JOURNAL SPORTS
With the LHSAA’s playoff system based not on district standings but power points, the Captain Shreve Gators and even the winless Natchitoches Central Chiefs have the chance to mount a charge toward postseason over the last four games.
Tonight is a key contest for that ambition as NCHS (0-6 overall, 0-2 in District 1-5A) plays host to Captain Shreve (3-3, 1-2) at Natchitoches in Turpin Stadium.
The Gators are 12th in Select Division I. Shreve is hoping to continue a climb in those rankings, ideally to finish in the top eight and get a first-round bye, but more likely to land between 9-16 and be able to host a first-round game.
After losing its first two District 1-5A outings, including 46-0 at home to Evangel two weeks ago, Captain Shreve was on the brink of collapse last Friday, trailing visiting Parkway 34-13 at halftime. The Gators erupted in the final two quarters for a stunning 61-48 victory.
Natchitoches Central stands 33rd in the Non-Select Division I power rankings. The top 28 teams make it to the playoffs. The Chiefs, after being overwhelmed in a very challenging non-district schedule, have shown progress in their two 1-5A games.
Despite missing 10 starters due to injury, they came within three points of Airline (32-29) two weeks ago before losing 63-28 last week at co-league leader Evangel. Natchitoches Central has averaged 28.5 points in the last two games after averaging 15.5 the first four. Senior running back David Newton had scoring runs of 72 and 70 yards against Evangel.
Shreve senior tailback Gabe Lockett has posted 200-yard rushing outputs twice in the last three games, topped by 214 yards against Haughton.
Wilburn was a safety playing on the defense NCHS coach Brad Laird coordinated at Northwestern State, then became a graduate assistant coach on Bradley Dale Peveto’s NSU staff, working on defense under Laird.
The Week 7 schedule for Shreveport-Bossier schools:
TONIGHT’S GAME
Captain Shreve (3-3, 1-2) at Natchitoches Central (0-6, 0-2), Turpin Stadium
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Byrd (0-6, 0-2) at Haughton (6-0, 2-0), Dak Prescott Field at Harold E. Harlan Stadium
Airline (5-1, 2-0) at Huntington (1-5, 1-1), Independence Stadium
Benton (3-3, 1-2) at Parkway (3-3, 1-2), Preston Crownover Stadium
Cornerstone Christian (5-2) at Evangel (4-2), Rodney Duron Field
Booker T. Washington (4-2, 1-1) at Bossier (3-3, 1-2), Memorial Stadium
Northwood (2-4, 1-1) at Minden (5-1, 2-1), W.W. Williams Stadium
Southwood (1-5, 1-2) at North DeSoto (6-0, 3-0)
Woodlawn (0-5) at Mansfield (5-1)
North Caddo (1-4, 0-1) at Calvary (6-0, 1-0), Jerry Barker Stadium
Homer (1-5, 0-1) at Magnolia School of Excellence (0-6, 0-1)
Plain Dealing (1-5) at Rosepine (6-0)
Open dates: Green Oaks (6-0, 1-0), Loyola (3-3, 0-1)