BY MATT VINES, Journal Sports
Both Southwood and Natchitoches Central desperately coveted a win to regain early-season momentum Friday, but the Chiefs defense was the deciding factor as NCHS started District 1-5A play with a 27-0 win at Lee Hedges Stadium.
The Cowboys (2-2) didn’t convert on copious third- and fourth-down opportunities, and Southwood’s defense eventually couldn’t hold the Chiefs any more as NCHS scored three of the four touchdowns in the second half.
“Our defense did a great job, and we finally got some pressure on the quarterback and made tackles,” said NCHS coach James Wilkerson. “I am proud of the team for competing and taking the challenge of proving something in this game.”
NCHS receiver Camryn Davis scored on a rushing and receiving touchdown, starting the scoring with an end-around after the Chiefs stuffed Southwood on a fourth-and-1 in the second quarter. NCHS took advantage of the short field, cashing in on the 35-yard drive.
NCHS finished scoring opportunities in the second half, grabbing a 14-0 lead in the middle of the third quarter on a Jeremiah Miles touchdown run (he totaled 73 yards rushing).
Davis struck again with a 40-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter to essentially salt away the win.
Already down 20-0, the Cowboys (2-2) finally got moving on offense in the short passing game, driving to the 12-yard line. But a fourth-down sack derailed Southwood’s best scoring chance as the Chiefs (2-2) pitched their first shutout since the beginning of the 2021 season (Woodlawn).
The Chiefs tacked on a Zion Thompson rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the 27-0 margin.
Both teams continue District 1-5A play as Southwood heads to Haughton and the Chiefs return to the Shreveport-Bossier area with a date at Airline. Southwood reportedly has discovered some player eligibility issues which could result in forfeiture of its two wins, with an appeal to the LHSAA said to be pending.
Evangel 39, Bossier 14 – Evangel started District 1-4A on the right foot with a “home away from home” win against Bossier to even its overall record at 2-2. The game was played at Bossier’s Memorial Stadium since Evangel’s home field was severely damaged in the Week 1 loss to Neville played in a thunderstorm.
Even though the Bearkats (0-4) are still hunting their first win, the 19-point margin is their closest all season against an Evangel squad that may be the toughest on Bossier’s schedule so far.
The Bossier defense had its best outing after allowing more than 40 points in each of its first three games.
The District 1-4A schedule continues as Bossier hosts Northwood and Evangel heads to Woodlawn.
Peabody 18, Green Oaks 13 – The Giants erased a double-digit halftime deficit to snatch a third-quarter lead, but the Warhorses proved too much late for Green Oaks on Friday.
Quarterback Tovoris Lee connected with Amarion Dorsey and Delarrious Marshall to spearhead the comeback.
“We came back the first two drives of the second half and took the lead,” said Green Oaks coach Chadwick Lewis. “But we’ve got to fix the mental lapses.
“We do well for a few minutes, but then we have a breakdown. We’re working on fixing those things.”
But the Giants (1-3) couldn’t hold Peabody (3-1) in the fourth quarter as the Warhorses bounced back from their lone loss of the season to Logansport.
Green Oaks was coming off an emotional win in the Soul Bowl against BTW. The Giants will get another taste of Alexandria football when they head to Class 5A power Alexandria Senior High.
Contact Matt at mvines2@gmail.com
Photo by KEVIN SHANNAHAN, Journal Sports
