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PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana College Wildcats are focused on their Saturday night showdown with East Texas Baptist, but the visiting Tigers are not all that is on the mind of the men of LC.

The Wildcats will no doubt strive to be as focused as any team in the country Saturday night at 6 p.m. in Wildcat Stadium. But on Friday, many team members will focus more on a segment of the population that often goes forgotten.

Every college football team has its own traditions for the day before the big game. Some have team meals; others organize games or engage in light entertainment.

The Louisiana College Wildcats have their own tradition, one that many would not equate with a pregame ritual.
Over the past six years and since the arrival of Coach Dennis Dunn, the Wildcats have developed a Friday night tradition prior to every home game of visiting a local retirement home for fellowship with the residents.

“I want our guys to know that when they give their lives away for Christ, there is an amazing blessing that comes with it,” Dunn said. “We don't want to be a Christian team in name only. This is one way for us to put boots on the ground for the Lord and, in some small way, make a difference in the life of another.

“This is probably one of the most forgotten segments of our society. There are so many wonderful people in these homes, but some are lonely and hurting. I believe that making an effort to comfort them and revive their spirits is what the Lord would have us to do. It's an honor for us to be involved.”

Each Friday, a ministry team made up of LC players meets with Louisiana College Director of Football Operations Vance Morris and visits a retirement home, this year the Marigold House in Alexandria.

The location has changed over the years, but the spirit of the ministry has not.

After a brief word of introduction from Morris, each Wildcat introduces himself and tells what position he plays, where he is from and what he majors in.

A devotional from a player follows then the team breaks off for individual chats with residents.

This year, each devotional has been delivered by the same player, senior defensive back DeMel Dumas.

“It's been such a rewarding experience,” Dumas said. “It's amazing to see the residents' faces when we visit. Their faces light up when we walk in. It's an amazing feeling. I guess they appreciate a group of young men who care about them. And we really do care about them.”

Dumas has been involved in the ministry for several years and has many pleasant memories.

“One time we all got together and played this board game called 'Chicken Foot,'” Dumas recalled. “That was their chance to teach us something. Honestly, I had never heard of the game. I think they invented it. But it was great fellowship.”

And on Saturday, when LC fans turn out to Wildcat Stadium, or tune in online or on the radio, the residents of Marigold House are among the staunchest Louisiana College supporters.

PREGAME CAPSULE
East Texas Baptist (2-3, 1-2 American Southwest Conference) at No. 24 Louisiana College (3-1, 1-1 American Southwest Conference)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday
Location: Wildcat Stadium, Pineville, La.
TV: None
Watch Online: www.ihigh.com/louisianacollege
Listen Online: www.1055kbuck.com
Local Radio:105.5 FM, Alexandria
Coaches: Louisiana College, Dennis Dunn (6th season); East Texas Baptist, Mark Sartain.
Mascots: Louisiana College Wildcats, East Texas Baptist Tigers
Last Week: East Texas Baptist defeated Hardin-Simmons 26-22; LC lost 36-10 to No. 4 Mary Hardin-Baylor
Last Year: LC defeated ETBU 49-21
All-Time Series  Record: ETBU leads 6-5.
Last win for ETBU: 27-23 in 2007
Series notes: Louisiana College has beaten ETBU three straight years ... The Louisiana College-East Texas Baptist series has been defined by streaks. LC won the first meeting between the teams in 2000. ETBU followed with four straight wins between 2001 and 2004.
East Texas Baptist Notes: Last week, ETU erased a late 16-point deficit by scoring three straight touchdowns to collect a win over Hardin-Simmons for the first time in school history ...Tailback Jair Stover finished 158 yards rushing versus Hardin-Simmons. On the year he has 442 yards and four touchdowns on the ground ... Dual threat quarterback Sed Harris has rushed for 449 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 939 yards and six touchdowns on the year.
Louisiana College Notes: The Wildcats' 10 points versus Mary Hardin-Baylor was the team's lowest output since a 44-10 loss to Millsaps in 2007 ... Louisiana College is averaging 487 yards of total offense per game ... The LC defense is allowing an average of 296 yards of total offense per game ... LC is outscoring opponents by an average of 37-19 ... An unlikely offensive hero has emerged among the LC receivers. Senior Dayne Reeves, a slot receiver from Longville, La.,  is not often mentioned in the same breath as pro prospect Darnell Williams or 6-foot-4 deep threat D'Mario Parker, but it is the multiple-time Academic All-Conference performer Reeves who leads the team in receiving yards. To date, Reeves has made 26 catches for 315 yards (12.1 average) with one touchdown. Williams and Parker have 19 receptions and two touchdowns apiece with Williams checking in with 276 yards and Parker 221.