By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
Shreveport-Bossier has produced an amazing amount of productive college quarterbacks – and while the great names Terry Bradshaw, Joe Ferguson and Stan Humphries start the list, it goes on and on and on.
This season, local fans are overloaded with talent to enjoy. There are plenty of very good to incredibly productive to amazingly talented QBs in Caddo and Bossier Parishes, and there’s another one just over the parish line down at North DeSoto (Luke Delafield).
Today we talk about one of the big “sleeper” prospects in the city of Shreveport, a guy who will be on opposite sidelines from Delafield and North DeSoto at Jerry Burton Stadium in Week 4. Mark that one down to watch.
Northwood QB Jaxon Bentzler is a tall 6-2 (seems bigger!) and has a strong build at 205 pounds. Bentzler is quite a leader as part of the Falcons’ Class of 2025.
What’s not to like? This kid carries a GPA of 4.4. He is a two-time first-team Class 4A All-State baseball player.
This past spring he made All State as a right-handed pitcher for the very good Northwood baseball program (29-8 in 2023), after he made All State as an infielder ending his sophomore season. He’s also a catcher and first baseman. He had a batting average of .459 in 2023 and was 8-1 with a 3.10 ERA and struck out 60 in 50 2/3 innings as a pitcher last spring.
Bentzler will have the chance to sign Division I scholarships in both baseball and football. As a football player, it’s his first full year as the team’s starting QB. He has a cannon arm and good feet in the pocket.
He’s not new to the game, just to the role as QB-1. Last season he was a slot receiver and tight end who was a second-team all-district selection.
Taking over behind center is something Bentzler embraces. He’s a no-doubter as far as being up to the task.
“Playing QB so far has been a great experience,” he said. “In Week 1 we played a tough Class 5A Benton team and came back from a 11-point deficit with 8 minutes remaining in the game.
“On the game-winning drive we overcame 1st and 45. Leading my team during that drive really showed me how much Northwood football meant to my guys,” said Bentzler. “I couldn’t be prouder of my wide receivers and the big boys up front. We drove the ball down to the 12 yard line, where it was 3rd and 9 and John Sneed ran in the game winning touchdown,” he said.
What a way to start the season!
He’s having fun.
“Playing under our head coach, Austin Brown, is great,” said Bentzler. “He is super straight forward and isn’t afraid to tell you the truth. He pushes our team every single day and always expects full effort.
“Coach Brown’s goal as a coach is obviously to win but to make every single one of us a better man, and build us into a great husband and father in the future. He will do anything for you if you need it.”
His coaches are awfully proud of Jaxon, and for good reasons.
“We have a great community and a very supportive administration here at Northwood that allows our student-athletes to be successful,” said offensive coordinator Jared Little. “Jaxon exemplifies what it means to be a Falcon. Jaxon is a true leader in every sense of the word.
“First and foremost, he shows up daily with a smile on his face and ready to attack the day with everything that he has. His personality is contagious and it reflects in those around him. Second, Jaxon is the ultimate competitor — as a coach you definitely want the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.
“His competitive fire is what sets him apart from others, and it is what will lead him to be a successful in all of his future endeavors,” said Little.
With Ben Taylor at Airline and Abram Wardell at Calvary, two incredibly accomplished veteran senior QBs, Bentzler will fly under the radar for postseason honors but he will certainly be on a lot of football recruiting lists before he slips on the glove and cleats next spring.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on X @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.