DraftKings Network • 01/13/2025

Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys part ways: What's next?

The Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy appear to be parting ways after five years together. With a now-open head coaching job, what direction will Dallas go next?Plenty of questions have been raised surrounding Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy’s job security over the last couple of seasons.


The former Super Bowl-champion coach amassed a 49-35 record over his five years at the helm of the NFL’s most valuable franchise, including three straight 12-win seasons, two NFC East titles, and thr...

DraftKings Network • 01/09/2025

2025 NFL Playoff Preview: Detroit Lions

Keagan Smith analyzes the Detroit Lions’ playoff futures and whether they can bring the Lombardi Trophy to Detroit for the first time ever.Do you believe in miracles?


The Detroit Lions have long been a laughingstock among the professional sports world. The franchise is one of 12 NFL teams to have never won a Super Bowl and has only reached the NFC championship game twice since the 1966 NFL-AFL merger. After decades of mediocrity and disrespect, Detroit is strongly positioned to hoist the Lomb...

DraftKings Network • 01/08/2025

2025 NFL Playoff Preview: Houston Texans

Keagan Smith analyzes the Houston Texans’ playoff futures and whether they can bring a title to H-Town in this playoff preview.As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” However, the founding father forgot life’s final guarantee — the Houston Texans opening the NFL Playoffs in the 4:25 p.m. Saturday slot.


The boys in battle red and blue secured back-to-back AFC South titles with their second-straight 10-7 campaign. Unfortunately for their...

DraftKings Network • 01/04/2025

Top Jimmy Butler trade destinations

Keagan Smith takes a look at three possible trade destinations for Heat star Jimmy Butler, who appears to now be openly on the trade block following a seven-game suspension.The NBA news cycle never sleeps — just three days into 2025, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler appears to be on the trade block following several weeks’ worth of drama.


On the heels of a growing feud, the franchise publicly made the 35-year-old wing available via trade through a statement posted to Twitter/X. It’s yet another b...

DraftKings Network • 12/23/2024

How does Diontae Johnson fit into the Texans offense?

The Houston Texans have acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson from waivers following Tank Dell’s season-ending injury in Week 16. What will Johnson’s role look like with his new team?It’s been a whirlwind of a season for former Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson. After two trades, hot-and-cold production, and a subsequent release, the 28-year-old now finds himself on his fourth team of the calendar year.


Johnson is plenty talented and has the NFL track record to back it up. Now, the Hous...

DraftKings Network • 12/02/2024

Start Isaac Guerendo with Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason headed to IR

The 49ers running back corps is depleted with Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) both placed on IR. Is Isaac Guerendo a must-start option in their absence?What’s already been a rough season for the San Francisco 49ers has spiraled into an even worse situation. A team which began the campaign with championship hopes now sits 5-7 due in no small part to injuries to various star contributors.


Now, halfback Christian McCaffrey’s season could very well be over, as could that of se...

DraftKings Network • 11/19/2024

Is Courtland Sutton a WR1 going forward with Bo Nix at quarterback?

The improved play of rookie quarterback Bo Nix has the Broncos offense showing signs of life. Is Courtland Sutton becoming a WR1?Courtland Sutton isn’t a flashy fantasy football name, but the Broncos wide receiver sure knows how to get the job done. While most fantasy managers wrote him off before the season as an unlikely contributor, the veteran is in the midst of a late-career revival.


It would have been wild to ask this several months ago, but is Courtland Sutton a WR1 now?


The 29-year...

DraftKings Network • 11/13/2024

Buy low on Tee Higgins in fantasy football

Tee Higgins is one of the most underrated players in fantasy football despite his injuries. Should managers be looking to buy low and acquire him in trades?The Bengals may be 4-6 on the season, but their offense is still cooking. Joe Burrow and Co. rank sixth in scoring, 12th in yards per game, and fourth in passing yards per contest.


As the fantasy football season nears playoff time, this could be a great opportunity to buy low on a stud player in the Bengals offense. Should you trade for Te...

DraftKings Network • 10/23/2024

Is it time to bench Sam LaPorta?

Sam LaPorta was a fantasy star in his record-breaking rookie campaign, but hasn’t delivered on expectations as a sophomore. Keagan Smith dives into the numbers.The Lions’ Sam LaPorta took the fantasy football world by storm last season by shattering the rookie tight end receptions record and finishing as the overall TE1. He quickly shot to the top of trade value charts and appeared positioned for another strong campaign in year two.


Unfortunately, the second-year pro hasn’t taken the next ste...

Port Arthur News • 10/21/2024

Where are they now? — Former NFL receiver Duriel Harris living cowboy dreams in retirement - Port Arthur News

Keagan Smith
Special to The Port Arthur News
For many professional athletes, adjusting to life post-retirement creates a full-blown identity crisis. Port Arthur native Duriel Harris, who spent the better part of a decade catching passes in the NFL, knows the feeling all too well.
The 69-year-old said his 40-yard dash time isn’t what it once was, but he wants the world to know there’s no age limit on his latest endeavor. After a long search for post-career purpose, Harris’ passion for farming and...

DraftKings Network • 10/15/2024

Terry McLaurin is finally a reliable fantasy WR1

Terry McLaurin is finally enjoying the WR1 season he deserves on an elite Washington Commanders offense. Keagan Smith takes a look at Scary Terry’s season so far.One of the most intriguing stories in the NFL this year has been the emergence of a potent Washington Commanders offense with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels under center. The unit is a high-flying one and has quickly become must-watch viewing.


The Commanders are great in the real world and possess a 4-2 record to start the season,...

Port Arthur News • 10/01/2024

Rita Manuel preserving Zydeco, Creole culture through the lens — Exhibit of her work opens Saturday - Port Arthur News

Keagan Smith
Special to The Port Arthur News
While younger generations may view Zydeco music as a relic of the past, the upbeat rhythms and soulful accordions of the genre have intrinsically tied it to the regional identities of Southeast Texas and greater Louisiana.
Port Arthur-based photographer Rita Manuel has spent her life documenting the lives and performances of some of Zydeco’s most influential artists. Now, the Museum of the Gulf Coast is putting a collection of her work on display with...

Orange Leader • 09/21/2024

Mustangs beat reigning Texas Southwest Prep state champions in thriller - Orange Leader

The West Orange-Stark Mustangs took down the reigning 4A Texas Southwest Prep state champion Episcopal Knights, 45-38.
Friday night’s win was one of the most thrilling games in recent memory at Dan Hooks Stadium in West Orange. Big plays put plenty of points on the scoreboard as the Mustangs emerged victorious, due in large part to sophomore halfback Khelvy Jefferson’s three-TD night.
“That’s our strongest suit,” WO-S Head Coach Hiawatha Hickman said postgame. “We’ve got a big offensive line tha...

Orange Leader • 09/14/2024

LC-M’s Floyd making an impact on and off the field - Orange Leader

Last year, Little Cypress-Mauriceville’s Tucker Floyd put together one of the best defensive seasons in Southeast Texas football’s recent history. With 115 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks and an interception, the linebacker served as the heart and soul of the Bears’ defense.
A player of Floyd’s talent level would arguably be justified in fanning the flames of their own ego. Yet, the young man is quite the opposite of what one may expect from a superstar. He’s humble and comes across as d...

Orange Leader • 09/14/2024

Bridge City hoists Bayou Bowl trophy after win vs. rival Orangefield - Orange Leader

It was a huge night for the Bridge City Cardinals as they emerged victorious over the Orangefield Bobcats in the annual Bayou Bowl, 28-7, at Larry Ward Stadium.
The Cardinals were fired up after claiming the win over a longtime rival, but there was a bit extra at stake as well. Friday night’s matchup was Head Coach Josh Smalley’s first game against his former team — he said it was an emotional win over the school he coached for 12 years.
“You don’t invest 12 years your life in a place and a comm...

Port Arthur News • 09/07/2024

PA Memorial narrowly escapes Legacy's fourth-quarter comeback in clash of the Titans - Port Arthur News

Port Arthur Memorial’s home opener was a clash of the Titans, if you will, as the home team emerged victorious versus the Legacy School of Sport Sciences — also the Titans, 41-34 on Friday night.
Memorial sat in the driver’s seat for nearly the entire contest but were challenged late and narrowly fended off a massive fourth-quarter comeback attempt by their opponents.
“I think it was a good learning lesson for our guys,” head coach Brian Morgan said postgame. “They probably let off their focus d...

Orange Leader • 08/31/2024

Josh Smalley opens Cardinals coaching tenure with dominant win over Buna - Orange Leader

The Bridge City Cardinals defeated the Buna Cougars, 54-6, in a standout home opener to the 2024 season Aug. 30.
The Cardinals’ spread offense looked superb and the defense played a strong game throughout each phase. It marks a memorable first victory for new head coach Josh Smalley, who returns to his alma mater after 12 years running a Slot-T scheme at Orangefield.
“The coaching staff had a great plan and the kids came in and executed,” Smalley said. “They handled things well. Trust me, there’...

Port Arthur News • 08/31/2024

Bulldogs trounce Raiders to open Scott Rich era - Port Arthur News

The Nederland Bulldogs began the 2024 campaign, and Scott Rich era, on the right note with a 37-0 win at home over the Lumberton Raiders, Aug. 30.
Senior halfback Hubert Thomas was the star of the night and appeared to already be in midseason form with a 200-plus yard, four touchdown masterclass.
“I think the win goes back to our conditioning,” first-year head coach Rich said postgame. “The kids have spent a lot of time in the weight room. We’ve been on the field a lot and our kids have prepared...

Port Arthur News • 08/31/2024

Where are they now? Catching up with Coach Wade Phillips

Throughout a storied coaching career spanning 51 years, Wade Phillips has seen it all. The Southeast Texas native has been a head coach at the highest levels of professional football, won a Super Bowl and impacted the lives of countless athletes.
Yet after five decades in the coaching business, he just can’t walk away. Asked whether retirement has been on his mind lately, the 77-year-old’s answer was a strong one.
“I think they’re gonna have to scrape me off the field,” Phillips said.
“The older...

Orange Leader • 08/24/2024

'Relentless': Vidor Pirates establishing the run as always in 2024 - Orange Leader

Offensive innovation is taking over every level of football from the NFL all the way down to Friday night lights. Teams are constantly chasing up-tempo, high-flying schemes that seek to pass the ball, and often, leave the run as an afterthought.
Some things are still sacred, though. As the Vidor Pirates gear up for the 2024 campaign, they’re sticking to their cannons with a smashmouth style of old-school football.
“We go with our core values of commitment, relentlessness, things like that,” head...

Orange Leader • 08/24/2024

Stampeding again: Mustangs ready to re-enter district title race with added depth - Orange Leader

Expectations for the historic West Orange-Stark football program are as high as ever. The community, accustomed to annual excellence for one of the state’s winningest schools, finds themselves asking, “What have you done for me lately?”
Sure, the Mustangs have underwhelmed relative to expectations and historical precedent, but they’ve still finished the regular season at .500 the last two years — now in year three at the helm, head coach Hiawatha Hickman feels his team has the depth it needs to...

Orange Leader • 08/24/2024

A new era: Bobcats establishing culture in year one under Jeff Breaux - Orange Leader

When one chapter comes to a close, a new one begins. The Orangefield Bobcats find themselves in the midst of a major transition as they approach their first season without longtime head coach Josh Smalley since 2011.
A coach’s first year with their new program tends to create growing pains, and taking over the mantle from the school’s all-time wins leader adds an extra layer to expectations. With that said, new Orangefield head coach Jeff Breaux is fully prepared to lead his team into the next e...

Port Arthur News • 08/24/2024

Back-to-back? PN-G staying focused as they begin state title defense - Port Arthur News

Everyone knows banners hang forever — the Port Neches-Groves faithful are still riding the high of their team’s first state football championship since 1974. Now nearly a year removed from the historic title game, the PN-G Indians are looking for more.
What’s better than one championship? Back-to-back trophies, of course.
The community and team alike have title hopes. In the meantime, third-year head coach Jeff Joseph is ensuring his players remain grounded and focused on the task at hand.
“The...

Port Arthur News • 08/23/2024

Behind the tape: Get to know PN-G's soft-spoken star lineman - Port Arthur News

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 310 pounds, Jackson Christian is typically the most physically imposing player every time he steps onto a football field. He’s incredibly strong, has a high motor and intense competitive spirit.
Port Neches-Groves’ stud offensive lineman is among the best at his position not only in the region, but in the entire state of Texas. He’s a fantastic football player, yes, but there’s more underneath the surface of his towering frame.
“I really wouldn’t say I’m the...