Category Archives: Ascension

Paramount+ explores the Chinese Dream in Ascension, a mesmerizing documentary by first-time director Jessica Kingdon. (Photo: MTV Documentary Films)

Its my privilege to be Primetimers voting representative in the Critics Choice Association, a group of about 500 full-time pros, mostly from the broadcast and print industries. This weekend theCCA whosetelevisedgala kicks off awards seasonin early January handedout its annual documentary awards, which will serve as a cheat sheet for Oscar judges when they draw up their shortlist for best documentary film. As a voter who watched nearly all of the nominated films, I marvel at the technical and narrative advances that have transformed docmaking in the past two decades. What a time to be telling your stories to the world.

The documentary field has steadily improved in both quantity and quality thanks to two key drivers: one, cheaper, better and smaller equipment;and two, cable TV. Cable channels like HBO and Showtime figured out a long time ago that top-drawer documentaries add prestige to their libraries for not a lot of money. Buyers from premium and basic cablewould descend every year on theSundance Film Festival, signing the directors of the most buzz-generating docs. TV money, in turn, has allowed docmakers to do more and better work.

When streaming came along, all that got turned up to 11. Last year Apple TV+ paid an eye-popping $10 millionto acquire the rights to Boys State, a documentary film that, in my opinion, was worth every penny. This year the Questlove doc Summer of Soul broke that record when Hulu shelled out $12 million for that thrilling find, which won in every CriticsChoice category it was nominated for.

If it were me, these docs, upon being acquired, would go to streaming as quickly as possible, before the Sundance effect evaporated and awards season passed. But I realize that theres a lively commerce in community film festivals, like the True/False festival Ive attended over the years in Columbia, Mo. And I get that filmmakers want their lifework to be seen in the cinema by small congregations of appreciative filmgoers. But these are stories the whole world needs to see and hear, and thanks to streaming TV, getting these stories in front of millions of viewers in cinema-like settings (i.e., home theaters) is possible for the first time ever.

Which is why Im pleased that today Paramount+ is making its Oscar frontrunner Ascension available on the streaming channel. From first-time director Jessica Kingdon, Ascension, along with Summer of Soul, led all other films with six Critics Choice Documentary Award nominations. And much like Questloves musical ode to 1960s Harlem, Ascension reveals a previously unseen side of American life before our astonished eyes.

The side of America we see in Ascension, however, isnt actually filmed in America, but in China specifically the factories where trillions of dollars in manufactured goods are built and shipped to consumers around the world. It is inside these mills of cheap and efficient labor where so many of the goodies that we associate with the American way of life actually get made.

Kingdon and her co-cinematographer Nathan Truesdel gained access to 51 sites across China that make everything from smartphones to bottled water. Unabashedly channeling the greatFrederick Wiseman, director and shooter lovingly observe the employees, their repetitive tasks, their mundane chitchat and just the sheer fascinating process of stuff getting made. A significant chunk of time is spent inside a factory that makes custom life-size silicone-mold sex dolls, an editorial decision that I fully endorse for its amusing and disturbing weirdness.

The title, Ascension, is a tell as to the films propulsive narrative arc. Starting at the lower rungs of the Chinese labor market the open-air markets where young unemployed people gather to be wooed by megaphone-toting factory recruiters, who bark out their offers ofgood pay and free wifi to anyone who boards theirbus the viewereffortlessly ascendsthe prosperity ladder all the way tothe top tier of Chinese society, to the massive entertainment venues, upscale shopping centers and luxury lifestyles that are the spoils of those made rich by their countrys capitalist experiment. (Chinas dictatorial regime is now clamping down on private enterprise, so the word experiment is key.)

The films throughline is that a generation of young Chinese wanta better life and associate this almost entirely with the wealthy West. Has anyone seen Downton Abbey? asks a teacher in a school for training butlers. In another scene, bodyguards learn how to protect Westerners with money. Later, a group of young professionals talk in admiring tones about the United States, though they are careful (or maybe just respectful) to express their love for China and, touchingly, their desire to improve the way of life for their countrymen, many of whom have not even laid a hand on thisnew economys ladder.

Ascension is the first major pickup for MTV Documentary Films since Sheila Nevins took the helm. Nevins, a national treasure, spent 30 years building HBOs documentary division from the ground up, taking in a haul of Oscars, Emmys, Peabodys and whatever else you can award brilliant nonfiction filmmaking. MTV is a division of ViacomCBS, which means any films Nevins develops will likely land on Paramount+. Im delighted that this one has come to streaming so quickly. And how ironic that with millions of Americans quitting their jobs to chase their dreams, we should have such a compelling look into another societywhere the jobs that we wouldnt be caught dead taking have given an entire society the chance to chase their dreams.

Ascension is now streaming on Paramount+.

Aaron Barnharthas written about television since 1994, including 15 years as TV critic for theKansas City Star.

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Ascension Is a Fascinating Look Inside the China That Wants To Be Like America - PRIMETIMER

The Ascension Episcopal Blue Gators began their 2021 postseason march on a high note on Friday night, defeating the Catholic-New Iberia Panthers 34-6.

After taking an early 7-6 lead, Ascension Episcopal scored the game's final points, cruising to an opening-round win in the Division III state playoffs.

The win was the second this season for the Blue Gators over Catholic-New Iberia, a fellow District 7-2A foe, after downing the Panthers earlier this season 29-0.

Let's take a look at five reasons Ascension Episcopal was victorious on Friday night.

Ascension Episcopal is blessed with two outstanding specialists, in placekicker Peyton Woodring and punter Badger Hargett.

Woodring was especially phenomenal on Friday night, kicking through a 44-yard field goal, before nailing one from 56 yards away, while also being credited with seven touchbacks, giving the opposition no chance to return most kicks, while Hargett has consistently flipped field position most of the year.

"He was just spectacular tonight," Ascension Episcopal head coach Matt Desormeaux said of Woodring. "Kicking a 56-yard field goal, in high school football is almost unheard of. We get the ball to their 40, and he kicks a field goal. That's pretty special.

"It helps so much when he kicks it into the end zone almost every time on his kickoff," Desormeaux said. "Them having one less chance to make a play, and starting deep in their own territory, is so critical to winning the game."

The Blue Gators have as good of special teams as anybody in the state, which means a lot in the playoffs.

The Ascension Episcopal junior quarterback was outstanding on Friday night, throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns, getting back on track, and playing at the level he was mid-season.

"I think he (Dardar) kind of took a step back late in the year," said Desormeaux. "He was just trying to do too much and forcing a few things. We talked about that; worked on it this week, and he got back to where he was.

"We have a lot of confidence in him" Desormeaux continued on Dardar. "When he lets the game come to him is when he's at his best, and he played at a high-level tonight."

Ascension Episcopal held Catholic-New Iberia to six points on Friday night, and only six points over eight quarters this season. That's tough to do against any playoff team, especially one as talented as the Panthers.

"I think holding them (Cat

holic-New Iberia) tonight is a bigger accomplishment than shutting them out in the first game," Desormeaux said. "They had a couple of key players out in the first game, and playing them a second time is so tough. I'm very proud of the way our defense rose to the occasion tonight."

Ascension Episcopal has had a lot of playoff success, winning a state title in 2016, before advancing into the second round in two of the last three seasons.

"You have to go into a game thinking you're going to win, and that's something I think our kids have developed over the years," said Desormeaux. "To have that mindset; not being cocky, but just believing that things are going to go your way, is so important to a winning program."

"We had a great week of practice, one of our best weeks of the year," said Desormeaux. "I was pleased with our mindset all week, and the way we came out focused tonight."

With the win, the Blue Gators will now have to travel next week to face the top-seeded LCA Knights.

"They (LCA) are as good of a team that you're going to find in any classification," Desormeaux said. "But our guys are going to embrace the challenge and not back down. This group is going to fight to the very end, no matter who they're playing against.

"We like the fact that it will be a relatively short road trip," Desormeaux said of the upcoming drive from Youngsville to Upper Lafayette next week. "Having a 20-30 minute drive doesn't upset a player's preparation like a three-hour trip up to north Louisiana would."

Ascension Episcopal, which is now 6-3 on the season, will certainly have their hands full against LCA next week, but if they play well in all facets of the game like they did in their impressive win over Catholic-New Iberia, then they'll have at least a fighting chance, which is all most teams ask for anyway.

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Ascension Blue Gators secure season sweep over Catholic-NI - The Advocate

Staff Report| Plaquemine Post South

The Iberville Parish Council was set to give final approval for Parish President J. Mitchell Ourso to move forward on the flood mitigation pact with East Baton Rouge Parish to ease flooding issues along Bayou Manchac.

Ourso said on Friday that he had not yet received the signed copy from Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, but the two parishes are ready to get the wheels turning on Bayou Manchac cleanup.

I know the Metro Council gave her the authority to sign the mutual agreement, and the Parish council will give authority Tuesday, and then its just a matter of the minds within from Iberville and East Baton Rouge to talk about the de-snagging of Manchac along La. 30 at Iberville at the East Baton Rouge about the funding of it, Ourso said. Im sure the East Baton Rouge paperwork is signed, but I havent received it yet.

Ourso had been at the forefront of the struggles throughout the area when the storms, which damaged hundreds of homes in the area, hit in mid-May.

Funding resources are available through the federal government and the National Resource Conservation Service, but officials from the two parishes have not yet had the initial meeting on which one they will pursue, Ourso said.

He said he hopes the two parishes can get the wheels turning soon.

The holidays are right around the corner, so hopefully well have a kickoff meeting soon to discuss the scope of work and what it entails and where will the funding come to do this, Ourso said.

The portion of Bayou Manchac along the westernmost end is not nearly as big of problem as the portion of Manchac as the portion that comes out of Alligator Bayou and veers east before Ascension Parish and the Amite River, Ourso said.

East Baton Rouge brokered a similar agreement with Ascension Parish for Bayou Manchac. The EBR portion of the pact with Ascension has a $200,000 cap.

Earlier this month, U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (R-District 6) convened Broome, Ourso, State Senator Eddie Lambert, State Representative Tony Bacala, AsccAscension Parish Councilman Corey Orgeron and Prairieville homeowner associations to discuss the ongoing clearing and snagging and future plans.

Graves, who has had an active role in flood control efforts throughout the reason, said the move is an important step forward to ease flooding.

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Iberville ready to move ahead on anti-flood work - Post South

Justin Toth has vaulted from an absolute unknown to a sensationin the world of high school competitive diving over the past two seasons.

As a junior last year, he concludedhis debut campaign witha state runner-up finish. Now,the Booker T. Washington senior is the favorite to stand at the top of the podiumat the Class 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday from the Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatics Center in Stuart.

One of nine Wildcats making the trip to the Treasure Coast, Toth is the top seed in the 1-meter dive with a seed score of 496.35.

So how does he feel about being the diver to beat?

"I definitely don't really feel that much stress," hesaid. "I definitely know that there's peoplegunning for me, I was gunning for people last year. ... I don't feel a lot of pressure because I train hard, I know what I can do, I know what I can achieve. And honestly, I shouldn't really care what other people think."

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Wortman headed north: Pace state champion swimmer Emma Wortman commits to Eastern Michigan

The senior spent the past week fine-tuning his mechanics on the same dives he performed at regionals, which also arethe dives he'llperformat state.

Toth, along with divecoach Randy Sanderson,fellow Wildcats state qualifiers Caleb Pereira and Alexander Brown, each headed to Gainesville on Thursday to practice at anoutdoor pool before meeting the rest of the team in Ocala later that day. Since Washington's home pool is indoors, the divers wanted to replicate the outdoor elements that Sailfish Splash may present.

Last week, Toth was nearly perfect as he was crowned the Region 1-3A diving championin Tallahassee.

There was one only blemish that day, belly-floppingon an attempted inward double. That's a dive wherethe diver's backfacesthe pool before jumping off the board and performing a double front-flip.

However, with his work ethic and short memory, necessary traits of any great athlete, Toth remains ever so confident.

"Every timeI walk on the board, in my mind I'm like, 'this is going to be the best dive I've done in my life,'" Toth said. "So, I don't like to think negative at all. Every time I step on the board, I'm thinking about the dive and every single aspect. In my mind, I'm thinking, 'this is going to be a beautiful dive.'"

That level of confidence was not immediate.

Toth had no previousdiving experience before he was discovered by Booker T. Washington swimminghead coach Whitney Voeltz as a sophomore during a Friday free-swim as part of physical-education course.

Convincing Toth to join his team the following year, Voeltz says his newdiver didn't quite grasp his ability until his second-place finish at state.

"I don't even think he realized how good he was last year," the BTW swimming coach said. "He started off doing dives and all of asudden, he gets second at state, in the state of Florida that has phenomenal divers in every class. ... I think at that point, the light went on internally and he started focusing on it.

"He's very self-driven and I think he just wants to make himself better, and in turn, he's obviously doing the job."

As spectacular as he was as a junior, Toth admits he tried to staywithin his comfortzone, performing simply the dives he enjoyeddoing. That hasn't been the case as a senior. He made it a point to challenge himself and increasethe degree of difficulty on his dives.

"I'm not going to get better unless I improve on every single aspect," he said. "So this year, I focused on the dives that I didn't like so much, now I pretty much like every single dive. I think by me doing that, I enjoy the sport even more. ... It's like it's an adrenaline rush.

"I've played a lot of sports in my life and those wereall teams sports. Except in dive, it's all up to me. Only I can better myself.In team sports, I can better myself, but the whole team has to get better as well. In dive, it's all up to me. I want to go as far as I can and the only person that can do that is me."

Pushing himself to reach his maximum potential, Toth has won virtually every meet he's competed in this season and set school records along the way.

On Saturday, there's one more event to win andculminate his meteoric rise in a sport that was foreign to him not too long ago. If Toth is to win, there's only one way he wants to do it.

"I don't want to win off someone else not having a good day," he said. "I want everyone to be on their best and be on their A-game. Let's say if second place belly-flops and then I win, that's not as satisfying I think than beating someone that's on top of their game."

Patrick Bernadeau can be reached pbernadeau@gannett.com or (850) 503-3828.

Boys: 200 medley relay (1:42.57, 11th). 400 freestyle relay (3:23.85, 17th). Alexander Brown - 1-meter dive (348.55, 14th). Max Little - 100 breaststroke (1:01.93, 13th), 200 individual medley (2:03.9, 23rd). Caleb Pereira - 1-meter dive (394.85, 10th). Logan Robinson - 100 freestyle (48.5, 6th), 200 freestyle (1:45.62, 10th). Noah Scoggins - 100 butterfly (55.2, 23rd), 100 backstroke (55.39, 15th). Justin Toth - 1-meter dive (496.35, 1st)

Girls: Sara Lypko - 200 individual medley (2:12.94, 13th), 500 freestyle (5:13.46, 8th)

Boys:Aiden Morgan - 200 individual medley (1:55.36, 2nd), 100 breaststroke (59.0, 3rd). Jameson Walker - 500 freestyle (4:56.02, 20th)

Girls: 200 medley relay (1:55.96, 14th). Jillian Beardsley (1:01.03, 17th). Trinity Devanney - 500 freestyle (5:22.49, 19th). Gabriella Freeman - 200 individual medley (2:10.88, 8th), 100 breaststroke (1:07.95). Emi Goto - 1-meter dive (372.05, 11th)

Boys: Hudson Trammel - 100 backstroke (53.34, 3rd), 100 butterfly (51.28, 3rd)

Girls: 200 medley relay (1:56.09, 16th). 400 freestyle relay (3:47.05, 11th). Landry Hadder - 200 individual medley (2:08.54, 4th), 100 backstroke (55.77, 5th). Emma Wortman - 100 yard butterfly (59.45, 19th), 100 breaststroke (1:05.02, 1st)

Boys: Braedan Jacobs - 200 freestyle (1:46.97, 16th), 500 freestyle (4:50.12, 14th). Korbin Menser - 200 individual medley (2:01.3, 12th), Korbin Menser (1:01.79, 9th)

Girls: Elise Grissom - 1-meter dive (446.9, 2nd)

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BTW diver Justin Toth seeks to wrap unlikely two-year ascension with a state title - Pensacola News Journal

With the start of the new soccer season comes district championship aspirations for the three parish girls soccer teams in District 4.

The favorite has to be Dutchtown. Not only did the Lady Griffins capture the district title just last season, but they will return the most starters in the parish with nine.

Dutchtown made a tremendous run in 2020-21. In addition to winning the league championship, the Lady Griffins went 16-4-1 and reached the second round of the playoffs.

Dutchtown will have a new coach this season in Jared Moss. Moss takes over for Anant Vyas, who was the Lady Griffins coach for the past 19 years.

Moss will have plenty of weapons at his disposal.

Leading the charge will be sophomore Riley Hicock. Hicock was the districts Offensive MVP last season. She was also an All-Metro and All-State selection. She was the first Dutchtown freshman to ever make all district, All Metro and All State in the same season.

Moss also expressed excitement about the return of seniors Colette Smith, Maya Tilley, Emma Lambert, Jaida Johnson, Riley Cangelosi and Rylie Gueho, along with juniors Arleigh Hines, Lillian Moss and Tristen Gulczynski.

Dutchtown lost all-district goalkeeper Alexi Odland, but Moss expects Vivian Moody to step in and play well.

The St. Amant Lady Gators finished as the district runners-up a year ago. Theyre hoping to finish in the top spot this time around.

St. Amant will return five starters from last season. Fortunately for the Lady Gators, two of the players they bring back were first-team all-district performers.

Our offense will be our strongest this year with the return of our leading goal scorers, Nya Bridgewater and Sadie Bourgeois, St. Amant head coach Joleigh Hartman said.

Although, it will be hard to replace players like Rachel Cretini and Camille Sheets. Cretini was the districts Overall MVP last season, and Sheets was the Co-Defensive MVP.

Luckily for St. Amant, theyll be strong at the net with the return of goalkeepers Caylee Sheets and Spencer Kernan.

Other players shes expecting big things from are senior Brynn Weathers, junior Madison Parker and three talented youngsters in Lillian Sutton, Kendal Waguespack and Mallory Sutton.

Dont count the Gators out this year. We will be rebuilding our defense, but these young Gators are hungry and ready to make a mark, Hartman said.

Last years St. Amant squad went 13-5-1 during the regular season and reached the second round of the playoffs.

East Ascension didnt make the playoffs last season. In fact, the Lady Spartans have missed out on the postseason two years in a row.

But head coach Jennifer Kennedy wants to change that this season. The Lady Spartans are hoping that the return of seven starters will allow them to compete for the District 4 championship in 2021-22.

East Ascension will return the most-decorated goalkeeper in the parish in Hannah May. The junior was named the districts Co-Defensive MVP and All-Metro Defensive MVP last season.

Unfortunately, one player the Lady Spartans will not have this season will be Abbie Delaune. Coach Kennedy said that not having her is a huge loss.

She was mainly a center midfielder, but she could play anywhere we needed. She was a fantastic leader, especially by example, Kennedy said.

But Kennedy said that she still foresees big things from defender/midfielders Sheyla and Nyla Sanchez.

Also, East Ascension returns two all-district players in Paige Pranskey and Ava Lambert.

Of Lambert, Kennedy said, Shes a vocal leader who is a solid, consistent player for us.

Kennedy said she is happy with the teams depth this season.

We are very young and have the biggest roster we have had since Ive been here, Kennedy said. We have a structure in place that will hopefully push each player to be the best version of themselves. Because there are so many players, there is definitely a competitive spirit on this team. They push each other to play at their highest levels.

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Girls soccer teams have eyes set on district title - Weekly Citizen

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. Ascension Saint Thomas leadership and other notable Murfressboro community members were among those in attendance at Thursdays ribbon cutting celebration for Ascension Saint Thomas first 3Dmammography bus.

The 44-foot coach is outfitted with an imaging test that creates a three-dimensional picture of the breast. Set to serve 26 counties in the Middle Tennessee area, this coach will contribute to early detection and a reduction in late-stage breast cancer and breast cancer mortality by providing crucial access to screening mammography.

Our Mission in Motion program delivers potentially life-saving mammograms to women who might otherwise lack access to this vital service, said Jennifer Keaton, Regional Director of Operations at Ascension Saint Thomas. Moving forward, our additional buses will be updated and 3D tomosynthesis capabilities will replace our existing mobile breast-screening technology, in hopes of being more available to women in Middle Tennessee.

Event speakers included Gordon Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital; Gina DeJean, foundation director of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital; Jennifer Keaton,Regional Director of Operations of Ascension Medical Group;Patty Marschel, foundation and hospital board member of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital; Anne Davis, president of the Christy Houston Foundation; and Kelly Large, mobile health practice manager of Ascension Medical Group Tennessee.

This coach is made possible by the donors to the Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation, The Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation, the Christy Houston Foundation, and through theOur Mission in Motionprogram, an Ascension Saint Thomas initiative to increase access to breast health services to underserved, uninsured, and low-income patients.

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About Ascension Saint Thomas

In Tennessee, Ascension Saint Thomas operates 10 hospital campuses with an 11th underway, in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities that cover a 68-county area and employ more than 10,000 associates. Across the state, Ascension Saint Thomas provided more than $154 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Tennessee for 20 years, Ascension is a faith-based health care organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.

About Ascension

Ascensionis a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2020, Ascension provided $2.4 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes more than 160,000 associates and 40,000 aligned providers. The national health system operates more than 2,600 sites of care including139 hospitalsand more than 40 senior living facilities in 19 states and the District of Columbia, while providing a variety of services including clinical and network services, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, facilities management, risk management, and contracting through Ascensions own group purchasing organization.

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Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Celebrates the Ribbon Cuttings of Tennessee's First 3D Mobile Mammography Coach - Wgnsradio

ASCENSION PARISH, La (BRPROUD) Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office is reaching out to the community for help in achieving a specific accreditation that verifies the office meets professional standards.

The accreditation is administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) and requires agencies to comply with standards in four areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services. Part of this accreditation is a scheduled site-based assessment, which APSO is set to have.

Agency employees and community members are invited to speak at an open, virtual informational on Monday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. as part of the scheduled assessment. The public is also welcome to offer comments by calling (225)-621-8845 on Monday, Nov. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The comments will be taken by the assessment team.

Guidelines for the comments are listed below:

A physical copy of the standards can be found at the sheriffs office headquarters located at 828 S. Irma Blvd. in Gonzales, La. For anyone who wants to submit written comments relating to the offices ability to comply with the standards can mail them to the CALEA Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. at 3575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155 or send them through email.

For those interested in attending the virtual informational, register for the Zoom conference here.

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Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office asks for community help achieving accreditation - BRProud.com

LOREAUVILLE - Call it the Evan Simon show.

The junior Loreauville running back scored four touchdowns and the Loreauville Tigers clinched a share of the District 7-2A championship with a 31-13 win over Ascension Episcopal Friday.

"That just felt good," Simon said. "Not just the four touchdowns but beating them as well.

"Everyone said that we didn't play anyone, we didn't play any tough teams. We wanted to make a statement tonight and we did."

With the win, Loreauville improved to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in district, while AES fell to 6-3, 4-1.

Loreauville can clinch the outright district title - first since 2010 - next week with a win over Jeanerette. That win would also secure Loreauville's first perfect regular season since 1998.

The star of the show was Simon, who had touchdown runs of 5, 7, 5 and 11 yards for the Tigers.

Senior quarterback Calep Jacob scored the Tigers' other touchdown on an 11-yard run as well and led the Tigers with 176 yards rushing.

"I just trusted my offensive line and they opened holes for me to run though," Simon, who finished with 120 yards rushing, said. "We came out and wanted to make a statement and I think we made a statement tonight.

"I knew that we could have this kind of offensive effort, we just had to trust and believe in each other."

The other star of the show was a collective effort from the Loreauville defense,

The Tigers held Ascension, which entered the game scoring more than 30 points per outing and that had scored 66 points last week in a win over Franklin, to one offense touchdown.

Loreauville harassed, harried, sacked and intercepted Ascension quarterback Cade Dardar all night, Until late in the third quarter, the Blue Gators never crossed midfield. Loreauville forced three fumble, had four pass breakups and one interception.

"It was a good effort for the defense," senior Nick Deal said. "We were practicing pass scales all week long to get ready for their passing game.

"The defense line was able to get pressure and the secondary was able to break up the passes.:'

Deal had two pass breakups in the game for the Tigers. including one which prevented an Ascension touchdown in the second quarter.

Dardar finished with 50 yards passing and two interceptions. The Gators finished with only 109 yards of offense.

"It was an uncharacteristic effort from them. They don't fumble the ball and they had three or four tonight," LHS coach Terry Martin. "We knew going into the game if we let him stand in the pocket. set his feet and throw the ball, he'll kill us.

"So we we made the decision to put pressure on him and play man defense and it worked for us. We played much better than I thought that we'd play."

But the Tigers are looking for even more.

"We're not finished," Simon said. "There is still more to do."

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Evan Simon's big TD night lifts Loreauville to critical 7-2A win over Ascension - The Advocate

A positive attitude goes a long way. Breast cancer survivor Amy Lysyczyn is living proof.

Her journey to that point hasn't been aneasy one.

At 41, shed already been told she had the BRCA1 genetic mutation that put her at risk for cancer, so she completed her full hysterectomy. Then they found breast cancer.

In the fall of 2019, she underwent a double mastectomy. That was the beginning of more than a half-dozen surgeries she endured due to infections and complications from the mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Then the world shut down due to the pandemic hit and she was confined at home because of a compromised immune system. She was still trying to recover and juggle her real estate business at the same time. Then her husbands boss died from COVID-19.

It was probably the darkest time in my life,"Lysyczyn recalled.

Between fears of cancer and a pandemic, she dealt with a roller coaster of emotions. To cope, she started counseling in February this year with Dr. Sherian Anderson with Tennessee Oncology in Murfreesboro.

During one of their sessions, Anderson recommended Lysyczyn attend the Ascension Saint Thomas Cancer Wellness and Survivorship program.

Founded in October 2018, the program focuses on facilitatinghealing and support for cancer patients and their families.

Through the survivorship program, Lysyczynjoined a support group that meets twice a month virtually. At these meetings they are open discussions about life, struggles, positive moments, and everything in between. There is also a virtual mindfulness meditation and a chance to work with a nutritionist, if desired, as well.

She also began exercise at the wellness center at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutyherford. Lysyczyn was there to recover range of motion in her shoulder, which had frozen during recovery from surgeries.

But she gained so much more.

For the first time in a year and a half, my mind was free from all the depressing and scary thoughts that consistently rushed through it all day, every day, Lysyczyn said. I got to talk, laugh, and openly discuss body issues as a result of what Id been through without judgement all while working out and getting physically and mentally healthier.

She also met Quantez Davis, an exercise physiologist she says changed her life. His upbeat attitude and encouragement brought a smile back toLysyczyn's face.

Breast Cancer survivor says early detection can save lives

Breast Cancer survivor Yolanda Bush, a data coordinator at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Camden, N.J., speaks about the importance of early detection.

Adam Monacelli, Cherry Hill Courier-Post

"I am a very positive person.I know how far encouraging the next person can help them achieve their goals. I just love to help people and make people smile," Davis said.

He tells his patients every day: Its not about where you start, it's about where you finish.

"It is so beautiful and amazing that she's able move her shoulder once again," Davis said.

To learn more about the Ascension Saint Thomas Cancer Wellness and Survivorship program, visithealthcare.ascension.org/.

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com.

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LOREAUVILLE A year ago, Ascension Episcopal and Loreauville were preparing for one of the season's most anticipated high school football games.

It was going to be a battle of unbeatens the 5-0 Blue Gators against the 6-0 Tigers in a game expected to determine the District 7-2A champion.

However, because of a COVID-19 outbreak at Loreauville, the game was canceled and ultimately resulted in the Gators and Tigers sharing the district crown.

Ill never forget getting that call from my principal on a Tuesday it was right after homecoming week that I had to send five players home," Loreauville coach Terry Martin said. "I called (AES coach) Matt Desormeaux and told him I cant have you come here with all of this going on and so we canceled (the) junior varsity (game). Within 15 minutes, every player on my team was sent home. A day later, the whole school was shut down. That game would have been the measuring stick for us.

Although both teams arent undefeated this year, the Tigers will get that opportunity to measure themselves against the Blue Gators at 7 p.m. Friday in Loreauville.

The Blue Gators (6-2, 4-0) are led by quarterback Cade Dardar, running back Princeton Cahee (83 carries for 440 yards, 12 TDs) and receivers Britt Campbell and Austin Mills (28 catches for 483 yards, seven TDs).

Our guys come in every week ready to get better, Desormeaux said. No one is satisfied. Were 6-2, but we feel like we couldve been better than 6-2."

Dardar has completed 92 of 160 passes for 1,785 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions, while rushing for 231 yards and three TDs.

Cade has done a phenomenal job for us, Desormeaux said. He has done a good job of taking what the defense gives us. He has been very patient for the most part, and if he continues to do that then we will continue to have success throwing the football.

Campbell has 40 receptions for 834 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Britt Campbell has been the biggest surprise, Desormeaux said. He doesnt have a lot of varsity experience, but he has developed into a really good football player this year. Hes a hard worker, multisport athlete and he has really improved his speed. He can block, catch and he runs good routes."

The Tigers have a wealth of talent as well, headlined by twins Calep Jacob and Collin Jacob two of the most exciting players in the state. Calep, the Tigers quarterback, has completed 40 of 66 passes for 775 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions, while rushing for 702 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Calep and Collin are two of the more competitive kids I have ever been around, Martin said. Not only do they hate to lose, but they both have that drive to be the best on the field.

Desormeaux said the Tigers are more than just the Jacob brothers.

The twins are phenomenal athletes, he said, "but they have a really good team with good athletes. Its not just those two. They have a full team with good running backs and a good offensive line. Their defense does a great job of flying to the football."

The Tigers' supporting cast includes running backs Evan Simon (42-338, two TDs) and Ethan Simon (40-272, five TDs).

Ethan had been out with an elbow injury, but he came back last week, Martin said. Evan has quietly been one of the better running backs. We have had a lot of players step up this year. It has really been a big-time team effort.

Both Desormeaux and Martin agreed team effort and excelling at the basics is going to be the determining factor in who wins the Friday's game.

This is going to be a 48-minute football game, Desormeaux said. This is going to be a game that will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. It should be a great game.

Its going to be a tough challenge, Martin said. Were treating it like a playoff game because thats the kind of team they are. Its going to be one of those games that a lot of people will be interested in seeing.

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The wait Is over: Ascension Episcopal, Loreauville to finally meet for 7-2A crown - The Advocate