JOURNAL SPORTS
Five games, including a pair of district contests, make Thursday a busy high school football night around Shreveport-Bossier, mostly due to fall break schedules.
Two District 1-5A teams that almost scored their first wins impressively square off when Byrd and Huntington collide. Their Week 5 losses were decided in the final minute.
In 1-4A, two explosive offenses meet as Booker T. Washington visits Northwood. The Falcons posted 53 points two weeks ago against Loyola and the Lions are averaging 40 points per game and have allowed only 10 per contest.
Loyola plays its first game in the Monroe-based District 1-3A and it’s a challenging visit to reigning Non-Select Division III state champion Sterlington. The Panthers are aiming for a third consecutive state crown.
Friday’s schedule includes six district games, including a 1-4A contest that will reward either Southwood or Woodlawn with its first win.
Another battle of winless teams provides Plain Dealing with a possible escape from the state’s longest active skid, 50 games, when the Lions host Pine Prairie, loser of its last 22, third-longest in Louisiana. The Panthers have been outscored 246-54, including a 50-42 loss at Gueydan last week. The Lions, who are playing several eighth-graders, have hung in defensively but haven’t had much payout offensively, getting outscored 172-16 midway through the season.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
Huntington (0-5, 0-1) at Byrd (0-5, 0-1), Lee Hedges Stadium
Haughton (5-0) at St. Frederick (2-3)
Loyola (3-2, 0-0) at Sterlington (3-2, 0-0)
Booker T. Washington (4-1, 1-0) at Northwood (1-4, 0-1), Jerry Burton Stadium
Bossier (3-2) at North Webster (1-4), Baucum-Farrar Stadium
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Parkway (3-2, 1-1) vs. Captain Shreve (2-3, 0-2), Lee Hedges Stadium
Benton (3-2, 1-1) at Airline (4-1, 1-0), M.D. Ray Field, Airline Stadium
Natchitoches Central (0-5, 0-2) at Evangel (3-2, 2-0), Rodney Duron Field
Southwood (0-5, 0-1) at Woodlawn (0-5, 0-1), Independence Stadium
Calvary (5-0, 0-0) at Homer (1-4, 0-0)
Magnolia School of Excellence (0-5, 0-0) at Green Oaks (5-0, 0-0), Jerry Burton Stadium
North Caddo (1-3) at Cedar Creek (5-0)
Pine Prairie (0-5) at Plain Dealing (0-5)