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NSU Campus Events, Sept. 27-Oct. 3
Northwestern State University
Here is the week ahead at Northwestern State University.
Sept. 27 — Modern in Motion XIV Gala, Alost Hall, 2 p.m.
Sept. 29 — Fall Career Day, Friedman Student Union Ballroom, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sept. 29 — NSU Wind Symphony, Magale Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 30 — Leah Forsyth Faculty Recital, Magale Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 — Volleyball vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Prather Coliseum, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 — NSU Jazz Orchestra and CAPA Hall of Fame Induction, Magale Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1-3 — NSU Theatre and Dance presents “As You Like It,” A.A. Fredericks Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 — NSU Choral Festival, Magale Recital Hall, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 2-3 — Department of Engineering Technology Workforce Development Workshop, Statistical Quality Control, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Volleyball vs. LSU-New Orleans, Prather Coliseum, 1 p.m.
Oct. 3 — NSU Theatre and Dance presents “As You Like It,” A.A. Fredericks Auditorium, 2 p.m.
Youth Squirrel Hunt on Kisatchie This Weekend
Kisatchie National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
The youth-only squirrel season on Kisatchie National Forest runs Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27, ahead of the general squirrel season. The forest follows statewide small game seasons for squirrel, rabbit and quail, with one exception: there is no spring squirrel season on Kisatchie lands. Waterfowl hunting on the forest must stop at noon.
Deer Archery Season Opens Oct. 1 Here; Kisatchie Dates Set
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Kisatchie National Forest
Either-sex archery season for deer opens Thursday, Oct. 1, and runs through Jan. 31 in Deer Area 2, which covers Natchitoches Parish. On Kisatchie National Forest, archery runs the same Oct. 1 through Jan. 31 on the Kisatchie, Winn, Catahoula, Evangeline and Caney districts; the Vernon Unit on the Calcasieu district opened earlier, on Sept. 19. Kisatchie’s still-hunt firearms dates are youth only Oct. 10-16, primitive firearms Oct. 24-25 and Jan. 2-3, either-sex Oct. 31-Nov. 1 and Nov. 27, and bucks only Nov. 7-26, Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 12-27.
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Week 4 of the Natchitoches Parish Journal’s annual High School Football Pick ’Em contest is underway, giving local fans another chance to test their gridiron knowledge and win cash.
Each week, the contest features 10 selected matchups highlighting Natchitoches Parish high schools and marquee regional games. The second round of competition concludes Friday, Sept. 25, so make your selections before kickoff to get in the game.
Each weekly winner will take home $100 and be featured with a photo in the Journal.
Participants can submit their picks online through the NPJ platform throughout the season to see who truly reigns as the top football prognosticator in Natchitoches Parish.
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Contest Rules & Details
All three parish high school football teams hit the road tonight, with St. Mary’s carrying its unbeaten record to face Grant while Natchitoches Central rolls down I-49 to play Tioga and Lakeview heads to the Arkansas border to meet North Webster.
All games kick off at 7. The NCHS game will air on 100.7 FM KZBL and the St. Mary’s contest will be carried by 446Sports.com.
NATCHITOCHES CENTRAL: The Chiefs are 0-3 against a taxing non-district schedule that wraps up with another tough test tonight at Tioga.
Losses to Sam Houston and North DeSoto at home, and at Sterlington, have seen NCHS give up 42 points or more each week, while scoring only 40. North DeSoto and Sterlington are highly ranked in the state Top 10 polls conducted by the LSWA.
The Chiefs have struggled offensively after halftime with turnovers and penalties thwarting scoring chances.
Tioga (2-1) fell 46-36 to Leesville last week after beating Red River and Pineville soundly in the first two weeks of the season. The Class 4A Indians made the second round in last year’s state playoffs.
ST. MARY’S: The Tigers (3-0) begin a very challenging stretch of their schedule under first-year coach Jacob Carruth with a visit to Dry Prong to face the Class 3A Cougars (0-3).
It will be a showcase for productive running backs. St. Mary’s has the Thibodaux brothers, John Paul and Jacob, while Grant features one of the state’s most dangerous runners, senior Aymaud Sykes, who scored 10 touchdowns last year against Montgomery and runs a 4.29 40-yard dash.
St. Mary’s dominated Class 2A Menard last Friday night at Turpin Stadium in a 50-14 Bishop’s Bowl victory, their fifth win in the last six meetings with the Eagles.
The Grant game starts a stretch of contests that could vault the Tigers into the Class A top 10 if they can be successful in the next four games – at Grant, at Winnfield, then home for District 3-1A games against league favorites Logansport and Jonesboro-Hodge.
After that, St. Mary’s and Lakeview square off.
LAKEVIEW: The Gators carry a two-game winning streak up to Springhill for a non-district test with Class 2A North Webster.
Lakeview is 2-1 after wins at Plain Dealing and for homecoming last week over Magnolia School of Excellence, scoring a combined 81 points while the Gators’ defense did not allow a score. Magnolia did have two return touchdowns, on kickoff and punt runbacks, in the 46-14 Lakeview victory.
Jamarcus Rushing threw a trio of touchdown passes and Brycen Smith scored three times for the Gators, who pulled away with 32 second-half points.
The game matches former NSU classmates, head coaches Lawrence Seawood Jr. of Lakeview and North Webster’s Christopher Wilson. The Knights haven’t won yet this year.
The Northwestern State football team doesn’t need to reinvent itself Saturday. It simply needs to continue what it started last week.
After settling in following a difficult opening five minutes at Weber State, the Demons (0-4, 0-1) return home and to Southland Conference play Saturday when they host Southeastern Louisiana (2-2, 0-1) at Turpin Stadium.
Kickoff is 6 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+ or heard regionally on Natchitoches-based 100.7 FM KZBL.
NSU showed plenty of encouraging signs during the final three quarters of last week’s 49-20 loss at Weber State, producing 389 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers.
The 389 yards were the most the Demons have produced against an FCS opponent in three seasons under head coach Blaine McCorkle and are the second-most in their past 29 games against FCS competition.
“We moved the ball well on offense we just have to eliminate mental errors and costly mistakes,” quarterback Zach Wilcke said. “I think it gave the guys a lot of confidence. Just getting in the receiver room and watching film with those guys and seeing what we can exploit each week is going to be big the rest of the way.”
Wilcke’s first start in a Demon uniform produced a noteworthy performance. He threw three touchdown passes, becoming the first Northwestern quarterback to do so since Zachary Clement in 2022.
The Demons also spread the ball around effectively, with four receivers gaining at least 50 yards for the first time since 2018. Eight different players caught passes against Weber State, including Zay Davis, who has scored a touchdown in three of the four games this season.
Davis has caught a touchdown pass in each of the past two games and was one of four Demons to gain at least 50 receiving yards against the Wildcats.
While the offense continues to find its rhythm, the defense has created a spark of its own.
They have forced two turnovers in each of its past two games, marking the first time since 2023 the Demons have recorded at least two takeaways in consecutive games.
Three of those four turnovers have been turned into touchdowns.
“We’re proving every week that we have the ability to make plays,” safety Diego Sanchez, who got his first interception as a Demon this past week, said. “It starts with the defensive line. Them making it rough for the quarterback makes our job easier on the back end.”
That complementary football has been a point of emphasis for the Demons throughout the season.
“Always talk about, and always will talk about, complementary football and that is exactly it,” McCorkle said. “When you have those kinds of plays you have to capitalize on them and we did that this past week. When you do those things it makes both sides of the ball want to play for each other. You feed off of each other and that’s really important.”
Southeastern brings its own momentum into Natchitoches.
The Lions are coming off a 38-35 win at ULM, their first victory over an FBS opponent in program history. Southeastern used three takeaways, turning two into touchdowns, while dynamic receiver Dkhai Joseph added a punt return touchdown to help the Lions stun the Warhawks.
“They’re a good football team and have been for a while,” McCorkle said. “They’re physical. They’re sound. They know what they want to do and they’re good at it. They’ve got great personnel and extremely well coached. We’ve got our work cut out for us. I’ve got a lot of respect for Coach (Frank) Scelfo and the way he runs his program. He’s been there for nine years and that shows.”
Southeastern’s rushing attack that averages 138.8 yards per game, using four primary rushers whose carries and yardage totals are nearly identical.
“They all can run the football,” McCorkle said. “They’ve got a lot of guys that can do it.”
Southeastern’s offensive line, which averages 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, will provide another challenge for an NSU defense looking to continue generating pressure and creating turnovers.
“We’re going to step up to the task and do whatever we need to,” Sanchez said. “(The SLU quarterback) can make good throws so we’re going to have a tough task but I think we’re ready to handle it.”
For the Demons, the key on the other side of the ball is turning its improved offensive production into points.
The ability to move the football at Weber State was encouraging, but Wilcke knows the next step is making the most of those opportunities.
“I think it’s all about us,” Wilcke said. “They (Southeastern) are going to do what they do on defense and won’t mix it up a whole lot. So we just have to focus on us and like (offensive coordinator) Coach (Carson) Stewart says, our antennae’s have to go up in the red zone. That has to happen this week. Mental awareness has to go up. Football I.Q. has to go up and we just have to make plays when we’re in scoring position.”
The Northwestern State soccer team is defending Southland Conference champion, so its homefield win Thursday night over Lamar wasn’t a big shock, just a quality start to the title defense.
Over in Houston, the Demons volleyball squad continued its impressive resurgence in coach Ben Kaszeta’s second season with a 3-1 victory at Houston Christian.
The contests were the conference openers for both NSU teams. The soccer squad goes to SFA Sunday while volleyball stays on the road for a Saturday visit to meet UIW in San Antonio.
Meanwhile, the Lady Demon tennis team is also in Houston to play in a weekend tournament at Rice.
SOCCER: Through eight games, the Demons had achieved a number of single game goals this season. But one they desperately wanted was a clean sheet.
NSU (4-5, 1-0) earned just that in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Lamar (4-2-3, 1-1) on Thursday night at the Demon Soccer Complex.
“I thought we played really well from the opening whistle,” head coach Ian Brophy said. “We played our style of soccer and controlled the match and kept good possession.
“It was a good first half, but I was really happy with how we played in the second half and came out and was able to put the foot on the gas a little bit and really start pushing and scoring a couple goals and put the game away. We were able to keep a clean sheet and score a few goals, so I am really happy with the night overall.”
Goalkeeper Audrey Marfia recorded five saves and made numerous interceptions on crosses to thwart Lamar offensive opportunities, as she posted her first shutout of the season and the second in her career.
After a scoreless first half, Emily Gundin and Riley Stern found the back of the net to give the Demons the home victory, their 14th straight unbeaten home contest, which is a new program record. It is also NSU’s seventh straight home win.
VOLLEYBALL: Houston Christian Huskies Thursday night 3-1 (24-26, 25-22. 25-23 and 25-16) at Sharp Gymnasium in the Southland Conference opener for both teams.
The Demons (9-7, 1-0 SLC) hit some landmarks as they won at Sharp Gym over the Huskies. (2-11, 0-1 SLC).
“This group is tightly knit,” said Kaszeta. “They work! We did get a little bothered in set one and resorted back to some bad habits. But I loved that we were able to regroup.”
The win was the first for the Demons on the road against HCU since Oct. 9, 2014. It was also the first conference win for the Demons since Nov. 14, 2024, when they beat New Orleans 3-1 at home. NSU also got its first road conference win since Oct. 28, 2023, when it beat Lamar 3-0.
The Demons are now 8-1 in their last nine matches.
TENNIS: The Lady Demons hit the road for the first time this fall, traveling to Houston to take part in the Rice Invite at the George R. Brown Tennis Center. Northwestern’s second of six fall tournaments is a three-day affair that begins this morning and runs through Sunday.
It is the first of three straight trips to Texas across the next four weeks for the Lady Demons.
Phonetic: /NEM-uh-siss/
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition
A nemesis is a formidable foe—an opponent or enemy who is very difficult to defeat. As a proper noun, Nemesis refers to the Greek goddess of vengeance.
// She will be playing against her old nemesis for the championship.
Parish LIHEAP Funds Exhausted
Natchitoches Parish Office of Community Services
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds for Natchitoches Parish were exhausted as of Sept. 15, and the program is temporarily unavailable, the Natchitoches Parish Office of Community Services said. Residents can still apply through the office’s online portal for consideration when funding is restored. The office also runs the Community Services Block Grant, which covers education, employment, housing, food and emergency assistance, along with USDA commodities, the Senior Companion Program and Food for Seniors, which distributes monthly food boxes to residents 60 and older on the fourth Thursday of each month. The office is at 200 Church St., Room 210, open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with a noon to 1 p.m. lunch break. The phone number is 318-357-2220.
Classic Car Show Returns to Front Street Oct. 2-3
Natchitoches Classic Car Show
The 20th annual Natchitoches Classic Car Show will fill Front Street and the riverbank Oct. 2-3, with about 300 vehicles registered. Registration is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Fountain of Life Pentecostal Church, followed by a poker run from noon to 5 p.m. and a fish fry with live music on the downtown riverbank at 5:30 p.m. Saturday registration runs from 7 to 11 a.m., the show runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and awards are presented at 4 p.m. on the riverbank stage. Online registration has closed. For information, call 318-609-2293 or email info@natchitochescarshow.com.
Dark Woods Opens Oct. 2 at Timber Ridge
Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau
Dark Woods Haunted Park will operate Oct. 2-31 at Timber Ridge Adventure Park, 4343 University Parkway. The attraction takes visitors through outdoor scenes built around special effects and live scare actors. Operating nights, hours and ticket prices are posted at darkwoodshaunt.com.
America 250 Celebration Saturday at Fort St. Jean Baptiste
Cane River Chapter, NSDAR event flyer
Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site and the Cane River Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will hold an America 250 Celebration Saturday, Sept. 26, at the fort, 155 Jefferson St. The program runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and includes the Natchitoches Central High School JROTC, patriotic music, a flag folding ceremony and reenactments of a fatal altercation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Guided tours of Revolutionary War patriots’ graves follow at the American Cemetery from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and the Catholic Cemetery from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $6 for ages 7-61, $4 for 62 and older and free for children 6 and under. Parking is available at the Riverside Reserve lot. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic basket.
Community Improvement Foundation Meets Oct. 13
Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation
The Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation will hold its annual board and membership meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 400 MLK Jr. Drive.
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Brought to you by Lance Lopez with Farm Bureau, the Harrington Law Firm, the Sharpco Hotel Group, the Mariner’s Restaurant and Local Businessman Pat Johnson.
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Phonetic: /la·con·ic/
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition
using or involving the use of a minimum of words
concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
By Journal Staff
Louisiana Economic Development finalized more than $4.5 million in FastSites funding today for two regional ports, delivering an immediate infrastructure boost designed to expand manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics capacity across Central Louisiana.
The major funding package directs $2.55 million to the Natchitoches Parish Port in Campti to expand warehouse facilities for manufacturing, storage, and logistics operations. An additional $1.95 million will go to the Central Louisiana Regional Port in Alexandria to build a 10-acre heavy-load hardstand, supporting the ongoing expansion of DisTran Packaged Substations.
“Louisiana’s ports have always been a powerful part of how our state grows, connecting businesses, communities and industries to opportunity,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “As companies expand and supply chains evolve, the ability to move quickly and add capacity becomes increasingly important. These investments strengthen the infrastructure that keeps our businesses growing while giving Louisiana more of what it needs to compete for the next generation of industrial investment.”
The finalized port upgrades arrive as the state’s Site Investment and Infrastructure Improvement Fund reaches $200 million, boosted by a recent $50 million legislative appropriation.
“We’re proud to build on the success of the first round of FastSites as we prepare to open the next round of applications next week,” said state Rep. Daryl Deshotel. “From the beginning, this program has been focused on moving quickly, from investment to construction, to meet the demands of business. The progress we are seeing now is a strong example of that vision becoming reality.”
The next application round for FastSites opens Oct. 1, allowing communities across the state to apply for development grants. Under the program’s revolving model, both port partners will fully repay the state’s $4.5 million investment, returning the capital to fund future industrial site readiness across Louisiana.
America 250 Celebration Saturday at Fort St. Jean Baptiste
Cane River Chapter, NSDAR event flyer
Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site and the Cane River Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will hold an America 250 Celebration Saturday, Sept. 26, at the fort, 155 Jefferson St. The program runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and includes the Natchitoches Central High School JROTC, patriotic music, a flag folding ceremony and reenactments of a fatal altercation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Guided tours of Revolutionary War patriots’ graves follow at the American Cemetery from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and the Catholic Cemetery from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $6 for ages 7-61, $4 for 62 and older and free for children 6 and under. Parking is available at the Riverside Reserve lot. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic basket.
Library Hosts Free Community Shred Event Oct. 2
Natchitoches Parish Library news release
The Natchitoches Parish Library will hold its annual free Community Shred Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Main Branch, 450 Second St. An industrial shredding truck will take paper only, and there is no need to remove staples or paper clips. Individual residents get priority, and businesses with large loads should expect a longer wait and bring their own help. Everyone must stay on site until their documents are destroyed. For text reminders, text “SHRED” to 318-357-3280. More information is at thismonth.natlib.org.
NSU Sets Hunger Action Day for Sept. 29
Northwestern State University news release
Northwestern State University will hold Hunger Action Day on Tuesday, Sept. 29, a day of volunteering and awareness for the NSU Food Pantry as part of Hunger Action Month. Registered student organizations can volunteer at the pantry in 30-minute shifts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with three to five volunteers each, helping check students in and out. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear orange. The pantry provides supplemental food and hygiene items to enrolled students and serves about 110 students a week. It is in the Trisler Power Plant, open 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Friday. Organizations that want to volunteer can contact student coordinator Elizabeth Hardy at ehardy323213@nsula.edu.
Wildlife and Fisheries Urges Hunters to Identify Ducks Before Shooting
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reminding hunters to positively identify waterfowl before taking a shot during the state’s special seasons. The special teal season runs through Sept. 27, with only blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal legal, a daily limit of six and a possession limit of 18. Louisiana’s first special black-bellied whistling duck season follows Oct. 3-11, with a daily limit of four, a possession limit of 12 and a free special permit required. Black-bellied whistling ducks show a wide white wing stripe in flight and feet that extend past the tail; adults have orange bills, pink feet and a black belly, while juveniles are harder to identify. Other species share the same habitat during both seasons, the department said.
NSU Jazz Orchestra Concert Oct. 1 Includes Hall of Fame Induction
Northwestern State University news release
The NSU Jazz Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in Magale Recital Hall, with the induction of the 2026-27 class of the Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame. The inductees are Karl Carpenter of Pineville, a retired educator and longtime Pineville High School principal; Stephanie Hodgdon of New Orleans, a cruise ship vocalist and creator of the touring show “SHE WILL ROCK YOU!”; and Carlos Ortiz IV of New Orleans, operations officer of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve Band. Associate Professor Galindo Rodriguez conducts, and a reception follows. Admission is free, with a livestream at nsu.la/CAPA-LIVE.
NSU Theatre Opens “As You Like It” Oct. 1
Northwestern State University news release
NSU Theatre and Dance will present Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” Oct. 1-4 in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium, with 7:30 p.m. performances Oct. 1-3 and 2 p.m. matinees Oct. 3-4. Director Sean Bartley has set the production in 1979, moving the duke’s court to a disco called Club Fred before the characters escape to a summer camp. Admission is $15, free for NSU, LSMSA and NSU@BPCC students with a valid ID. Tickets are on Eventbrite.
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There’s no better place to celebrate Dolly Parton than the Louisiana town where one of her most beloved characters came to life.
This October 9–11, Natchitoches invites visitors to spend a weekend celebrating Dolly with Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend: A Dolly Parton Celebration. Inspired by Dolly’s unforgettable role as Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias, the three-day celebration brings together music, movies, local businesses and plenty of pink for a weekend in the heart of Louisiana’s oldest city.
Natchitoches has long held a special connection to Steel Magnolias. The beloved film was shot in and around the city, and decades later, visitors still come to Natchitoches to experience the places that made the movie so memorable. This October, that connection takes center stage as the community celebrates Dolly’s legacy in true Natchitoches fashion.
The celebration begins Friday, October 9, with Dolly Bingo at the LSHOF at 5:30 p.m. Later that evening, channel your inner Dolly and head to Mama’s Blues Room for karaoke beginning at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, October 10, start the morning with Books & Butterflies from 8 a.m. to noon at the Natchitoches Farmers Market. The celebration continues throughout the day with Truvy’s Downtown Traipse, inviting visitors to explore Natchitoches’ historic downtown and experience Truvy’s Specials offered by participating businesses.
Saturday evening, tease up your hair and get ready for Truvy’s Big Hair Affair at Parkway Cinema 6 at 7 p.m. It’s a fitting way to celebrate a character, a movie and a little bit of Southern style that have become part of Natchitoches history.
The weekend wraps up Sunday, October 11, with a Blush & Bashful Brunch at Flying Heart Brewery beginning at 9 a.m.
While you’re here, make a weekend of it. Stroll the brick streets of the Natchitoches Historic District, shop local boutiques, enjoy Louisiana flavors, take in the beauty of Cane River and discover the filming locations that helped bring Steel Magnolias to the big screen. As Louisiana’s oldest city, Natchitoches offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with history, Southern charm and plenty to explore.
Whether you’ve loved Dolly for decades, can quote Steel Magnolias from beginning to end, or simply need an excuse for a girls’ weekend in Natchitoches, Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend is your invitation to celebrate friendship, Southern charm and the legacy of a woman whose talent and spirit have touched generations.
Pack something pink, bring your best big hair and join us October 9–11, 2026, in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
For complete event information, updates and weekend details, visit Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend: A Dolly Parton Celebration at Natchitoches.com. Visitors can also explore Natchitoches.com for lodging, dining, attractions and everything needed to plan a weekend getaway.
Lodging link: natchitoches.com/stay/
Calendar link: natchitoches.com/calendar/
Embedded event link: https://natchitoches.com/
Week 4 of the Natchitoches Parish Journal’s annual High School Football Pick ’Em contest is underway, giving local fans another chance to test their gridiron knowledge and win cash.
Each week, the contest features 10 selected matchups highlighting Natchitoches Parish high schools and marquee regional games. The second round of competition concludes Friday, Sept. 25, so make your selections before kickoff to get in the game.
Each weekly winner will take home $100 and be featured with a photo in the Journal.
Participants can submit their picks online through the NPJ platform throughout the season to see who truly reigns as the top football prognosticator in Natchitoches Parish.
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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
The Lakeview football team is dealing with something new – a winning streak.
The Gators worked all summer and in preseason aiming to “get off the list” of Louisiana’s longest high school football losing skids. Starting the season with 27 in a row, Lakeview was second only to the 44 by Plain Dealing. Something had to give when the Gators visited the Lions two Fridays ago and coach Lawrence Seawood Jr.’s team rode home very happy after a 35-0 victory.
Last Friday night, a big crowd gathered in the stands and the tailgating area overlooking the south end zone at The Swamp to watch the LHS homecoming game and festivities. For the second straight contest, the Gators (2-1) took control in the second half and posted a 46-14 win over Magnolia School of Excellence – the first homefield victory since 2023.
“Last week was fun. We showed people how hard we’ve been working over the summer, and what we can do. This homecoming game, we had packed stands, and we haven’t had that in a minute,” said freshman quarterback Jamarcus Rushing. “Now we’re showing our fans what we’re capable of.”
“Two in a row feels good,” agreed Seawood. “I told them this is very important for our community and our fans.”
Brycen Smith scored three touchdowns, two (44 and 49 yards) on passes from Rushing and a third on a punt return. Rushing added a TD throw of 25 yards to Julius Johnson. Other sixers were two Chris Nicholas runs, of 37 and 9 yards, and Davarion Brinzy’s 2-yard rumble.
But it was not without flaws. While the Gators handed the Mariners (0-3) their 21st straight loss and never trailed, they allowed two long returns (80 yards on a punt, 78 on a kickoff) that gave Magnolia its first points of the season.
Said Seawood: “I told the coaches on the sideline, ‘just know, we’re going to be doing a lot of special teams work this week.’”
Lakeview led only 14-8 at halftime, missing on a first-and-goal at the 1 in the first quarter and turning it over at the Mariners’ 20 later in the half.
“It got to a point where it got kind of rocky,” admitted Seawood. “I talked to them at halftime, and said it’s all about going through adversity and how you handle it, and if you capitalize on your opportunities.”
The Gators listened well. They led 26-8 seconds into the final period after Brinzy’s score, and posted 20 points in the final 12 minutes.
There was no zero showing for the opponents’ on the scoreboard at The Swamp, but Seawood said the defense pitched a shutout – and he was right.
“I’ve got to give a big shout out to my defense. They didn’t give up a touchdown last week and they didn’t give up one tonight,” he said. “They gashed us on a couple plays, but didn’t get but we made adjustments and cut it off, attacked the ball better.”
Magnolia’s offense never approached the red zone in a game that started 20 minutes late because bus problems stalled the Mariners. Carrying 15 players, the bus pulled up eight minutes prior to the scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff. It did not shake the Gators’ focus.
“They were locked in last week. They were so big on getting off that list, and they really fought hard. They did again,” said Seawood. “I’ve got to give it to my guys.”
Anthony Milner, now part of Magnolia’s coaching staff, spent much of his coaching career in two stints at Lakeview, and was proud for Seawood and company..
“It’s a credit to their coaching staff. I’m glad to see them have success. They really deserve it. Coach Seawood has been through the ringer and has done one heck of a job,” he said. “I’m so happy for him and his guys.”
While blocking and tackling and throwing and catching produced the points, commitment from the players fueled the victories, said Seawood.
“The perseverance aspect is what stands out,” he said. “At Plain Dealing we were trying to find our identity, get it together, and over time we got more comfortable and started running our offense the way we wanted to run it.
“You gotta keep showing up. It may not always be the best situation, may not be what you want it to be, but if the players keep showing up and the coaches are preaching the same things consistently, the buy-in is going to come. I’m getting more of a buy-in and it’s showing out there.”
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The Parish Journals of Louisiana are giving one statewide reader the opportunity to enjoy a special weekend in Natchitoches Parish during the Dolly Parton Celebration.
One qualifying reader will receive a $600 travel package to help make the trip possible.
The prize package includes:
The winner will be selected from the statewide pool of eligible qualifiers on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
The getaway is intended for the winner to visit Natchitoches Parish during the Dolly Parton Celebration weekend, Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.
Events being planned for the weekend include Dolly Bingo at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Dolly Karaoke, downtown dining and drink specials, the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, the Creole Festival at St. Augustine Church, Butterflies and Books at the Natchitoches Farmers Market, Steel Magnolias-themed activities, shopping and entertainment along Front Street, Truvy’s Big Hair Affair on the riverbank and a Blush & Bashful Brunch.
Some celebration events remain tentative and individual schedules, locations and activities may change.
Each participating Journal will have its own signup link, but all eligible qualifiers will be combined into one statewide pool from which the winner will be selected.
There is no cost to participate.
Every eligible qualifier who completes the registration process will also receive a Lifetime Free Subscription to the Journal through which the reader qualified, delivered directly to the email address provided during registration.
Contest Rules
Phonetic: /pal·in·drome/
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition
a word, verse, or sentence (such as “Able was I ere I saw Elba”) or a number (such as 1881) that reads the same backward or forward
Port Economic Development Announcement at 11 a.m. Today
Louisiana Central, North Louisiana Economic Partnership, Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance
Louisiana Central, the North Louisiana Economic Partnership and the Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance will make a special economic development announcement at 11 a.m. today at the Natchitoches Parish Port, 5690 Highway 486 in Campti. The announcement concerns a new opportunity for the Natchitoches Parish Port and the Central Louisiana Regional Port through Louisiana Economic Development’s FastSites program.
Voter Registration Week Under Way; Deadline Oct. 5
Natchitoches Parish Registrar of Voters
The Natchitoches Parish Registrar of Voters Office is taking part in Voter Registration Week through Friday, Sept. 25, with registration from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the office, 200 Church St., Office 103. The deadline to register for the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 5 in person or by mail and Oct. 13 online. Residents with a valid Louisiana driver’s license or special ID can register anytime through the Louisiana Voter Portal. Registration is also available at the Office of Motor Vehicles and public assistance agencies. The office can be reached at 318-357-2211.
Modern in Motion Opens Tonight at Alost Hall
NSU Department of Theatre and Dance
Northwestern State University’s Modern in Motion XIV opens with a gala at 6 p.m. today at Alost Hall, with performances continuing at 6 p.m. Sept. 24-26 and 2 p.m. Sept. 27. Gala tickets are $50 and include a reception; other performances are $10, or $5 for children, students and seniors. The site-specific dance series is staging this year’s show in NSU’s newest academic building. Choreography is by Kirstin Riehl, Nhan Ho and Brett Alan Garfinkel. Tickets: 318-357-5793.
Symphony Opens 61st Season Tonight
Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra
The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra opens its 61st season at 7:30 p.m. today in Magale Recital Hall with a program marking 250 years of American independence.
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Hunter Rabalais was the winner by tiebreaker of $100 in the Natchitoches Parish Journal High School Football Pick ‘Em Contest, hundreds of participants have had lots of fun.
There’s another $100 prize on the line. You have until Friday afternoon at 6 to enter this week’s contest. Anyone has the chance to win the $100 prize as the week’s top predictor of High School football games.
Participation is very simple. Just click on this link:
Participants can submit their picks online through the NPJ platform throughout the season to see who truly reigns as the top football prognosticator in Natchitoches Parish.
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Contest Rules & Details