North DeSoto and Mansfield were smiling after Week 1 wins while Logansport will go back to the drawing board.

Mansfield erased a 35-point Minden lead – yes, a 35-point Minden lead – for a 46-38 win in the monster comeback.

North DeSoto put together an impressive 46-3 win at a Union Parish squad that’s a Class 3A power.

Logansport didn’t have the answers against a resurgence Many bunch in a 35-19 loss.

The Griffins (1-0) prepare for another shootout when Center (Texas) (2-0) comes to town Friday.

The Wolverines (1-0) continue their three-game road trip to start the season when they head to Green Oaks (0-1) on Thursday.

The Tigers have another uphill climb when Loyola College Prep (1-0) visits Friday.

NORTH DESOTO

All cylinders were firing as the Griffins traveled across the state and dominated a usually game Farmers program in the opener.

Quarterback Luke Delafield was an efficient 16-of-22 for 169 yards and a touchdown while Kenny Thomas (87 yards) and Braelyn Latin (78 yards) paced the running game.

Miller Warren caught a touchdown and rushed for another as Delafield spread the ball to seven different receivers.

The defense stiffened whenever Union Parish got close, scattering 244 Farmers’ yards to yield just a second-quarter field goal for North DeSoto’s second straight win over Union Parish.

Now the Griffins face the explosive Center offense, which has totaled 93 points in its first two wins.

The 2024 game was rather tame with a 35-28 Center win, but North DeSoto won the previous two games in the series 71-42 and 57-52 in what’s becoming a Week 2 delight for fans.

MANSFIELD

It looked like Mansfield was just another victim of “The Pit” at Minden as the Wolverines trailed 35-0 in the first half.

But the Wolverines mounted a comeback for the ages powered by 255 offensive yards and two touchdowns from stud Terrell Pegues.

Pegues grinded out 186 rushing yards on 30 carries and hit for a 69-yard touchdown catch to fuel the comeback.

Two defensive touchdowns helped Minden to the 35-0 lead, but the Wolverines offense and defense shaped up as they scored 46 of the final 49 points in the win after nearly pulling off a double-overtime win in 2024.

The series is shaping up to be a highlight in Week 1.

Now the Wolverines are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2018 when they head to Green Oaks.

The Giants appeared to be headed to a season-opening win against Woodlawn before the Knights mounted a comeback in a 36-28 win.

Green Oaks nearly handed new coach Nicholas Peoples his first career win as they led 21-6 in the third quarter.

Mansfield flashed an explosive passing game with new quarterback Jaterrius. Howard, who threw touchdowns on three of his four completions and ended with 136 yards.

LOGANSPORT

Many is clearly a different program from the team that Logansport whipped 46-7 in 2024.

The Tigers struck first on a 32-yard Za’kyron Brown touchdown catch and trailed just 14-13 at the half, but Many leaned on the smaller Logansport roster in the second half of the 35-19 win.

Logansport added a 75-yard touchdown pass in that first half to prove the Tigers have plenty of explosion, but a roster that includes just 19 players couldn’t keep up with Many in the second half.

Logansport (0-1) will try to pick up the pieces against a Loyola squad that put it on St. Frederick 55-21 in the opener and beat Logansport last year to the tune of 28-6.

Loyola quarterback Bryce Restovich is one of the best signal callers in the area, and the Flyers feature a varied attack that can run and throw.

Ty Wallsworth caught a touchdown pass and returned a pair of kickoff for scores in the opener.

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At Mansfield High School, service is more than just an extracurricular activity—it’s part of the mission of DeSoto Parish Schools to shape students into leaders both inside and outside the classroom.

Recently, members of the JAG Career Association (Jobs for America’s Graduates) volunteered at the Higher Ground Ministries Food Pantry as part of their statewide community service effort known as The Giving Initiative.

The project allows students to contribute directly to their community by assisting families in need. School leaders say it also instills valuable lessons about responsibility, compassion, and teamwork.

“By lending their hands and hearts, our JAG students are building a positive and caring culture that reaches far beyond the classroom,” the district shared in a statement.

DeSoto Parish Schools praised the Mansfield High students for leading by example and continuing to make what the district calls #TheDeSotoDifference through meaningful service to others.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), in agreement with a motion passed by the Bayou Pierre Game and Fish Preserve Commission, has scheduled a drawdown of Clear-Smithport Lake (Desoto Parish) for giant salvinia control, organic sediment reduction, and fish habitat improvement. The drawdown is timed to reduce the further expansion of salvinia as late summertime temperatures promote maximum growth.

The water control structure is scheduled to open on September 15, 2025, and the lake should dewater at a rate of two to four inches per day. The water level will be lowered to a maximum drawdown level of approximately four feet below normal pool stage to a target level of 127.6 MSL. The Clear-Smithport control gates are scheduled for closure on December 15, 2025, to allow the lake to refill for winter and early-spring recreational activities. Target exposure at 127.6 MSL is two months or longer.

During the drawdown, an estimated 600-700 acres of water will remain in open areas of each lake. Boaters may still access the main waterbody from the 509 Bridge DeSoto Parish Ramp with small craft. Caution is advised when on the water as numerous obstructions that are normally not seen are present.

This action is a necessary component of LDWF’s integrated management plan to control overabundant aquatic vegetation growth and to improve access for recreational activities. An annual cycle of high and low water fluctuation can provide beneficial effects similar to a natural overflow lake system.

The current LDWF Clear-Smithport Aquatic Vegetative Management Plan can be viewed at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/freshwater-inland-fish/aquatic-vegetation-control-plans. For additional information regarding the drawdown, contact Villis Dowden, LDWF Biologist Manager, at vdowden@wlf.la.gov or (318) 357-3214.

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By Steve Graf    

There’s one famous quote among tournament bass anglers, “When it’s your turn to win, it’s your turn and you can’t mess it up.” So basically, no matter what you do, the bass fishing gods will make sure you don’t mess it up.

I’m not a superstitious angler, but I do believe that there are the powers that be that can make things happen to help you win. Every now and then, things go your way and Lady Luck shines on you like a beam of light from the heavens.

But sometimes it seems like the whole world is against you and it becomes obvious that today just might not be your day. On these days you’re left wondering, “Where is my Lady Luck and why is she not stepping in and saving me from myself?” This is exactly the question I was asking at a recent event on Lake of the Pines.

After a pretty good practice for two straight days and feeling good about a couple of patterns I had put together, things went south quickly on tournament day.

But let’s start with the first cast of the day as I was working a topwater bait when a 3-pound bass came up and exploded on it! As I swung the bass into the boat, I thought, “This is going to be a great day when your first cast produces a solid 3-pound bass! What a great start!”

But many anglers believe it’s a bad omen to catch a bass on your first cast. Again, I’ve never believed in these kinds of superstitions, but it seemed to be real as things went downhill from there.

Despite the bad omen, I was feeling good about my first fish of the day being a 3-pounder in the live well. But I continued to throw the topwater bait with zero results.

I turned to plan “B,” as I reached down and picked up a spinnerbait that I had been catching a ton of fish on the previous two days of practice. They were hitting this spinnerbait so well in practice, I had to put a guard over the hook so I wouldn’t hook any fish that I might need on tournament day.

One thing is for certain; bass fishing is a funny sport. However, the bass gods have a warped sense of humor as they evidently sent out a memo to all bass that day to “not bite the spinnerbait Steve Graf is throwing!”

But that’s OK, I have a plan “C.” I decided to start fishing a small worm in and around boat docks and brush piles. This is how I thought I could win this event, as 90 percent of my bigger bites in practice came off brush piles.

But my day went from bad to worse as I had three fish break off on the hookset. I lost two huge fish (both over five pounds each) when they pulled off beside the boat as I was playing them down so I could land them.

I knew it wasn’t my day when I lost a $400 Daiwa rod and reel combo that got hung up in the net I was using to land a fish. I lost 45 minutes of valuable fishing time trying to drag and snag the combo with a crankbait — with no success.

Then the final straw came around 1:45 that afternoon as I bent over to pick up a certain rod and almost blacked out due to how hot it was. This has never happened to me before and I had been so conscious of making sure I was hydrating properly.

This was a wakeup call for me personally as at the age of 64 I’ve come to the realization that I don’t handle the heat like I used to. Even though I wear good quality sun protective clothing and sunscreen, it’s the heat that you just can’t escape when you’re on the lake trying to win a tournament.

If you think you would like to be a tournament bass fisherman, understand that there will be days that will frustrate you and make you question every idea you had on how to catch a bass. But it could be worse; you could have decided to pursue golf rather than tournament fishing!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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We are in the middle of remodeling our children’s ministry space at Trinity Methodist Church. Part of that project was finding a place for our Mother’s Day Out program and pre-school to meet. We are space sharing, but for this article you need to know the preschool kids are on the floor directly above the church offices. Now I have set the stage.

It’s 7:45 a.m. on a Tuesday, and the church parking lot is already a battleground. Not of spiritual warfare, mind you—but of minivans versus ministry.

On one side: daycare parents, armed with coffee, diaper bags, and toddlers who believe pants are optional. Their mission? Drop off their little cherubs before the morning meltdown begins.

On the other: the church staff, clutching devotionals and half-eaten granola bars, praying for a parking spot close enough to avoid the Louisiana humidity turning their hair into a theological metaphor for chaos.

The moment the daycare opens its doors, a holy stampede begins. Parents circle the lot like Israelites around Jericho, hoping the walls of occupied parking spaces will miraculously fall. Meanwhile, the youth pastor, who arrived early to prep for Bible study, is boxed in by a double-parked SUV with a “Jesus Loves Me” bumper sticker and a rogue juice box under the tire.

The church secretary—who has seen things—keeps a running tally of passive-aggressive notes left on windshields. Last week’s favorite: “Thou shalt not park in the staff spot. Exodus 20:15.”

The senior pastor, ever the peacemaker, suggested a “Parking Lot Reconciliation Ministry.” It lasted one week. After a parent tried to cast out the spirit of tardiness from a staff member’s Honda Civic, the ministry was quietly retired.

Some staff have resorted to spiritual warfare. One youth intern reportedly anointed his parking spot with oil. It was later discovered to be Chick-fil-A sauce.

Despite the chaos, there’s beauty in the madness. Parents and staff share stories, swap prayer requests, and occasionally rescue each other from rogue tricycles. The parking lot, it turns out, is more than asphalt—it’s a place of community, laughter, and the occasional sanctified fender bender.

So next time you find yourself circling the lot, remember blessed are the peacemakers… and those who arrive before 7:30.

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High school students and families in central Louisiana will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from some of the nation’s top colleges and universities during the STORY (Small Town Outreach, Recruitment and Yield) Information Session on Sunday, Sept. 14, presented by Yale University’s Admissions Office. The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in Natchitoches and is free to attend. Organizers encourage students to bring their questions and curiosity as they explore admissions and financial aid opportunities.

“This is an incredible opportunity for area students, but just as important an experience for area college counselors, too, said Katie Summerell, Director of LSMSA’s College Counseling Center. “I hope that ALL students and counselors take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

The program begins with a 40-minute presentation on the college admissions process, including holistic admissions, building a college list, and applying for financial aid. Following the session, an 80-minute college fair will feature admissions representatives from highly selective research universities, flagship public institutions, and liberal arts colleges from across the country.

Colleges and universities scheduled to attend include Barnard College, Brown University, Caltech, Case Western Reserve University, Colby College, College of the Holy Cross, Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard College, Johns Hopkins University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech, MIT, New York University, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Rice University, Smith College, Southern Methodist University, Swarthmore College, Tufts University, Tulane University, University of Chicago, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Wellesley College, Williams College, and Yale University.

The STORY initiative was created to expand access to higher education for students from small towns and rural communities. By bringing multiple institutions together, the program provides local students and families with information and connections that might otherwise require traveling long distances.

Registration is required to attend. Students and families can sign up online at https://apps.admissions.yale.edu/register/STORYLA.

ABOUT LSMSA

LSMSA’s commencement began in Prather in 1985 with 172 members of the first graduating class. LSMSA is a tuition-free, public high school for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a nominal room and board fee to cover housing, meals, and campus activities. The LSMSA Foundation offers assistance for families so that no eligible student is denied the school’s 42-year legacy of a college-level living/learning experience. For more information about LSMSA, or to apply for the Fall ‘25 academic school year, visit http://www.LSMSA.edu.

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This September, DeSoto Parish Schools is joining schools and organizations nationwide in recognizing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of mental health and the power of community support.

District leaders say the well-being of students, staff, and families remains a top priority. Through outreach and awareness efforts, the school system hopes to remind the community of several key messages:

• No one is alone in their struggles.
• Talking openly about mental health can save lives.
• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Support is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. The hotline connects individuals in need with trained crisis counselors.

“Together, we can support one another, break the stigma around mental health, and build a stronger, more caring community,” the district said in a statement.

As part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, DeSoto Parish Schools encourages families to engage in open conversations about mental health and to seek help when needed.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD), in partnership with Destination Zero Deaths (DZD), is launching the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” (BUPD) High School Video and Pledge Contest from September 1 through October 31, encouraging Louisiana teens to promote safe driving through creativity and advocacy.

Louisiana high school students are invited to submit videos highlighting the importance of seat belt use and avoiding phone distractions. A panel of judges will select the top three winners, who will receive cash prizes provided by AAA. Contest rules and entry information can be found here.

In addition to the video contest, all Louisiana residents are encouraged to take the Buckle Up, Phone Down Pledge online to show their commitment to safer roadways. Community members wishing to take the pledge can do so here.

The pledge involves three commitments:

1. No phone usage while driving, including calls, texting, browsing, or social media.
2. Passengers should speak up if they feel unsafe and urge the driver to avoid distractions.
3. Always wear a seatbelt and encourage others to do the same.

“Wearing a seatbelt is the most effective way to stay safe in a crash,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “Distracted driving continues to claim lives in Louisiana, and this contest gives students and individuals across the state an opportunity to be the voice for change.”

The call to action is urgent. In 2024, distracted driving contributed to 25% of crash fatalities in Louisiana. From 2019 to 2023, the state averaged 289 fatalities and 406 serious injuries each year from not wearing seat belts.

Launched by the Missouri Department of Transportation in 2017, Buckle Up, Phone Down has grown into a national movement focused on personal responsibility and life saving actions. By pledging to buckle up and put phones down, Louisianans can help boost seat belt use, reduce distracted driving, and move closer to the goal of zero roadway fatalities.

For more information, visit http://www.destinationzerodeaths.com.

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In August 1941, four months before the United States entered World War II, a 26-year-old tailor named Shoichi Yokoi was drafted into the Japanese Imperial Army. For about two years, he served with the 29th Infantry Division in northeast China until his superiors promoted him and transferred him to Guam in the Mariana Islands. On July 21, 1944, just over a year after Yokoi’s transfer, U.S. forces stormed the island of Guam. Admiral Chester Nimitz’s plan was to capture the Mariana Islands so the U.S. military would have airfields from which they could bomb the Japanese home islands. Yokoi and the rest of the soldiers in the Imperial Army were under strict orders never to surrender. On August 10, after 20 days of fighting, U.S. soldiers declared Guam secure. Thousands of Japanese soldiers were killed, but less than 1,500 surrendered. Many Japanese soldiers, including Yokoi, fled into the jungle to avoid being captured. Japanese soldiers were trained to fight to the death because becoming a prisoner of war was the greatest shame a soldier could bestow upon his family back home.

Yokoi and other fleeing soldiers hid in caves and foraged for food. As per their orders, they burned their Japanese army uniforms. The only thing that Yokoi kept was a pair of scissors, a waistband his mother had embroidered, and a Japanese flag, all of which he kept hidden in the cave. Finally, Shoichi Yokoi’s luck ran out when two hunters, Jesus Duenas and Manuel Degracia, came upon him just after nightfall as Yokoi was going to set out a homemade shrimp trap on the Talofofo River. Yokoi panicked and tried to attack them, but Jesus and Manuel trained their rifles on the Japanese soldier. Yokoi halted his attack, but he had another plan. As the men neared Yokoi, he grabbed one of the men’s rifles but they quickly overpowered him. Despite his orders to fight to the death, there was little he could do. Yokoi was captured. At gunpoint, the hunters led him out of the dense jungle. Yokoi cried for them to kill him because he thought he would be killed either by his captives or, worse, by the Japanese if they returned him to his home country. According to Japanese teachings, being killed on the battlefield was honorable. Being captured alive was disgraceful. Despite his pleas, the hunters marched him to a local police station.

Yokoi had nothing to fear. No one wanted to harm him. From the police station, Yokoi was taken to Guam Memorial Hospital for treatment for malnourishment and anemia. When Yokoi returned to Japan two months later, he told reporters, “I have returned although I feel shame…I want to report that I am sorry I did not serve his majesty to my satisfaction.” He pounded on a table an insisted that “Japan lost the Pacific war because it lacked arms, warships, and planes, and not because of any lack of fighting spirit.” Rather than being ostracized by his Japanese homeland, he was a media sensation. You see, by the time Jesus and Manuel captured the Japanese soldier, World War II had ended. Shoichi Yokoi had been hiding in the jungles of Guam for 28 years.

 

 

Sources:

1. “Battle of Guam” National Park Service, accessed August 31, 2025, https://www.nps.gov/wapa/learn/historyculture/battle-of-guam.htm.

2. Mike Lanchin, “Shoichi Yokoi, the Japanese soldier who held out in Guam,” BBC News, accessed August 31, 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16681636.

3. Evening Herald (Dublin, Ireland), January 25, 1972, p.5.

4. The Morning Press (Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania), March 2, 1972, p.22.

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September 10 is not an especially famous date on the calendar, but a closer look at history reveals some unusual and curious milestones that unfolded on this day. From the first recorded use of the guillotine in France to a Cold War-era chicken that crossed the wrong border, September 10 has delivered more than its share of oddities.

One of the most bizarre “firsts” tied to September 10 occurred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when the guillotine claimed its earliest political victim. The machine, introduced as a supposedly humane method of execution, was used to behead Nicolas Jacques Pelletier, a convicted criminal. While guillotines would later become symbols of the bloody Reign of Terror, the date marked the beginning of what was touted as a rational, scientific solution to capital punishment. Though macabre, it set the tone for the strange legacy of September 10 as a date linked to the unusual and the grim.

The 19th century added more unusual events to the September 10 timeline. In 1846, American inventor Elias Howe received a patent for the sewing machine, a device that would revolutionize clothing manufacturing and the lives of households worldwide. While not as shocking as the guillotine, the invention’s link to the date highlights a recurring pattern of September 10 delivering transformative—sometimes strange—moments in history.

Fast forward to the early 20th century, and September 10 saw a development that brought both awe and unease. In 1939, just days after the outbreak of World War II in Europe, Canada declared war on Germany. What was unique about the declaration was its timing: Canada became the first nation in the Americas to formally join the conflict, acting independently from Britain for the first time in its history. The decision underscored the shifting dynamics of empire and independence, a move that surprised observers at the time.

But perhaps the quirkiest story linked to the date took place in 1956, in the throes of Cold War tension. On September 10 of that year, a chicken made international headlines when it wandered across the heavily guarded border between East and West Germany. The incident sparked a standoff between border guards, each side refusing to cross into the other’s territory to retrieve the unfortunate bird. Ultimately, the chicken’s fate went unrecorded, but newspapers of the day reported the “feathered fugitive” as an unlikely symbol of the absurdities of the divided world.

In the world of science, September 10 brought another unusual milestone. In 2008, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) powered up the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for the first time. The collider, built to smash particles together at nearly the speed of light, immediately sparked wild speculation and conspiracy theories. Some worried it would create a black hole that might swallow the Earth. While those fears proved unfounded, the date went down in history as one that sparked both genuine scientific achievement and some of the strangest doomsday rumors of the 21st century.

Taken together, these events reveal September 10 as a date that repeatedly straddles the line between the transformative and the strange. From the debut of the guillotine to runaway chickens, groundbreaking inventions, and particle colliders, history seems to treat the day as a stage for odd twists of fate.

While September 10 may not carry the same notoriety as dates like July 4 or December 7, its legacy is an unusual one. It reminds us that history is full of surprises, and that even ordinary dates can leave behind extraordinary and sometimes bizarre stories.

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Gregory Ray McCrocklin
January 11, 1948 — August 27, 2025
Service: Saturday, September 13 at 3 p.m. at Henrietta Congregational Methodist Church in Converse

Jerry Eugene Anderson
November 24, 1938 — September 3, 2025
Service: Wednesday, September 10 at 11 a.m. at O.E. Price Cemetery in Logansport

DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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The attached report displays all individuals booked into the DeSoto Detention Center over the last 7 days, and includes arrests made by DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), Mansfield Police Department (MPD), and Louisiana State Police (LSP.) An arrest is indication that probable cause existed during an alleged offense. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Authorities in DeSoto Parish have announced the arrest of five individuals as part of an August crackdown on illegal narcotics and related offenses. The arrests were carried out by the DeSoto Street Level Interdiction Unit (SLIU) and the DeSoto K-9 units as part of an ongoing effort to combat the possession and distribution of dangerous drugs across the parish.

Each suspect was booked into the DeSoto Detention Center on charges ranging from methamphetamine and hydrocodone possession to illegal firearms violations and contraband introduction.

Arrests Made in August

Clinton S. Finch (50, Stonewall)
Charges: Possession of Schedule II (Meth), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Turn Signal Required.
Arrested by: DeSoto SLIU and K-9 Unit.

Michael D. Maines (58, Mansfield)
Charges: Possession of Schedule II (Meth), Possession of Schedule II (Hydrocodone), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, No Insurance, Tail Lamps Required.
Arrested by: DeSoto SLIU.

Jennifer C. Salter (47, Many)
Charges: Possession of Schedule II (Meth), Possession of Schedule II (Hydrocodone), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility, Proper Equipment Required (Display of Plate).
Arrested by: DeSoto SLIU.

LaBrian Lewis (45, Mansfield)
Charges: Possession of Schedule II (Ecstasy), Possession of Marijuana, Tail Lamps.
Arrested by: DeSoto SLIU.

Brittany R. Fontenot (34, Ville Platte)
Charges: Possession of Schedule II (Hydrocodone), Tail Lamps.
Arrested by: DeSoto SLIU.

Officials stated that the effort to curb illegal narcotics in the parish will continue into September, with additional enforcement initiatives planned.

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DeSoto Parish football means deep playoff runs, and all three high school football teams have proven that they can be dangerous in the postseason.

That standard won’t change as North DeSoto, Mansfield and Logansport get back on the field to start the 2025 regular season Friday.

Logansport is the lone home team and will host Many, whom the Tigers whipped 46-7 to start the 2024 season.

North DeSoto travels east for a return game at Union Parish and another gut check, one which they passed 33-21 in Stonewall this past year.

Mansfield heads to Minden one year after nearly upsetting the Class 4A Crimson Tide in a double-overtime thriller, ultimately falling 34-33.

NORTH DESOTO

Any time quarterback Luke Delafield is under center, the Griffins will be a state title threat.

Delafield will be starting his fourth and final season, a extremely well-known commodity in Stonewall and around the state.

Fans may have to learn the names of his receivers this year after North DeSoto graduated four of their top five receiving targets from 2024. Gone are the likes of Cole Cory, Eli Procell, Jarred Jackson and Chaz Martinez.

But Dennis Dunn and the Griffins have put this program in a position to reload and not rebuild, so receivers will have a chance to stand alongside tight end Miller Warren as Delafield’s top targets.

One player that doesn’t require an introduction – running back Kenny Thomas. Thomas rushed for more than 1,900 yards and 31 touchdowns in one of the most balanced offenses in the state.

Porter Doyal and Alex Simpson lead a defensive unit that played well most of the season but also surrendered 63 points to West Monroe and 57 points in the quarterfinals loss to eventual state champion Cecilia.

The Griffins played in the Superdome in 2022, the semifinals in 2023, and the quarterfinals in 2024 – and they want to make a return trip to the Dome in Delafield’s final season.

“Each team has its own identity, and we can’t in any way rest on what’s been done before,” said Dunn. “These guys do understand the standard, and they’re working extremely hard to surpass that every day. I think this team has every opportunity to raise the standard.

“We’ve been there. We haven’t won it. That’s the goal,” he said.

Dunn had praise for Delafield, a Northwestern State commit, and Thomas, who has pledged to play at Louisiana Tech.

“Luke is a coach on the field and the fact that he’s remained humble and hungry is a testament to the human being he is. He prefers his teammates over himself.

“I’ve been doing this a long time, and Kenny Thomas is one of the best I’ve been around in terms of the whole package, not only an outstanding athlete but a 4.0 student. When he breaks the line of scrimmage, it can go the distance, quick six. These are two quality young men, great leaders, and they set a tone that you can’t help but buy into and feed off.”

MANSFIELD

Mansfield has won first-round playoff games in each of the past two seasons after not winning a playoff since 2018.

The Wolverines not just want to scratch the playoff win column, they want to go on a run.

Improving upon a six-win regular season will mean Mansfield won’t likely get a juggernaut in the second round like Sterlington and Oak Grove, the teams that ended Mansfield’s last two seasons.

The Wolverines will look to replicate an effort that pushed Class 4A Minden to double overtime in an eventual loss to start the season.

Running back Terrell Pegues is a two-way player and returner that’s one of the best in the state. Lavel Claudio’s skills in the backfield means that the versatile Pegues can line up anywhere on the field, showcasing his pass-catching abilities in addition to his running prowess.

J.J. Howard is expected to be under center after starting the final three games of the season, and Mansfield hopes to build upon a passing attack that will feature receiver Jacoryan Greer.

A young offensive line may necessitate an effective quick passing game.

The defense played much better in the second half of the season, but the Wolverines will be young on that side of the ball.

“I think we’ll be better defensively because we do have those young kids coming up,” said Mansfield coach Darrell Barbay.

“I’m excited about the season. I think we have a chance to be pretty good,” he said. “Our kids have improved, our program’s gotten better. It’s going in the right direction.”

LOGANSPORT

New skill players. That’s the first thing that jumps out about a Logansport bunch that’s trying to continue the success of one of the most consistent Class 1A programs in the state.

Names like Tonashton Bland, Joseph Powell and Jukadynn Carter will be wearing a different purple and gold (they’re all at Texas College) this year.

The void left by these skill players prompted the shift at quarterback to Kollin Magee, allowing former quarterback Keaton Cason to flex at receiver and linebacker.

The last time a Magee was under center, Logansport won a state title (head coach Kevin Magee brought the trophy back to Logansport in 1995). He captured the top prize as a coach in 2016, and the Tigers have been contenders ever since.

Cason joins playmakers like Dillan McClelland and Kaiton Pickett, who had 10 touchdowns this past season.

They’ll have an experienced offensive and defensive lines led by three-year starters Cane McCoy and Aiden Wallace.

Line will be experienced led by three-year starter Cane McCoy and Aiden Wallace.

Two-time district defensive MVP Hunter Martin is set for a third honor in his final season, and

The Tigers’ defense is anchored by all-state linebacker Hunter Martin, two-time District Defensive MVP. It’s a unit that allowed just 20 points combined in five district games, including playing eventual state champion South Plaquemines to its closest playoff contest in the semifinals.

“From year to year, the expectation is that we will play in December. We talk about that, and if you’re playing in December, you have a chance to get to the Superdome,” said Magee. “We had one of the best springs I can remember, we had a really good summer and that creates an atmosphere where the expectations are extremely high.

“We have a good enough core group who have been in a lot of playoff games, and when they step on the field, they expect to win and we are expected to win. Our non-district schedule is really strong. I really like it because it prepares us for hostile environments in the playoffs, so we can settle in and play football when it matters most,” he said.

“This is one of the more positive feelings going into a season I’ve had in the past few years,” said Magee. “Take that with the $25 million of improvements and investment on our campus, the excitement level is very high.”

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In the tapestry of the Church, we often speak of the “Body of Christ”—a living, breathing community of believers, each with a role, a gift, and a purpose. But what happens when we look at this body through the lens of a quirky little family: the Body family? Meet Some Body, Every Body, and No Body. Their stories might just help us understand our place in God’s Kingdom a little better.

Some Body is always present—at the front of the sanctuary, leading the choir, preaching the sermon, or organizing the potluck. They’re gifted, passionate, and often admired. But sometimes, Some Body forgets that being seen isn’t the same as being surrendered.

Paul reminds us in Romans 12:3, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.” Some Body is essential, yes—but only when they remember that their gifts are for service, not status.

Every Body is the heartbeat of the Church. They show up, pray, serve, and love—whether they’re on stage or sweeping the fellowship hall. Every Body understands that the Church isn’t built on personalities, but on participation.

1 Corinthians 12:12 says, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” Every Body knows that unity doesn’t mean uniformity. We are different, but we belong to each other.

No Body used to be involved. Maybe they got hurt, felt overlooked, or simply drifted away. Now, No Body is absent—and the Church feels it. Their gifts are missed, their voice is silent, and their seat is empty.
Hebrews 10:25 urges us, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” No Body needs healing, restoration, and a reminder that they still matter.

Are you Some Body, needing to refocus your gifts on service?

Are you Every Body, faithfully showing up and building the Church?

Or are you No Body, longing to be seen and welcomed back?

The good news is that in Christ, we are all part of His Body. And whether you’re a hand, a foot, a heart, or a voice—there’s a place for you.

I invite you, to go to church and join the Body family!

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Paid Editorial Feature – The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Desoto Parish Journal.

By Steve Webb, Board Chair, Louisiana Credit Union Association; CEO, Neighbors Federal Credit Union

Recent commentary suggesting that credit unions are “draining” Louisiana communities misses the larger truth: credit unions are not a burden on our state; they are one of Louisiana’s greatest assets.

Credit unions do pay taxes

Contrary to common misconceptions, credit unions are not tax-free. Louisiana’s credit unions collectively paid more than $100 million in state and federal taxes last year alone. We contribute through property taxes, payroll taxes, sales taxes, and more. The only tax credit unions are exempt from is income tax on profits because those “profits” are returned to the people who own us: our members and not distributed to wealthy shareholders.

Banks, by contrast, enjoy their own tax advantages. Many organize as Subchapter S corporations (45 in Louisiana), which allows them to avoid paying corporate income tax at the entity level. To single out credit unions for their long-established tax status while ignoring these bank exemptions presents an incomplete picture. Congress has debated the credit union tax exemption many times (most recently a few months ago) and they have agreed that credit unions should be allowed this tax exemption.

Member-owned means community-focused

Credit unions exist to serve members, not outside investors. Every dollar earned is reinvested in the form of lower fees, higher savings rates, and more affordable loans. Those benefits stay in Louisiana households and small businesses, circulating back into the local economy.

Preserving access where banks leave gaps

The decline in community banks has been stark: nearly half have disappeared nationwide over the last two decades. When banks consolidate or sell to out-of-state institutions, resources often leave the community. Shareholders of a bank have the ultimate decision on which institution they would like to sell to. When a bank sells to a credit union, it’s not a loss; it’s a commitment to ensuring residents continue to have a locally governed institution focused on people, not profits.

Growth doesn’t change our mission

Some critics argue that credit unions have grown too large for their tax status. But size does not change structure. A credit union with 500 members and one with 500,000 members share the same cooperative foundation: not-for-profit, member-owned, and community-driven. Growth simply enables us to provide modern services and compete in a marketplace dominated by trillion-dollar megabanks.

The real bottom line

The real story is simple: when credit unions succeed, Louisiana families succeed. We help people buy homes, send kids to college, start small businesses, and build savings. That is exactly why Congress created credit unions in the first place.

Far from draining our communities, credit unions preserve their strength. We keep financial decision-making local, return millions of dollars in value to members, and invest in the places we call home. That’s not a loss for Louisiana; it’s a win.

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DeSoto Parish 4-H made a strong showing this past weekend at the Western Playground event, bringing home top honors and valuable hands-on experience in livestock handling.

The second day of activities began with an inspirational message from Joey Register, setting the tone for a day filled with learning and competition. Participants gained practical skills, including palpating and pregnancy checking cattle, with six members accurately identifying a cow at three months—an impressive achievement for young learners.

Throughout the weekend, 4-H’ers took part in cow tic-tac-toe, horse relays, and other interactive events, earning praise and recognition for their efforts.

Two of the four championship buckles awarded during the event are staying in DeSoto Parish:

Most Improved Cowboy: Edward Atkins, Jr.

Top Cowgirl: Rylen Hopper

Organizers extended special thanks to Jamon Turner and team, Joey Register, Craig Register, Kenneth Altom, and the parents who supported the participants throughout the weekend.

“Our kids are amazing,” event leaders said, celebrating the dedication and hard work that led to the parish’s success.

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On August 30, the Lady Griffins showcased their talent and determination at the TC Elite Tournament, delivering a mixed but promising performance across the three volleyball squads: Blue, White, and Red.

The Blue team secured a win against Mansfield, dropped a close match against Demons Purple, and rebounded with a victory over Demons Blue. The White team also opened strong with a win over Mansfield but faced challenges in its final two matchups. Meanwhile, the Red team, making its first tournament appearance, fought hard despite dropping all three of its games.

Coaches and supporters praised the effort and growth shown by all teams, noting the tournament experience as a valuable step in their development.

“Way to go, ladies!” the program shared, commending their athletes for their resilience and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

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By Steve Graf    

Have you ever wondered how many people there are in the world with the same name as yourself? That thought ran through my head one day and gave me the idea to Google my own name. Don’t ask me why I decided to act on the idea to search my own name because I have no idea! But probably due to boredom and curiosity, I took the time to look myself up on the world wide web.

What would I find? Would I be impressed or disappointed with my findings? Would I be jealous or envious of others with the same name?

If you’re not sure who you are, just Google your name and see not just who you are, but how many of YOU there are! What I found was that there are many Steve Graf’s around the globe, but surprisingly I have yet to run into myself at any point in time. I came across 100 plus people with the same name as myself. But one good thing I did discover, it appears that no one with my name is an inmate anywhere!

Here’s what I did find. Steve Graf is a dentist, a banker, a doctor, vice president of sales, a consultant, and a neuroscientist. He’s also an engineer, retired educator/coach, and a YMCA CEO! Wow, I was very impressed with myself and the “brothers” that carry the same name.

Others with the same name were also a bridge operator, a veterinarian, an athletic director, a senior programmer, a maintenance coordinator and a pilot for Delta Airlines. So, the next time you fly Delta, poke your head into the cockpit and make sure it’s not THIS Steve Graf at the controls.

But surprisingly, I found another Steve Graf that played professional baseball! He played for the Cardinals and Pirates organizations at the same time I was playing in the Montreal Expos minor league system. Small world!

It is amazing that after seeing how many Steve Graf’s there are, I have never come across myself. There are several versions of me that live in California, New Jersey, New England, Kansas, Denver and Wisconsin. There’s more SG’s in Massachusetts, Indiana, Minnesota, South Carolina, South Dakota and Ohio along with one in Oregon, Iowa and Nevada just to name a few.

I was always told as a youngster growing up, that the only thing you have that’s truly your own in this life is your name. Well, I guess that’s not true, but don’t ruin or tarnish your name by doing something stupid. This Steve Graf wants to be remembered for the good things I’ve done in life and not for the bad.

After doing this Google search, I thought how cool it would be to start a Steve Graf Club! Have an annual get together of everyone that shares the same name, or would that be a little weird?

After reviewing a lot of these fine folks, turns out that if you are a Steve Graf, be proud! The one thing we all want in life is to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. We all want to be content with what we do and who we are.

So, no matter how many people there are with the same name as yourself, there’s only one YOU. Be proud of who YOU are and do things that will make people remember YOU as a good person.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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For high school juniors and seniors, transfer students, and parents alike, the journey to choosing the right university often feels overwhelming. Between deadlines, financial questions, and the desire to find a place that feels like home, the process can seem intimidating.

That’s why Northwestern State University is rolling out the purple carpet this fall. On Saturday, October 25, 2025, NSU will host its signature N-Side View Day, a one-of-a-kind open house designed to help future students imagine themselves thriving on campus in Natchitoches.

To reserve your spot, register today at nsu.la/nsideviewday.

“Your future is calling and it begins here,” says Emily Miller, Director of Recruiting. “We want students and families to see not just what Northwestern offers, but how it feels to be part of our community.”

Unlike traditional campus visits, N-Side View Day gives students a true insider’s perspective on university life.

Throughout the day, guests will:

Explore the historic NSU campus on guided tours that showcase everything from residence halls to state-of-the-art classrooms.

Connect directly with faculty and students, hearing firsthand what it’s like to learn and live at Northwestern.

Dive into academics, choosing from more than 100 degree programs tailored to career ambitions.

Get real answers about admissions, scholarships, and financial aid.

Every attendee receives a free ticket to cheer on the NSU Demon Football team.

Vanner Erikson, Director of Enrollment, explains “We’ve designed N-Side View Day to go beyond information. It’s an experience that inspires. Families leave with clarity, confidence, and excitement about the future.”

Set in Louisiana’s oldest city, Northwestern balances tradition with progress. Students engage in hands-on learning, collaborate with faculty, and take part in a campus culture that values creativity and leadership. Combined with the city’s historic charm, NSU’s affordable tuition and strong record of student achievement make it a destination for those who want both opportunity and community.

NSU President James T. Genovese shares, “We are committed to preparing students not just for jobs, but for meaningful lives of impact. N-Side View Day is a chance to experience that mission firsthand.”

Choosing a university is as much a family decision as it is a personal one. NSU understands this, which is why N-Side View Day includes tailored sessions for parents. Financial aid experts will break down scholarship opportunities, housing staff will explain residential life, and faculty will highlight career outcomes for graduates.

Parents often leave with as much excitement as their students. “The greatest relief for families,” says Miller, “is realizing that Northwestern offers the opportunities of a large university while providing the close-knit support of a community that truly cares.”

While many universities host open houses, Northwestern’s event stands apart for its personal touch. Every student who attends N-Side View Day is welcomed as an individual, with their goals and potential taken seriously from the moment they arrive.

“NSU is Louisiana’s best-kept secret,” says Erikson. “Once students step on campus, they feel it. They know this is where they belong.”

And with the event landing in late October, families can enjoy the beauty of Natchitoches in the fall, a season that showcases the city’s Southern charm and vibrant energy.

For prospective students, N-Side View Day transforms an ordinary Saturday into the beginning of something bigger. Whether you’re taking your first steps after high school or seeking a fresh start as a transfer, Northwestern State University invites you to experience a day that can help shape your future.

N-Side View Day
· Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA
· Saturday, October 25, 2025
· Includes free campus tours, sessions, and Demon Football game ticket

Reserve your spot today at nsu.la/nsideviewday.

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Donald Roan Dunagan was born in 1934. When Donnie was 19, he was drafted into the Marines where his superiors tested and retested him. Donnie wondered what was wrong, but everything was right. Donnie had an abnormally high IQ. After boot camp, he was sent to drill instructor school and became the youngest drill instructor in Marine history. Then, the Marines trained Donnie to be a spy. For over two decades, Donnie served as an in-the-field counterintelligence agent all over the world. During the Vietnam War, he became a platoon leader. He served three tours in Vietnam, where he was wounded several times. He earned a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. In 1977, he retired with the rank of major. For most of his military career, he kept his life before the Marines a secret.

The secret he kept for all those years was that he had been a child actor. In 1937, four-year-old Donnie entered a talent show in which he sang and danced before a packed theater in Memphis, Tennessee. He won first place. Unbeknownst to Donnie and his family, a movie talent scout from Los Angeles was in the crowd. Within a few weeks, the talent scout tracked Donnie down and offered him a screen test for R.K.O. Studios. At the time, his poor parents, Warren Frederick and Louise Margaret Dunagan, were only bringing in about 25 cents per hour, and lived in a cheap, run down, one room apartment. With little to lose, Donnie and his parents boarded a train for Hollywood. If nothing else, they would have a grand adventure. The screen test went better than anyone expected, and R.K.O. signed Donnie to a contract. With that signed contract, Donnie became the breadwinner of the family and earned $1,000 per week, had a fine automobile, and an impressive home by any standards. After five years of studying scripts, dance practice, music practice, interviews, and promotional tours, the seven-year-old begged his mother, Louise, to allow him to stop working in the film business because he wanted to be a normal child. Donnie’s mother was saddened by her son’s request but agreed. Donnie retired from acting at the young age of seven while on a promotional tour in London.

When Donnie arrived in London, the world was engulfed in the Second World War. London was a major target of Nazi Germany. One day, as Donnie was in the care of his nanny, his parents were killed by a German bomb. Well, that was the story Donnie told the press in 2001 and may have been the story that he believed. In fact, in 1941, Donnie’s parents returned to Los Angeles and divorced. Donnie’s mother, Louise, remarried. She died in 1974. Louise’s second husband, Ralph M. LeMaster, died in 1977. Donnie’s father, Warren, died in 1980. Donnie’s parents and stepfather are all buried a few feet apart in the same cemetery, Grand View Memorial Park and Crematory in Glendale, California.

After his parents’ so-called death, Donnie went to live with his grandfather, Tom Johnson. They lived in poverty in Ireland and England. When his grandfather died in 1945, Donnie was returned to the United States and lived in multiple orphanages. In about 1948, the fourteen-year-old boy ran away. For five years, he worked whatever job he could to survive until he was drafted into the Marines.

The biggest secret that Donnie kept was his most notable film role. He acted in such films as “The Forgotten Woman,” “The Tower of London,” and the title character in “Son of Frankenstein.” His final, and most famous, role was for Walt Disney in 1941 when he provided the voice of Bambi.

Sources:

1. Carlsbad Current-Argus, July 29, 2001, p.38.

2. “Warren F. Dunagan,” Find A Grave, accessed August 25, 2025, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28800417/warren-f-dunagan.

3. “Louise D. LeMaster,” Find A Grave, accessed August 24, 2025, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28800408/louise-d-lemaster.

4. “Ralph M. LeMaster,” Find A Grave, accessed August 24, 2025, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28800390/ralph-m-lemaster.

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On September 3, 2008, television audiences were introduced to a gripping, outlaw world far beyond standard network fare. It was on this date that FX premiered Sons of Anarchy, a bold, multi-layered drama that would go on to redefine the scope and grittiness of modern TV storytelling.

Created by Kurt Sutter, Sons of Anarchy follows the turbulent lives of the SAMCRO motorcycle club—based in the fictional town of Charming, California—as they navigate crime, loyalty, family, and identity. At the center stands Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller, the conflicted vice president whose growing disillusionment with the club’s violent legacy fuels much of the show’s emotional core. The cast also features Katey Sagal as matriarch Gemma Teller and Ron Perlman as club president Clay Morrow, with David Labrava—an authentic Hell’s Angel—serving both as technical adviser and on-screen enforcer, Happy Lowman.

From its first episode, Sons of Anarchy set itself apart with raw emotion, moral ambiguity, and unflinching violence—mirroring the best traditions of Shakespearean tragedy, filtered through the lens of outlaw subculture. The show’s gritty authenticity, rich character arcs, and moral complexity earned it critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. Over seven powerful seasons, viewers became deeply invested in the inner trials of Jax—torn between his own ideals and the dogged demands of loyalty—while also witnessing the unraveling of the world he inhabits.

Though the series concluded in December 2014, its cultural and artistic footprint endures. Sons of Anarchy not only influenced the aesthetics of anti-hero storytelling but also helped fuel the rise of network television willing to push boundaries, both in tone and in moral terrain.

More than a decade after that fateful September 3 premiere, the show is still cited as a turning point in cable television—ushering in a new era of serialized, morally complex dramas. Its resonance can be felt in countless successors that explore color-shaded characters, intricate loyalties, and the violence that ensues when those loyalties crack.

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DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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