JOURNAL STAFF
Byrd will be celebrating its homecoming in cavernous Independence Stadium as it plays host to Southwood in a District 1-5A game, the first of two games scheduled on the state fairgrounds at 5 p.m. today.
The Yellow Jackets are a 16 seed in the Select Division I power ratings that would give them a first-round home game in the playoffs. The top eight teams receive byes and the next eight home games host in the first round. Southwood is winless and not in a position to make the playoffs.
Haughton travels to play Natchitoches Central in another District 1-5A game. Both teams are working to finish the season strong as neither are in a position to make the playoffs. The Chiefs are a 38 seed and Bucs 39 in the Non-Select Division I ratings with the top 28 teams making the playoffs.
SOUTHWOOD (0-8, 0-5) vs. BYRD (2-6, 2-4)
Where: Independence Stadium, 5 p.m.
Series: Byrd 34-17
Last year: Byrd 58-0
Last week: Byrd lost to Airline 42-28; Southwood lost to Captain Shreve 42-6
Rankings: Byrd #9 in SBJ Top 10 poll
LHSAA power rankings: Byrd #16; Southwood #31 Select Div. I
Radio: Byrd (The Tiger 1130 AM, 103.3 FM)
Notables: Byrd celebrates its homecoming kicking off a rare doubleheader at Independence Stadium … The Yellow Jackets average 286.5 yards a game on the ground … Desmond Simmons ran for a career high 205 yards last week as the Jackets rushed for 389 yards against Airline, the fifth time to run for more than 300 yards in a game … Kaiden Abraham Miller got his third interception of the season last week … Southwood has lost its last (and or forfeited) 34 straight games. Its last win came on Nov. 1, 2019 against Parkway 18-16 .. Jeremy Tyler led the Cowboys last week with 116 yards rushing … Detonion Arkansas had the lone touchdown in last week’s loss to Captain Shreve.
HAUGHTON (3-5, 1-4) at NATCHITOCHES CENTRAL (2-6, 1-4)
Where: Turpin Stadium, NSU
Series: Haughton 4-0
Last year: Haughton 56-20
Last week: Natchitoches Central lost to Parkway 27-26; Haughton lost to Benton 62-41
Rankings: Haughton #10 in SBJ Top 10 poll
LHSAA power rankings: NCHS #38, Haughton #39 Non-Select Div. I
Livestream: NCHSChiefs.live
Notables: Haughton quarterback Christian Turner accounted for four of the Bucs touchdowns, passed for 149 yards and ran for another 89 yards and two touchdowns last week … Senior RB Chris Mayes ran for 130 yards on 20 carries … John Ochoa had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery … The Bucs average 34.4 points per game, Natchitoches Central 28.5 … NCHS has lost each of its last three games by eight points or less and led two in the fourth quarter, at Benton and last week against Parkway … the Chiefs’ Cam Davis leads the state in receiving yards with 1,004 on 67 receptions and 14 touchdowns, but left the Parkway game early in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and his status is uncertain tonight.