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American Press
a day ago
- Sport
- American Press
McNeese sets times for home games
An architectural rendering of McNeese's new press box. (Special to the American Press) McNeese State is reverting to its pre-hurricane start times for its football games. Before hurricanes Laura and Delta disrupted the athletic department in the fall of 2020, the Cowboys started all home games at 6 p.m. For two seasons, they were forced to play at noon under the blazing sun while Cowboy Stadium was being renovated and a new lighting system was installed. Then, for two seasons, they played at 7 p.m. Now, with a new press box set to open and six home games scheduled for this season, McNeese is moving its games back to a 6 p.m. kickoff. 'After a lot of thought and discussion with a number of people that included season ticket holders, staff, campus employees, students and community members, it was the consensus that a 6 o'clock kick-off will allow our fans with children as well as those coming to games from the surrounding parishes, to get home at a reasonable time, and those tailgating will still be able to enjoy a full day of pregame gathering, one that will start the night before at our Friday Night Block Parties,' said Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer. Starting times for football have been a big talk in the league of late with many schools pushing for afternoon games. Some of that is for travel purposes. With the addition of Texas-Rio Grande Valley playing football this fall, the travel distance for teams has greatly increased. Some in the league wanted day games so players would get home earlier after long bus trips. There was even a push for the entire league to have start times no later than 4 p.m. Schroyer said at the time that McNeese would never go for that, stating that Saturday night games were a part of the football program's long history. The 6 p.m. start time will mean that fans on the east side of the stadium will have to deal with the sun more, especially early in the season. However, it also provides a different window in the ESPN+ schedule if most of the conference games are scheduled for the afternoon. McNeese will open its season on August 30 with a home game against Louisiana Christian, marking the return of Matt Viator as head coach. Viator is currently tied for most wins as a McNeese head coach after 10 seasons leading the Cowboys. He returns after nine seasons away from the program in hopes of turning the Cowboys around. They have not had a winning season since 2019, before the hurricanes. McNeese managed to achieve a 6-6 record last year, the second-largest turnaround in NCAA Division I football, behind only Indiana after a disastrous 0-11 season in 2023, the worst in school history. When the Cowboys open play, they will also unveil their new press box and suites, which replace the old one destroyed by Laura. In addition to the opener, McNeese will host Weber State on September 13, Southeastern on October 4, HCU for Homecoming on October 18, Northwestern State on November 1, and UTRGV on November 15. The Cowboys will not play Incarnate Word this season. McNeese players will be checking in for summer workouts and school starting this weekend, before practices begin next week.
American Press
2 days ago
- American Press
Jockey arrested for using shocking device on racehorse
Delta Downs in Vinton. (Special to the American Press) A Vinton racehorse jockey has been arrested for using a battery-operated shocking device on his horse. Louisiana State Police Trooper Matt Gaspard said 41-year-old Ricardo Hernandez-Perez of Vinton was arrested Saturday after an investigation into allegations of cheating by horse jockeys at the Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino. Gaspard said after Saturday's races concluded, detectives conducted post-race checks of each jockey. During one encounter, Hernandez-Perez attempted to flee from detectives while discarding the shocking device into one of the horse stalls. Hernandez-Perez was subsequently arrested and processed into the Calcasieu Correctional Center for violation of LA RS 4:175D – unnatural stimulation of horses. 'The law prohibits anyone from possessing or using devices like electric batteries that can unnaturally stimulate, depress, or excite a racehorse before or during a race, including within racetrack stables, sheds, or other buildings on racetrack grounds where eligible horses are kept,' Gaspard said. Anyone wishing to report illegal gaming activity may anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
American Press
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- American Press
Battle in the Bluff: Tug of War ‘celebration of strength and competitive spirit'
G.I. Joe's Gym founder and owner Joe Gentry. The Moss Bluff business has been open since January. (Special to the American Press) A strong competitive spirit — when channeled positively — can lead to personal and professional growth, improved performance and enhanced resilience. It can also motivate individuals to strive for excellence, embrace challenges and learn from setbacks. That's the thought behind the inaugural Battle in the Bluff: Tug of War Competition — the brainchild of Joe Gentry, founder and owner of G.I. Joe's Gym in Moss Bluff. 'My intention for Battle in the Bluff has always been to show off the competitive edge of people who love to work out, love to compete and it doesn't contain a ball,' Gentry said. 'Ultimately, people of all ages can do it. It's a way to bring competitive people with like-minded competitive spirits and team building to our area.' Gentry said the event will be set up in such a way that resembles the Roman Colosseum — spectators on bleachers will circle the stage where the participants compete and outside the 'arena' will be food trucks, games, vendors, a DJ and sound stage, and a backdrop of military vehicles. Lake Charles Police Department SWAT officers will also give demonstrations with their new robot dog. 'We have lots of military and law enforcement coming from all over to compete in this and the intent is we want people to get that competitive drive again,' Gentry said. 'We are trying to build that competitive spirit up from young ages to where fitness becomes a part of their lives.' The event is family-friendly with no alcohol allowed. 'This is strictly a fun, engaging event where parents can get their kids out of the house and go get them on the other end of a rope and pull against some other kids and build that competitive spirit,' he said. Gentry said some people tend to be too afraid to try new things for fear of failure. Battle in the Bluff could change that. 'When you fail individually it feels different than failing as a team,' he said. 'Winning as a team and failing as a team is completely different than individual failures. We want kids to be part of a team environment and we want them to win or lose as a team. It's about the people around you, not about yourself.' Derick Franus, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist at G.I. Joe's Gym, said there will be five slots on each team. If individuals come alone they can be assigned to 'plugger teams.' 'Honestly those will probably be the ones who come away with a best friend from this,' Franus said. 'Everyone shows up, everyone goes through the struggle together. Win, lose or draw, you went through something with somebody. That's what we want it to be.' Franus said the day will feature 'physical-based play rather than tablet-based play.' 'We'll have the impossible mile. We'll outline a little track and we'll see who can survive doing lunges all around or burpee broad jumps. The 'coliseum' will be hosting the strength side of things but we want to showcase all of fitness.' Gentry and Franus are both former military members. 'I enlisted in the Army National Guard and was called into active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom III,' Gentry said. 'I served two years on active duty in Iraq at the beginning of the war. I was an infantry solider right after the invasion.' He was also in Baghdad when Iraq held its first free national election in decades on Jan. 30, 2005. 'I watched them walk out with their blue thumbs after voting,' he said proudly. A staff sergeant, Gentry helped lead teams and troops into combat. 'When you're in a combat zone, the private is more important than a lieutenant sometimes,' he said. 'When a private walks up and says he sees something in the window, you listen. If a lieutenant is telling you to go in but the private is telling you there is a guy with a gun, you re-evaluate your decisions. That's how important camaraderie is and the brotherhood is. You listen to the smallest, youngest, least-ranked person just as much as you listen to the lieutenant giving orders.' Though his service is over, Gentry said he will remain a soldier for life. 'You carry that with you, everyday,' he said. 'Every single day.' Still in touch with his 'brotherhood,' Gentry said there is nothing that can replace the feeling of a buddy having your back in a combat environment. 'There's no words,' he said. 'We're all trying not to die and we do everything we possibly can to watch each others' backs so that doesn't happen.' Franus is a former firefighter and trained combat medic. Both said they hope Battle in the Bluff will help participants build a similar camaraderie with their teammates. 'Failure has a lot to do with people getting better in life,' Gentry said. 'If you don't face failure, then it's going to be a very rough life. The younger that we can start kids in that competitive spirit and learning it's not about them, it's about the team the better off our society will be.' Egos must be pushed aside. 'The right tackle is just as important as the quarterback,' Gentry said. 'If a right tackle thinks he should be the quarterback and not the right tackle, then things are going to go wrong.' Battle in the Bluff is open to middle school-aged children and up. There will divisions for students, businesses, law enforcement and military, and weight class. Participants will compete against like-minded, equally sized people, Franus assured. It's free for all teams to enter and each team has the chance to win $500 for each competition. There will also be an award for best costume. Battle in the Bluff is set for June 14 at the Moss Bluff Soccer Complex at 256 Jones Road behind Rouse's supermarket. Team weigh-ins are at 9 a.m. and the competition will kick off at 11 a.m. Teams can register now at Vendors can set up the night before. There are no fees to be a vendor. 'There's plenty of festivals and fairs that you can go to where it's all about food or it's all about alcohol; it's a good time but it's more or less not building anything up,' Franus said. 'What we're trying to do is a celebration of strength and the competitive spirit.' There will be face painting, bounce houses, a miniature tug of war, water slides and an inflatable ax throw for children attending. There will be an admission fee of $10 per person. A portion of all the proceeds will go to the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Association. 'We just hope this catches on where people are not intimidated to come out and compete,' Gentry said. 'The gym is more than just a mental outlet and a physical outlet. It really is something families can be part of.'
American Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- American Press
Ella Kay defends goat tying title, Ty Lavernge closing in on first bull riding title
Barbe's Ella Kay gets ready to tie a goat during the first-go round on Thursday at the Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo at Burton Coliseum. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) Barbe Ella Kay secured her second consecutive goat tying state championship on Friday, and DeQuincy's Ty Lavergne is close to winning his first bull riding title today at the Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo at Burton Coliseum. The short-go round starts at 5 p.m. After not scoring any points in the first-go round Thursday (13.79 seconds), Kay bounced back to win the second-go round on Friday with a 7.42-second run. The nine points for the win put her at 111 and over the 21-point lead threshold needed to keep Sage Raymond (Briarfield Academy, 85.8) and Abbey Anderson (Shepherd HS, Texas, 82.8) from catching up with her today in the short-go round. Lavergne's path to his first bull riding state championship is simple: stay on for eight seconds in today's round. He leads defending champion Brennan Polito (Epic Charter) by 12.9 points, 106.75-93.85. A scoring ride plus at least a seventh-place finish in the average standings will give Lavergne the 8.2 points he needs to hold off Polito. The pair tied for second in the first-go round with 73-point rounds. Lavergne was second in the second-go round on Friday with a 78-point ride, while Carter Shaw (Magnolia Bend) won the round at 79, and Polito was third with a 66. Lavergne currently leads the average title race with 151 points. Three cowboys have already secured state championships. Wyatt Lavergne won his fourth consecutive saddle bronco state championship, while Bryer Prince (Sulphur) won three in a row in bareback riding. Turbo Baxter (Slaughter Community Charter) is the steer wrestling state champ. The top four in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo at the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 13-19. Here is a look at how the other events at the LHSFR are shaping up: Barrel racing Defending champion Rylee Jo Maryman (University View Academy) leads Abbey Anderson (Shepherd HS, Texas) in a tight race by 9.9 points, 97.3 to 87.4, for the barrel racing state title. Maryman needs a combination of 11.2 points between the short-go and points from her placing in the average standings to secure the state title. She placed in the top four in the first two rounds, including the top time on Thursday at 14.935 seconds, the only sub 15-second round. Maryman (30.083 seconds) leads the average standings by .316 seconds. Tie down roping Cruz Melanson (Vinton) and Cougar Racca (Bell City) cut into Braxton Guillot's (La. Virtual Charter) lead on Friday in tie down roping. Racca won the second-go round with a time of 8.85 seconds, while Melanson was second at 9.09 seconds. Racca (17.26) and Melanson (17.66) are one-two in the average standings, putting the pressure on Guillot. Guillot's magic number is 11.2 points to win his first tie down roping state championship. Breakaway roping The most contested event of the week is breakaway roping. Seven cowgirls are within 10 points of leader Kensley Mudge (Magnolia Bend), who has 42.8 points. Faith Dubois (Home School) is just .2 points off the lead, and Jillian Fontenot (Beau Chene) is 1.8 points back at 41. Mudge has no margin for error as she essentially needs to win the short-go round and the average. Dubois is currently the leader for the 12 points that go with the average title at 4.65 seconds on two runs, giving her a strong chance of overtaking Mudge (8.16 seconds) Team roping A fourth-place finish today in the short-go round will be enough for Cole Steib (Catholic-Point Coupee) and Kayson Lasyone (Magnolia Bend) to win the team roping title regardless of the outcome of the average standings. Steib and Lasyone, the defending champion, have 147.4 points, while Carter Perry (Cedar Creek) and H.D. Willis (Home School) are currently second at 117.8 points. Steib and Lasyone had the second-best time in the second-go round Friday at 8.03 seconds, while Braxton Guillot and Johnny Price won with a time of 7.65 seconds. Pole bending Kodi Miller (Simpson) is on the verge of winning her second consecutive pole bending state championship. Despite placing ninth (21.330 seconds) in the second-go round on Friday, Miller is still in the lead and needs 9.9 points to wrap up another state title. Gemi Robinson (Magnolia Bend) is second at 91.3 points. Addison Krieg had the best second-go time at 20.165 seconds. Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo Standings after second-go round All-Around Cowboy 1, Braxton Guillot, La. Virtual Charter 126.10 2, Turbo Baxter, Slaughter Comm. 117.30 3, Cruz Melanson, Vinton 109.20 4, Jayden Nunez, S. Cameron 97.00 5, H.D. Willis, Home School 89.90 Rookie All-Around Cowboy 1, Cole Steib, Catholic-PC 114.00 2, Cain Martin, Sulphur 43.40 3, Skinner Wilkinson, Home School 41.10 All-Around Cowgirl 1, Abbey Anderson, Shepherd 254.45 2, Rylee Jo Maryman, Univ. View 217.70 3, Addison Rains, Magnolia Bend 197.00 Rookie All-Around Cowgirl 1, Addison Rains, Magnolia Bend 197.00 2, Kinley Walker, Home School 96.70 Bareback riding 1, *#Bryer Prince, Home School 102.2 2, Fisher Burnworth, Home School 54.2 3, Ethan Parrott, Darbonne Woods 28.0 Barrell racing 1, *Rylee Jo Maryman, Univ. View 97.3 2, Abbey Anderson, Shepherd 87.4 4, Gemi Robinson, Magnolia Bend 70.0 3, Ava Nunez, Bell City 69.9 5, Kynnedy Nunn, Welsh 51.1 Saddle bronc riding 1, *#Wyatt Lavergne, DeQuincy 98.0 2, Austin James, Rosepine 54.0 3, Brant Schexnider, xxx 16.1 Tie down roping 1, Braxton Guillot, La. Virtual Ch. 99.1 2, Cruz Melanson, Carol Acad. 89.2 3, Cougar Racca, Bell City 68.0 4, Carter Primeaux, Erath 64.2 5, Gentry Silver, Bell City 59.3 Breakaway roping 1, Kensley Mudge, Magnolia Bend 42.8 2, Faith Dubois, Home School 42.6 3, Jillian Fontenot, Beau Chene 41.0 4, Caroline Fontenot, Beau Chene 36.1 5, Saige Martin, Sulphur 36.0 Steer wrestling 1, #Turbo Baxter, Slaughter 103.3 2, William Gunter, Sulphur 73.7 3, Kyler Landry, Ascension Cath. 71.1 4, Noah Weeks, Magnolia Bend 45.0 5, Jayden Nunez, S. Cameron 44.0 Goat tying 1, *Ella Kay, Barbe 111.0 2, Sage Raymond, Briarfield Acad. 85.8 3, Abbey Anderson, Sheperd 82.8 4, Abbie Savant, Home School 79.8 5, Rylee Jo Maryman, Univ. View 75.8 Team roping 1, *Kayson Lasyone, Magnolia Bend 147.4 Cole Steib, Catholic-PC 2, Carter Perry, Cedar Creek 117.8 H.D. Willis, Home School 3, Carter Huffman, Jena 109.4 Andrew Paul, Jena 4, Teddie Austin Guynn, Home School 92.4 Wyatt Sonnier, Welsh 5, Grant Engel, Jeff Davis Home School 82.2 Skinner Wilkinson, Home School Pole bending 1, *Kodi Miller, Simpson 102.5 2, Gemi Robinson, Magnolia Bend 91.3 3, Addison Rains, Magnolia Bend 81.1 4, Kenzie King, Jeff Davis Home School 62.4 5, Abbey Anderson, Sheperd 51.4 Bull riding 1, Ty Lavergne, DeQuincy 106.75 2, *Brennan Polito, Epic Charter 93.85 3, Carter Shaw, Magnolia Bend 65.5 4, Briggs Cooley, Christ Bridge 45.5 5, Luke Simon, Notre Dame 44.3 *Defending state champ #2025 state champion Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo At Burton Coliseum Results from the second-go round on Friday, May 30 Bareback riding 1, Bryer Prince 69 2, Fisher Burnworth 55 Barrel racing 1, Abbye Anderson 15.053 2, Kanely Cooper 15.066 3, Gremi Robinson 15.145 4, Rylee Jo Maryman 15.148 5, Addison Krieg 15.153 6, Ava Nunez 15.203 7, Kynnedy Nunn 15.374 8, Kenzie King 15.432 9, Logan Krieg 15.441 10, Addison Rains 15.469 Saddle bronc riding 1, Wyatt Lavergne 75 2, Brant Schexnider 44 Tie down roping 1, Cougar Racca 8.85 2, Cruz Melanson 9.09 3, K.J. Rideaux 9.66 4, Kyler Landry 10.87 5, Colt Guillot 11.02 6, Brennan Aucoin 12.42 7, Austin James 12.48 8, Braxton Guillot 12.53 9, Colton Summers 12.72 10, Tyler Lavergne 13.00 Breakaway roping 1, Steeley Franklin 1.92 2, Faith Dubois 2.08 3, Reese Broussard 2.37 4, Abbey Anderson 2.45 4, Alex Poole 2.45 6, Emma Bain 2.78 7, Michelle Hesnor 2.84 8, Jenna Vincent 2.96 9, Kensley Mudge 3.03 10, Keylee Izard 3.20 Steer wrestling 1, Cain Martin 5.53 2, Turbo Baxter 6.20 3, Jadon Leonard 14.61 4, Kole Landry 18.17 5, William Gunter 25.80 6, Cale Carpenter 27.13 7, Kyler Landry 30.82 Goat tying 1, Ella Kay 7.42 2, Kynnedy Nunn 7.51 3, Brantlee Colbert 8.27 4, Abbie Savant 8.29 5, Lauren Williamson 8.32 6, Abbey Anderson 8.73 7, Sage Raymond 8.80 8, Rylee Jo Maryman 8.98 9, Katie Abshire 9.07 10, Jamie Kile 9.25 Team roping 1, Braxton Guillot/Johnny Payne 7.65 2, Cole Steib/Kayson Lasyone 8.03 3, Teddie Austin Guynn/Wyatt Sonnier 8.78 4, John Wade Hoffpauir/Trace Watkins 9.34 5, Hayden Walker/Grant Boudreaux 10.36 6, Bill Odell/Tucker Wright 11.69 7, Grant Engel/Skinner Wilkinson 12.02 8, Caleb Brister/Kaden Doughty 15.15 9, Hollis Davis/Brayson Manuel 15.47 10, H.D. Willis/Carter Perry 16.62 Pole bending 1, Addison Krieg 20.165 2, Addison Rains 20.463 3, Gemi Robinson 20.543 4, Stella Aucoin 20.564 5, Abbey Anderson 20.744 6, Brinna Jo Wagner 20.890 7, Rylee Jo Maryman 20.930 8, Jossy Gantt 21.108 9, Kodi Miller 21.330 10, Logan Krieg 21.379 Bull riding 1, Carter Shaw 79 2, Ty Lavergne 78 3, Brennan Polito 66
American Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- American Press
Poised champ, Lavergne locks up fourth consecutive state title with strong bounce-back ride
DeQuincy senior Wyatt Lavergne clinched his fourth consecutive saddle bronc riding state championship on Friday, May 30, 2025, with a 75-point ride in the second-go round of the Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo at Burton Coliseum. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) The first-go round Thursday at the Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo at Burton Coliseum was a rare miss for DeQuincy's Wyatt Lavergne, but the seasoned cowboy was unfazed. He turned in one of his best rides of the season Friday in the second-go round and locked up his fourth consecutive saddle bronco riding state championship. 'It is a blessing to say (I have won four state championships),' Lavergne said. 'I don't know how many people have done it. I am sure there are a few. I am definitely proud of what I have accomplished.' He scored a 75-point ride Friday morning in the first session of the second-go round. 'I thought I did everything I could do with the stock that I drew,' Lavergne said. 'It was fun, and I had a good time.' In four trips to the state finals, Thursday's miss was Lavergne's first at the state rodeo, but his experience showed Friday. It was the eighth time in 11 rounds at the state rodeo that he scored more than 70 points. 'I knew what I did wrong,' Lavergne said. 'I just needed to go full throttle (Friday) morning and give it everything I had, and it ended up working out. 'I knew what I could do. I knew it didn't set me back yesterday. It was just a mental thing. I just had to overcome that challenge and forget about it. If you keep looking at the rear view you are going to run into something.' Rosepine's Austin James was the lone saddle bronc rider scheduled for the evening session. Even if James tops Lavergne's 75-point ride, the eight points for second place would give Lavergne 97 points and an insurmountable 34-point lead. The top 15 in each event will compete in the short-go round at 5 p.m. Saturday. The top four in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 13-19. First-go round Jeff Davis cowboy Cale Carpenter won the first round of steer wrestling with a stunning sub- 4-second time of 3.56 seconds on Thursday. Welsh High School's Wyatt Sonnier teamed up with Teddie Austin Guynn to win the opening round of team roping at 7.64 seconds and 0.15 seconds ahead of Stratton James and Gus Dorris. Sonnier and Guynn moved up to fourth place in the standings. In tie down roping on Thursday, Cougar Racca, the 2023 state champion, edged Cruz Melancon for the top time of the day at 8.41 seconds. Melancon posted a time of 8.57 seconds. The battle for the breakaway roping title remains tight after the first round. Kensley Mudge (Magnolia Bend Academy) and Jillian Fontenot (Beau Chene) lead with 41 points each, and Caroline Fontenot (Beau Chene, 36.1) and Saige (Sulphur, 36) Martin and Faith Dubois (34.5) were not far behind.
