By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
NATCHITOCHES — Evangel’s defense hemmed in Natchitoches Central deep in its own territory most of Friday’s District 1-5A opener, which created short fields for its offense in a 45-7 victory.
The Eagles (1-1, 1-0 District 1-5A) stormed their way back to District 1-5A with a resounding road win against the Chiefs (1-1, 0-1) in Northwestern State’s Turpin Stadium.
The Eagles found open seams against an NCHS defense that had allowed just 12 points in a win at Breaux Bridge to open the season.
“It was a great team effort, especially with how well we played defensively,” said Evangel coach Denny Duron. “Our offense was very resilient in the fact that we overcame a ton of penalties to finish drives.”
Evangel scored the game’s first 31 points in the first half as the Eagles before Natchitoches Central tallied its lone touchdown late in the second quarter.
Parkway 51, Woodlawn 6: For the second straight week, Parkway (2-0) blitzed past its opponent by building a huge first-half lead.
The Panthers led 44-6 at the half and coasted to a win.
Running back CJ Dudley led the way with 71 rushing yards on eight carries and a pair of touchdowns from two yards out.
Antonio Gladney also tallied two scores, one rushing and one receiving from quarterback Kaleb Williams.
Carmaro Mayo and Rylan Plunkett also reached the end zone via the run while Mark Copenhaver hopped on a Woodlawn fumble in the end zone.
Woodlawn’s Brandon Henderson supplied the Knights’ only score.
Parkway led by 42 points at halftime against Carroll in the season-opener and will attempt to replicate the fast start at Haughton in the Panthers’ District 1-5A opener.
Woodlawn (0-2) welcomes a Lakeview squad to Shreveport that’s been shutout in its first two games.
North Webster 14, North Caddo 6: The Titans flew around the field all night, but it was the Knights’ defense that made the deciding play.
North Webster (1-1) returned a pick-six 95 yards to take a near North Caddo (1-1) score into a touchdown that accounted for the difference.
“We are very athletic on the perimeter on defense,” said North Caddo coach Chase Thompson about a unit that’s allowing 15 points per game. “We are fast to the ball and swarm ball carriers, and North Webster’s only offensive touchdown came on a broken play.
“But the pick-six ended up being the deciding factor for us.”
The win is the first for coach Christopher Wilson as North Webster’s coach.
Mansfield 50, Green Oaks 14: Football may be a game of runs, but this one had an interesting swing.
Green Oaks trailed just 16-14 late in the second quarter before Mansfield ended the game with 34 answered points to run away with its first victory.
The Wolverines (1-1), who lost a double overtime heartbreaker to a Minden team that pounded Homer on Friday, separated from Green Oaks with a big second half.
The Giants (1-1) were standing tall after a season-opening win against Woodlawn and were battling in a road game before Mansfield created separation.
Green Oaks will face Booker T. Washington in the Soul Bowl next week at BTW.
Contact Matt at sports@journalservicesllc.com