Work hasbegun on RollinsRoadoverlay project
Projectexpected to be completed by firstday of school
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE
Contributing writer
Work is underway to put anew overlay on Rollins Road, aproject that will smooth the way for the many drivers who rely on the dilapidated,two-lanethoroughfare to traverse Zachary andto reach school campuses.
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
Rebuild, reload, readjust or just reboot?
After replacing 15 starters in 2023, the Zachary High Broncos come into the 2024 season with five returning starters providing multiple opportunities for new faces to provide similar results.
“Our program is at apoint where there are always guys waiting in the wings to be the next guy,” coach DavidBrewerton said.
Brewerton enters his 11th season as head coach withthe Broncos and 27th overall. He received aplaque in recognitionofhis tenure earlier this month with the LouisianaFootball Coaches Association The staff has remained essentiallyintact, with the exception being the retired Johnny Nagle. ZHS athletics welcomed anew strength and conditioning coach Travis Nichols, who joined the Broncos after working with the football teamat Southeastern Louisiana University When Ichecked in with Brewerton, he was tryingto add an opponent for the open date on Sept. 27. The program he contacted, well, let’s just say it wasanundefeated team from out of state. Never one to dodge competition.
“Wedon’treturn alot, butwe return guys who have played a lot,” Brewerton said. As mentioned last week, the team will be challenged early “Plaquemine returns 17 starters,Acadiana returns 16 starters offastate runner-up team, Carencro beat Acadiana, and Opelousas returns 20 starters off a4Astate championship team,” Brewerton said.
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Officials are hoping most of the work will be done by Aug. 6—two days before Zachary studentsreturn to school.Rollins Road sees heavycarpooland bustrafficduringthe academicyear,asseveral schools are located nearby “Should there be anyweather or other delays, there would be only aslight overlap in timelines,but everyone is hoping for no delays,” Brandon Noel, who represents the Zachary area on the Metro Council, wrote in aJuly12 Facebook postannouncing the startofthe work.
TheCityofZachary on July 23
reported via Facebookthat “the resurfacingprocess of removing and replacing thetop layers of asphalt has begun on RollinsRoad.” Followersofthe city’sFacebook page rejoiced at the news. “Finally,” one wrote. “Thank you. Very much needed,”said asecond follower.“Yessss,” another wrote, appending three hand-clap emojis In addition to beingonthe route to schools, RollinsRoadstays busy with residents driving to and from the many homes in the area. And as aroad runningfrom west to east,it’sa popular way for motor-
ists to cut across Zachary The newoverlay is atemporary fix for the pothole-laden, parishowned road. But with larger-scale upgrades likely still years away, local officials —who have raised concernsabout the safety of drivers traveling on Rollins Road have welcomed theproject.
Noel previously toldmembers of the Zachary City Council that theoverlay project will take about fourmonths. While the initial phaseoftearing up theold road surface and repaving should be completedrelativelyquickly,
more work will comeafterward, including cleanup and striping. Fortunately,Noel said, those tasks shouldn’tbeasdisruptive. The overlay is beingpaidfor with road rehabilitationfunds OK’d by the Metro Council nearly ayear ago.
Rollins Road eventually will be completely overhauled through the MoveBR program, which is funded by ahalf-cent sales tax that voters approvedin2018. Planscallfor closing in roadside ditches, reconstructing andwidening theroad,and adding bike lanes and sidewalks.
Mammographycoach to make
Ave. Call(225) 774-9486 to schedule For moreinformationincluding the full mammography coach schedule, visit Womans.org Zacharybaseballregistrationopen Registration is underway forthe Zachary Youth Park’ssenior men’s
Edars Jose places apiece while playingagame with JahkoreyinTate.
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STAFFPHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Tiara Young helps her nephewJace Robinson withhis backpack at the third annual
Kariah Green grabs apurple backpack.
Dreylon Jackson checks out abackpack
TheDeslotte sisterschose their backpacks
Ashlyn Rheams picks abackpack next to her brother Ashton Rheams.
STAFF PHOTOSBYMICHAEL JOHNSON
Alexis Worley takes abackpack at the 12th annual School Rocks backpack giveaway at the Verizon store on SundayinZachary,
The Back2School Giveaway features schoolssupplies, uniforms and bags along with food, entertainment and games.
Armias Robinson hands aticket for abackpack.
Brian Johnson dances around to musicwhile scooping melted cheese for his wife, Regina Johnson, while the pair serve food at the Back2School Giveaway
STAFF PHOTOSBYMICHAEL JOHNSON
KatyaBates helps her daughter Ari Bates, 4, witha backpack at the Back2School GiveawayatFashion Stop on SundayinBaker
Kaylin Jones tosses abean bag whileplaying at the third annual Back2School Giveaway.
Kaiden Caesar,4,tries to takeabite from ahot dog covered in cheese.
PROBIDEDPHOTO
MayorDarnellWaites, center,meetswith Baker Junior Buffs Youth Organization. Commissioner Montero Bradford, right,and PresidentJames ‘Jamie’ Bennett.
U.S. attorneytalks to ZacharyRotaryClub
Community news report
U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe Jr., who overseesthe Middle District of Louisiana andlives in Zachary,spoke to the Zachary Rotary Club July 25. He was invited by Mayor DavidMcDavid, whom he knew from McDavid’stenure as Zachary’sChief of Police. Some of Gathe’skey responsibilitiesas U.S. Attorney are:
n Prosecution of federal crimes: This includes cases involving drug trafficking, firearms offenses, public corruption, fraud, and other federal offenses.
n Civil litigation: Represents theUnited States in civil cases, which can involvede-
AROUND
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Schoolswelcome students in August Schools in Bakerand Zachary start at the beginning of August and there are several eventslined up to preparestudentsfor the firstbell.
Check out these events.
Back to school activities underway
n Capital Area CASA hasaschool supply wish list on Amazon. Thegroupseeks suppliestohelpfosterchildren startthe school year.Visit www.amazon.com/hz/ wishlist/ls/IJ82GW0A4Y0K?ref_=wl_share to purchase.
n The fourth annualZachary Backto School Family Dayisfrom 10 a.m. to 2p.m., Aug. 17 at The Rock Church and World Ministries, 20810 Plank Road. Activities will include abasketball tournamentand avolleyball tournament, as well as ajambalaya cook-off. Free food and drinks, giveaways, adunking booth, talent show,prizes and more are planned. Call (430) 342-2022 or write zacharyfamilyday@ gmail.com for information
n The Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.Committee of Zachary is planning itsBack to School Giveaway at the Zachary High School Gymnasium on Aug.3 from 10 a.m. until supplies run out. Forinformationor to be avendor,call Johnnie Evans at (225) 933-6431 or Tina Clark at (225) 202-1076. n Rose Hill Church, 3213 Groom Road, Baker,ishosting aone daypop-up pediatricclinicfrom10a.m.to2 p.m.,Aug. 3. Free services will includechild wellness exams, sports physicals andaccess to services from communityresources.All minors must be accompanied by an adult, andthe adult must have alegal photo ID. For information, call (225) 456-5711orvisit rosehillchurch.org.
fending the federal government in lawsuits or filingcivil enforcement actions.
n Community outreach: Works on initiatives to prevent crimeand improve community relations.
n Victimassistance:Providessupport and assistancetovictims and witnesses involved in federal cases.
The MiddleDistrict of Louisiana covers the state’s capital, Baton Rouge,and the surrounding areas,making it acrucial regionfor addressing urbanand rurallegal issues, anews release said.
Pictured, left to right, are Zachary Police Department Chief Darryl Lawrence, U. S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr.and Mayor David McDavid.
n The Baker Back to School Bashisfrom 10a.m. to 1p.m., Aug. 3. At the Baker Municipal Center,3325 Groom Road.While supplies last, free school supplies,book bags,food game, vendors and moreare available. The Baker Schools student must bepresent.
Balloon festival returns
The Zachary Really HotAir Balloon Festival will be held from noon to 9p.m. Aug. 10 at theBREC Zachary CommunityPark, 20055 Old Scenic Highway
Theeventwill feature nine hot air balloons, tethered balloon rides, balloon glow concert by the Chase Tyler Band, food trucks, kids zone, local craft vendors and more. Find information at downtownlivezachary.com or email downtownlivezachary@gmail.com.
Visithistoriccemetery
The Dead of Locust Grove will be from 10 a.m.to4 p.m., Aug. 10. Learn about the inhabitants of this historic cemetery of Locust Grove Plantation. The plantation was owned by Luther Smith and Anna Davis Smith, sister of Jefferson Davis. It became the final resting place for many figures important in the early history of Louisiana, including Sarah Knox Taylor, thedaughter of President Zachary Taylor and wifeofJefferson Davis.
See the grave of Major Gen. Eleazar Ripley,one of theearliest generals of the young countryand who invaded Canada during the Warof1812.
Locust Grove State Historic Site, BainsRistroph Road, St. Francisville, will be open free of charge. The parkhas no facilities and no site staff. For information call Audubon State Historic Siteat(225) 635-3739.
Send news and eventsfor the Zachary area to zachary@theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call(225) 388-0731.
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Offensively,though, there are only two returning starters. There is experience at the wide receiver position where Jaiden Cockerham returns and Treyvion Chaney who was out all last year with an injury but was projected as astarter,toprovide quality.
Tralan Sept will move from running back to slot receiver to further strengthen the receiving corps. Senior Caleb Gonzales will be thetrigger man andhas varsity experience at the quarterback position. Brewerton indicated that Gonzales was sharp all summer in 7-on-7 competitions and had agood offseason where he got bigger and stronger
The offensive line loses all but one but as Brewerton noted, “Coach Jason Davis always does agreat job withthose guys and they will be strong.”The running back position is solid withDavekio Ruffin and Nate James, who both saw extensive action in 2023.
On defense, theBroncos begin year two under defensive coordinator Matthew Zito and the 3-4 alignment.
“Welook so much morecomfortable on defense with thesystem in place fortwo years,” Brewerton said, which should re-
late to playing fast.
Though there are several starters to replace, Brewerton noted that during the summer workouts and competitions that the secondary “looks better than Ihave seen here in along time at this point.”
Sean Hamilton on the defensive line and Michael Septs at middle linebacker return to lead the front seven. Zito pulled double duty this summer through June running the weight room until Nichols washired. Special teamsshould be astrong point as the Broncos return senior kicker/punter Rafael Costa and Brewerton also pointed to the improvement madebybackup junior Boston Bentley Brewerton is excited about morethan the varsity schedule. He is excited that both the junior varsity and ninth grade teamswill place afull and competitive 10gameschedule. Northwestern Middle School under coach Aaron Odom will also play acompetitive 11-game schedule against top-notch schools like John Curtis, Destrehan, Acadiana and Brother Martin. The Varsity Broncos completed “boot camp” July 26-28 and will take aweek to rest up and lick their wounds before school starts and the grind begins again on Aug. 5. Warren Brady covers sports forThe Plainsman. He can be contacted at zachary@theadvocate.com.
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STAFFPHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Head coach David Brewerton of Zacharywatches his team playduring the seven-on-seven football games at ZacharyHigh on June 13.
