By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports
Many people tagged the 2022 edition of the Northwood Falcons with lofty expectations. Although they entered their regular-season finale with just two losses, they admit they hadn’t lived up to the hype.
Well, watch out. The Falcons are playing their best football when it matters and “Q” is on a roll.
Friday, Northwood running back Quintavion White helped his team spoil North DeSoto’s perfect season with a 196-yard, three-touchdown performance that sparked a come-from-behind victory and clinched a share of the District 1-4A title.
Per usual when he’s ripped through opposing defenses this year, White deflected the credit to the big uglies who pave the way.
“I love my O-line,” White said after the 20-19 victory in DeSoto Parish. “They were amazing. They block with their heart.”
White’s scoring runs of 5, 10 and 7 yards helped the Falcons erase a 13-0 deficit.
Gray Walters, Benton
The kid couldn’t throw a pass without bending over in a heap of pain in Week 9 due to an injured hip. Friday, the Tigers senior quarterback rallied his squad with three touchdown passes as Benton erased a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to sneak past Parkway for its sixth-straight victory.
Walters’ final touchdown toss, a 38-yarder to Andy Lim, gave Benton a 28-24 lead with 7 minutes remaining. The senior completed 14 of 25 pass attempts for 223 yards and touchdowns of 16, 17 and 38 yards.
James Simon, Calvary
The running back continued his tear Friday with three touchdowns in the Cavaliers’ emphatic 45-0 victory at Loyola.
Simon opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run. Before halftime, he’d find the end zone twice more – a 3-yard run and a 30-yard pass from quarterback Abram Wardell as Calvary claimed the District 1-2A championship.
Delarrious Marshall, Green Oaks
Notched the daily double with a defensive score (interception return) and an offensive score (run). He also added a 2-point conversion in the Giants’ triple OT loss to Lakeside.
Jamarlon Otis, Captain Shreve
The Gators rose from the dead with their destruction of Haughton in the regular-season finale, and the running back served notice things would be different from the start.
Captain Shreve’s lone win since Week 3 had come against Southwood, but Otis’ 76-yard scamper opened the scoring against the Buccaneers and led to a 10-carry, 115-yard performance in a resounding 42-7 victory at Lee Hedges Stadium.
Contact Roy at roylangiii@yahoo.com
