JOURNAL SPORTS
They say the waiting is the hardest part and that may be especially true for the Southwood Cowboys.
The owners of the state’s longest losing streak* didn’t even get a chance to put that misery to an end because they were off in the opening week of the season. (The asterisk is because even though the streak is 46 games, the number was increased due to two forfeits in the 2022 season).
The Cowboys will get their chance tonight to put it all to rest when they take on Class 1A Arcadia (0-1) at 7 o’clock at Lee Hedges Stadium.
Southwood came close last year to breaking the streak, losing three of its first four games by a touchdown or less. One of those was to Arcadia, 14-7.
But D’Aumante Johnson is undefeated as head coach of the Cowboys; the former Bossier coach took over on Walker Road in January.
The rest of the local District 1-4A teams have something in common as they move into Week 2 – they all have a 1-0 record.
Northwood crossed the Red River and came away with a win over Benton and will now take on Peabody (Alexandria) in the home opener at Jerry Burton Stadium. New quarterback Nathan Cervantes had two long touchdown passes to open last week’s game and threw for 189 yards. Running back Kyren Johnson picked up where he left off last year with 109 yards and two touchdowns.
The Falcons were able to overcome three turnovers..
Loyola, a point away from tying the school record for points in an opening game with a 55-21 win over St. Frederick, will be on the road to take on Logansport. As was the case last year, the Flyers showed a balanced offense in the opener with running back Mason Drake rushing for 177 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Bryce Restovich throwing for 186 and two scores.
The Flyers have won eight of the last 10 against Logansport, including a 24-6 win a year ago.
Bossier will try to keep its offensive machine cranked up (63 points in a win over North Caddo) when the Bearkats travel to Minden Friday to take on Glenbrook. The Apaches spent plenty of time in the end zone as well in a 64-6 win over Magnolia.
Booker T. Washington will try to avoid looking ahead to next week’s Soul Bowl when the Lions play Bastrop on Friday at Leonard C. Barnes Stadium. The Lions had no trouble in a 56-0 opening win against Lakeview.
Woodlawn probably has the toughest test of any 1-4A team when the Knights travel to Parkway Friday. The Panthers are one of the favorites in District 1-5A and disposed of Carroll 43-13 in the opener.
Week 2 local schedule
Tonight
Arcadia (0-1) at Southwood (0-0), at Lee Hedges Stadium, Captain Shreve HS
Mansfield (1-0) at Green Oaks (0-1), at Jerry Burton Stadium, Northwood HS
Lincoln Prep (0-1) at Magnolia Charter (0-1)
Friday
District 1-5A games
Airline (1-0) at Benton (0-1)
Byrd (0-1) at Haughton (0-1)
Huntington (0-1) at Captain Shreve (0-1)
Natchitoches Central (1-0) at Evangel (0-1)
Non-district games
Bastrop (0-1) at Booker T. Washington (1-0)
Bossier (1-0) at Glenbrook (1-0)
Calvary (1-0) at Neville (1-0)
Loyola (1-0) at Logansport (0-1)
North Caddo (0-1) at North Webster (0-1)
Peabody (1-0) at Northwood (1-0)
Woodlawn (1-0) at Parkway (1-0)
Ringgold (0-1) at Plain Dealing (0-0)