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Practice No. 9 put the Nicholls State University football team’s offense and defense against each other in the first scrimmage of fall camp Saturday morning at Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.
In a controlled format, the team conducted around 100 plays in the 90-minute scrimmage. The scenarios included regular drives, third-down situations and red zone plays.
The defense allowed 10 points and had four sacks and an interception.
OFFENSIVE NOTABLES
—One touchdown was scored in the scrimmage by the offense, coming on a 5-yard rush by Tahj Smith. Starting on their own 40, freshman Julien Gums rumbled for 27 yards on the first carry, breaking tackles and dragging defenders. Following eight yards on two carries by Mason Bou-dreaux, Smith got outside and pushed through for a touchdown.
—The team focused on getting carries for the newcomers in the backfield, with freshmen Gums, Brennan Rogers and Central Catholic alum Bailey Badeaux contributing to the team’s 250 yards on the ground. Gums and Badeaux added 13-yard runs, Central Catholic alum Stefano Guarisco had a 14-yard carry and Boudreaux plowed up the middle for a 17-yard gain.
—Quarterbacks Chase Fourcade, Nick Conley and Charles Brooks combined to go 9 of 20 passing for 75 yards and one interception.
—Redshirt freshmen Dontaze Costly caught a 23-yard pass on the opening drive from Fourcade and then had a 19-yard catch to put the offense at the 3-yard line in the red zone drill. But the defense held, limiting the offense to a 19-yard field goal by Lorran Fonseca.
—Miguel Harris added a 10-yard grab from Conley.
DEFENSIVE NOTABLES
—The first-team defense surrendered three points, which came after a goal-line stand. Following Costly’s catch that moved the ball inside the 5, the defense stuffed three straight runs up the middle to keep the offense from scoring a touchdown.
—Moroni Pointer was credited with a sack on third down in the red zone session.
—Kenny Dotson had a sack and stripped a pass attempt for an incompletion.
—Korey Louis picked up a sack on a first-down pass.
—Khristian Mims snagged a deep ball down the sideline and kept his foot inbounds for an interception.
—Charles Brooks found Christian Booker in the back of the end zone for a potential 29-yard touchdown, but Anfernee Poindexter knocked the ball loose on the jump ball.
—Evan Veron ended the scrimmage with a sack.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLES
—Fonseca converted his lone field goal attempt during live play for 19 yards. In the field goal session, he made field goals from 39, 41 and 47 yards, went wide left on a 32-yard attempt and a 47-yard try and was short two 52-yard tries.
—Bray Dusenbery had a 31-yard field goal attempt in live play blocked by Austin Dickerson. He then converted on two 32-yard attempts and missed on a 37-yarder.
—Matthew Alfonso had a 32-yard attempt blocked by Patrick Riley and was low on a 37-yard try.
—Punter/holder Winston Jones rushed around the edge and made it near the goal line on a fake 32-yard field goal attempt.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For updates and coverage of fall camp, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_FB.
SEASON TICKETS
Nicholls football season tickets are available by visiting geauxcolonels.com or calling the Nicholls Ticket Office at 985-448-4790. The home opener is scheduled for Sept. 22 against Sam Houston State.
A fisherman who was participating in a fishing tournament in the Atchafalaya Basin was found dead late Saturday in Iberia Parish after failing to show up at a weigh-in site at Myette Point boat launch in St. Mary Parish earlier in the day.
The body of Leonard Norbert Jr., 58, of New Iberia, was found at about 11 p.m. Saturday, said Capt. Wendell Raborn, spokesman for Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office. The Iberia Parish Coroner's Office will determine the cause of death.
Norbert failed to show up for a weigh-in at a bass fishing tournament held at Myette Point boat launch and was allegedly fishing the contest by himself, Raborn said. Norbert's body was found in the Mud Cove area of Iberia Parish after his boat had been found earlier unoccupied in the same area, Raborn said.
LAFAYETTE (AP) — Some south Louisiana residents have been spotting "manatee area" signs along coastal Acadiana waterways.
Keri Lejeune with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is installing the signs near reported manatee sightings. The slow-moving mammals have been reported in areas that include Vermillion Parish and as far north as the Amite River near Denham Springs.
The signs warn boaters of the possible presence of manatees, which can be injured by boat propellers.
Manatees are often associated with Florida, but some move along the Gulf Coast when the weather gets warmer. Elizabeth Hieb with the Manatee Sighting Network at Dauphin Island Sea Lab says an increase in manatee sightings outside of Florida may be due in part to warming waters and the success of conservation efforts.
A Jeanerette teen has been charged with attempted second-degree murder in connection with a Thursday incident, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.
Jamiyon Bolden, 17, of Sorrel Lane in Jeanerette, was arrested at 2:55 p.m. Saturday on a warrant charging with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal carrying of a weapon and on charges of illegal use of weapons, possession of synthetic cannabinoids with intent to distribute and resisting an officer.
Deputies patrolling Four Corners conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Bolden who was the driver of the vehicle. Through the stop, Bolden fled on foot. As he ran into a cane field, Bolden brandished a weapon from his waistband, Anslum said.
With assistance from the Iberia Parish Sheriff Office K-9 unit, deputies apprehended Bolden. During the search of the area, deputies located the weapon buried in the mud. During a search of Bolden, deputies located a baggie of synthetic cannabinoid, the sheriff said.
The warrant for Bolden’s arrest stemmed from an investigation initiated Thursday where detectives found evidence that Bolden assaulted a victim with a firearm, Anslum said. Bolden was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking and was transferred to another jurisdiction.
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A 26-year-old Morgan City man fled from Berwick police in a vehicle Friday before authorities in Assumption Parish spiked the vehicle, stopping it, Berwick Police Chief James Richard said. Two juveniles were also in the vehicle.
—Davonte Williams, 26, of Morgan City, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Friday on charges of license plate light required, driving under suspension, aggravated flight from an officer with child endangerment and on a probation and parole warrant.
Late Friday night, Berwick officer observed a vehicle with no license plate light and attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop and continued traveling before eventually being caught in Assumption Parish on La. 662, Richard said. Deputies with the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office spiked the vehicle, causing it to stop, Richard said.
No one was injured in the incident. Two juveniles inside the vehicle were returned to their parents, Richard said.
Williams was booked into Assumption Parish jail and then transferred to Berwick jail. He was awaiting bail to be set Monday morning.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 111 calls and reported the following arrests:
—William Rawls, 56, of Carrol Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:18 a.m. Friday on charges of driving under suspension, careless operation of a motor vehicle and no insurance.
Officers responded to a vehicle crash near Justa and Allison streets. During the investigation, officers learned that Rawls was driving under suspension and did not have vehicle insurance, Blair said. Rawls was also determined to be at fault for the accident, Blair said. Rawls was jailed.
—Charles A. Duval Jr., 32, of Park Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay a fine. Duval was arrested at the police department on a city court warrant.
—Harrison Short, 52, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:37 a.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay a probation fee.
An officer patrolling the Brashear Avenue area observed Short walking in the area. The officer knew of warrants from city court for Duval, Blair said. Short was stopped, arrested and jailed.
—Milton Green Jr., 31, of Willow Street in Franklin, was arrested at 10:10 a.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay a fine. Green was arrested at the police department on a city court warrant.
—Mark Broussard Jr., 28, of Vivian Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:29 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay fines.
Officers patrolling the Hickory Street area came into contact with Broussard and found that he active city court warrants. Broussard was jailed.
—Corey Abshire, 40, of Marshall Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:19 p.m. Friday on charges of domestic abuse child endangerment and resisting an officer.
Officers responded to the Marshall Street area after a call of a physical altercation between a child and an adult. Officers arrived and found Abshire at his home during. Police learned that Abshire and another subject started to argue, and that the argument turned physical, Blair said.
During the investigation, Abshire observed other officers talking with the victim and other witnesses at which time he became angry again and attempted to interfere with the officer’s conversation, Blair said. Officers attempted to stop Abshire, at which time he began to resist officers, Blair said. Abshire was placed under arrest at that time. Officers observed marks on the alleged victim with a battery being committed on him, Blair said. Abshire was jailed.
—Brandon Hatch, 23, of Oregon Street in Berwick, was arrested at 3:25 a.m. Saturday on warrants charging him with illegal possession of a stolen firearm and theft less than $1,000.
Officers located Hatch at a La. 182 business and knew of warrants for the police department. Hatch was jailed. The warrants stemmed from an incident from another agency’s investigation into stolen firearms.
—Alfred Johnson, 53, of Clayton Drive in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 11:57 a.m. Saturday on a charge of criminal trespassing.
Officers responded to a call of someone being in a vacant house on Louisiana Street. Officers learned that the subject had left before the officers arrived. Officers were shown video of the subject leaving the home and searched the area and located the suspect, identified as Johnson, Blair said. Johnson was jailed.
—Jesus Zapata, 30, of Village Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 1:22 a.m. Sunday on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense, no turn signal, improper lane use, no driver’s license and flight from an officer.
An officer patrolling in the area of Brashear Avenue and Sixth Street observed a vehicle driving erratically. The officer followed the vehicle and saw the driver commit a traffic violation. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle at which time the driver did not stop and continued on to U.S. 90 where officers followed him for some time until the driver stopped.
The driver, Zapata, was believed to be intoxicated and failed a field sobriety test, Blair said. Zapata registered 0.140 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Zapata was jailed.
—Darius Brown, 39, of Clements Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:32 a.m. Sunday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay probation fee.
Officers responded to a call at Teche Regional Medical Center for a disturbance. Officers located Brown and found that he had a warrant for his arrest through city court, Blair said. Brown was jailed.
—William Harness Jr. 50, of James Street in Siracusaville, was arrested at 6:18 p.m. Sunday on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense, no driver’s license and open container.
Officers were called to a La. 182 business for a minor vehicle accident. During the investigation officers spoke with Harness who was the driver of a vehicle involved in the accident. The officer believed that Harness was intoxicated.
Harness failed a field sobriety test, and the officer also noticed an open can of beer in Harness’s vehicle, Blair said. A computer check of Harness showed that he did not have a driver’s license. Harness registered 0.151 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Harness was jailed.
—Ray Vidos, 59, of Wise Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:54 p.m. Sunday on a fugitive warrant.
Vidos was located after a call from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Vidos was located at a home and arrested for a warrant from Terrebonne Parish for violation of a protective order. Vidos was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 120 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Jason Allen, 49, of West 10th Street in Panama City, Florida, was arrested at 7:59 a.m. Friday on charges of speeding and driving under suspension.
A deputy patrolling Amelia was enforcing traffic inside a school zone when he observed a vehicle speeding through the school zone. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Allen. Through the stop, the deputy found that Allen was driving under suspension, Anslum said. He released on a summons to appear in court Nov. 13.
—A juvenile male, 16, of Berwick, was arrested at 10:58 a.m. Friday on a charge of criminal damage to property.
A deputy patrolling the area of Berwick was dispatched to a home on a complaint of an ungovernable juvenile. The deputy learned that the juvenile damaged property at the home, Anslum said. The juvenile was arrested and released into the custody of his guardian.
—Austin Williams, 19, of Onstead Street in Morgan City, was arrested 2:13 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana.
A deputy transported Williams from the Assumption Parish Jail to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail was set at $2,500.
—Joseph Phillips, 52, of Grandwood Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 6:29 p.m. Friday on two warrants for failure to appear on a charge of distribution of cocaine.
A deputy patrolling the area of Patterson was dispatched to a home for a loud noise complaint. The deputy located Phillips at the home and learned of two active warrants for his arrest. Phillips was jailed with bail set at $25,000.
—Beau Snyder, 20, of Watson Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:28 p.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of marijuana and on a warrant charging him with simple burglary.
A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Snyder. The deputy learned of an active warrant for his arrest. Snyder was transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center for booking. During the transport, Snyder informed the deputy of a marijuana cigarette inside his shoe. The deputy located the marijuana cigarette inside Snyder’s shoe, Anslum said. No bail was set.
—Albaro Garcia-Figueroa, 28, of Cajunway Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 7:05 p.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.
A deputy patrolling Amelia was dispatched to a business in Amelia for a disturbance complaint. Upon arrival, the deputy observed Figueroa kicking at another person, Anslum said. The deputy detained Figueroa and smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from him, the sheriff said. Figueroa was jailed with bail set at $1,000.
—Eric Gaskins, 38, of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 10:44 p.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery and on two warrants for failure to appear on charges of distribution of cocaine and domestic abuse battery.
A detective with the narcotics section was dispatched to a medical emergency call at a business in Amelia. Upon arrival, the detective discovered first responders struggling with a man. The deputy made contact with the man, Gaskins, and helped subdue him, Anslum said.
The detective learned that Gaskins had been discovered lying on the ground unconscious. Gaskins regained consciousness and struck one of the responders, the sheriff said. The detective learned of active warrants for Gaskins arrest. Gaskins was jailed with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.
BATON ROUGE — With the contract lucrative and available only once every decade or two, vendors were expected to aggressively fight for Louisiana’s contract to replace thousands of voting machines.
But the latest search for a company to provide Louisiana’s voting equipment attracted more than just intense competition, also drawing allegations the secretary of state’s office mishandled parts of the bid process and attempted to manipulate the outcome for the winning bidder.
The questions of impropriety come at the worst time for Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, the state’s chief elections official. Ardoin, a Baton Rouge Republican who took over the job after a sexual harassment scandal ousted his boss Tom Schedler, is running for the elected position on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Claims the voting machine contract award was mishandled could follow Ardoin throughout his campaign, as he suggests his leadership is needed to keep the secretary of state’s office on a steady keel.
Already, one of his eight opponents in the race, Republican state Rep. Rick Edmonds of Baton Rouge, called the voting machine selection process “tainted.”
Ardoin disagrees with assertions the secretary of state’s office tried to rig the selection in favor of Dominion Voting Systems, who was announced as the winning vendor Thursday. He described the evaluation process as “fair and equitable for all bidders.” He suggested allegations of impropriety were part of an expected hard-fought competition for the high-dollar work.
“The thing to realize is because decisions are made every 10, 15, 20 years, the process is always very contentious,” Ardoin said in an interview. “It’s very competitive, and there’s very few companies to provide bids in these processes.”
Louisiana last purchased voting equipment in 2005. The secretary of state’s office wants to replace existing bulky machines with smaller, touch-screen-style equipment, improved technology and a paper trail. Nearly 10,000 machines are slated to be replaced by 2020.
Only three companies competed for the contract. Election Systems and Software raised the allegations of impropriety during the bid process, according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
The company said the secretary of state’s office issued voting machine standards only Dominion could meet, saying in a formal complaint the standards were a “blatant disregard for impartiality and fairness” and “grossly inappropriate.”
Ardoin said release of those standards was a mistake, and he withdrew them. He also scrapped a second set of standards that Election Systems and Software said were posted too late in the process and that Ardoin said were issued by Schedler before he left the office and without Ardoin’s knowledge.
None of the contested standards were used to evaluate bidders, Ardoin said.
The Office of State Procurement, which oversaw the bid review and vendor selection, scrapped the original evaluation committee and removed Ardoin from the new review team.
Ardoin said he was part of that decision. He said he was named to the evaluation committee when he was Schedler’s chief deputy and wanted to be removed because it wasn’t appropriate for the secretary of state to help choose the contractor and then later negotiate final contract terms with the winning bidder.
Jacques Berry, a spokesman for the procurement office, however, described the reworking of the evaluation committee as the office director’s “decision unilaterally.”
Edmonds seized on Ardoin’s removal.
“Reports are showing that the acting secretary of state was kicked off a committee tasked with choosing our state’s vendor for our new voting machines because of questionable behavior in the secretary of state’s office,” Edmonds said in a statement posted to his Facebook page. “Having a person of integrity in this office matters.”
The secretary of state’s office said Dominion was the low bidder, with estimated costs of up to $95 million for the work.
The Office of State Procurement said the Colorado-based company was chosen because “their proposal was determined to be the most advantageous to the state of Louisiana, taking into consideration price and other evaluation factors.”
Still, allegations of improper handling of a voting machine deal aren’t the best look in a state where a former elections commissioner pleaded guilty less than two decades ago in a voting machine kickback scandal.
Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Follow her at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte
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Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
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Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255