By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
MINDEN — A battle for second place in District 1-4A as well as a scrum for position to host a home playoff game.
That’s what was on the line Friday when Northwood headed to “The Pit” to take on Minden.
The matchup of a pair of 7-1 teams lived up to the hype as Northwood had the last laugh in the 21-17 win.
“It was a great, great game, and the coaching was good on both sides from the types of adjustments each staff made,” said Northwood coach Austin Brown. “Credit to Spencer Heard and his staff.
“Minden had our number in the second half, but we found a way.”
In a hotly contested game, Minden (7-2, 4-2 District 1-4A) had the lead just once on Kaiden Shine’s 7-yard touchdown catch on a Hudson Brown screen pass early in the final period.
Minden reversed its fortune on fourth down after several attempts to grab its first lead of the game, 17-14, with nine minutes remaining.
The score was set up by a Northwood (8-1, 5-1) fumble in its own territory as Minden’s Javen Calloway scooped it up and had a nice return.
But after falling behind, Northwood stormed back quickly, marching 82 yards ending in a John Sneed four-yard touchdown run on an outside pitch to retake the lead.
The extra point handed the Falcons a 21-17 edge with six minutes to go. Sneed finished with a pair of touchdowns, the other on a Jaxon Bentzler pass. Kyran Johnson led all rushers with 83 yards.
Minden started to gain steam on the ensuing drive, but Northwood dashed the Tide’s hopes when Jeremiah Townsend intercepted Brown with just over a minute left to secure the Falcons’ win.
The Tide needed enough of a passing game to mix in with its multi-faceted rushing attack, which Denarius Crowe led with 65 yards.
But the Northwood defense forced Brown into just 6-of-14 passing for 41 yards.
The Falcons got the scoring going through the air as Jaxon Bentzler tossed his first of two touchdown passes to Jordan Welborn. Bentzler completed 9-of-15 for 155 yards.
Failed fourth downs were a theme early, but Minden punched through with a Crowe touchdown to knot the score, 7-7.
Sneed scored his first touchdown with just three minutes remaining in the first half to go up 14-7 before Minden answered with a third-quarter field goal from Bryson Ranger (36 yards).
The win should boost Northwood in position to host a home playoff game in Division I Non-Select entering Week 10 as the Falcons were sitting at No. 17 coming in.
Minden shouldn’t fall far from its No. 9 slot in Division II Non-Select.
Northwood’s Brown added that the road win was even more valuable considering the Falcons play just three road games this season.
“When Minden is rolling, it’s one of the best environments in our district, and it was that way tonight,” Brown said. “Our people showed up to support us, too.
“It was impressive for our guys to pull a win out like this in this environment.”
Contact Matt at sports@journalservicesllc.com