JOURNAL STAFF
Woodlawn hosts Northwood tonight in the second game of a doubleheader at Independence Stadium and could be a deciding factor on whether the Knights make the playoffs in Select Division II. Kickoff is projected for 8:15.
The Knights are currently No. 19 with the top 24 teams making the playoffs in Select brackets. A win would secure a spot for Woodlawn and another win in the final game of the regular season might just move them up three more spots to No. 16, which would give them a home game in the first-round.
A loss would have them watching the teams ranked 20 and above to see how that might put them in a position of waiting to see how the schools below them finish. Woodlawn’s final game is at Minden, who currently has one win, and defeating them would provide a needed 10-plus points but may not be enough, with the Tide only having the one win and not providing much strength of schedule value.
Both teams come into the game with identical 4-4 records, but the Falcons have a 4-1 district record. A win over Woodlawn would set up a Week 10 game with league leader North DeSoto (5-0) for a share of the district championship. Last year the Falcons defeated the previously undefeated Griffins to finish as co-champions.
Northwood’s defense has been one of the best in the district allowing only 76 points, giving up no more than a couple scores in each of its four wins. Sophomore defensive back Jeremiah Johnson leads in tackles with junior linebacker Chrisian Blackmon and senior Jamarcus Walker all close behind. Elijah Crawford is a two-way player that is making plays on both offense and defense.
The two starting quarterbacks are among the best in the area.
Offensively quarterback Hutson Hearron has passed for 1,180 yards hitting on 101 of 167 passes with 13 touchdowns. Desmond Harris tops the team with 309 rushing yards, averaging 8.8 per carry and 238 yards receiving on 20 catches. Tucker McCabe is the leading receiver with 505 yards on 35 catches and eight touchdowns. Jalil Wainwright has 25 catches for 301 yards.
Woodlawn looks for quarterback Isaiah Kennedy and running back Quintin Wilson to provide most of its offense. Kennedy has 1,060 yards through the air on 57 of 84 passes and has 473 yards rushing, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Wilson is the leading ballcarrier with 538 yards, averaging 8 yards per carry. Junior receiver Brandon Henderson Jr. is a dynamic deep threat with 375 yards, averaging 31.3 yards a catch.
NORTHWOOD (4-4, 4-1) vs. WOODLAWN (4-4, 2-3)
Where: Independence Stadium, 8:15 p.m.
Series: Northwood 18-8
Last year: Northwood 48-0
Last week: Woodlawn beat Bossier 46-21; Northwood beat BTW 35-8
Rankings: Northwood #7 in SBJ Top 10 poll, Woodlawn receiving votes in SBJ poll
LHSAA power rankings: Woodlawn #19 Select Div. II; Northwood #17 Select Div. I
Radio: none
Notables: Northwood is third in District 1-4A in points scored with 166 and second in points allowed with 76 in league games… Senior quarterback Hutson Hearron has thrown for 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns … Jeremiah Johnson leads the defense averaging a little more than seven tackles a game and has three interceptions … Isaiah Kennedy has passed for more than 1,000 yards for the Knights … Woodlawn ended a three-game losing streak with last week’s win.