JOURNAL SPORTS
Unbeaten Airline can clinch at least a share of the District 1-5A championship Friday night, but will have to do it while facing the most productive running attack in Shreveport-Bossier.
The high-scoring Vikings (8-0, 6-0) will cross Red River to face Byrd in a 1-5A showdown Friday at Lee Hedges Stadium. Byrd is 7-1 overall and 5-1 in district.
The Vikings have won this matchup in the last two years after the Yellow Jackets had won 18 of the previous 19. It showcases Airline’s pass-heavy attack — averaging 57 points — featuring senior quarterback Ben Taylor and receivers Kenny Darby and Jarvis Davis Jr., and Byrd’s prolific triple-option Wing T running attack.
All local games are slated for Friday night, one day after rainy weather is forecast for Halloween.
In District 1-4A, two games will sort out the top of the standings. League unbeaten North DeSoto will play at one-loss Loyola trying to clinch at least a share of the district crown, while a pair of one-loss teams collide when Northwood goes to Minden. The other two games match win-hungry squads hoping for some late-season positivity, Bossier-Woodlawn and BTW-Southwood.
After forfeiting last week because it couldn’t field 11 players, Plain Dealing hopes to resume action at home against Lincoln Prep in a 1-1A game.
An appealing non-district contest will be Lafayette Christian making the trip up I-49 to play at Evangel. LCA is 3-5 against a demanding schedule that has allowed it to stay in the Class 2A state rankings. Evangel has sensational sophomore quarterback Pop Houston and company lighting up scoreboards.
Week 9 local prep football schedule
Friday
DISTRICT 1-5A
Airline (8-0, 6-0) vs. Byrd (7-1, 5-1), Lee Hedges Stadium
Benton (1-7, 1-5) at Parkway (7-1, 5-1), Preston Crownover Stadium
Captain Shreve (4-4, 3-3) at Haughton (2-6, 1-6), Harold E. Harlan Stadium
Huntington (4-4, 4-2) at Natchitoches Central (1-7, 0-6), Turpin Stadium
NON-DISTRICT
Lafayette Christian (3-5) at Evangel (3-5)
DISTRICT 1-4A
Southwood (0-7, 0-5) at BTW (3-5, 2-3), Leonard C. Barnes Stadium
Bossier (3-5, 1-4) vs. Woodlawn (2-6, 1-4), Independence Stadium
North DeSoto (6-2, 5-0) at Loyola (6-2, 4-1), Messmer Stadium
Northwood (7-1, 4-1) at Minden (7-1, 4-1), W.W. Williams Stadium
DISTRICT 1-2A
Calvary (6-2, 4-0) vs. Green Oaks (1-6, 0-5), Jerry Burton Stadium, Northwood
North Caddo (3-5, 2-3) at Homer (3-5, 2-3)
Magnolia Charter (0-7, 0-4) at Union Parish (3-4, 3-1)
DISTRICT 1-1A
Lincoln Prep (5-3, 2-2) at Plain Dealing (0-8, 0-6)