STONEWALL — Things did not go the way previously unbeaten Northwood planned Friday night.
The visiting Falcons spotted the North DeSoto Griffins a 21-point lead in the first eight minutes of the game and that proved to be a hole too deep to overcome in a 38-21 loss that was a District 1-4A tone setter. The teams usually meet later in the season and he winner of the matchup has often claimed the league title.
It didn’t help that a premature whistle denied a potential Northwood touchdown on a return of an apparent fumble as the Griffins were going in for their second score.
After falling behind in the first quarter, the Falcons rallied over the next three. They got a 17-yard touchdown reception from Jayden White, a 7-yard scoring catch from John Sneed and a 24-yard rushing touchdown from Kyran Johnson, who piled up 210 rushing yards. But the comeback ultimately fell short.
“We expected to win this game,” a disappointed Northwood coach Austin Brown said. “It was an unfortunate turn of events.I thought we were better than them, but the better team won.”
Northwood fell to 3-1 with the loss in the district debut and will face Woodlawn (1-3, 0-1) next week. North DeSoto drew even at 2-2 overall as running back Kenny Thomas ran for 193 yards and three touchdowns.
Minden 28, Woodlawn 6: Quinton Wilson’s touchdown capped the Knights’ only successful scoring drive of the night in this 1-4A opener at The Pit in Minden, but Woodlawn coach Thedrick Harris praised the play of his defense.
“We had some big stops,” he said. “The defense battled all over the field all night. I’m really proud of my kids.”
Woodlawn falls to 1-3, 0-1 and will host Northwood (3-1, 0-1) next week.
Booker T. Washington 38, Bossier 6: The Lions won their sixth game in a row in the series against the visiting Bearkats to improve to 3-1 on the season with a win to kick off the 1-4A season. Bossier slipped to 1-3.
Senior running back Aaron Dillard scored three touchdowns to lead the Booker T. Washington offense. On defense,Jaylen O’Neal scored on a fumble recovery and Devondre Johnson scored on a 75-yard interception return ending the first half to give BTW a 30-0 lead.
North Caddo 46, Magnolia School of Excellence 6: After missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury, Titans running back Tray Morris returned to action this week to help lead his team to an easy homefield win in the District 1-2A opener.
Morris averaged 17 yards on eight carries and scored two touchdowns. Mason Jackson added two touchdowns, including an interception return that covered more than 70 yards. Antonio Nelson also scored two touchdowns
The Titans led 30-0 at halftime.
“We had some penalties early in the game that we had to clean up, but overall I’m pleased,” coach Chase Thompson said. “We’re very talented on defense. We have some really athletic guys on the perimeter. It’s hard for guys to get the edge on us, and we have some really big defensive linemen inside. People try to go north-south on us and it’s really difficult on them. So I’m very excited about the way we’re playing on defense and I expect us to continue to be really good there.”
The Titans (3-1) travel to Mansfield (1-3) next week. Magnolia (0-4) visits Calvary.
Union Parish 28, Green Oaks 0: The Giants couldn’t get untracked against the Farmers, who won for the first time this year after ending last year as the Non-Select Division III state champions. Green Oaks (1-3) was blanked for the first time this fall.
The Giants travel to meet D’Arbonne Woods Charter (3-1, 0-1) next Friday.
Haynesville 51, Plain Dealing 0: The Golden Tors (4-0), ranked third in Class A, rode home happy after rolling over the outmanned Lions, who lost for the 29th consecutive game. It opened District 1-1A play for both teams.
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