Latest news with #Simien
American Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- American Press
First line of attack: Area's best at run blocking, pass protection
Southwest Louisiana high school football teams had a big year offensively in 2024 with 11 teams scoring more than 30 points a game. And this season could be more of the same with several top linemen returning to push around opponents. Leading the group is 6-foot-4, 300-pound Sam Houston High School junior Albert Simien. He earned 3-5A all-district first team and American Press All-Southwest Louisiana Big School honors as a sophomore for a Broncos offense that averaged 35.1 points and 402.7 yards per game. He has bulked up since last season, gaining 25 pounds. 'He had an unbelievable offseason,' Sam Houston head coach Chad Davis said. 'He has gotten strong as an ox. He played at 275 pounds last year and is 300 now. He has gotten more technical in his run game and pass protection. His wingspan is unbelievable.' Other key offensive linemen to watch include Hadley Hardesty, Keilynn Tanner, Kohl Fulton, Myles Joseph, Tylon Jackson and Marques Brothers. Albert Simien Davis said Simien has offers from LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, Nebraska, Florida and Michigan, as well as several other Division I schools. He is rated as a four-star prospect by 'It is his motor and physicality,' Davis said. 'He is already big and strong, but his smartness for the game is there. Once he does his job, he is looking for more jobs. That is what everyone likes about him. Once he takes care of his job as a lineman, he is looking for work down the field. 'As long as he shows up every day and sets the tone, everyone follows him. When you have the spotlight on you like that, there is no time to take off. He has done a great job.' Davis said Simien will play on both sides of the ball, but he is familiar with the defensive side. He earned second-team all-district honors as a freshman defensive lineman in 2023. Hadley Hardesty Hardesty, a 6-6, 265-pound senior, looks to protect 2,000-yard passer Brody Anderson for a third consecutive season. Westlake averaged nearly 400 yards a game in their run to the regional round last year. The Rams will be strong up front again with four returning linemen. The two-sport star helped lead the Rams to the Non-select Division III baseball semifinals in May as part of their pitching rotation. Keilynn Tanner Tanner is set to start on the line for the Gators for a fourth consecutive season and is one of 25 seniors looking to lead the team to their first playoff win since 2014. 'He is going to be a force to be reckoned with,' LaGrange head coach Idaibi Ogbanga said. 'Tanner is very serious. 'He got a lot stronger in the offseason. He is just one of those kids that you are blessed to have. He is aggressive and strong as an ox. He moves well. He moves like he is 250 pounds. He has some good footwork.' Kohl Fulton Fulton, a 6-3, 290-pound senior, will carry a heavy load as Iowa's lone returning offensive lineman and keep the program's recent success rolling. In the last three seasons, Iowa has advanced to the semifinals twice and the quarterfinals, compiling a 32-8 record. The three-year starter will be charged with protecting new starting quarterback, Lawston Broussard. Myles Joseph At 6-4, 320 pounds, Joseph can clear a big path for Lake Charles College Prep's high-powered offense that averaged more than 35 points a game last season. He has offers from Central Arkansas, Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas-San Antonio. After an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Week 1 against Westgate sidelined him for the rest of the season, Joseph looks to help anchor the line from left tackle that boasts four returning starters. 'He can play every position on the offensive line, and he is very smart,' LCCP head coach Erick Franklin Sr. said. Tylon Jackson Jackson is a two-way all-district first-team lineman at 5-11 and 265 pounds and is picking up the skills needed to handle Oakdale's move towards a spread offense quickly. The senior is one of four returning starters on the offensive line for the Warriors as they try to bounce back from a 3-8 season. 'He is just a hard-nosed kid that embraces being a lineman,' Oakdale head coach Kevin Bertrand said. 'He loves his job and is a hard worker. He is a leader.' Marques Brothers Brothers, a 6-3, 255-pound senior, will be the leader on Grand Lake's inexperienced offensive line as the lone returning full-time starter. He earned District 4-1A first-team honors last year. 'He is as talented as we have had,' Grand Lake head coach Jeff Wainwright said. 'Bryant (Williams) and Brett (King) have been my best two since I have been at Grand Lake. He has that kind of talent to take over a game, and we can run behind him.'
American Press
01-07-2025
- Politics
- American Press
Mayor Simien: 'We are going to make this city work like it has never worked before'
Monday marked the creation of 'One Lake Charles' as Mayor Marshall J. Simien Jr. was sworn into office by Justice Piper D. Griffin. By his side was his wife of 33 years, Dr. Paula Simien. Two of his three children, August and Grace, also joined him on stage. His oldest son, Marshall Simien III, watched from Indianapolis. The Sudduth Coliseum in the Lake Charles Event Center was filled with hundreds of members of the public. The floor seats were full and the stadium seats were filled with his supporters. In May, Simien was elected the 30th mayor of Lake Charles in a run-off election. But this isn't the genesis of his civic service. He served on the Lake Charles City Council for District A for eight years, where he served as vice president and president. He also served on the Lake Charles Port Board, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Louisiana State Board of Commerce and Industry and the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. A graduate of Washington-Marion High School, McNeese State University and the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Simien calls himself a 'son of Lake Charles.' And as a child of the city, he is 'humbled and proud' to be elected, and ready to hit to ground running. 'When I look in this room, I see people that I have seen all of my life. You raised me. I hear the voice of my father from heaven and the chorus of all those who have gone before us. Whose sacrifice has paved the way for where we are now,' Simien said during his address. 'We are going to work as hard as we can for you. We are going to do the best we can. We are going to make this city work like it has never worked before.' His oath of office was colored by a special presentation from Attorney Brent Hawkins on behalf of the Southwest Louisiana Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, to recognize Simien for his achievement of being the first African American man to be elected mayor of Lake Charles. Hawkins presented Simien with a resolution that laid out his career, achievements and character. 'A God-fearing man, of rare character, uncommon capability, with the courage to confront adversity, the wisdom to build coalitions, and the heart to serve every resident with fairness, transparency and devotion,' Hawkins said while reading the resolution. 'We express our deepest admiration for his lifelong commitment to public service, his trailblazing achievements, and his enduring vision for a more unified and prosperous and vibrant Lake Charles for generations to come.' City staff have been immersed in Simien's transition into office since the run-off election. City Administrator John Cardone said Lake Charles is in 'very good hands,' and believes residents elected a mayor who is 'capable, willing and prepared' to take the challenges that result from growth head-on. 'Mayor Simien is committed to improving the quality of life for our citizens and has a great vision for our city. The energy is bright, a great thing for our city on the horizon.' The Lake Charles City Council members also took their oath on Monday. The four new Lake Charles council members who took their oaths are Donald Fondel, District B; Tommy Bilbo, District C; Matthew 'Matt' Young, District D; and Matthew Vezinot, District G. They will join council incumbents Ronnie Harvey Jr., District A; Stuart Weatherford, District E; and Council President Craig Marks, District F. Simien's mayoral campaign was centered around 'One Lake Charles,' a promise of inclusion. 'It's not just a vision, it's a commitment. … If we include everyone, everyone, then we start avoiding some of the pitfalls that stop us from being where we are.' During his remarks, Marks said the council is ready to work alongside Simien. 'There's a task that has been set before us to follow this man, to make his vision come to fruition. All seven of us have vowed to make that happen, to the best of our ability,' he said. 'We're not going to always see things in the same light. But we've got one mission, and that's to move Lake Charles forward.' Simien and the council's four-year term officially began on July 1. Their first city council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, in the city council chambers.
American Press
26-06-2025
- Politics
- American Press
New Lake Charles leaders to be sworn-in Monday
Lake Charles City Hall Lake Charles' new leader will be sworn in on Monday. The public is invited to witness the historic moment. Marshall J. Simien Jr. is the first Black individual to be elected mayor of Lake Charles. He unseated former mayor Nic Hunter, who served two terms, in a run-off election in May with 52 percent of the votes. He will be the city's 30th mayor. The swearing-in ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30, and will take place in the Sudduth Coliseum located inside the Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr. Seating for the ceremony is first-come, first-served, and guests are encouraged to arrive early, according to a city release. Four new Lake Charles council members will be sworn in alongside Simien: Donald Fondel, District B; Tommy Bilbo, District C; Matthew 'Matt' Young, District D; and Matthew Vezinot, District G. They will join council incumbents Ronnie Harvey Jr., District A; Stuart Weatherford, District E; and Council President Craig Marks, District F. The four-year term for Simien and the Lake Charles city council members will begin on Tuesday, July 1. The Lake Charles Event Center enforces a clear bag policy to ensure guest safety. Bags cannot exceed 12-by-12-by-6 inches in size. Allowed bags include transparent plastic zip top bags, clear totes, medical items and small bags less than 5-by-7 inches. Small bags under 5-by-7 inches are exempt from the clear bag requirement.
American Press
04-05-2025
- Politics
- American Press
BREAKING: Simien elected next mayor of Lake Charles
Marshall Simien Jr. Lake Charles has chosen a new mayor. Former City Council member Marshall Simien Jr., an independent, unseated Nic Hunter, a Republican, Saturday during a run-off race needed after neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in March's election. Simien received 52 percent of the vote, or 7,703, during Saturday's election. Hunter received 48 percent, or 7,049 votes, according to complete but unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office. Simien will be the city's 30th mayor — and is the first Black person ever elected to lead Lake Charles. Rodney Geyen served as interim mayor for a four-month period at the end of 1999 and into 2000 after Willie Mount was elected to the state Senate. 'Marshall is a good man and Lake Charles will be just fine moving forward,' Hunter said in a Facebook posting conceding the race. 'I committed to him that it will be as seamless a transition as possible. My family and I are doing well and ready for the next chapter God has in store for us. I thank all my friends, family, and supporters. It's been a great ride and we've accomplished a lot.'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Palmetto man convicted of murder, attempted murder in 2020 shooting
OPELOUSAS, La. () — A Palmetto man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a St. Landry Parish jury convicted him of murder and attempted murder, prosecutors said. Sanplice Simien, 48, of Palmetto was convicted in the 27th Judicial District Court Thursday of first degree murder in the in October 2020. He was previously found guilty of three counts of attempted first degree murder in connection with the same incudent in October 2020 authorities said was in retaliation to a previous armed robbery. The situation began several days before the shooting, when Thomas was involved in a heated argument with Simien in the Morrow area, and Thomas robbed Simien of between $1,200 and $1,400 in cash, officials said at the time. Later, Simien allegedly found Thomas and four other men in a parked vehicle in Morrow and opened fire on them with two guns. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Louisiana law mandates life imprisonment for first degree murder. He will be sentenced to no less than life for murder and from 10 to 50 years on each of the counts of attempted murder, prosecutors said. Sentencing is scheduled for May 8. Child tests positive for fentanyl after ingesting pills allegedly found at California day care Baylor holds off Mississippi State in final seconds to win 75-72 in March Madness Victim of drunk driving accident in Pensacola walks again after 19 months of recovery Elon Musk visits Pentagon Palmetto man convicted of murder, attempted murder in 2020 shooting Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
