DENHAM SPRINGS - It felt more like a Friday night in October than it did a Friday night in January.

After his first season together with junior wide receiver Brian Thomas, Walker High coach Chad Mahaffey can’t wait for another year together.

In a district with some of the state’s true Division I heavyweights, it’s hard to garner any notice unless you’ve finished near or at the top.

ZACHARY – If ever there was a small crevasse to allow Live Oak to possibly ever get into Friday’s Class 5A state playoff opener, reigning two-time state champion Zachary was there to quickly spoil any such hopes.

ZACHARY – When Walker High’s Brian Thomas launched his 6-foot-4 frame to block a potential game-sealing field goal, the Wildcats found new life trailing by a touchdown with less than two minutes to play.

DENHAM SPRINGS – Denham Springs fell behind in the first quarter, came back in the second quarter, and kept it close in the third quarter.

WATSON – With just over four minutes to play and trailing the two-time reigning state champions by five points, Live Oak got the ball back amid a frenzied home crowd.

(Here are the preseason rankings released today by the Louisiana Sportswriter's Association. Teams are followed by first-place votes, record, and total votes.)

First-year Walker High coach Chad Mahaffey wasn’t around for a first-hand account, but used the Wildcats regular-season finale last year at Central to illustrate a point.

BATON ROUGE – Former Denham Springs shortstop Cade Doughty was lumped with some exclusive company by LSU coach Paul Mainieri at his annual summer press conference.

BATON ROUGE – LSU punter Zach Von Rosenberg of Zachary is one of 26 players from across the country named as a preseason candidate for the Ray Guy Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced.

Some athletes are forced to choose between one sport or another as they move into higher levels of competition.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 5A All-State baseball and softball teams have a little bit of Denham Springs High flavor this year.

The 2019 LSWA All-State Track & Field Teams, selected by LSWA members from regular season and State Meet results. (* - Indicates season-best time before LHSAA Outdoor meet).

BATON ROUGE - Zachary’s Sean Burrell headlined Saturday’s 5A State Championship Meet with two blazing victories.

ZACHARY – Zachary has some work to do in order to qualify for next week’s Class 5A state tournament.

During its Class 5A quarterfinal series a year ago, Zachary’s season ended abruptly.

ZACHARY – Scotlandville spent most of Wednesday’s Region II-Class 5A meet in a tight battle with Catholic High, but in the end the Bears were able to edge out the Hornets for the title.

ZACHARY – Zachary pitchers Tanner Hall and Zack Farr combined on a two-hit shutout of District 4-5A foe Walker in an 8-0 victory Monday in a Class 5A state playoff opener at Herty Field.

WALKER – From wire to wire, Zachary and Scotlandville were locked in a tight battle for boy’s District 4-5A Championship Wednesday night.

WATSON – Zachary catcher Alex Milazzo hadn’t hit a home run all season. But when his team needed a run, he provided.

ZACHARY – Denham Springs coach Mark Carroll set up the situation to get out of a bases-loaded jam of a tie game in the bottom of the seventh inning against Zachary on Thursday.

WALKER – Zachary capitalized on a flurry of errors and a stellar outing from Zack Farr to defeat league-leading Walker 6-1 on Tuesday in District 4-5A play.

ZACHARY – Live Oak coach Jesse Cassard wasn’t looking for any sentimental returns in his first trip back to Zachary’s Herty Field.

WATSON – There may have been a time earlier in the season when a four-run deficit, especially before her team stepped to the plate, may have worried Live Oak softball coach Michelle Morris.

Zachary’s 2018 baseball season came to an abrupt end.

DENHAM SPRINGS – A week after getting a tough challenge from Zachary in the penultimate game of the season, Denham Springs faced off against their familiar 4-5A foes in the opening round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

DENHAM SPRINGS – Denham Springs appeared poised to go to Walker for a Friday clash of District 4-5a co-leaders, an opportunity for the Yellow Jackets to gauge their progress going into the final month of the regular season.

ZACHARY - Denham Springs used an explosive third quarter to power past Zachary 45-31 in District 4-5A play Tuesday.

ZACHARY - Thanks to some tenacious defense and timely free throw shooting, Walker survived another back-and-forth tussle in District 4-5A action.

WALKER – The one season she’s had in a Walker High uniform will be considered memorable by Tarondia Harold’s own admission, something that was evident during the team’s emotion-charged Senior Night ceremony.