By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

While Airline visits Byrd tonight in the headline game in District 1-5A, Parkway tries to keep its district co-championship hopes alive and avoid an upset at home against Benton.

The Panthers (7-1, 5-1) can get a share of the 1-5A title by finishing the regular season with two wins and if Airline is upset at least once. A win tonight brings Parkway a reward in the postseason, and coach Coy Brotherton is aware of those implications.

“We do know one more win would definitely get us a home playoff game in Round 1. Our coaches seem to think if we could win two and finish 9-1, that could possibly put us in the top eight, which is big because if you move forward, you’re possibly at home again in Round 2,” he said.

But first things first, he said. Benton (1-7, 1-5) has been competitive all season.

“Hopefully we can get past Benton this week. You know when you go up against Coach (Reynolds) Moore and Benton, you’re going to face a good game plan and have to play well,” said Brotherton. “We’ve told our kids, ignore the record … it’s going to be tough. They’ve had a lead in every game, and some went well into the second half against good teams. They’re close, and we hope it’s not against us this week.”

Parkway’s “Dirty Red” brand of football speaks to the Panthers’ physicality up front, and after losing their top two quarterbacks to injuries after three games, their shift to a power running game fueled by CJ Dudley. He has run for 19 touchdowns, one shy of the school record.

“We are big up front, and we talk about being physical,” said Brotherton. “CJ has been a workhorse. We didn’t expect him to have this many carries, but he’s shouldered the load.”

Dudley sat out the second half in last week’s win at Captain Shreve, but is expected back tonight.  Cornerback Chase Crowder stepped in for injured Dudley in second half and contributed 90 yards rushing including a touchdown run, and had a 99-yard kickoff return TD – along with making five tackles as the Panthers calmed down an explosive Gators’ attack.

“It’s great to see kids like that rise to the occasion and be rewarded for all the work they’ve put in over four years,” said Brotherton.

In other local matchups, teams like Evangel, Shreve, Bossier and North Caddo can bolster their power rankings and likely clinch playoff spots with Week 9 wins tonight.

Tonight’s local prep football schedule

DISTRICT 1-5A

Airline (8-0, 6-0, Power ranking = 3^rd in Non-Select Division I) vs. Byrd (7-1, 5-1, PR = 7^th Select Division I), Lee Hedges Stadium – Broadcast: 1130 AM The Tiger, 103.3 FM

Benton (1-7, 1-5, PR = 37^th Non-Select D1) at Parkway (7-1, 5-1, PR = 6^th NS D1), Preston Crownover Stadium – Live stream: The Benton Tiger Sports Network, https://network1sports.com/station/benton

Captain Shreve (4-4, 3-3, PR = 22^nd Select D1) at Haughton (2-6, 1-6, PR = 36^th Non-Select D1), Harold E. Harlan Stadium – Broadcast: The River 95.7 FM

Huntington (4-4, 4-2, PR = 18^th Non-Select D1) at Natchitoches Central (1-7, 0-6, PR 39^th Non-Select D1), Turpin Stadium  — Live stream:  nchschiefs.live

NON-DISTRICT

Lafayette Christian (3-5, PR = 11^th Select D3) at Evangel (3-5, PR 25^th Select D1)

 

DISTRICT 1-4A

Southwood (0-7, 0-5, PR = 36^th Select D2) at BTW (3-5, 2-3, PR = 19^th Select D2), Leonard C. Barnes Stadium

Bossier (3-5, 1-4, PR = 23^rd Non-Select D2) vs. Woodlawn (2-6, 1-4. 33^rd Non-Select D2), Independence Stadium

North DeSoto (6-2, 5-0, PR = 10^th Non-Select D2) at Loyola (6-2, 4-1, PR = 7^th Select D2), Messmer Stadium

Northwood (7-1, 4-1, PR = 17^th Non-Select D1) at Minden (7-1, 4-1, PR = 9^th Non-Select D2), W.W. Williams Stadium – Broadcast: Real Country 104.5 FM; www.kbef.com

DISTRICT 1-2A

Calvary (6-2, 4-0, PR = 3^rd Select D3) vs. Green Oaks (1-6, 0-5, 40^th Non-Select D3), Jerry Burton Stadium, Northwood – Broadcast: Promise 90.7 FM

North Caddo (3-5, 2-3, PR = 26^th Select D3) at Homer (3-5, 2-3, PR = 24^th Non-Select D4)

Magnolia Charter (0-7, 0-4, PR = 34^th Select D3) at Union Parish (3-4, 3-1, PR = 6^th Non-Select D3)

DISTRICT 1-1A

Lincoln Prep (5-3, 2-2, PR = 20^th Select D4) at Plain Dealing (0-8, 0-6, PR = 39^th Non-Select D4)

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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