JOURNAL SPORTS
The Northwood Falcons are putting the pieces together, winning their second straight game Friday following an 0-3 start.
A young defense led the way, posting its first shutout of the season in a 41-0 triumph while Bossier (1-4, 0-2 District 1-4A) was held scoreless for the third straight week.
Northwood (2-3, 2-0 District 1-4A) scored three touchdowns in each half to put itself in a three-way tie atop the league.
“We’ve started to find an identity on offense, and we got it rolling last week and eventually got it going this week,” said Northwood coach Austin Brown. “The defense is playing lights out.
“This is a very, very young defense, but they are all athletic and can roll. I’m very proud of defensive coordinator Jarrett Taylor for finding out what these guys do best and getting them in it.”
Defensive back Elijah Crawford intercepted two Bossier passes, returning one for a touchdown.
Northwood heads to Evangel in a battle of district unbeatens next week.
Bossier completed its four-game road trip and returns home to face a winless-but-gritty Minden bunch.
North DeSoto 52, BTW 0: North DeSoto quarterback Luke Delafield threw a 65-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the game, and the anticipated Griffins’ rout was on.
The Griffins scored on every drive in the first half to build a 45-point halftime bulge as North DeSoto (4-1, 2-0 District 1-4A) coasted to its fourth straight win.
But as impressive as the Griffins offense has been – it’s scored 50 or more points in all four of its wins – it’s the defense that’s made the most improvement since the beginning of the season.
The Griffins have pitched consecutive shutouts and kept their last three opponents out of the end zone after surrendering more than 50 points in each of their first two games.
“We have a young defensive line, and they are beginning to play well,” said North DeSoto coach Dennis Dunn. “They needed reps. Our linebackers are playing really well behind them.”
Delafield chunked three touchdowns in the first half, completing 12-of-17 for 267 yards.
Landry Wyatt was the big-play Griffin with 123 yards on just two catches and a score. Cole Cory caught five passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns.
For BTW (2-3, 0-2), the Lions have lost the last two games after a two-game winning streak.
The Lions have been outscored 78-8 in their first two district games after a loss to Woodlawn this past week.
Mansfield 40, Magnolia 0: After an 0-4 start against one of the toughest schedules in the area, Mansfield was looking for a ‘get right’ game.
The Wolverines (1-4) found that in the form of Magnolia School of Excellence (0-5), building a four-touchdown lead in the first half and waltzing to the win in the second half.
Magnolia lost each of its first four games on the field, and in addition, the LHSAA ruled those four losses forfeits.
Mansfield dropped one-score losses to Huntington and Logansport along with blowout defeats to Evangel and Ouachita Christian, but the Wolverines’ 40 points scored Friday was a season high.
Mansfield also pitched its first shutout of the season.
The Wolverines enter District 3-2A play next week against Many, while Magnolia gets back into District 1-1A play against Glenbrook.