Tag: Louisiana

Arkansas deer hunter accused of ‘contest fraud’ in Louisiana

An Arkansas man faces possible jail time after allegedly poaching a 15-point deer in Arkansas and entering the animal in a big-buck contest in Louisiana.

An Arkansas man faces possible jail time after allegedly poaching a 15-point deer in Arkansas and entering the animal in a big-buck contest in Louisiana.

Andrew Riels, 27, of Crossett, Ark., was cited recently for hunting contest fraud and violating interstate commerce regulations by agents with the Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

The agents were informed of Reils’ activities by wildlife agents in Arkansas.

“During the investigation, agents learned that Riels illegally harvested a 15-point buck during illegal hours on Sept. 8 near Crosset, Ark.,” the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated in a news release. “Riels then entered the buck into the Simmons Sporting Goods Big Buck Contest in Bastrop [La.] later that same day.”

Riels was cited for the illegal killing of the buck on Oct. 30 in Arkansas.

Hunting contest fraud in Louisiana is punishable by a fine of up to $3,000 and one year in jail. Violation of interstate commerce regulations is punishable by a fine of up to $950 and 120 days in jail.

Rookie RB Jacob Kibodi waived from Saints’ practice squad

The New Orleans Saints waived rookie running back Jacob Kibodi from their practice squad, which may signal Kendre Miller’s return is imminent:

The New Orleans Saints waived rookie running back Jacob Kibodi from their practice squad on Tuesday, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. It’s a tough break for the former Ragin’ Cajun from Baton Rouge. Kibodi ran hard in the preseason finale but didn’t dress out for the first four regular season games.

His departure may signal Kendre Miller’s return is imminent. The second-year pro is eligible to be activated from injured reserve any day now, but the Saints won’t hit the practice field until Thursday. It’s been reported that Miller is expected back at practice soon so keep an eye out for movement.

Alvin Kamara has been the team’s unchallenged go-to running back through four games. Jamaal Williams has seen only a handful of touches and Jordan Mims hasn’t been a factor to this point in the season. Miller could provide a spark but he hasn’t even taken a snap in Klint Kubiak’s offense yet during a padded practice. Stay tuned.

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Jacob Kibodi on big day: ‘That’s what you dream of, being a kid from Louisiana’

Jacob Kibodi was all smiles when looking back on his big day against the Titans: ‘That’s what you dream of, being from Louisiana’

Talk about seizing your moment. Jacob Kibodi was a big-time playmaker for the New Orleans Saints in their preseason game with the Tennessee Titans, twice scoring touchdowns. And that meant a lot for the Baton Rouge-born running back. Kibodi played college football for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and he made sure to enjoy every moment on Sunday.

“That was a dream come true. Coming from Louisiana, that’s a blessing. Everybody dreams of that as a kid,” Kibodi said after the game, adding that his mother Meta and brothers Uriah and Caleb were in attendance. He was given a game ball, his first touchdown ball, and it’s something he clearly cherishes. “That’s a blessing, that’s what you dream of, being a kid from Louisiana.”

Getting to play on the same field he watched stars of yesterday excel was almost a surreal experience: “I used to be a kid here, watching Deuce (McAllister) and Reggie (Bush) and Drew Brees play. Marques Colston, you know what I mean?”

Kibodi had a few opportunities to play at the Caesars Superdome before in high school — when he was in college his teams twice qualified for bowl games in New Orleans, but he wasn’t able to dress out either time. So he made sure to capitalize on this chance, and he clearly accomplished that mission. He finished the day with a dozen carries for 59 yards, also catching a 13-yard pass. He said his first big game in New Orleans was worth the wait.

Was it enough to help him make the team when the Saints file their roster cuts on Tuesday? We’ll see. Kibodi has a good chance at catching on with the team’s practice squad after this performance and the growth he’s made day over day at training camp is commendable. But we’ll excuse some living in the moment here. Kibodi worked hard for this opportunity and he’s certainly made the most of it. On this day he got to score a couple of touchdowns for his hometown team and lead a packed stadium in the “Who Dat” chant with other Louisiana natives on the team.

As for tomorrow — we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

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Louisiana men arrested for fraud after winning hog-hunting contests

The hunters are charged with catching feral hogs in another state and using them as part of their competition tallies.

Six men have been arrested for their roles in catching wild hogs in Texas and transporting them to their home state of Louisiana for hog-hunting contests, which they won.

All six men were charged in Louisiana with criminal conspiracy and fraud. Two were also charged with violating interstate commerce; one was charged with obstruction of justice, and another was charged with hunting with a suspended license.

The competitions were the Dingler Wild Hog Roundup in Bienville Parish Feb. 9-10, and the Swamp Time Hog Hunt in Caldwell Parish March 14-16.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated Wednesday that agents learned during an investigation that the men had entered hogs caught in Texas as part of their contest tallies.

One of the men, Nathan Granger, 34, of Vinton, turned himself into the Bienville Parish jail on June 4, since he did not participate in the Caldwell Parish competition.

The other five turned themselves into both jails on June 7. They are Trace Davis, 30, of Longville; Hunter Webb, 27, of Pitkin; Colby Bushnell, 26, of Dry Creek; Davy Haymon, 35, of Pitkin, and Don Pollard Jr., 40, of Pitkin.

Contest rules stipulated that hogs could be caught only in Louisiana during the competition windows.

The fraud charge can result in a $3,000 fine and one year in jail. Criminal conspiracy and interstate commerce violations could add significantly to the mens’ punishment.

The obstruction of justice charge, for Davis, carries a fine of up to $10,000 and five years in jail.

Hog-hunting competitions are allowed as a means of controlling feral pig populations. The animals, which multiply rapidly, cause extensive damage in agricultural areas.

–Feral hog image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

No. 3 Texas A&M to play No. 23 Louisiana in NCAA Regional Final after another Longhorns L

Instead of getting a much-anticipated rematch in the College Station Regional, the Aggies will face the only team that they’ve yet to play.

Instead of getting a much-anticipated rematch on Sunday night at Blue Bell Park between Texas A&M and Texas in the Bryan-College Station Regional, the Aggies will have to face the only team that they have yet to play thus far in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

After shutting out Grambling on Friday to begin the weekend, No. 3 Texas A&M beat the Longhorns 4-2 in an extra inning thriller to advance to the regional final. The Aggies will play No. 23 Louisiana after a dominant 10-2 victory by the Ragin’ Cajuns against Texas on Sunday afternoon.

Louisiana was knocked into the loser’s bracket Friday evening following a 12-5 loss to the Longhorns. The Ragin’ Cajuns got revenge and eliminated Texas with two 3-run homers in a 7-run top of the eighth inning to seize control following a 2-2 tie.

Two years ago, Louisiana’s season came to an end at Olsen Field on Sunday, June 5 during the 2022 regional. Texas A&M will attempt to make history repeat itself tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

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Rematch awaits for No. 3 Texas A&M after Longhorns beat No. 23 Louisiana

After taking care of business against Grambling State on Friday, the Aggies will have a rematch in their second game of the NCAA Regional.

After taking care of business with an 8-0 win against Grambling State on Friday afternoon, the Texas A&M baseball team will have a rematch in its second game of the Bryan-College Station Regional at Blue Bell Park.

The No. 3 Aggies face off against Texas on Saturday night for a berth in the Regional Final. The Longhorns beat No. 23 Louisiana 12-5 in the latter of the opening day doubleheader. The Ragin’ Cajuns and Tigers play tomorrow afternoon in an elimination contest.

Before the games began this weekend, Texas sophomore Jared Thomas spoke about the rivalry between Texas A&M and the Longhorns.

“A&M has always been a rivalry,” Thomas said Monday. “I’ve never liked them personally.”

Thomas may dislike the Aggies because of what happened at the beginning of March. Texas A&M traveled to Austin and earned a 9-2 victory at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

Texas will attempt to get revenge on the third-ranked Aggies’ home turf at Olsen Field on Saturday at 8 p.m.

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7-run second inning propels No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team past Grambling in NCAA Regional

The Aggies easily won their opening game of the Bryan-College Station Regional on Friday afternoon at Blue Bell Park versus Grambling State.

Thanks to 7 runs in the second inning, the Texas A&M baseball team easily won its opening game of the Bryan-College Station Regional on Friday afternoon at Blue Bell Park.

The No. 3 Aggies (45-13) shutout Grambling State (26-23) by a final score of 8-0 to begin the NCAA Tournament. Texas A&M pitchers lead the nation in shutouts with 11 thus far, which is the most in Division I. The Aggies scored their other run in the fourth.

Senior first baseman Ted Burton and junior outfielder Braden Montgomery led Texas A&M to the dominant victory with 3 hits a piece. Burton was the only Aggie to record an extra base knock with a double and racked up a game-high 3 runs batted in. Montgomery tallied 1 RBI and 1 run scored.

Junior right-handed pitcher Brad Rudis (6-0) earned the win on the mound after relieving starter Tanner Jones. The sophomore RHP tossed 3.1 innings and allowed 7 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts on 68 pitches.

Rudis entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the fourth but got out of the jam. He struck out the first Tiger that he faced, then got the next to fly out to center field. The junior righty pitched the fifth to total 1.2 frames and 1 walk without allowing a hit on 18 pitches.

Freshman RHP Weston Moss recorded 3 Ks in 1.2 innings with 1 walk on 16 pitches. Junior RHP Eldridge Armstrong III tossed the final 2.1 frames, giving up 2 hits and 2 walks with 3 punch outs on 37 pitches.

On Saturday, Texas A&M will battle the winner of No. 23 Louisiana and Texas, who play at Olsen Field on Friday at 5 p.m.

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‘We’re not owed anything,’ Texas A&M sophomore LHP Ryan Prager previews NCAA Regional

“Just like 2022 when we did it, we had a great atmosphere. It was an awesome experience and super fun. We still have to fight and go win it.”

Redshirt sophomore left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager was a member of the last Texas A&M baseball team to reach the College World Series and he remincised in those memories on Monday.

“First off, I think it’s super special to get to play here. Getting to play at home in front of our fans is staying in our normal routine. We’ve worked all year up until this point for it. Now we start a new season and it’s the fun time of the year. We’re just really excited for it.” Prager explained. “It’s always exciting getting to play at home because there’s a comfort level with it, you get to play in front of your fans, you know it will be packed for your games and the energy will be there.

“Just like 2022 when we did it, we had a great atmosphere, a great crowd. It was an awesome experience and super fun. We’re just really excited for this year and super proud that we’ve earned a right to do this. Now going forward though, we just have to play and we’re not owed anything because we play at home.

“We still have to fight and go win it.”

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‘Good to see Texas,’ Aggies sophomore OF Jace LaViolette looks ahead to NCAA Regional

“That was a really cool experience right there. I didn’t know who to expect in our regional but it was good to see Texas in there,” he said.

The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team earned the third overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, which is the highest in program history.

After the seeding was released, sophomore outfielder Jace LaViolette shared his reaction to the Aggies hosting the Bryan-College Station Regional this weekend at Blue Bell Park.

“That was a really cool experience right there. I didn’t know who to expect in our regional but it was good to see Texas in there. It’s going to be a fun regional, especially with the other two teams. It’s going to be hard but it’s going to be a lot of fun,” LaViolette recalled Monday. “It’s speaks to the season that we had. Everything starts over again so it’s awesome, we can kind of let it sink it now but after today it doesn’t really mean anything. We’ve got to keep playing the baseball that we play and that’s about it.

“The 12th Man is real, it’s an unbelievable place to play at. It’s going to be a lot of fun to playing in front of the 12th Man. Especially because this is going to be my first time playing in a regional in front of the 12th Man so I’m really excited and I’m excited for what the 12th Man is going to bring for us.”

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‘Doesn’t get us a trophy,’ Schlossnagle reacts to Texas A&M hosting NCAA Regional

“It’s been an outstanding regular season,” Schlossnagle said Monday afternoon. “It’s a great accomplishment but it doesn’t get us a trophy.”

The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team will host the Bryan-College Station Regional of the NCAA Tournament beginning this weekend at Blue Bell Park.

Before postseason play against Grambling, Louisiana and Texas begins, Aggies coach Jim Schlossnagle spoke to the media and reacted to the seeding.

“Excited to get back home. It seems like we’ve been on the road for a while. I’m excited to play at home for a regional and get the 12th Man involved. Hopefully the rain will stay away and I’m sure it will be great baseball all weekend,” Schlossnagle said Monday. “It’s been an outstanding regular season. If you had told us before the season that this is where we were going to end up, I think everybody would’ve signed up for it.

“Three of the last four weeks haven’t been great. But like I said earlier, they call it a season for a reason and that’s because we’ve earned the right to get to play at home on Friday. It doesn’t mean anything after that, you’ve got to play well.

“It’s a great accomplishment but it doesn’t get us a trophy. It’s a means to hopefully what is a positive end.”

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.