L'OBSERVATEUR 2019 Football Section

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West St. John Rams

By Lori Lyons Special to l’obServateur

EDGARD – This is not a rebuilding year for the West St. John Rams football team.

Next year might be, but certainly not this year.Brandon Walters goes into his 14th year as coach of the Rams with a roster full of senior players who have gone 29-14 the last three years, with a quarterfinals appearance, a state championship win and a semifinals appearance under their belts.

“The sky is the limit

for the 2019 Rams,” Walters wrote on his preseason questionnaire for the local media. “Hopefully we can keep everybody healthy. If we work hard, we believe we’ll be successful.”

Some have already

penciled the Rams in the Class 1A winner’s spot.

Walters lost only two starters on offense and even the new guys got at least some playing time. And keep in mind that nearly all of the Rams starters play both ways. Of course, the Rams train starts with quarterback D’Andre Gaudia, a 6-foot, 180 pound senior, who is a 3-year starter. He passed for 1,702 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 222 yards last season.

All of Gaudia’s wide receivers are seniors

Brandon Walters goes into his 14th year as coach of the rams with a roster full of senior players who have gone 29-14 the last three years.

Photo by: Govanna Gaudia

too, including Trenton Grow, a two-time AllState player, who plays both offense and defense and has several offers from Division I colleges.

Wantrell Williams (5-11, 175, Sr.) had 24 carries for 262 yards and three touchdowns, along with 32 tackles and three interceptions as a defensive back. Carrington Clark, who had 29 catches for 521 yards and five touchdowns, is another target. D’Kyri Jackson (5-9, 175, Sr.) didn’t have as many touches last year but will help carry the load this season.

The Rams may be even stronger on defense as nine starters return, and that includes three sophomores.

The seniors are linebacker/defensive tackle Zyron Wilson (6-1, 260), linebacker Antoine Carter Jr. (5-10, 190); Amaj Louis (5-9, 169) and Dayton King (5-10, 185), who are battling for the center spot; and safety D’Kyri Jackson (5-9, 175). The sophomores are defensive tackle Jacob Ellis (6-1, 235), tackle Jason August (5-11, 245) and newbie Jakobe Lewis (5-0, 220). Then, on the end is Kailep Edwards (6-1, 235), who was AllState as a freshman and has already received an offer from Mississippi State.

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“He’s a monster,” Walters said. “We definitely have a lot of maturity and experience.”

One of the main concerns for West St. John has always been conditioning. Obviously, at a small school, players are going to get lots of playing time and are expected to work both sides of the ball.

Walters said he and his staff spend a lot of time getting his players ready. He is wellknown for his lockdown

football camp, where the players spend a few days and nights together concentrating on nothing but football.

The players work hard in the weight room, too.

“We talk about it a lot,” Walters said. “We like to run as much as the track team.

Hopefully we can pull a few 4 x 100 relay teams out and they can compete against each other.

We joke about it but, we run for fun. We run and run and run and run.”

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| L’OBSERVATEUR |

Page 2B

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Riverside Academy Rebels

By Lori Lyons Special to L’Observateur

RESERVE – Things are looking up for Riverside Academy football coach Kevin Dizer.

Last year Dizer underwent a baptism of fire, taking over a program that had lost seven games in the previous two years and finished 3-7. It was a tough term for the dual sport coach in his first year as a football head coach.

But things are different this season as he heads into year two.

“Right now, in year two, it’s been night and day different from last year,” he said. “The kids’ attitudes are way better. They want to practice hard every day.

They’re getting after it every day in practice.

And the organization of the program is completely different from last year. A lot of that has to do with the numbers.”

Besides a drop in wins, Dizer saw a dramatic drop in the number of players last season. He started with 40 or so and finished with 37 or so. This year the team is back up to 55.

But Dizer’s biggest challenge in his first year was the schedule he inherited from his predecessor. The Rebels

faced Southern Lab, Barbe, Archbishop Rummel and De La Salle before beginning district play. Then they had to face the likes of Newman and Country Day. “The schedule, combined with the low numbers, was just too much to overcome,” Dizer said. “Honestly, we didn’t have that bad of a team. I just didn’t make it any better because I chose to make them believe we could win every game.”

The schedule part won’t get easier this year, but Dizer did manage dial it down just a tad. He still opens on the road at Class 5A Thibodaux, then travels to Ascension Catholic, hosts 4A Woodlawn, then goes to Catholic High of Pointe Coupee

before starting district. But that district includes Newman (led

by Archie Manning’s grandson), St. Martin’s, West St. John and Country Day. And the Rebels still aren’t that bad of a team, even with the losses of running back Louis Cheneau, who now is at Louisiana College, and wide receiver Kash Foley, now at Grambling State.

Returning to the quarterback spot is junior Gage Larvadain, who passed for 1,5555 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He will have a host of weapons to choose from, including receivers Tairyn Lockhart (returning) and Cade Middleton (new).

Running back Ahmonte Watkins, who rushed for 350 yards last

Riverside team members gather during the scrimmage match on Thursday.

season is a returner but freshman Elijah Davis will be competing for a spot. On defense, the Rebels have four starters returning, including senior defensive lineman Connor Naquin (5-10, 175, Sr.), who will be the de facto leader of the team. Junior defensive lineman Nick Washington (6-1, 225, Jr.) returns, along with linebacker Chamar Jackson (6-0, 185, Jr.), defensive back Bryan Simmons (6-0, 180, Sr.), and defensive back Herbert Keys (5-8, 150, Sr.) The 2019 Riverside Academy Football Team

Preparation makes game day grilling fun (StatePoint) Firing up the grill is a year-round pastime for many, especially in fall, when tailgating takes over stadium parking lots nationwide.

Grilling for a tailgate crowd can be just as high stakes as the game itself,” says The Pit Crew of Pit Boss Grills.

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Whether it’s your first time hosting a parking lot party, or you just want to master your technique, use these tips from the experts at Pit Boss to keep your favorite football fans fed: •Bring more than you think you’ll need. Once you’re parked, you’re there

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• Do the prep work before you go. Doctoring your food can be tricky in the heat of the moment.

Cut out the onsite prep and go for surefire flavor by pre-seasoning

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• Use a portable grill. When it comes to grill choice, it’s all about efficiency. You want to be able to start feeding friends and family quickly after staking out space and pack it all up See Tailgate, Page 3B

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

| L’OBSERVATEUR |

Page 3B

St. Charles Catholic School Comets

By Lori Lyons Special to L’Observateur

LAPLACE – As he enters his 49th year of high school coaching, St. Charles Catholic football coach Frank Monica has got his jokes ready for the 2019 season.

After his team put forth a nice effort in last week’s scrimmage against perennial Baton Rouge powerhouse University High (the Cubs scored three times and the Comets scored twice), Monica said he had some concerns.

“Our offensive line is like the border patrol,” Monica quipped. “They let everybody in.”

Monica blamed that on his team’s youth.

“We have some maturing to do up front,” he said. “I think the defense will be the strength of our football team and, hopefull, give our offense some time to catch up.”

At least he felt his team played U High a little closer than it had in recent seasons.

“I felt like we closed the gap a little bit,” he said. “We came out real, real sluggish in

the first two series, on both sides of the ball.

And then all of a sudden we realized for the first time that we were actually having full contact and they got used to the speed and the contact.

I thought we played it better than we have in the past, but we’ve still got some cleaning up we’ve got to do.”

Even Monica must admit that the Comets’ glass is a little more half full than half empty this year. Although he lost some talent to graduation, including his top defensive players from last year, he returns five starters on both sides of the lineup.

Key among those is senior quarterback Justin Dumas (5-foot-11, 170) and senior running back Phillip Tran (5-7, 160), who was named All-District in 2018.

Joining Tran in the backfield will be junior

Keenan Gauff (5-9, 156) and junior Logan Forsythe at fullback.

The Comets defense appears to be solid with 2018 All-District and Tulane commit Mason Narcisse (6-3, 287) anchoring the line at tackle.

The returning linebacker is AllDistrict player Mandell Eugene, whom Monica called one of the best he’s ever coached in high school.

The secondary suffered a big loss in the graduation of Bryce Authement, who is now at Nicholls State, but Monica listed senior safeties Riley LeBlanc and Brady Jacob and corners Kameron Campbell, Justin Turcuit and freshman Kaden Foster as replacements.

They will be challenged by the Comets’ brutal schedule, though.

“We could have a better team and our record might not reflect it because of our brutal schedule,” he said.

“There are no soft tar-

gets on our schedule.”

But the Comets do move back down to the Select School Division II bracket instead of the Division III bracket.

That’s not to say that St. Charles didn’t handle itself in the higher division. The Comets were semifinalists both seasons in Division II. The Comets have played in seven state championship games.)

Monica has compiled an impressive personal record of 269-84, 181-65 at St. Charles.

The Comets are on the Select School Division II bracket instead of the Division III bracket this year.

However, there are no soft targets on the schedule.

Tailgate: Be a part of the fun with a remote thermometer From Page 2b

just in time for kickoff. With fast set-up and no messy cleanup, a portable wood pellet grill, like the Pit Boss Tailgater, gives bold, smoky-hardwood flavor, and makes a solid choice for tailgates, camping trips, picnics or any outdoor adventure.

• Satisfy all taste buds. Bring an assortment of barbecuing and

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• Kick back. Just because you’re manning the grill doesn’t mean you can’t kick back and enjoy the party. Use a remote thermometer to monitor your food while you step away from the cooking site. This is especially helpful to prevent babysitting or lifting the lid when doing slower cooked

meats, like ribs and pork shoulder.

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cider vinegar • 2 tablespoons bourbon • 2 tablespoons hot sauce • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 teaspoon Pit Boss Sweet Rib Rub Seasoning Instructions: The day or morning before the game, create you marinade by combining the ketchup, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, bourbon, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce,

and Sweet Rib Rub in a bowl. Whisk well to combine.

Next, add the chicken wings to the marinade and toss them until they are well coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.

When it’s time to cook, fire up your wood pellet grill and set the temperature to 350 degrees F. If using a gas or charcoal grill, set it up for medium heat.

Let the marinade drip off the chicken

wings, and place them directly on the grill grates to cook for 10 minutes. Turn them over and grill for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and dark golden brown. Remove the chicken wings from the grill and enjoy them while they’re nice and hot! For an extra kick of flavor, set aside some of your marinade before adding the chicken to coat the wings with later as a finishing sauce.

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| L’OBSERVATEUR |

Page 4B

Wednesday, august 28, 2019

Lutcher High School Bulldogs

By Lori Lyons Special to l’obServateur

LUTCHER – Every time he walks onto the football field at the Dog Yard, Lutcher coach Dwain Jenkins is reminded of what it means to be the coach of the Bulldogs.

“When you walk out on the field every day at practice and look up at the press box and there’s a big sign with eight state championships on it, we know what the expectations are without anybody having to say anything,” Jenkins said.

But when the Bulldogs enrollment numbers rose and put them in Class 4A for a few years, oddly enough, those expectations dropped. Lutcher grew, but became one of the smallest schools in 4A and things got tougher.

“When we won it in 2016 and knew we were going to 4A and we knew that was going to be our last chance for a while,” Jenkins said. “Now that we’re back in 3A, those expectations are back up. It’s Dome or bust. That’s the nature of the beast in 3A.”

Things won’t be easy for Lutcher this season, which has a few spots to fill on offense. The biggest hole is at quarterback.

Where Kolby Bourgeois, a 2,500-plus yard passer was, there is now 5-foot-9, 150-pound junior Mahki Patterson. Young and green, Jenkins said Patterson likes to run, even at his own peril.

Junior running back Ra’Saun Storks, who is 5-8 and 208 pounds, is better suited, Jenkins said.

“He’s thick,” Jenkins said. “He’s got a little bowling ball in him.”

Patterson also is blessed with the return of receivers Rashohn Williams (5-11, 150, Sr.) and Jacoby Williams (6-0, 190, Sr.). Two other projected starters already have been lost, however, Cam Amato to a torn ACL this summer and Noah Detillier to a back injury.

The Bulldogs have more experience on the defense with seven start-

ers returning. Senior defensive tackle Jamel Thomas is a 3-year starter and linebacker Chris Burkhalter is getting some college looks.

The return to 3A also means a reunion for Lutcher with some of its old teams in District 9-3A, including crossriver parish rival St. James.

Dwain Jenkins is reminded of what it means “When the enrollment to be the coach of the Bulldogs when he numbers came out and enters the stadium each time. we’re on the top end of 3A instead of at the In fact, St. James is turning the bottom end of 4A, people naturally game into a celebration of the state’s just get excited,” he said. “That’s the Historically Black Colleges and buzz.”

Universities, with a pre-game colThe teams played each other every lege recruitment tailgating event. year from 1971 to 2004, then resumed Southern University’s Human in 2015. That year the two faced each Jukebox marching band is schedother twice – once in the regular seauled to preform at halftime. Also, the son and again for the Class 3A state 1979 state championship team will be championship. Lutcher won both. honored.

Now, the annual contest will be for Also joining the parish rivals more than just bragging rights. The are old rivals E.D. White and district title could be at stake. That Donaldsonville, along with Berwick just adds fuel to an already toasty and Patterson, who bring their own fire. cross-town rivalry to the fray.

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| L’OBSERVATEUR |

Wednesday, august 28, 2019

Page 5B

St. James Wildcats

By Lori Lyons Special to l’obServateur

VACHERIE – St. James football coach Robert Valdez doesn’t appreciate what people are saying about his team this season.

A lot of people, including some on the other side of the river, are saying that the Wildcats are the team to beat in District 9-3 and maybe even in the state -- to which Valdez quoted an old rap song.

“Don’t believe the hype,” he said.

Right.

“With what they have coming back they have to be one of the top teams and have the target on their back,” said Lutcher coach Dwain Jenkins.

He should know. The Wildcats go into this season as the favorite to win District 9-3A because they have a roster full of college prospects, a well-seasoned quarterback in senior Shamar Smith, who has a couple of offers to mull over.

“He’s been playing since he was a freshman,” Valdez said. “He’s battletested. Now it’s his time to cash in.

He’s a very talented young man.”

Smith is one of six returning starters on offense, including wide receivers Logan Gravois and She’N Joseph and running back Sean Lebeouf, who has committed to Navy. Senior offensive tackle Jaquon Jones and junior offensive guard Greg Rounds return to the line, where they will be joined by new starting center Adam Baptiste, freshman guard Jace Phillips and tackle Deandre Keller. On defense, Valdez lost only three starters. He returns All-State linebacker Kaleb Brown; Keller, Rounds and Phillips spend time on the defensive line as well.

Valdez predicts a lot of folks will be watching senior defensive tackle Saivion Jones.

“He’s the big guy,” Valdez said.

“He’s tall, he’s rangy, and he does everything you ask him to do.”

Valdez also urged fans not to be concerned with the number of freshmen who will be playing – starting, in fact.

The Wildcats go into this season as the favorite to win District 9-3A because they have a roster full of college prospects.

“They’re not your usual freshmen,” he said. “We play our freshmen early.”

Fans likely will be more focused on the renewal of the district rivalry with cross-river rival Lutcher. The past two seasons, the two have played only for St. James Parish bragging rights. But, thanks to reclassification and Lutcher’s drop down to Class 3A, the two are back in District 9-3A. “We’re district compadres again,” Valdez said. “I think it’s a good thing.

Either way it goes it’s going to fuel the fire in every sport. It means a lit-

tle more than what it already meant before. We know exactly who we’re playing. Lutcher and St. James go hand in hand.” This year’s game will be even bigger than usual as host St. James is planning to make it an event to celebrate the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The 1979 state championship team will be honored at the game. Before the game, the colleges will hold a recruiting tailgating event. Then, the Southern University marching band is scheduled to perform at halftime.

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| L’OBSERVATEUR |

Page 6B

Wednesday, august 28, 2019

Destrehan High School Wildcats

By Lori Lyons Special to l’obServateur

DESTREHAN – Heading into the 2019 football season, Destrehan coach Steven Robicheaux said he has a lot of question marks about his team.

Good thing he has at least one answer.

When folks ask Robicheaux what he’s going to do to replace prolific running back John Emery, who is now battling for a starting spot at LSU, the coach simply points to Kyle Edwards.

It will be up to the 6-foot, 210 pound senior not only to fill the hole left by Emery, but also to carry the offense for a while until first-year starting quarterback Damarius Jackson gets some much-needed experience.

“It’s exciting because

I’ve been waiting for the past three years,” Edwards said. “I’m so ready. I’ve been waiting for this.”

Edwards knows he has some big shoes to fill. Emery, last year’s District 7-5A offensive MVP, rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 28 touchdowns to help lead the Wildcats to the Class 5A semifinals with a 12-2 overall record and 6-0 in district.

Edwards mostly was the backup, called upon to give Emery a rest. He finished with 708 yards and 8 touchdowns. That wasn’t always easy.

“You work your heart out during practice and then game-time comes and you get, like, two reps and then they take you out,” Edwards said. “Then they go one drive, two drive then put you back in for a few plays then out again. You’re pretty much just like a special team player. I would get kind of frustrated sometimes. I just wanted a chance.”

Edwards should get that chance this season – and then some.

The Wildcats also lost a pretty solid quarterback in JR Blood, who is now at Southern University. Moving into his spot is Jackson, who has little varsity experience.

“The question mark is at quarterback,” Robicheaux said. “Damarius (Jackson) had a great spring and a great summer but he needs

experience. He’s a little different. He’s more of a running type quarterback but he throws the ball really well. It’s going to fall on Kyle to take that pressure off of Damarius early until he gets some experience.”

It helps that Jackson will have a big, solid, experienced offensive line protecting him up front. Kerwin Mitchell, Daniel Hart, Khyron Victor and Preston Madere are all seniors.

Eli Taffi is the lone junior.

He also will have an easy target in 6-3, 210 senior wide receiver Quincy Brown, one of the state’s top college prospects.

Robicheaux has even more question marks on his defensive depth chart. The Wildcats return only three starters on defense. Granted one of those is 6-3, 270 pound senior defensive lineman Noah Talianchich,

a Tulane commitment.

He is joined by inside linebacker Dylan Whitted, a 5-8, 185-pound senior, and safety Tyler

Morton, a 5-8, 155 senior.

The Wildcats also will be breaking in a new kicker in sophomore Will Bryant.

Destrehan ‘23 QB Jai Eugene Jr. is seen with quarterback coach James Washington iii.

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Wednesday, august 28, 2019

Page 7B

Hahnville High School Tigers

By Lori Lyons Special to l’obServateur

HAHNVILLE – Hahnville football coach Nick Saltaformaggio is enjoying the peace and quiet for a change.

For the first time since the veteran coach arrived on the West Bank of St. Charles Parish, there’s no TV cameras in his locker room, no reporters constantly knocking on his door. And that’s just fine by him.

“I haven’t been getting a whole lot of press lately and that’s a good thing,” Saltaformaggio said. “We’ve kind of fallen off the map and it’s been really nice.”

In 2014, all eyes were on the Tigers because it was the year Saltaformaggio took over the program from Lou Valdin and had to be initiated in Hahnville ways. The next few, everybody came to see prolific running back Anthony “Pooka” Williams, the 2017 Mr. Football who is now at Kansas. Then, Just when Saltaformaggio thought things would settle down, came into the Tigers’ 2018 season and a season full of controversy surrounding the transfer of quarterback Andrew Robison.

Would he be eligible?

Would he play? Would

he start? It all took a toll on the Tigers’ locker room, Saltaformaggio said.

“The biggest thing that happened as a result of all that is, sides were taken in the locker room,” he said.

This year, he said, things are coming together. The team is rallying around starting quarterback Andrew Naquin, who wasn’t at the center of last year’s controversy but was right in the middle of it.

The junior often didn’t know week to week – or even day to day – if he would start or even get to play.

“The atmosphere is different,” Naquin said.

“Practice is a lot more competitive. We don’t have anything to stop us from playing football. It’s a very positive environment.”

Naquin will lead a team adjusting to a new offensive system under new offensive coordinator Daniel Luquet, the former Destrehan quarterback and Woodlawn head coach. The Tigers will go to a no-huddle spread – a first for Naquin.

“I just have to keep my guys aligned and keep everything moving, even when things aren’t always going peachy,” he said. “The adjustment’s been pretty swell.”

Naquin gains another weapon with the return of senior running back Daryl Evans, who missed all of the 2018 season after suffering a torn meniscus in the first game of the year. Senior Brandon Cormadelle, who filled the spot quite capably last year, will move to defense, which looks to be the Tigers’ strength this season. There are four college prospects on the defensive side, including linebacker John Pearsall, corner Syrie Lewis, safety Robert Jackson and Cormadelle. The 2018 season certainly did not live up to anyone’s expectations, beginning with the Tigers’ 1-4 start.

Saltaformaggio said the loss to Destrehan hurt.

The loss to East St. John stung. But the loss to Terrebonne was devastating.

“That’s a low water mark for me,” Saltaformaggio said.

“There are certain expectations here.

Hahnville High School should never lose to anybody 41-0. We have to figure out what happened and fix it.”

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more complex activities.

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Various months or weeks of the year are dedicated to celebrating particular ethnic, cultural or special groups.

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| L’OBSERVATEUR |

Page 8B

Wednesday, august 28, 2019

Good Luck to All River Parishes Teams!

East St. John Wildcats

By Lori Lyons Special to l’obServateur

RESERVE – Since returning to his alma mater as head football coach last year, Brandon Brown has let everyone in St. John the Baptist Parish know that everything he does is “All about the E” – as in East St. John High School.

This year, Brown and his Wildcats have a new slogan with a few more letters in it: BUA. It stands for Back Up Airline, and it means the team is hoping that so many people come to watch them play at Joe Keller Stadium on Friday nights, it causes a major traffic jam in Reserve.

“We need everybody to come out and support

out kids,” Brown said.

“We need to get the community behind them.”

The Wildcats promise to reward that support with some good football on the field.

Brown seems to have turned around a team that has muddled in the middle of the District 7-5A pack in recent seasons. The Wildcats have finished 5-6 each of the last three years, losing in the first round of the playoffs in all three. The difference last year was

that East St. John was oh-so-close to breaking through. The team lost four games by a total of eight points.

“That’s what we talk about,” Brown said. “The goal this year is to finish.”

The Wildcats lost a heartbreaker to McDonogh 35, 16-14, when the Roneagles returned a late punt for a touchdown. They lost to H.L. Bourgeois 7-6 in a game played in mud. And they probably should have beaten Destrehan but for a blocked extra point attempt.

Even Destrehan coach Steven Robicheaux said the ESJ Wildcats were “a different team.”

Then the Wildcats did what they hadn’t done since 2015 – beat Hahnville.

“That was a huge

The East st. John Wildcats are led by Brandon Brown, who is in his second year as head coach at the school.

boost to us,” Brown said. “That’s what they talked about in my interview, how we were going to beat what they called the Big 3, Hahnville, Destrehan and Thibodaux. I think they were 0-12 against them the last four years. They’re tired of being the second tier.”

Now that he has a year behind him, things are a little easier for Brown.

His schemes are set, the players are accustomed to his ways and discipline is in force.

“We trying to change the culture here,”

Brown said. “Everyone has a perception about East St. John. We’re trying to change that.”

Brown believes this year’s team has the potential to make even more noise on the football field. They showed that last week with an impressive scrimmage victory over nationally ranked Karr.

“I call it a glorified practice, but it shows you where we are,” Brown said. “I think it showed we could be a great team.”

The Wildcats return a slew of starters, includ-

ing most of their skill people. Senior quarterback Sean Shelby and wide receiver Dontae Fleming lead the offense and Calvin Gardner moves from defense to running back. Up front, four of five linemen return as well.

Defensively, East St. John returns nearly the entire secondary, including safeties.

Antonio Sanders Jr. and Shaun Sterling Jr. “We’re going to be fierce,” said Sanders. “People are going to want to come out and support us.”

Above: Pictured at Meet the Wildcats, the E has the potential to make even more noise on the football field.

Below: Welland Williams, shaun sterling and Jackie Marshall are prepped and ready for the season.

GOOD LUCK Serving the River Parishes for over 25 years

Woody Norsworthy, PT • Keisha DiGiovanni, MPT LeAnne L. Millet, LOTR, CHT• Donna Cambre MA, CCC-SLP 504 Rue de Sante LaPlace, Louisiana 70068 (985) 652-9515 • stjohnpt.com

St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District student-athletes!

www.stjohn.k12.la.us @SJBPschools

Thank you to all our sponsors.

Team schedules for all River Parishes football teams are included as an insert in this edition.

M C Y K

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Lutcher High School

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With some advanced planning and know-how, anyone can throw a successful and memorable tailgate party. Follow these tips to get started.

• Create a mobile tailgating kit. Turn a toolbox into an essentials collection for tailgating.

Fill a metal toolbox with necessary gear, such as barbecue basics, bottle openers, condiments, trash bags, zip-baggies, and paper towels. Then simply grab the toolbox and set out for the tailgate party location.

• Prep the night before.

You’ll want to get the best spot in the lot, so do the bulk of the work the night before the event.

Pre-chill beverages so they will stay at the right

L’OBSERVATEUR

Special to

temperature in the cooler. Sort out recipe items and ensure that all the food staples are well secured and ready to put in the cooler. Pre-purchase ice so it’s ready to go.

• Pack smart. Store plates and silverware in a plastic bin with a lid. Dirty dishes and other soiled cooking tools can be kept securely inside and toted home for washing.

• Choose menu items wisely. Keep in mind that foods that are portable and eaten out of hand are best at tailgates.

This limits the trash and how many utensils will need to be discarded or washed. Burgers, hot dogs, kabobs, sliders/ sandwiches, and the like are ideal tailgate foods.

• Label coolers. Make sure guests know where to find the items they

need. Label coolers to differentiate between beverages and other supplies.

Freeze water bottles to use in place of ice in the coolers so that the cold water can be consumed as the bottles thaw.

• Create a warming oven. Coolers insulate warm or cold items.

Grilled foods or foods cooked at home can be kept warm until eaten.

• Establish a washing station. A clean, rinsed out, spigot-style laundry detergent container can be transformed into a washing station.

The most important tip is to make sure others can find your location.

Tie balloons to the car so that guests can spot it in the crowd. Then have fun before the game or concert.

PAGE 1C

D i r e c t i o n s : • Prep your ribs by patting them dry, removing the membrane, and trimming them, if your

I n g r e d i e n t s : • 1 rack spare ribs • 1/4 cup of mustard • Pit Boss Sweet Rib Rub • 2 tbsp of butter • 2 tbsp of brown sugar • 2 tbsp of honey • 1/4 cup of apple juice • 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce

( S t a t e P o i n t ) Want to create the world’s best ribs?

You can smoke the competition with this recipe from Pit Boss for fall-off-the-bone St. Louis-style ribs. They are easy to make and can serve a group of four, or double the recipe to serve a big party!

butcher hasn’t already.

• Generously coat every inch of the ribs with mustard and Pit Boss Sweet Rib Rub. Lay them on the grill bone side down and smoke at 225 F for 3 hours.

• After 3 hours, wrap them tightly in foil, leaving one side open to add in your butter, brown sugar, honey, and apple juice.

Then, seal them up and place them back on the grill flesh side down for 2 more hours.

• To finish them off,

Ribs are easy to make and can serve a group of four.

remove the foil and lay the ribs bone side down for an hour or until they reach an internal temperature of 185 – 190 F, making sure to add your favorite BBQ sauce and crank up the grill temperature to 275 F, 15 – 20 minutes before the ribs are done.

For more recipes, and to shop for grills as well as other cooking accessories to up your grill game and create world class barbecue, visit pitboss-g rills.com.

Make the World’s Best Ribs on the Grill

| L’OBSERVATEUR |

Tailgating party tips

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

Friday Night Football Schedules 2019