December 2011 Chatterbox - Ruston High School

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Chatterbox
Ruston High School December 15, 2011 Page 30
Erin Otwell (#23) and Ashley Crook (#2) pursue a Neville defender.
Tech, Grambling Win Conferences
by Reed Malek
Sports Editor
Football in Lincoln Parish has had one
of its most successful and exciting years
in a long time. Besides our own Bearcats
seeing more success than they have in
years, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and
Grambling State Tigers are making noise
in Lincoln Parish—and in the national
picture, as well.
After their 44-0 victory over the New
Mexico State Aggies on November 26,
Louisiana Tech clinched the title of
champion of the Western Athletic Conference
(WAC) for the first time in ten
years. The Bulldogs started their season
off to a dismal 1-4 start, but finished the
year with a seven-game win streak. Three
of the Dawgs‘ four losses were ones that
were nearly victories; they lost by one
Bulldogs’ Ryan Allen Wins National Punting Award
by Reed Malek
Sports Editor
On the night of Thursday, December 8,
Louisiana Tech celebrated its second ever
national award winner at the Home Depot
College Football Awards Show. The Bulldogs‘
junior punter Ryan Allen was given
point to Houston, two to Southern Mississippi,
and by six points in overtime to
Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are
scheduled to face off against the eighteenth-ranked
Texas Christian University
Horned Frogs on December 21 in the
Poinsettia Bowl.
Ten years ago, Lincoln Parish was
proud to call Louisiana Tech the champion
of its conference. However, the
parish was also able to boast another conference
champion in the vicinity: Grambling
State.
On Saturday, December 10 the Grambling
State Tigers repeated this phenomenon
by defeating the Alabama A&M
Bulldogs 16-15 in thrilling fashion.
the Ray Guy Award, which recognizes the
best collegiate punter in the nation.
Though Louisiana Tech‘s name is associated
with many great football players
such as Fred Dean and Terry Bradshaw,
Bearcat Soccer Prepares for
Tournament
by Reed Malek
Sports Editor
On Thursday, December 8 both Bearcat soccer teams played the St. Frederick Catholic
High School Warriors here in Ruston. Tomorrow, the Bearcats will travel to Monroe to
play St. Fred‘s on their own turf.
The game last week against the Warriors went very smoothly for the girls, which has
become pretty common for them this year. The Lady Bearcats shut out the Warriors by a
score of 3-0, moving them to an spotless record of 4-0.
After leading at halftime 2-1, the boys struggled through a tough second half against St.
Fred‘s last Thursday, which included a few controversial calls and narrowly missed shots.
The Bearcats were defeated 4-2.
The next day, the Bearcats scared off the Minden Crimson Tide soccer teams, giving
them a much needed break before their busy week ahead.
Both Ruston High soccer teams are looking strong, so come out to the games and watch
them as they take down their opponents!
Grambling started their season in a
manner similar to Louisiana Tech; they
began 1-5 but won their last 6 games
going into the Southwestern Athletic
Conference championship game.
Down 15-9 early in the fourth quarter,
the Tigers caught a huge break with a 69yard
fumble return touchdown by Jacarde
Carter.
Grambling‘s superb defense showed
up thereafter, as they have done all season.
The Tiger defense quelled a threatening
drive from Alabama A&M with
barely two minutes left in the game, sealing
the deal for a double-dose of conference
champions in Lincoln Parish.
Allen is the first Bulldog to win a national
award since Troy Edwards won
the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 1998,
which is awarded to the nation‘s best receiver.
Louisiana Tech‘s Ryan Allen, with the
Ray Guy Award.
Photo obtained at:
www.rustonleader.com