Natchitoches Parish High School Football Week 1 – Sept. 4, 2026

Sam Houston 0 Natchitoches Central 0

Thursday, September 3, 2026

St. Mary’s Catholic 22 Vidalia 6

Lakeview 13 LaSalle 54

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Air Force Band of the West to Perform at NSU Sept. 10
Northwestern State University

The United States Air Force Band of the West will present a concert at Northwestern State University at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free but tickets are required and may be reserved through Eventbrite. Based at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas, the band is made up of 61 professional musicians who serve as musical ambassadors for the Air Force, traveling more than 125,000 miles a year and giving hundreds of free performances for military and civilian audiences. The Natchitoches date is one of five stops on a September tour of Louisiana and East Texas.

Robert Larriviere Completes NSU Degree From Portugal, 36 Years Later
Northwestern State University

Robert Larriviere has completed his Northwestern State University theatre degree remotely from Portugal, 36 years after last attending classes. Larriviere, 53, returned to school intending to finish before an anticipated move abroad, but relocated to Portugal in early 2026, completing coursework while navigating the visa process and settling in a new country. He credited Brett Garfinkel, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, and Scott Burrell, director of the School of Creative and Performing Arts, with mapping the path to graduation, along with faculty support during his return to the classroom.

NSU Campus Events, Sept. 6-12
Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University’s schedule for the coming week includes soccer against Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Lady Demon Soccer Complex; the university closed Monday, Sept. 7, for Labor Day and reopening Tuesday, Sept. 8; volleyball against Jackson State at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at Prather Coliseum; soccer against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m. Sept. 10; the U.S. Air Force Band of the West at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in Magale Recital Hall; and a Natchitoches-NSU Art Guild reception at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Orville Hanchey Gallery.

ROAD CLOSURE: U.S. 84 at Bourbeaux Bayou
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

U.S. 84 over Bourbeaux Bayou, just east of the Village of Clarence, remains closed until further notice. DOTD said the condition and size of the box culvert require the roadway to stay closed for the safety of the traveling public. The department is developing a contract and seeking emergency funding to allow a contractor to replace the existing culvert with a new structure. No-truck signs have been posted on LA 1226. Motorists should prepare for an ongoing closure and detour.

St. Mary’s gave new coach Jacob Carruth an opening night victory as the Class A Tigers smothered the 2A Vidalia Vikings 2-6 Thursday night at Turpin Stadium.

The St. Mary’s defense took control and even scored on its own, getting an 85-yard pick six interception return by Gavin Solomon.

Quarterback Preston Tilley punched into the end zone from two yards away.

Tight end Dennis Morgan caught a 40-yard touchdown pass.

The Tigers closed the scoring by recording a safety.

St. Mary’s will play in Coushatta in Week 2, visiting another Class 2A opponent, Red River, next Friday night.

In Olla, Lakeview was beaten 54-13 by LaSalle Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.

The Gators, who have the third-longest string of losses in the state (28), will get a good shot at ending it next Friday night when they travel to Plain Dealing, which has the longest skid, 44 games, entering its season opener.

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With a couple of extra dates to fill on the 2026 and 2027 schedule, due to a policy change dropping two district games, Natchitoches Central football coach Brad Laird didn’t back down.

He has the Chiefs stepping up to play four non-district games against some of the state’s best teams, beginning tonight at 7 in Turpin Stadium when NCHS hosts Sam Houston out of Moss Bluff.

A live stream of the game will be available at NCHSChiefs.live with the radio broadcast at 100.7 FM KZBL.

Sam Houston is followed by another home game next Friday against North DeSoto, with contests at Sterlington and Tioga wrapping up September. The strategy is to build power points for the LHSAA playoff system, by playing teams that are expected to win plenty this fall.

In Laird’s second year in 2025, NCHS made the playoffs. The Chiefs lost their first-round game in overtime at Thibodaux.

Laird lost two key figures in last year’s offense to graduation, quarterback Owen Smith and running back Kelton Howard. Sophomore Kaden Kuykendoll is the new Chiefs QB and several backs are in the mix filling Howard’s shoes, led by Clarence Wiliams, who had two touchdown runs in last Saturday’s Battle on the Bricks NRMC Jamboree loss (27-21) to Leesville.

Sam Houston is bolstered by one of the top linemen in Louisiana and a nationally-ranked recruit, Albert Simien, and has several other prospects for what is expected to be a breakthrough season for the Broncos.

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VICKSBURG, Miss. — Northwestern State’s Paige Baumgartner found the back of the net for the first time this season, but a flurry of goals in the first half from Alcorn State sent the Braves to a 3-1 women’s soccer victory on Thursday at Key City Park.

NSU (0-5) could not overcome a mistake-filled first half that saw the home team score on a penalty kick and off a turnover near the Demons’ net.

“Overall, it was a really disappointing match,” Northwestern coach Ian Brophy said. “We didn’t play well at all and in the first half, it was the same story as the rest of the season with the self-inflicted wounds. We found ourselves down 3-0 and had to claw our way back.

“We had a goal late in the first half and in the second half we had all the possession, and we didn’t find the goal and didn’t test the goalkeeper enough and ended up losing a winnable match.”

The game was the final one of five straight to begin the regular season on the road.

NSU is home Sunday at 1 for the first time this season when it welcomes Louisiana Tech to the Demon Soccer Complex.

Alcorn (2-3) scored the first three goals of Thursday night’s match with two of them coming off the foot of Grace Ambrose, one of the top goal scorers in the nation.

Baumgartner found the back of the net in the 44th minute on a shot from the left side of the box off a pass from Bonnie Miller to give the Demons some momentum going into the break. But NSU could not convert that into more scoring afterward.

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Phonetic: /des·​ic·​cate/

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition

to dry up
the desiccated land

to preserve (a food) by drying : dehydrate
desiccated coconut

to drain of emotional or intellectual vitality
… a charming little romance … not desiccated and compressed within the pages of a book …
—Elinor Wylie

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Three Festivals This Weekend

Three festivals will run in Natchitoches on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4-5. The Cane River Zydeco Festival, which the City Council proclaimed for those dates at its Aug. 10 meeting, brings live music to the city. The third annual Natchitoches Bigfoot Festival runs the same weekend. Renaissance Comes to the Cane will be held at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site.

Anderson Finalizes Softball Coaching Staff

First-year Northwestern State head softball coach Jason Anderson has completed his coaching staff for the 2027 season. The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors approved Anderson’s employment contract at its Aug. 27 meeting.

Ribbon Cutting Today for Full Figure

A ribbon cutting celebration for Full Figure will be held from noon to 2 p.m. today in Natchitoches.

ROAD CLOSURE: U.S. 84 at Bourbeaux Bayou

U.S. 84 over Bourbeaux Bayou, just east of the Village of Clarence, remains closed until further notice. DOTD said the condition and size of the box culvert require the roadway to stay closed for the safety of the traveling public. The department is developing a contract and seeking emergency funding to allow a contractor to replace the existing culvert with a new structure. No-truck signs have been posted on LA 1226. Motorists should prepare for an ongoing closure and detour.

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Join Marvin for a chat with newly elected by no opposition, Billy Joe Harrington.

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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The two Class A high school football teams in Natchitoches Parish are starting the 2026 season as soon as possible.

St. Mary’s plays Vidalia at home tonight in Turpin Stadium, while Lakeview travels east to Olla to face a LaSalle team that St. Mary’s plastered in last week’s Battle on the Bricks Jamboree. Both games, like nearly every high school football contest, kick off at 7.

The Tigers make their official debut under new coach Jacob Carruth, whose team has dominated Block 36-6 in a scrimmage and last week handled LaSalle, 34-12. Carruth, a Shreveport native, has impressed in two brief head coaching stints in south Louisiana at Class A private schools.

The Class 2A Vikings were 2-8 last season.

“We have a great group of kids. It’s been a great pleasure getting to know them, and with a big senior class, it’s been a little easier with the (coaching) transition. Most of our 12 seniors will be starting,” said Carruth, who took over a team that went 6-6, 4-1 in district and won a first-round road playoff game.

“We’ve been able to cultivate some depth where we can keep kids from having to play every snap,” he said.

John Paul Thibodaux returns as the focal point of the Tigers’ offense at tailback.

“I’m really physical, a downhill runner. I like to hit people, and I’m fast,” said Thibodaux. “I think a great year would be reaching the quarterfinals and winning the district championship.”

Preston Tilley, the Tigers’ senior quarterback, threw three touchdown passes in the jamboree.

“My role is to make sure everybody is doing it the way we’re being coached, especially with a new offense. We want to run the playbook and do as we’re told. I need to keep everybody focused,” said Tilley.

Lakeview begins its third season with Lawrence Seawood Jr. in his 15^th year overall at the school. The Gators carry the state’s third longest losing skid (18) into this season, but looked capable of halting it last week in a Battle on the Bricks 7-6 loss to Pickering.

“I was proud of our guys’ effort today. I’ve been telling them for weeks that our goal is to get off the (losing streak) list and to get to the point where we learn how to finish. We took a giant step in the right direction (last Friday),” he said.

“My biggest aspiration is to give these kids some stability as the head coach, a good experience,” said Seawood, who has a roster of 34 players, including some eighth graders, up from 18-20 who took part in summer workouts. “I’m trying to build the best program for the guys, give them the best opportunities and experiences.”

Freshman quarterback Jamarcus Rushing will be throwing the ball more than the Gators have been doing, perhaps ever, said Seawood.

“I’m excited to show people our heart this year,” said Morgan.

Linebacker and running back Daylon Ayres describes himself as “a running back who likes to run through somebody, tip toe around nobody. I just want to show them I can do it.”

Lakeview and LaSalle meet for the fifth straight season. The Gators won the first two, each by two points, before the Tigers squared the series with lopsided victories in the most recent games.

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Phonetic: /lo·​cus/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

the place where something is situated or occurs : site, location
Was the culture of medicine in the beginning dispersed from a single focus or did it arise in several loci?
—S. C. Harvey

a center of activity, attention, or concentration
In democracy the locus of power is in the people.
—H. G. Rickover

the set of all points whose location is determined by stated conditions

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As James T. Genovese completes his second year as president of Northwestern State University, the institution is reporting gains in student persistence, academic outcomes, workforce-focused programs, private support and athletics while continuing to address enrollment and graduation challenges.

Since taking office in 2024, Genovese has organized the university’s work around five strategic focus areas: the Student Experience, Academic Excellence, Market Responsiveness, Community Enrichment and Athletic Prominence. University officials said those priorities have guided efforts in recruitment, retention, academic programming, capital projects, technology and external partnerships.

“Our first two years have been about strengthening the foundation of Northwestern while keeping our attention fixed on the future,” Genovese said. “We have made significant progress because our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and partners believe deeply in this University and in the role Northwestern plays in Louisiana.”

Student recruitment and retention have remained central to that work.

Overall enrollment declined from 8,523 in Fall 2024 to 8,402 in Fall 2025, but entering freshman enrollment increased to 1,065. Preliminary Fall 2026 figures provided by the university show approximately 1,120 entering freshmen, which will represent the university’s largest freshman class in three years when the official 14-day enrollment count is finalized.

The Fall 2026 entering class arrived with one of the strongest academic profiles in recent years, posting an average ACT score of 21.7 and an average high school GPA of 3.4. The class’s average ACT score is well above Louisiana’s average, reflecting the continued strength and academic quality of Northwestern’s incoming students.

Northwestern’s first-to-third semester retention rate reached 70 percent, exceeding the Louisiana average of approximately 64 percent and placing NSU among the strongest-performing institutions in the region. NSU has responded to retention and graduation challenges by strengthening early intervention, proactive financial-aid communication, academic mapping, stop-out recovery and support beyond the first year.

Student satisfaction provided another measure of progress. In the first year of Genovese’s presidency, 70 percent of students reported overall satisfaction, compared with 52 percent nationally, according to university survey data. Seventy-four percent said they intended to re-enroll, compared with 60 percent nationally.

The survey data showed gains in campus services, student-centeredness, registration and recruitment, financial aid, counseling, safety and campus conditions. Northwestern exceeded University of Louisiana System and national norms across most measures included in the survey.

Student involvement also increased. Membership in recognized student organizations grew from 823 to 1,292, while participation in living-learning communities increased from 68 to 168 students. The university also expanded or improved spaces supporting accessibility services, collegiate recovery and eSports.

Career preparation grew through Handshake, which connected a network of more than 30,000 students, alumni and employers. NSU approved 1,610 new employers during 2025-26. Among graduates responding to the university’s First Destination Survey, 93.3 percent reported employment, continued education or military service.

“Students should feel that Northwestern knows them, supports them and is preparing them for a meaningful life and career,” Genovese said. “The gains in satisfaction and persistence are encouraging, but we know our work must continue until more students who begin at Northwestern complete their degrees.”

Academic programs also expanded in areas tied to workforce demand.

The College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, which serves nearly 2,500 students across Alexandria, Leesville and Fort Polk, Natchitoches, Shreveport and online, added new nursing pathways and launched the Master of Science in Allied Health.

Allied Health enrollment increased 19 percent, from 412 to 491 students. Radiography enrollment rose from 100 to 182, while Diagnostic Medical Sonography increased from 86 to 115.

Student outcomes included nursing graduates exceeding state and national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, a 96 percent certification pass rate for Radiography graduates and 100 percent pass rates on the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examination for the 2025 and 2026 Diagnostic Medical Sonography classes. Radiography also received the maximum eight-year accreditation term from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

External awards are supporting additional healthcare education and workforce development. A $4 million Louisiana Department of Health award and a $2.597 million federal Health Resources and Services Administration award are supporting rural healthcare education, clinical training, student assistance and workforce expansion. More than $1.3 million in scholarships, stipends and traineeships assisted 239 students during 2025-26.

Other academic areas reported growth as well.

The Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development received nearly $8 million in grants during fiscal year 2025-26 supporting education, behavioral health, child welfare, early childhood development, workforce preparation and student success.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, new Computer Science and Sport Analytics concentrations within the Mathematics degree program helped increase Mathematics enrollment by more than 400 percent since 2024, according to university data. The college also engaged more than 5,600 K-12 students through School of STEM outreach events, camps, festivals and recruitment activities.

The College of Business and Technology expanded opportunities in applied technology, cybersecurity and workforce preparation. The School of Business received an extension of its accreditation from AACSB International, while Hospitality Management and Tourism maintained its status as Louisiana’s only four-year hospitality program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.

The college also opened the Sandbox Application Development Lab and established the Cyber Demons Tech Club. A Computer Information Systems team competed for the first time in program history in the International Collegiate Programming Contest North America South Central Regional.

Across the university, 78.1 percent of academic programs have been created or updated within the past five years. NSU also offers 37 certificate programs in areas ranging from healthcare and education to strategic communication, leadership and professional ethics.

Programs launched or advanced during Genovese’s first two years include the Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Allied Health, new Mathematics concentrations, an online Master of Music in Music Education and redesigned pathways in nursing and criminal justice. The university also expanded options in event management, hospitality, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

Industry engagement accompanied those academic changes. In 2025-26, students participated in 416 documented interactions with business and industry through career fairs, guest speakers, field experiences, interviews and service-learning projects. University administrators completed 56 additional engagements with industry partners.

Technology investments included creation of a continuously monitored Security Operations Center in partnership with the Louisiana Optical Network Infrastructure and other state agencies, increased internet capacity at the Alexandria and Leesville sites and modernization of the university’s network, data center and disaster-recovery systems.

Major facility investments also changed the learning environment. The $45 million Alost Hall opened with classrooms, laboratories, simulation spaces, a cafe and faculty offices. Iberville Dining Hall underwent a $2 million renovation, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium received improvements, and classrooms, laboratories and instructional technology were upgraded across campuses.

Eligible faculty and staff received a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment on Jan. 1, 2026, following a 2.5 percent adjustment in January 2025.

State support in the 2026 legislative session included approximately $2.54 million in additional operating funding. Capital outlay legislation included $6.9 million in Priority 1 funding for Innovation Park and $7 million in Priority 1 funding for Warrington Hall in Shreveport.

Private support also increased. The NSU Foundation reported $8.04 million in fiscal year 2026 revenue, up 6.9 percent, while restricted endowment assets grew to $87.26 million university wide. Major gifts supported scholarships, professorships, academic programs and facilities, including a $1.5 million private gift supporting the David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center, which is scheduled to open on October 23.

Community engagement remained another focus. NSU reported at least 228,378 hours of professionally based service with 194 campus and community partners in 2025-26. That work supported healthcare, education, public safety, economic development, the arts and environmental stewardship.

Athletics posted gains in academics, competition and facilities.

Student-athletes maintained an overall GPA above 3.2 in both reporting years. In 2025-26, 211 earned Dean’s List or President’s List recognition, 216 were named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and the department’s multiyear Academic Progress Rate rose for the third consecutive year to 970.

Seven teams earned perfect single-year Academic Progress Rate scores of 1,000. Women’s track and field won a third consecutive Southland Conference outdoor championship, soccer captured the conference regular-season championship, as did tennis, and six varsity teams finished in the upper third of the league.

Athletic facility improvements included approximately $1.9 million for artificial turf at the baseball and softball facilities, $593,000 in scoreboard upgrades and $1.7 million for a new track surface and lighting.

Looking ahead, Genovese said NSU will continue focusing on enrollment growth and degree completion, high-demand and flexible credentials, faculty investment, emerging technology, experiential learning, private support and partnerships. Work also will continue on Innovation Park, Warrington Hall and projects intended to support the student experience.

“These accomplishments belong to the entire Northwestern family,” Genovese said. “We have built momentum, but we are not finished. Our responsibility is to honor Northwestern’s history, respond to the needs of the present and prepare Louisiana for the future.”

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Symphony Announces 61st Season

The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra will present six concerts and take part in the annual Christmas Gala during its 61st season under the theme “American Mosaic.” The season opens Tuesday, Sept. 22, with a program marking 250 years of American independence. Concerts are in Magale Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Douglas Bakenhus is musical director. Season packages start at $50, available at nnssla.org.

Researchers to Present Louisiana Spanish Traditions Sept. 13

Researchers from the Institute for Public Ethnomusicology will visit Natchitoches Sept. 12-13 to share historical recordings and resources documenting Louisiana’s Spanish-language traditions, including the Adaeseño or Sabine River Spanish dialect spoken in Natchitoches and Sabine parishes since the colonial period. A free public outreach event is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Cammie G. Henry Research Center on the third floor of Northwestern State University’s Watson Library.

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Oil and gas activity remained strong across Natchitoches Parish in August, with leasing continuing to expand into new areas while several previously active locations remained busy.

The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office recorded 88 oil and gas leases during August, along with approximately six pipeline easements.

Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey said leasing activity continues to spread geographically across the parish.

The Ashland area saw additional leasing during August, as did property just north of Provencal. Several tracts east of Interstate 49 were also leased, while the Sisson Road, Johnson Chute Road and Eight Mile Loop areas continued to generate activity.

The continued expansion is significant because leasing activity is no longer concentrated in only one portion of the parish. Instead, companies continue to examine and lease property across a broader geographic area.

Stamey said abstractors remain active as they research property ownership and mineral interests. They continue to use the Clerk of Court office’s online resources while also examining older documents maintained in the courthouse, including records dating to before 1900, as they complete title research.

The approximately half-dozen pipeline easements recorded during August also provide another indication of continuing oil and gas development activity. Pipeline easements generally allow companies to construct, operate or access pipeline infrastructure across private property.

Stamey said recent rig start-ups have also created optimism among residents watching the developing oil and gas activity in the parish.

The seismic survey underway in the area has now started, providing another reason for optimism. Seismic work allows exploration companies to gather information about underground geological formations as they evaluate areas for possible future development.

While seismic surveying and leasing do not guarantee that wells will ultimately be drilled, the combination of continued leasing, pipeline easements, rig activity and seismic work demonstrates that exploration and development interest in Natchitoches Parish remains active.

Landowners approached with mineral lease offers, pipeline easements or seismic survey agreements should understand the complexity and potential long-term consequences of the documents they are being asked to sign.

Those who are not experienced in oil and gas matters should strongly consider consulting a qualified oil and gas attorney or other specialist before signing an agreement. Mineral leases and easements can affect royalty payments, mineral rights, surface access and the future use of property.

Professional guidance can help landowners understand proposed terms and protect their interests before entering into a long-term agreement.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal will continue following leasing, drilling, seismic and related oil and gas activity as development continues across the parish.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the leases filed in August 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.

Total filed in calendar year 2025: 405
Total filed in calendar year 2026: approximately 571

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Partner  Rodney Harrington says that with the proliferation of leasing going on in Natchitoches and surrounding parishes, many land owners are at a loss of what they should do and whether or not they are making the right move to lease their property. 

Harrington said he worked many years as a petroleum land man meeting with landowners on behalf of oil and gas leasing companies to try and convince them to lease their property.  

“It’s usually a good idea to lease your land as opposed to leaving it unleased,” said Harrington, “But you want to make certain you are making the best deal possible and that the terms of the lease are the most favorable to you.”

“You need to remember that the agents working for the leasing companies, or ‘lease hounds,’ as they are sometimes called.”  Harrington continued, “They are trying to get the best deal possible for their company and lease your property under the terms most favorable to them.  That’s their job.”  Harrington also said that his previous employment as a petroleum land man gives him a unique prospective.

“I know how these guys think,” he said.  “It’s not that they’re trying to take advantage of landowners for the most part, it’s just that, as I said, their job is to make the best deal possible for their employer.”  He did say there are also some “bad actors” out there.

Harrington said that he has recently represented several clients in Natchitoches Parish in lease negotiations and has been able to obtain significant increases in the bonus payments they were offered and significant improvements to their lease terms.  He also worked extensively in the field during the first Haynesville Shale Boom several years ago. 

The Harrington Law Firm is an AU Rated firm by Martindale-Hubble, ranking it in the top 10% of all law firms in the nation.            

The attorneys also represent clients in the areas of Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Social Security Disability, Wills and Successions.

You can reach Rodney Harrington at the Harrington Law Firm at 352-5900 or call that number for a free consultation. 

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The house next door, which is for sale, looks different, said my son’s friend, who used to live there 30 years ago.

Well, we look different than we did 30 years ago. So many things look different. The purses in PGA Tour events have seen more than 700 percent increase in 30 years, bloating from the size of Shrek to Jabba the Hutt.

Another thing that looks a lot different – and is seemingly out of control – yet commands a lot of interest, is college football. One of the country’s marquee games this weekend is Clemson at LSU on Saturday night at Baton Rouge’s “Death Valley” (seats 102,321) as opposed to Clemson’s “Death Valley” (Memorial Stadium, seats 81,500).

College football generates an estimated $14 billion annually; yet here’s a fun fact from the U.S. Government Accountability Office: most programs spend more than they generate in revenue. The fatherly/grandfatherly advice: Don’t Spend What You Don’t Have has long gone by the wayside. This fact of excess spending comes from the same accountability office that reports the U.S. government has spent nearly $6.3 TRILLION in the fiscal year 2026, which is $1.8 TRILLION more than it collected.

And that’s not someone else’s problem, since all government money is money that belongs to you and me. The more palpable pain of the debt is the average $7,300 per household Americans pay each year on just the interest on the debt.   

Back to college football, the NIL industry by which college athletes can make money on their name, image and likeness (does this sound like the golden calf?) is out of control. NIL data provider Opendorse estimates Big Ten schools will spend an average of $48.2 million annually for NIL across all sports this year. The SEC followed closely behind at $44.5 million.

It’s an arms race to be “the best.” It started with coaches’ salaries, predominantly in college football, such that some 35 states across the country boast that their top-salaried employee is a college football coach. Two of the top-10 paid coaches, Lane Kiffin of LSU ($13 million) and Dabo Swinney of Clemson ($11.4 million) will be on opposite sidelines in Saturday’s televised clash between the two teams.

Speaking of the telecast, there was a time when I was in college, the first nationally televised prime-time college football game was early in 1969 between No. 20 Ole Miss and 15^th-ranked Alabama. It was an incredible event, won by Alabama, 33-32, despite an epic performance by Ole Miss junior quarterback Archie Manning, who completed 33 of 52 passes for 436 yards and two touchdowns and ran 15 times for 104 yards and three more touchdowns. Scott Hunter, Alabama’s quarterback, was merely brilliant if not epic, passing for 300 yards (22 of 29), at Legion Field, including the winning touchdown with 3:42 remaining.

Televised college football has evolved over the years to the point that Saturday’s game at LSU, for example, isn’t just available nationally on ABC but (6:30 p.m. CT) but it can be streamed on ESPN, the ESPN app, or live TV streaming services that carry ABC like Fubo (which offers a free trial for new users). Also, there will be pre-game coverage with the ESPN College GameDay broadcast live from Tiger Stadium ahead of the contest from 8 to 11:00 a.m. CT on ESPN and ESPNU.

So television and, now, the wider news media is a driver in the crazy, out-of-control arms race that faces lawsuits and threatened lawsuits about whether former NFL players should be able to return for a fifth year of eligibility. Or whether college basketball teams can recruit professional basketball players. They have the wherewithal to do so now with NIL money. And it behooves a school to get just the right players now, maybe more so than a coach, because of the more direct tie between compensations and championship outcomes.

And to think all this started in college rivalries that once had goals to win an “Old Oaken Bucket” or a “Little Brown Jug.” The one that always got my curiosity was “Paul Bunyan’s Axe,” which has been an annual prize in the Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry since 1890. A note on the prize says it wasn’t presented to the winner until 1948. If you read between the lines, you might could figure that in the early years it was a feared “prize” for the loser.

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The Natchitoches Parish Journal’s annual High School Football Pick ’Em contest is now underway, giving local fans a chance to test their gridiron knowledge and win cash.

Each week, the contest features 10 selected matchups highlighting Natchitoches Parish high schools and key regional games. This week’s round concludes Friday, Sept. 4, so there is still time to make your picks and 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.

Contest Rules & Details

• Anyone is eligible to participate for free, and each week’s winning participant will win a $100 prize. Each week, the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games. Ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two designated weekly contests. The picker with the closest score, without going over, is the winner. All decisions by Management/NPJ are final. The contest can be modified and/or cancelled without notice to the public.
  
  The only persons not eligible to participate are the publisher, the publisher’s immediate family, and regular content contributors to the Journal as determined by Management/NPJ.
  
• There is no entry fee. All contest decisions by Journal management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Mondays and must agree to have their photo published in the Journal.
  
• Every participant receives a free subscription to the Journal, delivered directly to their inbox daily at 6:55 a.m.

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Phonetic: /reg·​nant/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

exercising rule : reigning

a: having the chief power : dominant
b: of common or widespread occurrence

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