JOURNAL STAFF
MINDEN – Booker T. Washington’s Lions put points on the board Thursday night at The Pit.
They just couldn’t keep the host Minden Crimson Tide from doing the same.
“They could stop us. We just weren’t able to stop them,” said BTW coach Tony Reliford in the wake of a 43-26 loss to Minden in a District 1-4A contest.
The Lions (1-8, 1-5) got two touchdown passes and a scoring run from quarterback Damion O’Neal. BTW led 14-6 after the first quarter. But the Crimson Tide (3-6, 2-4) roared to life in the second period, posting 24 unanswered points to take command.
Minden’s Daylen Robinson ran for 133 yards on only 10 carries and scored twice in the first half. Quarterback Jakobe Jackson ran for two TDs, threw for another and tossed a 2-point conversion pass.
“It started off really competitive – we got the first score and then it was back and forth into the second quarter,” said Reliford. “For the most part, I feel good about what we did offensively.
“We’ve been able to cut down on our turnovers – but we had two interceptions tonight.”
The biggest problem for BTW was defending Minden’s running attack, which averaged eight yards a carry while piling up 240 yards on the ground, keeping the ball out of the Lions’ hands.
“They may have punted just once or twice,” said Reliford.
Kendrick Pratt was another standout for the visitors, posting 119 yards rushing on 21 carries, including a touchdown of 3 yards. He also scored a two-point conversion and had a 12-yard reception.
BTW wraps up the 2022 season next Friday at home against Evangel.
Minden 43, BTW 26
Score by quarters
BTW | 14 | 0 | 0 | 12 | – 26
Minden | 6 | 24 | 7 | 6 | – 43
Scoring summary
B – Andrew Houston 36 pass from Damion O’Neal (Kendrick Pratt run)
M – Daylen Robinson 18 run (kick failed)
B – Pratt 3 run (run failed)
M – Cameron Mitchell 11 run (Mitchell run)
M – Robinson 3 run (Jakobe Jackson run)
M – Jackson 17 run (Brian Swann pass from Jackson)
M – Jaylin Williams 40 pass from Jackson (Bryson Ranger kick)
M – Jackson 18 run (kick failed)
B – Quentravious Moore 20 pass from O’Neal (pass failed)
B – O’Neal 6 run (pass failed)
Individual leaders
Rushing
BTW (34-160) – Pratt 21-119; Damion O’Neal 12-45; Franklin Gafford 1-minus 4.
Minden (30-240) – D. Robinson 10-133; Jackson 12-76; Jaylon McKinney 5-18; Mitchell 2-11; Williams 1-2.
Passing
BTW – O’Neal 6-14-2, 131 yards.
Minden – Jackson 6-9-0, 100 yards.
Receiving
BTW – Houston 2-50; Tra’Mikal Davis 2-49; Moore 1-20; Pratt 1-12.
Minden – Williams 2-50; Mitchell 2-27; Robinson 2-23.
