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Wednesday, November 11, 2026

JAMES SMITH -- LHS TIGER (Written with Perplexity AI)

James Smith's Career in High School Athletics

Logansport High School, Logansport, Louisiana, 1951–1955

Overview

James Smith attended Logansport High School from the fall of 1951 until he graduated in May 1955. He played football for the Logansport Tigers all four years, first at end and later at guard, and he played basketball as well. He was a starter as a freshman, a member of the 1953 Northwest Class B championship team as a junior, and the team captain and a first-team district all-star as a senior. Throughout those years he was also an honor student.

Freshman Year, 1951–1952

James made the varsity football team as a ninth grader under Coach Purvis Landry. In November 1951, the Interstate Progress listed him as the starting left end in the Tigers' lineup.[10] A team photograph published later that month shows him with the squad.[11] His teammates included the senior backs A. J. Lawrence and Doyle Evans and halfback Graydon Carroll. Carroll and Lawrence were later named Class B all-state players for 1951.[2]

He was just as strong in the classroom. In December 1951, the paper published the football team's school averages, and James was one of only two players on the high honor roll. The other was senior quarterback Doyle Evans. James, a ninth grader, earned 18 of 20 possible points, an A average.[12]

Sophomore Year, 1952–1953

By his sophomore season James was a 155-pound end and a regular in Coach Landry's starting lineup.[13] Bernard Waggoner was the assistant coach. In the season opener on September 12, 1952, Logansport beat Many 20–12, and the game account describes passes from Arbuckle to James Smith.[14] He started at right end in game after game that fall. The Tigers won their homecoming game against Oil City, 19–13, and stood at four wins and three losses at the end of October.[15]

That winter James played basketball for Coach Waggoner. In December 1952 the paper listed him among the Tigers "seeing a lot of action on the hardwood," along with Roger Horn, Huey Claybrook, Franklin Foshee, Graydon Carroll, Bobby Bowden, and Loyd Hughes.[16]

Junior Year, 1953–1954: A Championship Season

The 1953 Tigers were one of the best teams in Logansport's history. Practice opened in August, and James was again among the returning players.[17] By early November the paper was calling the team "Logansport's unscored-on Tiger squad" and publishing its photograph with James in the second row. Coach Landry praised "such stalwarts as" Hale, Roger Horn, Franklin Foshee, James Smith, Gene Arbuckle, and Lloyd Hughes.[18]

On Thanksgiving week of 1953, Logansport beat Plain Dealing 55–6 at Memorial Stadium in Bossier City to win the Northwest Louisiana Class B championship. A front-page photograph shows "Tiger linemen Franklin Foshee and James Smith" diving for a Plain Dealing fumble that Logansport recovered. The Tigers recovered five fumbles that night.[19] A week later the paper's columnist wrote that James had been overlooked in the game story. "Folks who went to the game will remember Smith as one of the standouts in the Logansport line," the columnist wrote. "He pounced on at least one Lion fumble and brought many a Plain Dealing ball-carrier to the ground."[20] James played through a leg injury during that stretch.[21]

The championship sent Logansport into the Louisiana Class B state playoffs. In December 1953 the Tigers traveled to Ferriday for the state semifinal against the Northeast Louisiana champions.[22]

After the season, halfback Judson Hale and tackle Mickey Lawrence were named to the first team of the state Class B all-star team. James was one of five Tigers who received honorable mention, listed at guard. The others were end Roger Horn, center Loyd Hughes, halfback Jimmy Rogers, and fullback Rex Heard.[23]

Senior Year, 1954–1955

Team Captain

In August 1954, the Logansport football team elected James Smith captain and Judson Hale co-captain for the coming season.[24] Johnny Haynes was the new head coach.

Senior Football Season, Fall 1954

Coach Haynes's 1954 Tigers finished with six wins, two losses, and a tie. Both losses came by a single point: 7–6 to Arcadia and 14–13 to Oil City.[1]

James started at guard. In the season finale, Logansport beat Mansfield 25–13. Late in that game, Vernon Spears returned a kickoff to the Tigers' 43-yard line, and James then carried the ball on a "guard-around play" that pushed Logansport past midfield.[3] The Mansfield Enterprise also reported the game.[4]

The season finale. The Interstate Progress, November 11, 1954, page 1. The account in the right-hand column describes James Smith's "guard-around play."
The season finale. The Interstate Progress, November 11, 1954, page 1. The account in the right-hand column describes James Smith's "guard-around play."

Northwest District B All-Star

On December 9, 1954, the Interstate Progress put his honor at the top of its front page: "Smith Named to All-Star Guard Post on Northwest District B Team." The paper reported that "Logansport guard James Smith won a starting berth on the 1954 Northwest district B All-Star football team" and that he was the "only Tiger to win an All-Star first team assignment."[1] It described him as "an 18-year-old senior. The 6-foot, 2-inch guard weighs 180 pounds."[1]

The headline announcing James Smith's first-team all-star selection. The Interstate Progress, December 9, 1954, page 1.
The headline announcing James Smith's first-team all-star selection. The Interstate Progress, December 9, 1954, page 1.

A historical compilation of Louisiana all-state selections also lists "Smith, James, Logansport" as a Class B all-state guard for 1954.[2] This statewide honor appears to be separate from the district selection.

His Senior Teammates

  • Judson Hale, halfback and co-captain, made the district all-star second team despite missing much of the season with injuries. He scored twice against Mansfield.[1][3]
  • Jimmy Horn, end, Sonny Dick and Bobby Vice, tackles, and Homer Barnette, guard, received all-star honorable mention.[1]
  • Vernon Spears scored the opening touchdown against Mansfield on a 39-yard run, and Gene Arbuckle scored the last one.[3]

College recruiters noticed. In early December 1954, Tulane University invited James and Judson Hale, "seniors on the Logansport squad," to attend a game as its guests.[5]

Senior Basketball Season, 1954–1955

When football ended, James joined Coach Bernard Waggoner's basketball team as one of 14 boys who reported for practice. The Tigers opened the season by winning their first tournament, at Stonewall.[6] His teammates included Jimmy Horn, Milton Hanson, Huey Claybrook, Herbert Adams, Harlan Phelps, Tim Lafitte, Skipper Spann, and Billy Wayne Shahan.[6]

James Smith is listed among the 14 boys reporting for basketball. The Interstate Progress, November 18, 1954, page 1.
James Smith is listed among the 14 boys reporting for basketball. The Interstate Progress, November 18, 1954, page 1.

The season peaked in February 1955 at the district tournament in Natchitoches. Logansport defeated Fort Necessity 59–46 and Maltin 44–33 to reach the final. The Tigers lost that game to Marthaville, 50–44, but still earned a place in the state tournament at Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Lafayette. James was Logansport's high scorer in the final, with 15 points.[7]

"James Smith, with 15 points, was high scorer for Logansport in the final game with Marthaville." The Interstate Progress, February 24, 1955, page 1.
"James Smith, with 15 points, was high scorer for Logansport in the final game with Marthaville." The Interstate Progress, February 24, 1955, page 1.

Athlete and Scholar

James finished high school as he had started, near the top of his class. He appeared on the twelfth-grade honor roll in December 1954.[1] In May 1955, the Interstate Progress named him among the "other high ranking students" in the Logansport High School class of 1955. Ann Greer was valedictorian, Jerry Oden was salutatorian, and graduation was set for May 24, 1955.[8] His principal during his senior year was W. H. Jackson.[6]

James Smith is named among the high-ranking students of the class of 1955. The Interstate Progress, May 19, 1955, page 1.
James Smith is named among the high-ranking students of the class of 1955. The Interstate Progress, May 19, 1955, page 1.

Legacy

Over four years, James Smith grew from a ninth-grade starting end into the captain of the Logansport Tigers. He was a lineman on the unscored-on 1953 Northwest Class B championship team and an honorable-mention state all-star that year. As a senior he was the only first-team district all-star on a winning team, and he is listed as a Class B all-state guard. He was the high scorer in the district basketball final that sent his team to the state tournament, and he was an honor student from his first year to his last. His success earned him a place on the LSU freshman football team in the fall of 1955.[9]

References

  1. The Interstate Progress (Logansport, La.), December 9, 1954, p. 1, "Smith Named to All-Star Guard Post on Northwest District B Team" and "LHS Honor Roll Listed." https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6789667-interstate-progress-logansport-1954-12-09-001
  2. 14-0 Productions, "LSWA All-State 1916–1980" (historical compilation). http://www.14-0productions.com/all-state-1916-1980.html
  3. The Interstate Progress, November 11, 1954, p. 1, "Logansport Ends Grid Year With 25-13 Mansfield Victory." https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6789784-interstate-progress-logansport-1954-11-11-001
  4. The Mansfield Enterprise, November 11, 1954, p. 1, "Mansfield Wolverines Lose To Logansport Tigers 25-13." https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6718245-enterprise-1954-11-11-001
  5. The Interstate Progress, December 2, 1954, p. 1, "Hale, Smith Guests At Tulane for Game." https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6789421-interstate-progress-logansport-1954-12-02-001
  6. The Interstate Progress, November 18, 1954, p. 1, "Logansport Cagers Win First Tourney" and item on principal W. H. Jackson. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6789953-interstate-progress-logansport-1954-11-18-001
  7. The Interstate Progress, February 24, 1955, p. 1, "LHS Cagers Earn State Tourney Spot." https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6790228-interstate-progress-logansport-1955-02-24-001
  8. The Interstate Progress, May 19, 1955, p. 1, Logansport High School graduates and honor students. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6790152-interstate-progress-logansport-1955-05-19-001
  9. The Interstate Progress, November 24, 1955, p. 1, "Jim Smith, Ex-LHS Tiger To Be LSU Tiger." https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6790217-interstate-progress-logansport-1955-11-24-001
  10. The Interstate Progress, November 8, 1951, p. 1, Logansport starting lineup. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6789218-interstate-progress-logansport-1951-11-08-001
  11. The Interstate Progress, November 15, 1951, p. 1, Logansport Tigers football team photograph. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6788786-interstate-progress-logansport-1951-11-15-001
  12. The Interstate Progress, December 20, 1951, p. 1, "L. H. S. Football Team's School Average". https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6789073-interstate-progress-logansport-1951-12-20-001
  13. The Interstate Progress, September 11, 1952, p. 7, Logansport Tigers roster with weights and positions. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774146-enterprise-interstate-progress-1952-09-11-007
  14. The Interstate Progress, September 18, 1952, p. 1, "Logansport Tigers Claw Many Tigers 20-12 in the Season Opener". https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774172-enterprise-interstate-progress-1952-09-18-001
  15. The Interstate Progress, October 30, 1952, p. 1, homecoming victory over Oil City, 19-13. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774156-enterprise-interstate-progress-1952-10-30-001
  16. The Interstate Progress, December 18, 1952, p. 1, Logansport basketball report. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6773992-enterprise-interstate-progress-1952-12-18-001
  17. The Interstate Progress, August 20, 1953, p. 1, football practice report. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774242-enterprise-interstate-progress-1953-08-20-001
  18. The Interstate Progress, November 5, 1953, p. 1, "Logansport's Unscored On Tiger Squad" photograph and preview of Mansfield game. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774652-enterprise-interstate-progress-1953-11-05-001
  19. The Interstate Progress, November 26, 1953, p. 1, "Takes Area Title With 55-6 Victory". https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774535-enterprise-interstate-progress-1953-11-26-001
  20. The Interstate Progress, December 3, 1953, p. 1, editorial column on James Smith. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774369-enterprise-interstate-progress-1953-12-03-001
  21. The Interstate Progress, November 19, 1953, p. 8, playoff preview (continued from p. 1). https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774506-enterprise-interstate-progress-1953-11-19-008
  22. The Interstate Progress, December 10, 1953, p. 1, Class B state semifinal at Ferriday. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774277-enterprise-interstate-progress-1953-12-10-001
  23. The Interstate Progress, December 24, 1953, p. 1, state Class B all-star selections. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6774237-enterprise-interstate-progress-1953-12-24-001
  24. The Interstate Progress, August 19, 1954, p. 1, James Smith elected captain. https://archive.desotoparishlibrary.org/view/6789653-interstate-progress-logansport-1954-08-19-001

Newspaper clippings courtesy of the DeSoto Parish Library Digital Archive.

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