By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
Offenses, especially quarterbacks, have been on display for the first half of this season.
Local teams feature quarterbacks like Pop Houston, Hudson Price, Javontaye Dean, Bryce Restovich, Devion Stewart, Taylor Weathersby and Malachi Zeigler with several others making some noise.
But what sets the area’s elite apart – defense.
Week 5 encapsulated that notion in perfect form.
Evangel (3-2, 2-0 District 1-5A) locked down Captain Shreve in an impressive 46-0 shutout, its second of the season (the Eagles also blanked Huntington).
The Eagles have allowed just 14 combined points to three opponents from District 1-5A after bouts with West Monroe and Neville to start the season.
Calvary Baptist (5-0) relatively handcuffed an explosive Loyola offense in a 52-24 win.
Loyola had scored 40 or more in all four games, including going over 50 and over 70 this year.
The Cavs are allowing 14 points per game against a difficult schedule.
What about Haughton and Airline?
Haughton (5-0) is one of just three undefeated Shreveport-Bossier teams through five weeks, and the Bucs proved their worthiness to be considered among the top with wins against Captain Shreve and Parkway.
But the Bucs have outdueled their opponents offensively, mixing in key defensive plays along the way.
Haughton followed that script Thursday in a 55-36 win against Parkway.
The Bucs have upcoming dates against Airline (Week 8) and Evangel (Week 10) in what feels like has become a three-team race in District 1-5A.
Airline (4-1) survived a scare at Natchitoches Central (0-5) by holding on for a 32-29 victory.
The Vikings’ lone loss came from across the state against Franklin Parish as the Patriots rallied by the Vikings in 54-43 fashion.
The average score of an Airline game? 41-36.
Slide in Franklin Parish’s near upset at the hands of winless Huntington (38-36) on Friday, and it’s a lesson that any team in the district has the teeth to challenge on any given week.
Undefeated Green Oaks much more than a novelty
Beat a good Class 4A Booker T. Washington at the end of an emotional rivalry game, and the Class 2A Green Oaks Giants are much more than a nice story.
The Giants (5-0) added another layer of evidence Friday by going on the road to top Class 4A Peabody, 50-31.
They’ve dominated in wins against Southwood, North Webster, and Red River, the latter of which knocked off a Logansport bunch that was ranked No. 5 in Class 1A.
But exactly how good is Green Oaks? Where do they stand among the area’s best of the best?
Green Oaks will get those tests in Week 8 (Homer) and Week 10 (Calvary) to give more perspective into that question.
It’s not just because Green Oaks is 5-0 but because of the efficiency and dominance with which coach Nick Peoples’ Giants have complied that mark.
Bossier battles through
Bossier’s Bearkats lost one of the most dynamic talents in the area in Week 2 when junior quarterback Montrevell Lewis went out with an injury that as it turns out, will sideline him for the season. But Gary Smith’s ballclub has hung tough and hit its stride Friday night in a 34-12 takedown of Southwood.
Defense has been the key in each of the Bearkats’ wins, but after notching just one score offensively in blowout losses to Minden and Logansport, Bossier got going in Week 5. Two freshmen were standouts. Braylyn Williams ran for 50 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown and new starting quarterback Shante Wells threw a 15-yard TD to Javeon Mitchell.
Demareya Bates ran for 102 yards and a touchdown to pace Bossier’s attack. The Bearkats (3-2, 1-1 in District 1-4A) go to Springhill to meet North Webster Thursday night.
Southwood will have its best opportunity yet when it collides with another 0-5 team, Woodlawn, this Friday. The Knights gave unbeaten Minden fits on Friday, falling 21-14.
Contact Matt at matt.vines@lsus.edu