August 15, 2013
HALL OF FAME FRIDAY NIGHT
The Third Denham Springs HS Athletic Hall of Fame class will be inducted this Thursday night. The Gala will take place at Forrest Grove Plantation
See the inductee’s bios at the end of the newsletter. This information was furnished by the DSHS Athletic Hall of Fame
A special thank you to sponsor Sport N Center, whose involvement in the program has reduced the price of admission from $75 to $50… Goodness knows where JF will be spending that extra $25 in his pocket on Friday night. (Editor’s note: Forrest Grove is in close proximity to Big Mike’s.)
PRESS RELEASE
THE DRU NETTLES TELEVISION SHOW
With the Denham Springs HS Athletic Hall of Fame inducting its third class this Friday night, The Dru Nettles Show will feature Hall of Fame Secretary Jim Spring as a guest on the program. Spring was a standout DSHS offensive lineman before playing at Tulane in the mid 1960’s.
Yellow Jackets Football player Barclay Miller will also be interviewed on the program. A 6’1” 230” senior defensive lineman, Miller is expected to be one of the leaders on the Jackets 2013 team. Miller is the first player to come on the program this season. The Dru Nettles Show hopes to have a different player appear each week on the program.
Denham Springs HS Defensive Coordinator/Head Baseball coach Mark Carroll will appear on the program. Carroll will concentrate on the Jackets defense, with an emphasis placed on the linebacker position, for which he is the position coach. Carroll will be interrogated on why he devoted so much precious time on inventing The Dru Nettles Show co-host/producer Jon Fine’s “The Mayor of Munchkinville” nickname, when this energy and effort could have been utilized more productively on Denham Springs HS athletics.
The self-proclaimed Mayor of Watson, Robert Harrison of The Harrison Law Firm is the Sponsor of The Week.
The Dru Nettles Show (Thursday, 8/15, 6pm—7pm, Cox 4… with replays on Friday, 10:30am and Saturday, 12:30pm is co-hosted by Denham Springs HS Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Dru Nettles and long-time Jackets pbp announcer Jon Fine. The show is a Jon Fine Production.
For more information on The Dru Nettles Show, please visit JonFineProducions.com (The Dru Nettles Show page) and/or Like TheDruNettlesShow on Facebook.
3 WEEKS AWAY: Denham Springs HS Football radio broadcasts
Plaquemine HS Football radio broadcasts
St. John HS Football radio broadcasts
--Article on the return of DSHS radio broadcasts is slated to appear in this Sunday’s Livingston Parish News.
--A very special thank you to those that are considering sponsoring our St. Johns/Plaquemine broadcasts. Your support is essential for these broadcasts return in 2014.
THE CENTRAL SHOW
This week’s The Central Sports & Business Report will feature co-host Steve Johnson joined by Guests: Ron Lewis - Head CHS Basketball Coach
Jordin Williams and Michael Rayborn – CHS Sr. Varsity Basketball players… and Demitri Colomb – CHS Sr. Varsity Football player.
The bad news: Co-host Matt Price will sit out another week. The good news—His health is improving, and Matt is getting closer to returning to the program
Congrats to Matt on celebrating his 26th wedding anniversary on Wed, 8/14. Our condolences go out to his wife, Kathleen. lol
Monday night on The Central Story, it’s Destined to Win, with Rocky Bezet, Pastor, The Rock Church.
The Central Story airs Monday and Thursday nights, 5:30pm—6:30pm, on WPFC, 1550AM, Baton Rouge and on the Net at JonFineProductions.com.
CAJUN JOKE OF THE WEEK AS HEARD ON THE 8/8 THE CENTRAL STORY
Complements of Larry Boudreaux’s website, CousinBoudreaux.com:
Boudreaux went to a Doctor Thibodeaux, a psychiatrist, an’ tole heem, ” I’ve got problems. Every time I go to bed I t’ink dares somebody under it. Aham scared and I t’ink I'm goin’ crazy."
The Doc Thibodeaux replied, "Just put yourself in my hands for one year. Come talk to me three times a week, and we should be able to get rid of those fears.”
Boudreaux axed, “How much do you charge?”
“Eighty dollars per visit”, replied de Doctor
Boudreaux responded, “I’ll jus have to sleep on dat".
Six months later Doc Thibodeaux met Boudreaux on de street. He axed Boudreaux, "Why didn't you ever come to see me about those fears you were havin’?"
Boudreaux he den say to de shrink, "Well dat eighty bucks a viseet three times a week for a year waz a awful lot of money! A bartender cured me for $10.00. I waz so happy dat I saved all dat money; I went and bought me a new bass boat!”
The Doc Thibodeaux responded, “Is that so? And how, may I axe, did a bartender cure you?”
Boudreaux replied, “He tole me to cut de legs off de bed! And dare ain't nobody under dere now!!!”
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, August 15: 5:30pm—6:30pm: The Central Sports & Business Report (on The Central Story)… with Steve Johnson & Matt Price… broadcasting live from Me’Pa’s Diner—Sullivan Road, Next to Chase Bank, in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
Thursday, August 15: 6:00pm—7:00pm: The Dru Nettles Show… with Dru Nettles & Jon Fine
Cox 4 Television, Baton Rouge (replays on Friday, August 16, 10:30am—11:30am and Saturday, August 17, 12:30pm—1:30pm)
Monday, August 18: 5:30pm—6:30pm: Destined To Win (on The Central Story)
Pastor Rocky Bezet, Pastor, The Rock Church
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
SportsRadio—1310-KEZM-Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com)
Monday, August 18: 3PM—5PM: Bayou Blitz with Alex Hickey and Miguel Gauthreaux
WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD THEIR BUSINESS MENTIONED ON OUR BROADCAST(S).
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
We do it every year. We get hyper excited for the first preseason game, and then draw conclusions for the entire year based off a quarter or less of football. Where are our senses? Why can't we keep it all in perspective? Consequently, I will attempt to give the most sensible assessment of the Saints based off of the first preseason game.
The Saints under Sean Payton will always be fine a wide receiver. The reason is either system, talent evaluation, quarterback, or commitment to the position. Maybe a combination of them all, but I am not worried about the receivers or the passing game.
Yes, that is right. I am not worried about the passing game, which means I am fine with Charles Brown at left tackle. For the record, I am not sold on how good Brown will be, but he looked as good as Bushrod did his first year and I trust the system. If he gets hurt, though, I will be very worried.
The other good news in the passing game is that Luke McCown looked as good as Chase Daniel ever did as a backup.
The running game still needs work, but one short segment with starters does not give us much to go on regarding conclusions for the season. I think this system does best with one power running option and that player is not on the roster at this point.
Defensively, there is a lot of panic based off the Chiefs first drive. While it wasn't a good sign, I don't understand why that drive reminded people of last year. Most teams last year scored in way less than 14 plays.
From my perspective, the Saints have better talent on defense especially up front which is key. Not only are there defensive players that can hold their ground, they are capable of pushing and collapsing the pocket. Against the run, I saw aggressive defensive lineman getting in the backfield. Every newcomer is an improvement over Sedrick Ellis.
I have never been a huge fan of either starting safety, and I don't see a reason to feel bad about that now. Nevertheless, I do have some confidence that their weaknesses can be masked somewhat through schemes and game planning that will be reserved for the regular season.
If anything reminded me of last year, it would be the poor play from the special teams cover units. I think that is one area that will get better with roster cuts, though.
Overall, I am cautiously optimistic by what I saw from the Saints. One more aspect about the preseason and football that never will change is that injuries will determine as much the success of a team as preseason performances.
HEY REF
Once again I find myself in the minority here in Baton Rouge. It’s not that I’m wrong in my opinion or perception rather I happen to be in the city where no one can do right unless you’re in line with the powers that be at LSU. I closed last week’s column promising to address the circus happenings at Texas A&M.
Second year player and last year’s Heisman Trophy winner; Johnny Manziel is in a little pinch with the money grubbing thieves at the NCAA. Seems they are trying to crucify him for doing what every cash strapped college athlete would do. And that we’d hope is earning an honest living.
Seems Mr. Manziel was PAID to sign some items that would later be sold to the highest bidder. Seems innocent enough to me but under the agreement EVERY player must sign to play under the NCAA banner, you give everything away and allow the hypocrites who by the way make in excess of several millions dollars a year but refuse to feed the mule that’s pulling the wagon every available option to capitalize on you at every turn.
But for once we have a headlining top player NOT dabbling in drugs, stealing, robbing, raping and killing. In our country we idolize these young players for what they do on the field. For the honor of playing (working without a decent wage) major college sports they must sign a contract with the NCAA that stipulates they give away EVERYTHING associated with their names and likenesses.
In other words it’s the same ‘ole song that’s divided the haves and the have nots, multi-millionaires telling the rest of the working people that minimum wage is too good for us. We’re all aware of the billions (with a huge B) of dollars collegiate sports generate. And we’re all aware of the NCAA’s continued reluctance to pay athletes their just rewards. It’s just so damn inadequate for the millionaires and those making millions to deny any real compensation to the young men and women directly responsible for them living in those ivory towers.
We should applaud him for trying to make a buck while the fire is hot; it’s the American way, capitalism at its finest. But I’m not one to just point a finger at problems and cause controversy where none exist. No, I’m here to offer the solution to end every future problem any and all athletes may run into when dealing with the financial police at NCAA Headquarters. One thing I wish every athlete and university would do is learn from those that went before them. After all isn’t that we’re taught, to learn from our mistakes?
Case in point; in the not too distant past another Heisman Trophy recipient was caught with his fingers “in the cookie jar” so to speak. Yet he was able to wiggle free on the tiniest thread of the truth known to man. History tells of an all American SEC quarterback that was leading his team to an undefeated season, a number one national ranking and the front running candidate for the before mentioned award.
When that story broke is was reported the “other” Alabama school had paid a huge amount of money to have him ply his trade as either a War Eagle or Tiger (depends on who you talk to). The NCAA at the time postponed digging further into the allegations for fear it would derail their massive cash locomotive and it hoped the story would go away. I’ll “cut to the chase” here, in the end the evidence showed the payments were made to his father and everyone at the NCAA Compound breathed a huge sigh of relief. An escape clause they themselves hadn’t known was there all the time.
I call it the “Cam Clause” and I know all the jokes about Aggies not being the smartest of people but I won’t go there. But I will go so far as to say to all those ingenious money making athletes to do one thing, have all payments for anything you do while under contract to the most repressive of all employers (The NCAA) made out to family members.
The player signed away all his rights but not his parents, brothers or sisters. Neither did your nieces or nephews. So, if we are to believe in HIGHER EDUCATION lets learn from what we’ve seen and have your family make money off your autographs, pictures jerseys, pants and hats. Cam was “bought” a new car by his father and it was OK since his dad paid for it, wink, wink…
So Mr. Manziel, man-up and tell anyone that wants to do business with your son that they’ve got to go through you. We understand you’ll be honest and not allow a single dime to trickle down to your son. You won’t allow any of these monies to help with his books, food or clothing. You’ll do the right thing just as Cam’s father did and keep the entire $180,000.00 to yourself, won’t you?
Till next week…
DENHAM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2013
BIOGRAPHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Celeste (Gully) Callender (Athlete)
• DSHS: Class A All State basketball player as a sophomore in 1959 and a junior in 1960. One of the best all round female athletes in school history, she missed near certain All State selection as a senior due to an administrative error... A prolific scorer who was an automatic pick on nearly every All Tournament team for three seasons... Selected as DSHS best offensive player in 1960 and 1961... Four year letterman in basketball and softball... Outstanding student-athlete and campus leader, voted Best All Round, Best Sport, Most Athletic, and Most Energetic by student body as a senior.
• Other: Competing in an era long before the advent of U. S. Title IX that required universities to field female sports teams, her only opportunity after high school was to play for several years in an independent women’s basketball league in Baton Rouge where she starred on the Denham Springs-based Varnado Plumbing team... Worked for a few years at Continental Life Insurance Company in Baton Rouge before raising two sons, one of whom is assistant manager of ticketing at the Louisiana Mercedes Superdome, while the other is a U. S. Army and Gulf War veteran. Married to Tom Callender.
Joseph Chustz (Athlete):
• DSHS: Class 5A All State offensive lineman as a senior in 1994 who would later become the first player in school history to be drafted by the NFL (Jacksonville Jaguars) and play professional football... Played in the prestigious Louisiana High School All Star Football Game in 1995 with high school mentor Butch Wax who was also selected as a coach on the East squad that year... Named to the Max Emfinger High School “Blue Chip” list as a senior and presented the Special Recognition Award by the Baton Rouge Touchdown Club... All District football in 1994 and Livingston Parish shot put and discus Champion in 1994 and 1995... Four year letterman in football and three years in track and field... Named Outstanding Field Performer in track seven times in two seasons.
• Other: Received athletic scholarship to play football at Louisiana Tech University where he was a three year starter at offensive tackle for 46 straight games, yielding only one quarterback sack in his collegiate career versus such premier opponents as Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, University of California, Florida State, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas A&M, USC, and West Virginia... Protected the blindside of All American quarterback Tim Rattay who set numerous NCAA passing records and later starred in the NFL... At 6’7” and 310 pounds, Chustz was a dominating run and pass blocker during the glory years of Louisiana Tech football (1996-2000) with stunning wins over Alabama, Mississippi State, and Cal... Named a 1999 candidate for the prestigious Outland Trophy honoring the nation’s best offensive lineman, Chustz was selected to the Football News All America Team in 1999 and its All Independent Team in 1998 and 1999, plus the All Louisiana Team in 1998 and 1999... Member of the Louisiana Tech Football Hall of Champions along with other Tech greats such as Terry Bradshaw, Willie Roaf, and Fred Dean... Named MVP of Florida State game in 1999 and received game balls for performance at Texas A&M and Alabama the same season... Presented the James Wayne Smith Award as Tech’s most valuable lineman in 1999, with a grade of 87.5% blocking consistency with 81 knockdown blocks as a senior... Superb performances in the Blue-Gray College All Star game and the East-West Shrine Bowl resulted in an invitation to participate in the 2000 NFL Scouting Combine, restricted to the top college football prospects each year... Selected in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars where he played under coach Tom Coughlin for two seasons before suffering a career-ending injury in 2002... Younger sister Jamie Chustz was also a memorable Yellow Jacket athlete who starred on the 37-0 state championship girls’ basketball team in 1996 and later played at the University of Mobile... Currently in his fourth season as a volunteer line coach at DSHS... Married to Elisabeth Boone
Chustz with three children, including fraternal twins... Louisiana Tech alumnus.
Nikki (Dixon) Leader (Athlete & Coach)
• DSHS: The only Yellow Jacket in school history with the distinction of being an All State athlete and a two-time State Champion coach... Class 2A All State basketball player in 1964... Class 4A State Champion softball coach in 1986 and 1987 and finalist for National Softball Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1991... Three-time All District selection and prolific scorer, starring on the 1963 state runner-up basketball team with sister Sammy (Dixon) Hannaman, also an All State player for the Lady Jackets... Named District Coach of the Year eight consecutive seasons in basketball, leading her 1990 team to a 31-3 record and a Class 4A state Final Four finish... Coached DSHS girls’ basketball from 1976-1992 with an overall record of 392-167 (70 % wins), culminating in her nomination for Converse High School Coach of the Year in 1992... Her tenure as Lady Jackets softball coach was 1976-1995 with an overall record of 211-75 (75% wins), two state titles, and a state runner-up finish... Named District Coach of the year three times in softball and Regional Coach of the Year twice... An original founder of the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association (LSCA) and its first Vice President, picked as Coordinator of the LSCA All-Star Softball Game in 1993... Honored with “Coach Nikki Leader Day” by proclamation of the Mayor of Denham Springs on May 17, 1991... Inducted into the LSCA Hall of Fame in 1993.
• Other: Graduated from SLU in 1970, one year before the Lady Lions basketball team was established, yet her playing days were not over... She joined the Celadrin-sponsored Tigerettes women’s basketball squad in 1997, a team that has dominated Senior Olympics basketball in recent years with seven National Championships and one runner-up finish... The team is featured in a popular documentary film about the Senior Olympics entitled “Age of Champions” set to be aired on PBS in August... The Tigerettes play a national schedule and have developed a broad following, appearing on popular television shows such as ABC Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, and NBC Today... Mother of two children... SLU alumnus.
George Meadors (Athlete):
• DSHS: Unanimous Class AA All State offensive lineman in 1967 who was also picked on the other side of the ball as a defensive lineman in the prestigious Louisiana High School All Star Football Game the following summer... Becomes half of the first father-daughter tandem selected to the Hall of Fame, along with Class of 2011 inductee Sarah Meadors Mestepey... Versatile two-way player and three-time All District selection at three positions (offensive center, offensive tackle, defensive tackle), named District 8-AA Lineman of the Year as a senior
... A crisp blocker and disruptive force on defense, Meadors led coach Louis Carlisle’s 1967 “Cinderella Team” to the state semi-finals, losing to eventual and undefeated state champion Jesuit High School... As a junior, had the rare achievement of blocking three punts in a single season... Recipient of numerous DSHS team honors including MVP, Team Captain, and Best Defensive Player as a senior... Four year letterman in both football and track... District Champion in the shot put in 1968 and established the school record of 50’ 11 ½”... A well-rounded student-athlete, Meadors was Vice President of his senior class and President of the Yellow Jacket Letterman Club.
• Other: Received athletic scholarship to play football at Northeast State College... Served as volunteer PARDS coach for 11 years, guiding teams to one state title, two regional titles, and two national championships... Served five years as PARDS Commissioner of the girls’ softball program... Selected in the first class of honorees to the PARDS Wall of Fame in 2009... Continues to teach and coach aspiring young athletes the fundamentals of fast pitch softball pitching, having mentored two future Louisiana “Miss Softball” awardees who led their teams to state championships and went on to compete at the college level... Served a four year term on the Denham Springs City Council... Married to Kitten Wild Meadors with two children.
Shannon Roubique (Athlete) ©
• DSHS: Class 4A All State offensive center in football as a senior (1990) who would eventually become a three-time All SEC center at Auburn University... Arguably the best offensive lineman to ever play for the Yellow Jackets... An explosive blocker who dominated opponents and led his team to the playoffs two straight years... Two-time All District choice with three letters in football and two in track and field (shot put, discus, javelin)... Selected to play in the prestigious Louisiana High School All Star Football Game in 1991.
• Other: Received athletic scholarship to play football at Auburn University where he was a four year letterman and a consensus first team All SEC selection in 1993, 1994, and 1995 (AP, UPI, & Coaches polls)... Made an immediate impact for the Plainsmen as a redshirt freshman when named starting center and went on to start 45 collegiate games... Chosen MVP of spring football practice his freshman through senior years... Received the coveted Ken Rice Award for Best Blocking Lineman at Auburn in 1994 and 1995... Selected first team center on Auburn’s Team of the Decade (1990s)... Named starting center in 1995 Senior Bowl which showcased the nation’s best collegiate football players... Signed with the NFL Detroit Lions as a free agent in 1996... Currently lives in Texas and works for BP America as the lead cost engineer for an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico... Married to Nicole Morrell Roubique with two children... Auburn alumnus.
Michael Sceroler (Athlete):
• DSHS: Class 4A All State defensive back in football (1985) and honorable mention All State second baseman in baseball (1986)... First team All District in both sports as a senior and Team Captain in football... A ball hawk in the Yellow Jacket secondary, he is tied for second in career interceptions with 11, including three in one game... Starred on the DSHS state champion baseball team in 1986, batting.517 in district play with a grand slam homerun... A well rounded student-athlete, presented the Honesty and Integrity Award and graduated with honors... Currently a longtime supporter of DSHS athletics as an annual Corporate Sponsor.
• Other: Football walk-on at Northwestern State College, playing until he suffered a serious shoulder injury as a freshman... Self-employed dental practice in Watson since 1995 and member of the American and Louisiana Dental Associations... Married to Monique Stafford Sceroler with one child... Supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with its fundraising efforts... Alumnus of SLU (undergraduate) and LSU School of Dentistry.
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLSHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.