goldpine, from Nashville, tour the U.S. performing bold, harmony-
‘Dancin’ Shoes,’ by Artist Craig LeBlanc, won first place in the Summer Show. driven Americana music, and on Aug. 27, Benjamin and Kassie Wilson will play it for a Lobby Lounge audience at the Harbor Center near Slidell. Winners of the 2022 Rocky Mountain Songwriter Contest, the distinctive harmonies of these two have been variously described as “folksy,” “innovative” and “eclectic,” and the duo (who both prize humor and love to laugh) even share their sometimes raucous compositions. The
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Renata Eckman has donated this very special quilt to the Joy Charity auction at Lamb of God Church that will surely grab the eye of every dog-lover who sees it, but only the highest bidder will take it home. Proceeds of the event go to three local charities.
FUNDRAISERS JOY IN GIVING: The makers, bakers, creators and quilters in the Lamb of God Lutheran Church community in Slidell have been busy once again, and the treasures they turned out will be featured at the church’s Joy Open House Charity Benefit on Sept. 12. A centerpiece of the 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. event will be the silent auction — and yes, there will be an array of the ever-popular quilts, including a special one crafted with dog-lovers in mind. Guests can also enjoy a JOYful high tea, with an array of beverages, scones, tea sandwiches, sweet bites and savory ones. There will also be raffles, door prizes, entertainment and the sale of baked goods, plants, jewelry and other hand-turned items. Guests should note that the tea service and the silent auction both end at 2 p.m., a half-hour
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‘Four Old Broads’ will be on stage at the Cutting Edge from Sept. 11-20.
before the open house closes. Admission at the door is $5 per person, and proceeds raised will go to the CCC, STARC and the Slidell Animal Assistance League. For more information, call the 57210 Allen Road church at (985) 847-1877. CHANCES: The NorthlakeMandeville Rotary Club will sell its 2026 Big Game Rotary raffle tickets for another few hours — through 2 a.m. on Aug. 27. One $20 ticket provides more than 40 chances to win big prizes, including some of the most coveted LSU and Saints tickets, restaurant gift certificates, hotel stays, jewelry, golf outings and more. The drawings will take place later that day, and winners need not be present. This raffle supports Rotary work with multiple local nonprofits, as well as Rotary International projects. Buy
tickets online at rafflecreator. com/pages/30553/2026-rotary-big-game-raffle or contact club member Tom Quinn at (985) 789-2316 or tom@ tomquinn.net. Quinn can pick up a check or cash and deliver tickets. THE WALK: The Alzheimer’s Association will hold its 2026 Northshore Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 26 at Lakeview Hospital, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., in Covington. Fundraising leaders include Bonnie Dinkle, an “elite grand champion giver and fundraiser.” Community members, companies and organizations are encouraged to join as soon as possible at alz. org/louisianawalk (choose northshore). The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Lobby Lounge concerts at 100 Harbor Center Blvd. feature a nationally touring act monthly, performing acoustic or lightly amplified performances in an intimate, smoke-free, Bohemian-styled venue. Single seats, twotops an four-tops available. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; shows 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Get your “Up Close & Musical” advance tickets for Goldpine at Eventbrite. ROCKING: Thomas Sanders
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& His Bandits will bring their rock ‘n roll, country and boogie woogie-style music back to the North Star Theatre on Aug. 29 for one 7 p.m. show. This Natchez, Mississippi, group performs a lot of Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino and the like — with a bit of their own twist. Get ready to rock. General reserved seats, $31 (includes fees and taxes), at northstartheatre.org. Doors at the 347 Girod St. theater open at 6 p.m.
MARKET: On Aug. 28 from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m., the Columbia Street Block Party Art Market allows local artists to sell directly to the public. Stroll through the Art Market in the 300 block of Columbia Street, right next to the Art House, to see a variety of hand-turned arts, including: pottery, jewelry, metal sculpture, stained glass, mixed media and more. ART COMMUNITY: The St. Tammany Art Association’s next free monthly Artist Community Night takes place Sept. 2 (first Wednesday monthly) at 6 p.m. in downtown Covington at 320 N. Columbia St. It’s a creative gathering of association member-artists for inspiration, connection and handson exploration; artists of all backgrounds invited. Led by artist Rachael Walker. More at sttammany.art/acn. COVINGTON: Time is running out to see the work of Columbia Street Academy and Gallery owner/teacher/artist Ryan Perea and his students at the Atrium Gallery on the Christwood residential community campus. The exhibit ends Aug. 28. See it before it has gone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. til 5 p.m. on the main campus near Covington. SUMMER SHOW: The 56th annual national juried artists’ exhibition hosted by the St. Tammany Art Association will hang through Sept. 12 in the group’s Miriam Barranger Gallery at the Art House in downtown Covington. See the exhibit during regular gallery hours Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
10A ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ St. Tammany ✦
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✦ St. Tammany ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ 3B
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Brother Martin pesters Covington BY MIKE PERVEL Contributing writer
Covington football coach Greg Salter knew Brother Martin would provide a stiff test for his defense during a scrimmage on Aug. 19. The Crusaders lived up to the billing, dominating the early portion of the scrimmage and scoring five times while keeping the Lions out of the end zone at a sweltering Jack Salter Stadium. “I have so much respect for coach Mark Bonis and his talented team, and we’ve probably scrimmaged them for the last 12 years. It’s always a good battle,” Salter said. “It’s tough playing in these extreme weather conditions without showing any signs of fatigue, getting tired and maybe losing a little bit of focus. We have plenty to build on. I think our (offensive line) did a good job overall, creating space for our backs, who showed good bursts of speed, running hard.” Brother Martin senior quarterback Hudson Fields (6-foot, 180 pounds) spread the ball out to his receivers, including a 32-yard TD strike to Micah Irons. Fields also found Luca Ascani for a 2-yard score. Crusaders’ junior backup quarterback Justin Morgan had his moments, including an electrifying 66-yard TD run up the middle. He also connected with Ascani for an 18-yard TD reception on fourth and 2. Preston Miller added a 6-yard TD run for the final Crusaders score. “In scrimmages, we like to get as many players significant playing time as possible, so we can build our overall depth, heading into the regular season,” Brother Martin coach Mark Bonis said. “It’s a great opportunity to evaluate our guys, getting them valuable experience, which will pay dividends
PHOTOS BY ADDISON MASSEY
Covington QB Matthew Fussell is pressured by Brother Martin’s Jacob Zavala (52) and Gerald Wilson (93) during a scrimmage on Aug. 19.
Brother Martin junior Luca Ascani is wrapped up by Royce Alphonso, bottom, and Cedric Bates.
later. We have a very close group, and they showed up with great effort.” Covington senior safety Cameron Johnson provided some highlights for the home team as he registered an interception, utilizing his 4.6 speed to close on the receiver. “Their No. 15 (Micah Irons) is a skilled receiver with great hands and runs nice routes to get open. He was a challenge to cover, but I think the defense did a good job
flowing to the ball, trying to gang tackle. We need to work on being consistent in the secondary, playing with discipline,” Johnson said. “I’ve been working my angles, breaking toward the ball. I loved getting the interception to get the ball back to our offense.” Covington senior receiver Devonta Chatman (5-11, 160) said the offense enjoyed competing against a quality defense. “Brother Martin has some solid
guys and is strong defensively. They challenged us. Our offensive line is continuing to improve, and that will be important giving Matthew (Fussell) time to throw and pick out his targets,” Chatman said. “I thought our backs did a good job, running hard, hitting the holes, moving the sticks. We competed and kept our composure. We’re just trying to get better.” The Covington offense was without senior wide receiver Braeshun Weary, a South Alabama commitment, who was nursing a minor injury. The scrimmage ended with a 15-minute live period in which neither team reached the end zone as both defenses stepped up in key moments. Covington senior linebacker Derrick Dunbar showed his athleticism as he returned the opening kick 32 yards. Lions’ running back Rodney Clark opened the drive with three straight carries for 16 yards and a first down. The Crusaders defense stepped up from there as linebacker Brady McCluskey sacked Fussell for a 10-yard loss on third down. Covington’s defense returned the favor as Dunbar’s pressure on third down forced an incompletion and a punt. The Lions had their most productive series to end the scrimmage after a 19-yard punt return by junior Chance Marchand. Clark came up with several key runs, including a third-and-7 conversion to the Brother Martin 20. The Crusaders defense preserved the shutout as sophomore Garrett Mead (5-10, 266) stopped Ronald Encalade for no gain on third down from the 13. On what proved to be the final play, Brother Martin junior linebacker Jordan Campos ran down Fussell, who was rolling out of the pocket to the right for a 7-yard sack.
Fontainebleau’s Asmore shows toughness against E.D. White BY CHRIS KINKAID Contributing writer
Fontainebleau junior running back Sheldon Asmore knew it was a pivotal moment. Sure, it was just a scrimmage as the Bulldogs hosted Division II select quarterfinalist E.D. White on Aug 20, but Asmore wanted his team to make a statement. The junior scored on a 1-yard run during the live 12-minute quarter, and he was quick to credit his teammates. “I knew that it was a make-or-break moment,” Asmore said. “The team was depending on me, so I knew by any means necessary, I had to get in the end zone. So once I saw the crease, I just stuck my foot in and got in there. “It was all thanks to my O-line. Without them, I couldn’t do it. E.D. White was a good team. They’ve got a good secondary, they’ve got a good front, so I knew I would have to run hard. I knew I would have to keep my feet moving.” Besides football, Asmore runs the 100 and 200 meters in track and field. “Track helps a lot,” Asmore said. “I think everyone should do it. It keeps you conditioned. It gets you faster. Once you get in a straight line, you’re in the end zone, so it definitely helps with straight-line speed.” First-year Fontainebleau coach Chris Womack said Asmore’s relentless effort, coupled with a motivated offensive line, will be key for the Bulldogs’ offense. “He’s always giving great effort,” Womack said. “He’s a leader in the weight room and in the classroom, and he does a great job. He’s the type of leader we want in our school, and he performed well tonight on the field.” Womack added that he was pleased the offense moved the ball but also pointed to missed opportunities, including three offside penalties and some substitution mishaps. “We shot ourselves in the foot at times,” Womack said. “When we watch film tomorrow, there’s lots of corrections we’ll make, and we’ll get better, but I’m proud of the effort. We’re going to clean all that stuff up before the first game.” The Bulldogs struggled a bit defensively early as E.D. White scored two touchdowns on their second series, as the first and second
PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY
Fontainebleau junior Sheldon Asmore scored on a 1-yard TD run against E.D. White on Aug. 20. stringers rotated possessions. Luke Sampey and Blake Landry tallied on runs of 57 and 5 yards respectively. Also for the Cardinals, Owen English and Nathan Theriot both reached the end zone on rushing scores of 7 and 49 yards during the series of plays. The teams also ran an overtime series with each group getting the ball first-and-goal from the 10. The Bulldogs got the ball first, and senior Logan Astugue connected with Evan Berget on an 8-yard pass, converting on third down for the score. E.D. White countered with a 1-yard TD run by English. During the live quarter, Fontainebleau’s defense did a good job of getting in the backfield.
MANDEVILLE Continued from page 1B
to see that when you’ve got a tie ball game in a game situation, so obviously we want to improve with that. “On the flip side, I was happy with us being down and our offense going down the field and tying the PHOTO BY JOE TROMBATORE game up with two minutes Mandeville QB Krew Kollura left. So, like a scrimmage, tucks the ball and runs good and bad. You just continue to work when we against Jesuit on Aug. 22.
come back on Monday.” For Jesuit, it was another chance to see its two-quarterback system of Vandenweghe and Sully Sullivan in action. Blue Jays’ coach Ryan Manale said both signal callers are competitors. “Sully (Sullivan) can make a throw anywhere on the field, and he has a good high IQ. He’s worked hard in the offseason and now he’s deceivingly fast, getting first downs for us, moving the chains,” Manale said.
E.D. White was running a wing-T type of offense, which Womack said is good for his team to go against in a scrimmage. “Our first opponent, Lakeshore, has a similar style offense, so I wanted to play a team with some of those wing-T principles,” Womack said. “I think it was good for us to see that.” The Cardinals moved the ball to the Bulldogs 46, but Sawyer Shane and Jacob Salzer combined on a sack for a 10-yard loss. On the next play, Fontainebleau forced a fumble that Rowan Stangle recovered to set up Asmore’s touchdown. The possession after the Bulldogs’ score, E.D. White posted a touchdown when Alex Vicknair found Reece Lafont on a 38-yard reception as the quarter ended in a 7-7 tie.
“Mani (Vandenweghe) is a true dual-threat guy. He’s also super smart, super competitive and worked hard in the offseason. As you saw, that two-minute drive right there he put us through to really, I guess, if you call it win the live portion of the scrimmage. He has a high IQ as well, and he’s a dual threat. Both of those guys are best friends, and they’re going to support each other, and it’s our job as coaches to make sure they each give our team the
best chance to win.” Jesuit scored two more touchdowns during the scrimmage. The first came on the second play of the morning via a 70-yard run by Michael Cerruti. The Blue Jays scored first in the timed periods on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Sullivan to Jackson Cantrelle for a 7-0 lead. The scrimmage was originally scheduled for Aug. 21, but was postponed to Saturday morning because of weather.
HANNAN
Continued from page 1B always impeccable. She’s very athletic. She knows the game well, and she’s very easy to coach,” Bonnaffee said. “She can hit. She plays great defense. She’s just an all-around athlete. That’s why when I threw her in that playoff game way back when, I knew she could do it.” That playoff game Bonnaffee references came in 2023, the last time the Hawks won a state title. Then, top-seeded Hannan found itself in a quarterfinals dogfight with Haynes. On the ropes, Pathoumthong came in as a defensive specialist to stabilize the team’s ball control, and the rest is state championship history. Hannan rallied for a five-set win followed by sweeps of Catholic-New Iberia and E.D. White in the semis and finals, respectively. Bonnaffee said Pathoumthong saved the match and season for the Hawks, and she was just a freshman. Pathoumthong took over the starting setter role the next season and her growth continued. “I feel like I’m more in control of the game when I’m setting,” Pathoumthong said. “My sophomore year was my first time running a 5-1, so I think I’ve definitely gotten better at running it and being a front setter and hitting the second ball.” The 5-foot-5 athlete was born into a volleyball family and took after her mother, Becky, who played at Tulane. “I’ve always been a setter. My mom was a setter, so I’ve been on a volleyball court since I can remember,” Pathoumthong said. But she played three sports for years before giving up soccer and softball to focus solely on volleyball as a junior. She made the Division III All-State freshman soccer team before two ankle sprains took the joy out of the sport, and she gave up softball after her sophomore year because of knee issues. “Volleyball has always been my favorite. It’s the most exciting of all the sports I played,” said Pathoumthoug, who added that her mother coached her club teams until U14. “Soccer was more slow-paced, and softball was never my favorite thing, so volleyball has been my favorite for a while.” Pathoumthong has continued to build her skills with a rigorous club schedule that starts in December and runs into the summer. This past summer, her WD Nation team finished in the Top 8 at the AAU national tournament in Orlando. Pathoumthong, who carries a 4.3 GPA, said she would love to play in college, but doesn’t want to pick her college based on volleyball. She hopes to attend an SEC school and plans to study nursing. But, for now, the focus is on her senior season, which she enters with 2,248 assists, 585 digs, 228 kills and 79 aces as the Hawks have five seniors on the varsity roster. The whole team has embraced the offseason, spending three days a week lifting weights and practicing. The understated Pathoumthong said she has also focused on being a more vocal leader on and off the court. The Hawks have a good mix returning as seniors Marley Bankston, Grace Furlow and Sadie Heintz will help anchor the back line along with Pathoumthong when she rotates back there. Bonnaffee said juniors Aubrey Dearie and Riley Jones have grown leaps and bounds with their aggressive attacks, while sophomore Aubrey Ethridge is a force in the middle and poised for a breakout season. Pathoumthong can also contribute to the offense as a lefty setter with a quick second-ball attack, which opens things up for her hitters. The Hawks will have just two home matches in September, but Pathoumthong said the tight-knit group is ready to be road warriors. “We’re all very close,” she said. “We all know how to play with each other. There is no drama or fighting over playing time. We all want what is best for each other, and we all work very hard for each other. We’re excited for the season.” The Hawks open the regular season at St. Michael the Archangel in Baton Rouge on Aug. 31. The home opener is Sept. 9
4B ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ St. Tammany ✦
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Obituaries Dawsey, William Austin
Hannan junior William Burke is brought down by Northshore senior Tyson Burns.
PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS
Hannan sophomore Braylon Smith tries to elude the grasp of Northshore senior Nate Meyers on Aug. 19.
BATTLE
Continued from page 1B
“To be honest, I’m just glad it’s over. My favorite part of scrimmages and jamborees is getting it over with. We were about as vanilla as could be on both sides of the ball. We want to keep penalties and selfinflicted wounds to a minimum. Every position knows what they are supposed to do. We will look at the film to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes before we get to the real thing.” Hannan’s defense also stepped up on several plays. Ethan Begley picked off a Gonzales pass to halt a drive, followed by another interception this time by Ian Wallace. Hawks’ QB Braden Sprang had a decent night throwing the ball. “As coach said, there were a lot of good and bad things, but we didn’t open up the playbook as much as we will in the regular season,” Sprang said. “I thought we handled things well on the outside and the interior as well. As the night went on, we got better, and in the live period we pushed it down to the red zone a couple of times, and we looked a lot better down the stretch. We are really excited about this year. We have the talent and a lot of returning guys, and we are really fired up.” Hannan coach Steve Soper echoed Sprang’s comments, adding that scrimmaging a larger school was a good first step toward the season. “Our defense is the strongest part of the team,” Soper said. “Northshore’s defense is really tough too. They have some athletic guys that fly around to the football. We definitely have a lot of adjustments to make, but it’s a good thing that it was just a scrimmage. We just need to iron some things out and get ready for next week.”
rst emost s life. He served the Lord thru the years in area Bap‐ tist Churches and spent over 20 years at Grace Bap‐ tist Church in Folsom to help grow the mission church and provide a His‐ panic worship service to the Folsom Community. Austin and Louise spent over 45 years as faithful servants in The Gideons speaking in churches and ministering to Bible recipi‐ ents. They attended Bible distributions in churches, schools, colleges, hospitals and prisons in Louisiana, Mississippi and New York. They served with the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief providing meals for thousands after hurricanes and floods. While involved in Campers on Mission, they helped build churches and teach VBS in South Dakota Indian Reserva‐ tions. Austin served for years on the Board of Camp Living Water in Robert, Louisiana. In 1970, Austin joined area commu‐ nity men Harold Dutsch Sr, Barker, Reuble William Jenkins, Pete Fussell, Harry Barker and several others in establishing the Lee Road Volunteer Fire De‐ partment. He also served as a Commissioner for St Tammany Fire District #6. Austin leaves a legacy of love for God and family and service to others. This example of service and love was taught by his par‐ ents and passed down to his children, grandchildren and now his great grand‐ children are learning that these values are the most important. In lieu of flow‐ ers, donations in Mr. Dawsey’s memory can be made to The Gideon Inter‐ national, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800, or https://gideons.org/; New Zion Baptist Church Building Fund, 17387 New Zion Church Road, Coving‐ ton, LA 70435, http://www. newzion.net. Relatives and friends are invited to at‐ tend the funeral service at New Zion Baptist Church, 17387 New Zion Church Road, Covington, LA on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM until service time. Interment will take place following the service at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery, 20122 Highway 1081 (Stafford Road), Cov‐ ington, LA. E.J. Fielding Fu‐ neral Home has been en‐ with funeral trusted arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at https:// www.ejfieldingfh.com.
William Austin Dawsey passed away on Friday, Au‐ gust 14, 2026 at the age of 88. Austin was born in Fol‐ som, LA on January 30, 1938 to Benjamin Kenzie Dawsey and Hester Mae Blackwell. Austin married school sweetheart, his Alice Louise Galloway in 1958 and began 68 years of marriage that served their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife, Louise; his chil‐ dren Lori Daull (Kenny), Stacey Craig (Steve) and Randy Dawsey (Tammy); Brooke grandchildren: Keen (Kale), Emily Jackson Allison Kellogg (Evan), Cade Dawsey (Kyle), (Sarah), Shane Craig (Ken‐ zie), Peyton Craig and Rowan Stilwell; Fiancé great grandchildren: Rilee and Jameson Keen, Dean, Lee and Mack Jackson, Wyatt, Walker and Tripp Kellogg, Liam, Oliver and Dawsey, Alaina Carson Craig and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents BK and Mae Dawsey, his sis‐ ter, Flora Jean Dawsey, and brothers Alton, Sherwood, Louis “Topper”, and Harry Dawsey. Austin attended Lee Road Consolidated School, Covington High School, and Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) majoring in agriculture and animal science. He spent his early years learning carpentry with his father, BK and his uncle, Rufus Dawsey. While attending SLU, he was involved in rodeo with friends Gary Core and Pete Morere and his clown partner Rick Young. Rick and Austin’s pet skunk was a favorite with the crowd. Austin worked for Mr. Fred Dodge at Louisiana Tung when tung oil production was a major economic industry in St. Tammany Parish. He was the St Tammany Parish artificial insemina‐ tor for the beef and dairy industry for years working with dairymen to improve herd quality and produc‐ tion. He attended auction‐ eering school in Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 1967. In the How to place an 60’s and 70’s he began managing beef herd condi‐ Obituary Notice tioning for Mississippi Pro Chem Co shipping cattle EMAIL: obits@theadvocate.com from Mississippi to Col‐ orado and Texas feedlots for market. Louise wanted OR CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION: 225-388-0289 life closer to Lee Road, so started Dawsey Austin Spreader Service providing fertilizer and lime spread‐ ing for local agriculture needs and commercial golf How to place a courses in Louisiana and Mississippi. In 1978, Austin Memorial Ad opened Dawsey Hardware on Lee Road. Dawsey’s An “In Memory Of” ad, is a way took care of neighbor’s to pay tribute to your loved one. emergencies no matter This remembrance is often printed day or time of night. on the anniversary of a loved one’s death. The deadline is two days prior to the day Through hurricanes, major you want your ad to appear. freezes and home emer‐ Austin said, gencies, TO PLACE A MEMORIAL AD GO TO: “these are friends and obituaries.nola.com, click submit an obituary and select neighbors, not just cus‐ create a memoriam. tomers.” Austin’s faith was first and foremost in his life. He served the Lord thru the years in area Bap‐ tist Churches and spent over 20 years at Grace Bap‐ tist Church in Folsom to help grow the mission in ‐Everlasting Quality church and proMemorials vide a His panic worship service to the Folsom Community. Austin and Louise spent over 45 years as faithful servants in The Gideons Granite & Marble speaking in churches and minis tering to Bible re i‐ • Monuments • cip Vases • Inscriptions ents. They attended Bible • bCopings • Bronze • Tombs distri utions in churches, schools, colleges, hospitals our quality & our prices and prisons Compare in Louisiana, sippiW. and New York. Missis 2280 21st Ave. • Covington • 892-5050 They served with the Louisiana BapAdjoining tist DisPinecrest aster Memorial Gardens www.ejfieldingfh.com Relief providing meals for thousands after hurricanes and floods. While involved in Campers on Mission, they helped build churches and teach VBS in South Dakota Indian Reserva‐ tions. Austin served for years on the Board of Camp Living Water in Robert, Louisiana. In 1970, Austin joined area commu‐ nity men Harold Dutsch Sr, Barker, Reuble William Jenkins, Pete Fussell, Harry Barker and several others in establishing the Lee Road Volun teer Fire De‐ Secure today’s prices partment. He also served future services as afor Com missioner for St Tammany Fire District #6. and ensure that your Austin leaves a legacy of love for God and family wishes will be fulfilled. and service to others. This example of service and love was taught by his par‐ ents and passed down to his children, grandchildren and now his great grand‐ children are learning that these values are the most important. In lieu Fielding of flow‐ Edward ers, donations in Mr. Dawsey’s memory can be 892-9222 • www.ejfieldingfh.com made to The Gideon Inter‐ Locally owned and operated national, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800, https://gideons.org/; or New Zion Baptist Church Building Fund, 17387 New
Covington Monument Co.
Northshore senior JJ Gonzales releases a pass against Hannan.
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Northshore senior Tyson Burns fends off a Hannan tackler.
6 ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ St. Tammany ✦
District 6-5A
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T E A M
BUILDING
Womack focuses on developing a disciplined Fontainebleau BY JOSEPH HALM
last season. “He wants all of us to be accountable for what we do. He wants everyone to do what they First-year Fontaineneed to do to get better bleau football coach each day. Everything Chris Womack reYou’ve got we do is to build a betmembers his first meetter program.” ing with his team as clear to believe Suhre is part of a talas the day it happened. in yourself The former Northshore ented backfield that inand your defensive coordinator took cludes junior running back over the Fontainebleau pro- teammates Sheldon Asmore (84 carries, to be 491 yards, four TDs) and segram on Feb. 12, and his first order of business was simple. successful. nior QB Logan Astugue, who “My first meeting with them, started last season despite CHRIS I told them that the past is the battling injury issues. The ofWOMACK, past,” Womack said. “And from fensive line also returns a ton First-year the first day forward, everyof talent with as many as eight thing that we do is going to de- Fontainebleau to 10 athletes seeing playing time this season. fine who we are. We didn’t talk coach “Everybody is going to get about football. We talked about the ball this year,” Suhre said. how we are going to talk to each other, how we are going to behave, how “There is a play for everyone. We have we are going to be leaders in the school. a really good O-line, so that’s very imWe want to develop a bunch of good portant. We’re a lot stronger across the kids who work real hard.” board.” And with that simple interaction, the Womack said the offense will focus first-time head coach put his stamp on on controlling possession. the team. Since then, Womack said his “We’ve got to be able to run the ball,” players have responded to his “TEAM” he said. “I know that is sort of a footconcept — Toughness, Effort, Attitude ball cliché, but we’re going to be a runand Mentality of a Champion. heavy team. We’re going to run some “I think we are going to be a lot more option concepts. We want to run the ball competitive than Fontainebleau has and control the clock, and we’re going been in the past,” he said. to be sound defensively and on special Womack added that numerous play- teams.” ers have gained 10-plus pounds in muscle weight this summer while also Defensive focus dropping their 40-yard dash times. While the offense looks to control the “You’ve got to believe in yourself and ball, the defense will be anchored by a your teammates to be successful,” he pair of players focused on their craft. said. Senior defensive lineman Kenneth The message is getting through; just Primus (6-1, 250) played on both the ofask junior RB Landon Suhre, who has fensive and defensive lines last season, been a varsity contributor since his and he’ll be one of two returning startfreshman season. ers along with senior Danny Dalrymple “He works us very hard, but we know on the defensive line. it is going to make us better,” said ä See FONTAINEBLEAU, page 12 Suhre, who averaged 5 yards a carry Staff writer
PHOTO BY JOE TROMBATORE
Fontainebleau first-year head coach Chris Womack leads a drill during the Bulldogs’ intrasquad scrimmage on May 14.
✦ St. Tammany ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ 7
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Fontainebleau football 2026 at a glance: Bulldogs focus on health, effort to lead resurgence FONTAINEBLEAU BULLDOGS 2026 VITALS COACH: Chris Womack (first season) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: John Lambert OFFENSE RUN: Multiple DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: David Dragg DEFENSE RUN: Multiple
PROJECTED STARTERS
* indicates returning starter OFFENSE (5 RETURNING STARTERS): QB *Logan Astugue, Sr.; RB *Sheldon Asmore, Jr.; RB *Landon Suhre, Jr.; WR Evan Burget, Jr.; WR Luke Dinkel, Sr.; TE Dante Foster, Sr., or Colton Boudreaux, Soph.; OL *Carter Starr, Sr.; OL *Keontae Esteen, Sr.; OL Anthony Berg, Sr.; OL Jayden Bellendorf, Jr.; OL Eli Gerstner, Jr., or Beau Browning, Soph. DEFENSE (3 RETURNING STARTERS): DL *Danny Dalrymple, Sr.; DL *Kenneth Primus, Sr.; DL Colton Boudreaux, Soph.; DL Rowan Stangle, Sr., or Tega Sobotie, Jr.; LB Joseph May, Jr.; LB Gage Fradella, Sr.; LB Elias Rosales, Jr.; DB Brayden Jones, Jr.; DB Jack Hearn, Jr.; S *Jacob Salzer, Sr.; S Sawyer Shane, Jr.; S Sutton Shane, Soph. SPECIAL TEAMS: PK/P Jack Hearn, Jr., or David King, Sr.; LS Eli Gerstner, Jr., or Gage Fradella, Sr.; RET *Sheldon Asmore, Jr., or *Landon Suhre, Jr., or Brayden Jones, Jr.
SCHEDULE
All games on a Friday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. All District 6-5A games notated with an asterisk. SEPT. 4, Lakeshore (A); SEPT. 11, East Jefferson (H); SEPT. 18, Pearl River (A); SEPT. 25, *Slidell (H); OCT. 1 (THU.), *Covington (A); OCT. 9, *Ponchatoula (H); OCT. 16, *St. Paul’s (A); OCT. 23, *Northshore (H); OCT. 30, *Hammond (A); NOV. 6, *Mandeville (H).
STAFF PHOTO BY JOSEPH HALM TOUGHEST GAMES: at Covington (Week 5); at St. Paul’s (Week 7); vs. Mandeville (Week 10).
2025 FLASHBACK
2025 RECORD: 2-8, 0-4 District 7-5A (last place). No playoffs. 2025 REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS: 1, Lakeshore, L 45-7 (01); 2, Madison High, W 50-12 (1-1); 3, Peabody, W 36-6 (21); 4, Franklinton, L 41-20 (2-2); 5, Covington, L 28-7 (2-3); 6, Slidell, L 17-7 (2-4); 7, Salmen, L 32-7 (2-5); 8, Chalmette, L 17-7 (2-6); 9, Northshore, L 42-19 (2-7); 10, Mandeville, L 42-20 (2-8).
LOOK AHEAD TO 2026
Former Northshore defensive coordinator Chris Womack took over Fontainebleau in February, and he has been steadily working to install his systems and
practices ever since. This is Womack’s first head coaching position after more than two decades of coaching experience at Lakeshore, Denham Springs, Walker and Northshore. Womack wisely kept on several coaches including offensive coordinator John Lambert and defensive coordinator David Dragg. The Bulldogs ended the 2025 season on a seven-game losing streak and averaged just 12 points a game during that span. It will be very important for the Bulldogs to score more points in 2026, and if they can control the clock while doing so, that will be an added bonus. Junior RB Sheldon Asmore (5-9, 173) and his 4.47 speed should help the Bulldogs be a little more explosive this season. The offensive line features a pair of senior returning starters, including Carter Starr (5-10, 204) and Keontae Esteen (5-10, 240). Defensively, there are just three starters returning, but many of the other returners have some experience from last season. Safety Jacob Salzer (5-9, 151) will anchor the back end while Kenneth Primus (6-1, 270) and Danny Dalrymple (5-11, 218) return to lead the defensive line. Dalrymple’s physical presence will be key. The Bulldogs haven’t made the postseason since 2018, so that would be a nice goal to shoot for this season. Womack said his focus is simple — he wants his players to play hard on every snap and let the chips fall where they may. The key to Fontainebleau’s success will be simple: can they grind out games on offense and make enough plays on defense when it matters. Fontainebleau was in more games than most think last season, but with District 6-5A coming back together, the schedule gets harder. If the Bulldogs can stay healthy and win a few games early, they could surprise some teams. PROJECTED FINISH: 3-7 overall, 2-5 in District 6-5A. No playoffs.
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FONTAINEBLEAU Continued from page 6
“I’m very excited to be focusing on defense,” Primus said. “I’m ready to grow my skills and help the team out on defense wherever I can. I want to be able to stop runs up the middle and be able to get the ball when it comes my way. I want to be able to pick up our brothers and be a team. “After looking at film from last year, I’ve really focused on being faster in my get-off. This year, I can see that I improved, so I’ve been able to react faster. I feel pretty fast this year, and I’ve been getting stronger every day.” STAFF PHOTOS BY JOSEPH HALM Junior Joseph May, who played Senior QB Logan Astugue, left, and junior RB Landon Suhre are key on the offensive and defensive lines last year, is moving to line- returning starters for the Bulldogs’ offense. backer. May (6-0, 220) is coming Senior DL off a torn meniscus and broken Kenneth leg suffered last season, but he said he’s ready to go. Primus, left, “I’ve been able to gain a lot of and junior LB weight and a lot of strength,” May Joseph May said. “I was always pretty strong will lead the in my lower body, but now, I’m defense in stronger in my upper body. While I was not able to run, I focused a 2026. lot of my energy on getting bigger in my upper body.” May added that the addition of Womack and the continuity of keeping defensive coordinator David Dragg should make the defense better. “I’m just excited because it is a chance to try something new, and I feel more natural at line- I’m capable of.” better in every way,” May said. After years of struggle, May “We have a huge opportunity in backer,” May said. “My hand is PHOTO BY JOE TROMBATORE off the ground, so I get to move said the Bulldogs are ready to take front of us, and I believe that the Fontainebleau junior Sheldon Asmore will be an important guys that we have are going to around and see a lot more. I’m a leap forward under Womack. “I expect this team to be a lot take that opportunity.” just excited to show people what part of the offense and defense in 2026.
1970-2026
• We now accept clean concrete rubble for recycling
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Wishing our local athletes a Great 2026-2027 Season
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www.cbtbanking.com Covington • Mandeville • Abita Springs
✦ St. Tammany ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ 15
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Covington football 2026 at a glance: Experienced offensive line, healthy QB key to success COVINGTON LIONS 2026 VITALS
LOOK AHEAD TO 2026
COACH: Greg Salter (14th season, 80-66) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Craig Jones OFFENSE RUN: Pro Spread DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Chris Blocker DEFENSE RUN: 4-3
PROJECTED STARTERS
* indicates returning starter OFFENSE (7 RETURNING STARTERS): QB *Matthew Fussell, Sr.; RB *Rodney Clark, Sr.; RB Ronald Enalade, Jr.; WR *Braeshun Weary, Sr.; WR Devonta Chatman, Sr.; WR Chance Marchand, Jr., or Jaxon Gonzales, Jr.; FB/TE Anden Solis, Sr.; OT *Patrick Yoes, Sr.; OG *Jackson Brewer, Sr.; C *Alex Hughes, Sr.; OG *Sam Aparicio, Sr.; OT Jordan Olson, Jr. DEFENSE (7 RETURNING STARTERS): DE *Peyton Dwight, Sr.; DT *Davion Brister, Sr.; DT *Max Guy, Sr.; DE Carsen Hunt, Sr.; LB *Steele Rogers, Sr.; LB *Derrick Dunbar, Sr.; LB Colby Majors, Jr., or Royce Alphonso, Sr.; DB Cedric Bates, Sr.; DB Avery Larry, Jr., or Justin Burris, Jr.; FS *Cameron Johnson, Sr.; FS *Kaydin Antoine, Jr.; SS Jaxon Dragg, Soph. SPECIAL TEAMS: PK/P *Jackson Aleman, Sr.; RET TBD
SCHEDULE
All games on a Friday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. All District 6-5A games notated with an asterisk. SEPT. 3 (THU.), De La Salle (A); SEPT. 10 (THU.), Franklinton (A); SEPT. 18, McDonogh 35 (H); SEPT. 25, *Northshore (A); OCT. 1 (THU.), *Fontainebleau (H); OCT. 9, *Mandeville (A); OCT. 16, *Slidell (H); OCT. 23, *Hammond (H); OCT. 30, *Ponchatoula (A); NOV. 6, *St. Paul’s (H).
PHOTO PROVIDED BY COVINGTON HIGH
The Covington football team takes the field against Ponchatoula last season.
TOUGHEST GAMES: at Mandeville (Week 6); vs. St. Paul’s (Week 10).
2025 FLASHBACK
2025 RECORD: 6-5, 1-3 District 6-5A (tied for fourth). 27th seed in D-I nonselect playoffs; lost to (6) Parkway, 51-30 (first round). 2025 REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS: 1, Bogalusa, W 49-0 (10); 2, Franklinton, W 28-26 (2-0); 3, Booker T. Washington, W 56-6 (3-0); 4, Northshore, L 17-10 (3-1); 5, Fontainebleau, W 28-7 (4-1); 6, Mandeville, L 26-9 (4-2); 7, Slidell, W 28-7 (5-2); 8, Hammond, W 25-14 (6-2); 9, Ponchatoula, L 24-14 (6-3); 10, St. Paul’s, L 34-14 (6-4).
The Titan Football Family wishes all the Titans a great season under the leadership of new head Coach Hunter Bonvillain!
Titan Up!
The Lions dropped three straight games to end the 2025 season including a 21-point loss at Parkway in the first round of the playoffs. A season that started with a lot of promise ended with disappointment, but there was a silver inning. Covington got a lot of experience for its younger players. That experience will be key as will the return of a healthy Matthew Fussell (5-11, 175) at quarterback. Last summer, Fussell was in the QB battle, but this offseason as been all about growth and recovering fully from a sport hernia that he played through during the second half of last season. Fussell said he is fully healthy now and ready to help lead an offense that returns four starters on the line. Defensively, the Lions also have a ton of experience returning including five of seven starters in the front seven. That’s a huge boost to a unit that played well last season but wore down at times and struggled to get off the field on third down. In the back end, seniors Cam Johnson (5-10, 150) and Kaydin Antoine (6-0, 175) return as free safeties to help guide that unit. This defense should be the strength of the team, and Salter said the unit has the “potential to be one of the better defenses that we’ve had in my time here.” That’s a huge statement. The offense hinges on a healthy Fussell, who boasts 4.4 speed. If he can be a dual threat like he was in the first three games of last season, the offense could be dynamic, and the Lions will need that element to be successful. If the offense can remain steady all season to compliment the defense, they will be a tough team to beat. PROJECTED FINISH: 9-3 overall, 5-2 in District 6-5A. 10-14 seed in D-I nonselect playoffs; win at home in the first round, lose on the road in the second round.
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ST. PAUL’S
ceiver Patrick Gahagan (5-8, 165) is excited about the posContinued from page 18 sibilities. “With our new coach, we’re predominantly they were little kids in his grandmoth- throwing the ball, and er’s front yard. “We struggled together that’s so different from to get to varsity. We won together last what we were last year, and now, we’re trying to leave a year,” Gahagan said. “As a wide receiver, legacy at St. Paul’s.” Payne agreed: “We really enjoy play- I’m ecstatic. We lost ing together and having our family a bunch of seniors, but this team wants it. watch us lock down the whole field.” Martin recorded 37 tackles, five in- I haven’t been a part of terceptions and four PBUs last season, a team where the seniors while Payne allowed just seven recep- have brought in this much. It tions in coverage while recording two is really something special. At the end of the day, it’s who wants PBUs and an interception. “Last year, I was nervous because it it more.” Gast has taken a slow and steady was my first time playing high school ball. This year, I’m looking to be even approach to the offensive install. The more competitive and show even more Wolves didn’t put on pads in the spring; heart. I’m really excited about this sea- instead, they focused on the mental side of things. son,” Martin said. “Coach has made it a really easy pro“Being a corner is all about the mental things because you’re on an island by cess for all of us,” said returning senior yourself. You’re by yourself, so if you QB Brady Pierson (5-9, 160). “We’ve believe in yourself on the island, you can been taking it slow, and I think we’re go against the best and still win.” really getting it down. This new offense Payne said he worked on his is giving me and the rest of the football IQ in the offseason. guys a chance to show our “I feel like I’ve imathleticism. We can be more dynamic now.” proved my ball skills Pierson and Gaand attacking the ball in the air,” hagan also have a Payne said. “If special relationthe ball is comship that should make the traning my way, I’m going to go up sition easier, and get it.” since the duo While Martin has played toand Payne regether since elementary turn in the secschool. ondary, senior “We’ve been toLB Adam Connell (6-2, 215) is returngether for as long as we can rememing to the defense after being a key ber,” Gahagan said. part of the running “We’ve always had game for the past two that connection. It St. Paul’s defensive coordinator years. is very special. With “I’m definitely look- Eric Rebaudo returns for his third this offense, (Piering forward to it,” season. son) knows when Connell said. “HavI’m going to be open, and I know when he ing to play defense is something that I’m not used to, but I did is going to throw the ball. And that’s play linebacker in eighth grade. Now, with most of the receivers. I don’t think I’m getting to play both ways again. I he really got to showcase his arm. This love being able to hit and play physical, year, we’re going to be able to showcase that.” so I’m looking forward to it.” Senior tight end Christopher Bevolo Connell suffered a torn meniscus and partial tear of his MCL in Week 3 last II (6-2, 215), who will also see time on year, but he returned three weeks later the defensive line, agreed: “We’re gobefore reinjuring the knee in the second ing to pop a lot of plays. We’re going to round of the playoffs. Now, the senior is have a lot of big plays this year. We’ve fully rehabbed and ready to contribute got the receivers and the quarterback on both sides of the ball. to do well on offense. “The experience that we have coming New beginnings back is huge because we lost some key Offensively, it is a new day for the guys too. We can definitely be successWolves, and returning senior wide re- ful.”
Senior Christopher Bevolo II will contribute on both sides of the ball this season.
Senior Daniel Harty returns at wide receiver this season.
PHOTOS BY JOEY MICHEL
St. Paul’s senior QB Brady Pierson returns to lead the Wolves’ new spread offense.
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Denim Jordan returns at safety this season.
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Senior Cortez Thompson is one of two returning DBs.
SLIDELL
Continued from page 16 over the last two seasons? “Why wait? Just start off hot,” Page said. “What are we waiting on? We are Slidell, and we can play, so let’s do that from the opening whistle. We don’t need to test the water because we’re hot. Once we understand that, we’ll be unstoppable. We want to put our best effort out there from the opening whistle.” The Tigers averaged 30 points per game last season, so that lends credibility to Page’s statement. Even with those slow starts, the team has been able to put points on the board, and that unit plans to remain explosive as former Fontainebleau head coach John Kavanaugh takes over as offensive coordinator. Page said having Kavanaugh has been “beautiful,” as he was originally brought in to coach the offensive line but stepped into the OC role when Brent Bonnaffons resigned. “If we come out from the first snap and play Slidell football every Friday night, I’ll sleep well at night,” Page said. On the defensive side, the focus is less on fast starts and more on getting off the field on third down. It sounds simple enough, but Page said a couple more third-down stops could have changed the momentum in several games last season. Now, those stops become even more important if the Tigers want to compete in the expanded eight-team District 6-5A that includes Covington, Mandeville and St. Paul’s.
PHOTO BY MATT DOBBINS
Senior athlete Stanley Lange will play multiple offensive positions.
PHOTOS BY JON NASTASI PHOTOGRAPHY
Senior Tristan Jordan will see time on the offensive and defensive lines this season.
“I want us to not only excel for Slidell, but also for the whole area,” Page said. “We play ball out here. This is one of the best districts in the state of Louisiana as far as the talent, the competition, the coaches. We are all playing some good ball, so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Slidell RB Ja’Kwan Jones posted a parish-leading 1,744 yards rushing and 18 TDs on 261 carries last season.
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D R A W R O F H T A P E TH
The Titans return three senior starters on the offensive line, including from left, tackle Ross Guzman and guards Luke Logue and Ben Sandman.
PHOTOS BY HERB GOMEZ
QB Loudermilk ready to lead Lakeshore again BY MIKE PERVEL
Contributing writer
Lakeshore first-year coach Hunter Bonvillain knows he has some big shoes to fill. When former Titans’ coach Brent Indest arrived in 2022, Bonvillain was his first hire, so it only made sense that the 33-year-old would take over when Indest left for Abbeville after this past season. “It’s humbling, and I’m extremely grateful to get my first head coaching position in the perfect situation here at Lakeshore,” Bonvillain said. “Coach Indest trusted me quite a bit, giving me lots of responsibility, especially as his assistant offensive coordinator. Those coaching duties allowed me to basically step right in, so it was almost a seamless transition when I took over.” Bonvillain said he was proud that
his entire coaching staff decided to stay, and he was able to bring in former Ponchatoula head coach Tim Walters to coach cornerbacks. “Having the entire staff back makes things less challenging for the kids because they know the coaches and what their expectations are,” Bonvillain said. “Things continue to go smoothly for us as a team, just wanting to keep improving. I’m an attention-to-detail guy with high standards, expecting our players to do things the right way, the first time.” Another thing that puts Bonvillain’s mind at ease is returning QB Brody Loudermilk (6-1, 190). The senior excelled last season, rushing for 1,372 yards and 23 TDs, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He also completed 61 of 104 passes for 902 yards with seven TDs and three interceptions.
“I like being the workhorse, and the more carries, the better for me and my team,” Loudermilk said. “Running the ball 35 times a game is nothing for me, and I feel I get stronger as the game moves on, but I proved that I can throw the ball as well.” Bonvillain said his senior QB gives input on what plays may work better than others in certain game situations. “We’re blessed to have such an extremely talented and athletic player as Brody (Loudermilk) running the show,” Bonvillain said. “He’s a proven leader and is well-respected by his teammates. You can trust him, wanting the ball when the game is on the line. If he hasn’t had his number called in a few plays, he won’t hesitate to let me know that it’s probably time to call his number.” Paving the way for offense is an
Lakeshore senior QB Brody Loudermilk excelled last season, rushing for 1,372 yards and 23 TDs, while also passing for 902 yards with seven TDs.
✦ St. Tammany ✦ Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ✦ 35
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experienced O-line, coached by Boomer Danford. “Our line is a hallmark of our offense and is a major team strength,” Bonvillain said. “They’re all strong and are a very cohesive unit that gels, giving us a true advantage. They’re all extremely disciplined and can handle making the necessary adjustments to different alignments.” The three senior returning starters are guards Luke Logue, Ben Sandman (5-10, 245) and tackle Ross Guzman (511, 250), joined by junior center Dawson Latiolas (5-9, 215) and junior tackle Santiago Mendieta. Logue (5-11, 255), a three-year starter, described the lineman’s role succinctly. “Clearing a hole, putting a defender on his back, watching our back race through, heading to the end zone. There’s no better feeling than seeing a teammate free in the open, raising your PHOTO BY HERB GOMEZ arms as they get to score,” Logue said. “Our O-line functions like a well-oiled Lakeshore senior Dayton Mcgee is back to lead the defensive line after posting 39 machine, and there’s lots of trust be- tackles, nine TFLs and four sacks last season. tween us. It’s great being part of the process, seeing each other excel, helping lead the offense.” we are as a unit, getting the job done. teammates, making things happen ofSandman agreed: “I love how cohesive I love being in the trenches with my fensively. Winning consistently is what
it’s all about for us as a unit and a team.”
Defensive leaders While the offense returns several starters, the defense has just two starters back in the fold — seniors Landon Hollingshead and Dayton Mcgee. Hollingshead (5-9, 200) returns at linebacker and will also see time at wingback. He’ll also be showing off his signature toughness. Hollingshead suffered a right ACL injury in the spring game, but he opted to forego surgery. The senior underwent rigorous rehab and has received medical clearance to play. Hollingshead, who registered 46 tackles (32 solo) with 1.5 sacks last year, said he is ready to suit up and see what he can handle. “I’m going to brace it up and give it a go during the season, giving it my best. I’m a very physical linebacker, and I’m not scared to lay out the hard hits. I concentrate on being quick to the ball,” Hollingshead said. “Coach Hunter (Bonvillain) is a perfect fit for us, and we’re ready to follow
ä See LAKESHORE, page 36
Lakeshore football 2026 at a glance: Bonvillain hopes continuity will lead to success LAKESHORE TITANS 2026 VITALS
COACH: Hunter Bonvillain (first season as HC, fifth season at Lakeshore) OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS: Bonvillain OFFENSE RUN: Wing-T DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Beau Briner DEFENSE RUN: 3-4
PROJECTED STARTERS
* indicates returning starter OFFENSE (5 RETURNING STARTERS): QB *Brody Loudermilk, Sr.; RB Alex Addison, Soph.; WB James Vance, Soph.; SLOT *Gareth Hernandez, Jr.; SE Eli Galiano, Sr.; TE Tristian Coulon, Soph.; OT *Ross Guzman, Sr.; OG *Luke Kogue, Sr.; C Dawson Latiolas, Jr.; OG *Ben Sandman, Sr.; OT Santiago Mendieta, Jr. DEFENSE (2 RETURNING STARTERS): DE *Dayton McGee, Sr.; NT Mason Fricke, Sr.; DE Elijah Tusan, Soph.; OLB Tristian Coulon, Soph.; MLB *Landon Hollingshead, Sr.; MLB Hank Griffin, Sr., or Jaiden Velthouse, Sr.; OLB James Vance, Soph.; CB Bobby Williams, Sr.; CB Kyler Morel, Soph.; FS Eli Galiano, Sr.; SS Gareth Hernandez, Jr. SPECIAL TEAMS: PK/P *Jackson Schemmel, Sr.; LS Jaiden Velthouse, Sr.; RET *Gareth Hernandez, Jr.
SCHEDULE
All games on a Friday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. All District 7-4A games notated with an asterisk. SEPT. 4, Fontainebleau (H); SEPT. 11, Slidell (A); SEPT. 18, Northshore (A); SEPT. 25,
PHOTO BY HERB GOMEZ
The Lakeshore football team takes the field against Salmen last season. Vandebilt Catholic (A); OCT. 1 (THU.), Belle Chasse (H); OCT. 9, Erath (H); OCT. 18, *Salmen (A); OCT. 23, *Franklinton (H); OCT. 30, *Hannan (A); NOV. 6, Pearl River (H). TOUGHEST GAMES: vs. Belle Chasse (Week 5); at Salmen (Week 7); vs. Franklinton (Week 8).
2025 FLASHBACK
2025 RECORD: 8-3, 4-0 District 7-4A (first place). 4th seed in D-II nonselect playoffs; lost to (13) Cecilia, 54-42 (second round) after a first-round bye. 2025 REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS: 1, Fontainebleau, W 45-7 (1-0); 2, Chalmette, W 27-12 (2-0); 3, Northshore, W 28-13 (3-0); 4, Northlake Christian, W 28-8 (4-0); 5,
Salmen, L 35-28 (4-1); 6, Franklinton, W 41-27 (5-1); 7, Pearl River, W 42-6 (6-1); 8, Loranger, W 38-14 (7-1); 9, Hannan, W 4214 (8-1); 10, Hahnville, L 28-21 (8-2).
LOOK AHEAD TO 2026
The Hunter Bonvillain era has officially begun at Lakeshore, and well, it will look similar to the last four years under Brent Indest. Bonvillain retained all of the assistant coaches from last year, and the team should have a similar hard-nosed feel. Now, the question is how will the team respond to a second-round playoff defeat last season? What will be different is the Titans graduated three gifted backs in Shawn Brown, Dylan Cusachs and Oudrey Gros
IV, who combined for 1,241 rushing yards along with 17 touchdowns last season. Senior QB Brody Loudermilk is back, and the experienced signal caller is excited about what junior RB Gareth Hernandez (5-8, 160) and his 4.59 speed can do in the backfield. Hernandez underwent tendon surgery on his wrist but should be fully recovered to make another solid impact for the Titans. He should have plenty of holes to run through behind an experienced offensive line. Defensively, Lakeshore returns just two starters, so several new players will need to emerge on a unit that will also see Hernandez play some strong safety. The Titans are counting on senior DB Eli Galiano, the younger brother of Ethan who played linebacker for the Titans last year, to help stabilize the secondary as the free safety. Galiano registered 57 tackles, including 49 solo, 15 TFLs and two sacks last season. I said this last year, and I’ll say it again this year — Lakeshore has to avoid injuries at key positions to be successful. The good news is that having an experienced dual-threat QB like Loudermilk back helps a lot. The offense shouldn’t miss a beat, and that’s good because the pre-district schedule is tough with road trips to Class 5A Slidell and Northshore followed by home games against Belle Chasse and Erath. As long as the Titans’ new starters continue to improve, Lakeshore could make some noise this season. PROJECTED FINISH: 7-5 overall, 2-2 in District 7-4A. 14-18 seed in D-II nonselect playoffs; win a first-round playoff game before losing on the road in the second round.
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District 7-4A
Center Jeff Ohler is a two-year starter and three-year varsity contributor.
LB duo ready to write final chapter at Pearl River
Senior Romy Berel will take over at quarterback this season.
BY JOSEPH HALM
Bowman (6-0, 185) and Charlie Rickoll (5-11, 195) are two big piecAfter hosting a first-round es to the Rebels’ playoff game last season, Pearl defensive puzzle. River is ready to take the next Both are threestep in coach Jerry Leonard’s year starters in a linebacking second year at the helm. “The way I was accepted corps that is when I came here, I couldn’t full of experihave asked for more,” Leon- ence when you ard said. “I think the support add in fellow I have been given from the ad- junior starters ministration and community Dawson Dreau has been more than I could ask (6-2, 195) and for. I’m just trying to create a Ryan Dean (6-0, culture that the kids feel good 185). “It’s been a long jourabout and want to be a part of, so they can be successful ney that I don’t want to on the field.” end because I’ve been with Senior line- a lot of these dudes for a long b a c k e r s time,” Bowman said. “I’ve been E t h a n with Charlie (Rickoll) since Pee Wee football. I know that Charlie has always got my back.” Bowman played wide receiver and tight end growing up, but once he reached middle school, he moved to linebacker and fullback. After starting at fullback as a sophomore, he switched to defense last year, and now, he’s one of the leaders of that unit. “Stop the ball. It’s that simple,” Bowman said. Rickoll didn’t start playing defense until high school after playing quarterback and running back growing up. He’ll likely see some STAFF PHOTOS BY JOSEPH HALM time on offense this Senior LBs Charlie Rickoll, left, and Ethan Bowman return for their third season as varsity starters. season as well, but linebacker will be his Staff writer
Junior Ja’ty Maryland will anchor the defensive secondary. specialty once again. Last season, he showed his ability to get to the ball, racking up nine TFLs, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. “Our bond has definitely made our defense stronger,” Rickoll said. “We have a lot of trust in each other. We feel like we’re full throttle, and we’re ready to play as a unit. Everyone on the defense trusts each other 100%.” Leonard said the Rebels will lean on their linebacking corps after losing several multiyear defensive line contributors to graduation, but he feels like that unit is up to the task. “If we can do a good job upfront, I think on the back end of our defense that we’ll be a better football team,” Leonard said. “We feel like we’ve got some guys who are making big strides to fill those shoes. We’ll
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Northlake Christian football 2026 at a glance: Wolverines are building a brand new team NORTHLAKE CHRISTIAN WOLVERINES 2026 VITALS
copal, W 37-20 (1-1); 3, OPEN; 4, Lakeshore, L 28-8 (1-2); 5, Breaux Bridge, W 37-7 (2-2); 6, Kenner Discovery, W 59-0 (3-2); 7, PJP II, W 14-0 (4-2); 8, St. Thomas Aquinas, W 51-0 (5-2); 9, St. Helena, L 30-24 (5-3); 10, Independence, W 57-15 (6-3).
COACH: James Willis (eighth season, 43-30) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Glen Burleson OFFENSE RUN: Multiple DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Willis DEFENSE RUN: Multiple
LOOK AHEAD TO 2026
2025 RECORD: 7-4 overall, 3-1 District 9-2A (second place). 12th seed in Division III select playoffs; defeated (21) St. Louis, 59-20 (first round); lost to (5) Dunham, 62-3 (second round). 2025 REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS: 1, Hannan, L 14-13 (0-1); 2, Epis-
The Wolverines graduated the bulk of their football team last season — literally. NCS said goodbye to 20 seniors who saw significant playing time over the last four years when the team won three playoff games. So this is a rebuilding year for the Wolverines, and that might be an understatement. Offensively, sophomores Nathan Krone (5-8, 140) and John Sampson (5-8, 140) will battle for the starting spot, and most likely both will see playing time. Sophomore Reid Ledet (5-6, 125) and freshman Tre Bell are two names to watch offensively, but honestly, this offense will likely change quite a bit between now and Week 10. “It’s all about whatever the players can do well,” Coach James Willis said. “Our system is always multiple, so we’re able to
Michael Oden Agent
Jerry Miller Agent
PROJECTED STARTERS
* indicates returning starter OFFENSE (1 RETURNING STARTER): QB Nathan Krone, Soph., or John Sampson, Soph.; RB Reid Ledet, Soph.; RB/TE Wyatt Hawkins, Fr.; WR Tre Bell, Fr.; WR Kaden Babin, Soph.; WR Joel Hawkins, Fr.; OL *Leonard Tridico, Sr.; OL Foster Legarde, Jr.; OL Barrett Ethridge, Jr.; OL Dixon McCollum, Sr.; OL Hayden Williams, Sr. DEFENSE (1 RETURNING STARTER): DL *Leonard Tridico, Sr.; DL Dixon McCollum, Sr.; DL Hayden Williams, Sr.; DL Barrett Ethridge, Jr., or Garrett Terrebonne, Jr.; LB Gabe Peters, Soph.; LB Foster Legarde, Jr.; LB Brennan Ethridge, Soph.; DB Nathan Krone, Soph.; DB Tre Bell, Fr.; S Alden McLellan, Fr.; S Reid Ledet, Soph.
Chad A. Roig CLU, LUFCF
Agency manager
Northlake Christian graduated 20 seniors. SPECIAL TEAMS: PK Reed White, Soph., or Alden McLellan, Fr.; P Ethan Laucis, Soph., or Alden McLellan, Fr.; RET TBD
SCHEDULE
All games are on a Friday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. All District 10-2A games are notated with an asterisk. SEPT. 4, Hannan (H); SEPT. 11, Episcopal (H); SEPT. 18, OPEN; SEPT. 25, PJP II (H); OCT. 2, Country Day (A); OCT. 9, *Independence (A); OCT. 16, *Pine (H);
Clayton Foreman Agent cforeman@sfbcic.com
PROVIDED PHOTO
OCT. 23, *St. Helena (A); OCT. 30, *Amite (A); NOV. 6, *St. Thomas Aquinas (H). TOUGHEST GAMES: vs. Pine (Week 7); at Amite (Week 9).
2025 FLASHBACK
moden@sfbcic.com
jmiller@sfbcic.com
highlight the strength of our athletes. The way we install it, we can almost do anything at any given time based on who is on the field. I’m not really a scheme guy; I’m more of a player guy.” Defensively, the Wolverines might have a little more depth. Sophomore Gabe Peters has good speed and size, while Ledet will also contribute in the secondary. Newcomers Hayden Williams and Barrett Ethridge will help Tridico on the defensive line. The Wolverines graduated their golden generation so 2026 will be about two things — staying healthy and building experience. Willis said he has 40 players in his junior high program, so there are more numbers coming up, but they can’t help out this year. The team has done a good job of recruiting the halls to help with numbers, and the players seem to be coming together. But with lower numbers and less experience than most years, the Wolverines’ streak of four straight winning seasons will be a big ask this year. PROJECTED FINISH: 1-9 overall, 0-5 in District 10-2A. No playoffs.
Justin Nussbaum Agent
jnussbaum@sfbcic.com
croig@sfbcic.com
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