Patriot Basketball

We had the first broadcast of the year for Patriot basketball. I was very impressed with what Kristy Norman has accomplished in such a short time.

Coach Kerry has an opportunity to have a very good basketball squad...they are already 4-1 on the year.


Keep up the good work

neglectful

OK.... I admit I've neglected to blog lately, but work has been extremely hard. I haven't even been to many practices lately.

I do think the Patriots played well last Friday against West Ouachita.... but we just aren't quite there yet. The road ahead is as long as the road behind us.

The coaches have done a tremendous job this year and I know they will continue to work hard.

The class the opposing coaches have shown the last two weeks was refreshing.

It was good to see TJ Murphy on a football field...I just wish it was with the Patriots.

Wasn't that raedy

Ouch tough night on Friday for the Patriots. Bastrop is as good as it gets. But, that game is over and Neville....and Homecoming is on the horizon.

Where have I been, you ask......Working. But, I am ready for Bastrop this Friday nite.

Anybody else as ticked off at the shoddiness of the Franklin Sun lately? Maybe it should just be the Sentinel north. Come home Rod and Leslie...the paper needs you.

On Thursday night the Patriots once again showed much improvement against a tough Rayville Hornet team....a team that is coached by an insane Bo Barton. Bo's twighlight zone offense had the Patriots, the fans, and, yes, even me confused. Of course, I'm easy to confuse.

Great game for Tony Shaw, Adrian Gardner, Keyontrae Anderson. And good job for Tyler Roberts who did an admirable job filling in for Cody Hughes. The o-line is really blocking well. Somehow, I left out Nathan Gallup who, only a freshman, did a great job filling in for Derek Parker.

Independence high school next week. When do we get to the easy part of the schedule????? There is none.

Tonights show

The coaches show is tonight at 6:30 on KMAR 95.9. Listen in, there could be some interesting news to report.

What a great effort our young Patriots put forth in Stonewall against the N. DeSota Griffins. They played the entire 2nd half without the starting QB, Cody Hughes, and starting WB Tony Shaw. Give a lot of credit to Tyler Roberts for taking care of the ball and leading a TD drive to start the 3rd quarter.

Kedderick McCarthy was dominate on the defensive end of things.


I was exceptionally bad in the post game show.....I was so happy for the team and it's different when you have one of your own out there. I will try to hold off my celebration next time.

It's Friday already. I will be making my way to the school soon and David and I will make the long trip to Stonewall.

The newsstar picked the Patriots for the win.

Two days to recover.

Yep, that's right. It's taken two days to recover from a looooonnnnnnggggg Friday. I was up at 2:45am to go to work in Monroe. I got back to Winnsboro in time to help Terry Shirley setup the PA system. Then I setup the radio equipment. Then the game started. After the game, David and I broke down the radio stuff and thanks to Ryan Parks, I got it loaded in my car. Then I helped Rick "The Candyman" and Colby "The Director"Berry and Coach Joseph Purvis put up the PA system. The First Lady grabbed a heavy box and put me to shame. Tired yet? I was, but then I watched the game film. Finally, on the verge of passing out, I decided to go home......only, I had to take the radio equipment back first. It was well past midnight before your humble loudmouth was home.

Can't wait to do it again next week.

Long week

Yeah, it's been a long one. Tonight's show went well. Conides and Purvis....I'm getting ya'll on the air one of these nights.

I've spent most of my time this week getting the pregame music ready....it won't be perfect, but I hope it turns out all right.

First Game

It wasn't pretty, but the season is under way. Facing a team of nearly 100 players, with no freshman, the Patriots fell 45-8. Captain Shreve is very talented. Maybe not Bastrop, but definitely close. QB Mark Kimball was perfect on the night. 11 for 11 and 3 TD's.

The Patriots have made the first step in what is a long race to build a quality program. Coach Sebren and the staff will make adjustments and continue to work hard and teach our kids.

It was great to have the First Lady of FPHS athletics on the pre-game show. Brandi Sebren enjoyed it,as well, and we hope to make her a regular guest on the broadcasts.

A Success

Meet the Patriots was definitely a success. There was a strong sense of anticipation in the air. I think we are all ready to get the show on the road.

Coach Sebren's mother is a very nice person. I had a nice discussion with her, Coach's wife Brandi (who consented to being on the radio Saturday night for an interview, and cousin Jeff (nice name).

Remember, if you can't make it to Shreveport for the game.......we will be live on 95.9 KMAR.

SEE YA'

First show

As always, there were a few bugs, but it was a good first radio show. I really look forward to being on the radio every wed from Fox's Pizza. Thanks to everyone for a successful first show.

Don't forget the Meet the Patriots on Friday night.

Jamboree game film

I watched the game film with the O-line today (thanks Coach Conides) and was pleasantly suprised. The O-line played much better than the previous week and are making strides upon becoming a good unit. Overall, I would give them a C on the night. With the hard work they are putting in....they stayed late after practice to watch the film.... and the great coaching they are receiving, I have no doubt that soon they will be doing even better.


A change in the coaching today, Joe "no more nicknames" Purvis was working with the D-line. Coach Sebren was with the linebackers.

The Coach Barry Sebren show will be live at 6:30 this wed. night from Foxes Pizza. You can hear the show on 95.9 True Country KMAR.

Are Bastrop and Evangel tough, or what? A great learning experience for the young Patriots. They made some nice plays....and some bonehead mistakes, but have come so far. The sky is the limit.

There were some after game shenanigans from people who should have been in the Morehouse detention center instead of a ballgame. Par for the course when visiting there.

Special thanks to Cindy parker and Stacy Jackson for all the hard work they put in.

Captain Shreve is up in one week. I for one can't wait.

See what a proffessional writer can do. Thank you Master Matt. Please guest blog anytime Letlow will let you. The bandwagon is ready to roll, everybody get on board.

What Could Be...

By Matthew Reynolds
Guest Blogger

Greetings from the trenches of the “Cat Box”, otherwise known as Bearcat Stadium in Ruston. I'm over here in Lincoln Parish today trying to scale up the very youthful Bearcat pigskin squad, who lost a whopping 18 starters in the off-season. (At least they got nuclear leg kicker John Hinton back)
As the Bastrop Jamboree approaches this Friday, and as Franklin Parish native and former Winnsboro Wildcat, I can’t help but pull for the Pats as they march once again into the enemy’s lair tomorrow.
On a very positive note: The Patriots are a completely transformed team from last season. In some ways good, some bad. But all in all, its all good.
Good transformations: The attitude of that the new coaching staff has instilled in their players is top notch and very professional. Attitude was something that completely killed a very talented Patriot team last season, and this reflects entirely on coaching and leadership in my book.
Barry Sebren has rolled into FP like a man on a mission. Along the way, bringing in some best assistants this school has ever seen. Yes, even you Gentle Ben. (Sorry for that by the way kind friend. I would never want to upset a man who can dead lift Chevrolets.)
Along with the attitude, is the change in offense, bringing in the illusive trickery of the Blue Hens or Delaware, something that I think in time will prove to be successful.
Coach Sebren knows this is a building process, and that’s the main point. He has made a commitment to making the entire FP athletic department competitive one day. This will take parents, players and most importantly the ENTIRE FRANLIN PARISH community’s support.
A negative transformation: The first three games of last season, Me and my partner in the booth last year, Double-J (Jeff Johnston), knew we were witnessing a team that could be a real contender. A quarterback that ran wild over talented defenses like Richwood, Oak Grove and somewhat against Ruston. Yes, im talking about now ex-patriot quarterback/runningback Teborheis Blunt.
Personally I thought that he might be the next big thing to come out of Franklin Parish. He spoke humbly, he led quietly and he ran like Bo Jackson. But bad decisions has pushed Blunt out of the program in what could have been a magical senior season for him.
The bottom line is, Sebren and staff had an awful huge mountain to climb before summer workouts even began—losing Blunt and 5 other starters due to off-the-field incidents.
And what has Sebren and co. done? They have pushed forward and are doing the best with the 60 plus kids that want to put on the Red, White and Blue.
People get to caught up with “what might have been.”
Let’s talk about – “what could be"
Here’s to a great season and the building of a new tradition at FPHS. Good luck.

Ps. Double J, I’ll have my ears open comrade. Oh, the power of KMAR radio! Don’t believe me? Ask Chad “Bathroom Sports Jerk” Hayes.

One of these days it will cool off. Please, someone convince me of this. All-in-all, it was a good practice today.

Reginald Wallace made an appearance. He will be doing the PA at home games....if we ever have one. He is also making Coach Sebren's hat famous during his Round Franklin broadcasts every afternoon.

After much thought, I have decided to change Coach Purvis' nickname. Out of deference to Matt Reynold's Newsstar acticle, Coach purvis will now be known as "Gentle Ben".

Tues. the 21st

Well, we had dispatching problems at the old Coke co. today. Instead of Winnsboro, I found myself staring at Winnfield. I missed practice. But, I did get there while the staff was still in. Everyone said that it was day of improvement and that is always good news.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.....the coaches show is set. It will be every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm live on KMAR.....And here is the good part......We will do the show from Foxes Pizza. Here is your chance to participate in the show, ask questions, or just hang out with me and Coach Sebren.

I hear I have a fan that reads this in Virginia. Yes, Coach Conides has informed me his mother reads the Blog. Hello, mam.

I have also fixed (I hope) the blog so you can leave comments. As long as they stay clean, I will continue the blog in this mode. So everyone feel free to comment.

Also, a few people have commented to me about the schedule at fppatriots.com. When you click on schedule you only get 1 game. Coach Wilson has tried to fix this, but the problem is at the webhost. There is a workaround. At the website, scroll down the left side. Under the latest poll, you will see another listing for schedule. Click on the link and the entire schedule appears.

Monday the 20th

It was Monday, the first day of school, and another of practice. Like most Mondays, it was sloppy, but the coaching staff worked the boys hard.

I haven't mentioned him, but I really want to thank Rod Elrod for all the work and committment he puts in at the Franklin Sun. Rod, as busy as he is, always stops by at some point each day at practice. Plus, he encourages me to keep the blog going.

Way to go school board!!!!!! They voted tonight to lease 12 new buses, 5 of which will have A/C.

Wow, a big week ahead and a chance this friday for the Patriots to line up against two of the top teams in state. Evangel and Bastrop at the Bastrop Jamboree this friday night. There is usually a huge crowd at this event and I'm sure it won't disappoint this year.

Kudos to the "Master of all Media" Matthew Reynolds for his outstanding work in the Newsstar football preview. A great article about a great kid....Curnell Doyle. I've known Curnell since he was in kindergarten and you would be hard-pressed to find another young man of his charactor.

Where have I been?

I know you are all wondering why I haven't posted about the scrimmage. Well, one of the joy's of being the broadcaster is that the coaching staff has given me nearly unfettered access. My excuse is that it helps the broadcast by knowing what's going on....and it does help. But, truthfully, I'm just a pest. My mom will agree if you ask her. So will my wife.

So, when we returned from the scrimmage, I noticed Coach Wilson transferring the the video from the camera to the computer. I watched. He then transferred from the computer to VHS. I watched. Then it was duplicated.....Yep, you guessed it, I watched again.

Looking at my watch I noticed it was after 10......oops 3am comes quickly. So I didn't have time to post. Sorry.

Anyway, the Patriots started off as what they were....young and inexperienced. Blocks were missed, tackles were too. Coverages were blown.

But, an amazing thing happened during the 2nd half of the scrimmage. Those young men grew before our eyes. Are they ready to go toe-to-toe with either Ouachita or Rayville in a regular game? Probably not. But a couple of weeks from now, they could be.

Great job coaches and players. Keep up the hard work.


And, a special thanks to Stacy Jackson who was so helpful on the sideline for all the players and coaches.

wed. the 14th

One day away from the scrimmage found the Patriots reviewing every everything. All the coahes seemed to be very happy....Conides smiled today..... and thursday night we will see the first fruits of all their labor. We still have a long road ahead of us, but the journey will begin.

Tuesday the 14th

Wow, what a hot day, and what a good practice. Coach Sebren was very happy, as were all the coaches......except Coach Conides, who spent the latter half of practice with just 2 first-teamers. Yet, the backups did very well and have really responded to his coaching.

A few minor injuries kept me and my friend Stacy in the training room. We tried to watch over the boys who needed ice and fluids so the coaches could remain on the field.

MORE BAD NEWS.... The first game against Capt. Shreve is going to moved to Shreveport and will be played on Saturday September 1st at 7pm, due to continuing problems in getting the stadium ready. And as I posted yesterday, the scrimmage has been moved to this Thursday at 5:30 pm at Ouachita High School.

Monday the 13th

After a restful weekend, the Patriots hit the hot turf running today. Running backs looked very quick and were able to find some holes. Coach Conides plans to work the O-line even harder, they looked good, but there is always room for improvement.

Defensively, things looked up today. The hard work is beginning to payoff. Middleton, Purvis, and Straughter have been doing great things with a youg unit.

Coach Sebren seemed to be everywhere. How he gets to practice with all he has to do is feat unto itself.

BAD NEWS.......according to the Fire Marshall no events can be held at the stadium until the new ramps are in place and have been inspected. This has forced a change of venue for the scrimmage. It will now be held Thursday night at 5:30 pm at Ouachita in Monroe. Coach Sebren has worked hard, but had to face the facts that it just couldn't be done in time. So rather than break the law, it will be moved, but will be held here next season.


Till tom.

A few days off this week and a scrimmage this friday....I'm in heaven. I will give you a day-to-day look at this weeks practice. Watch for tonight's update

Just a quick note for Patriot fans. Numbers are consistently up around 50 each day, even as the temp hovers around 100. The offense is looking good.
Just a week away from the scrimmage....I'll see ya'll there

Hello Franklin Patriot fans

Welcome to my world. Here at the box I will give you my thoughts about the Patriots. I will post each Saturday after the previous nights game, as well as periodically during the week.

If you are wondering who I am, I am Jeff Johnston the radio voice of the Patriots. Each game will be broadcast on KMAR with myself and "the master of all media", my partner Matt Reynolds.

Fall practice has begun, and to my untrained eye, all is going well. The numbers are up in the 40's throughout the first 3 days. Hopefully we will see around 50 or more when school starts.

The new staff is incredible( okay guys pay me now). Seriously, I have been very impressed with each of the coaches. They all are spending a tremendous amount of time to get this program up and running. They don't just show up before practice and then leave, it's an all day job.

Here are my thoughts on them so far.... with the nicknames I so freely bestow.

Rick"Candyman" Berry.... coaches running backs and is in charge of equipment. He has worked hard to classify everything and can tell you where the 1/2 inch of tape is. Oh, and the running backs look to be sharp.

Joe "Not Nervous" Purvis... Linbackers and strength coach. Amazing job since he showed up in the spring. The kids are all getting much stronger and faster.

Mike "Mad Genius" Wison.... Offensive coordinator and QB coach. He knows it and can teach it

Lynn "Stuck in the Middleton with you" Middleton...Defensive coordinator and DB coach. As always, Lynn will have the DB's and the whole defense on top of things.

Patrick "Sgt.Slaughter" Straughter... Defensive line coach. We were so lucky he arrived across that Big Creek bridge.

Billy " JC" Conides...O-Line. Since my son plays o-line, I really pay attention to Billy and try to understand what he is saying, hard sometimes through that thick Virginia accent. We will have him saying ya'll soon. He can teach in 1 hour what takes others weeks.

Barry "The Man" Sebren...I am really impressed in how well he delegates and trusts his assistant coaches to do their jobs. Too many first time head coaches try to do too much. Barry is there overseeing and doing what a head coach must to build a program. And there are a lot of things to do.

Anyway, that's it for now. Check back soon. An exciting week is upcoming. I'll let you know how it goes.