JOURNAL SPORTS
It’s the district championship game that only Giants saw coming.
Green Oaks didn’t open the year as the top challenger to Calvary’s district dominance this decade, but the Giants edged Class 4A rival Booker T. Washington in Week 3 on the way to a 6-0 start. Although Homer knocked Green Oaks out of orbit following an open date with a 40-8 stunner two weeks ago, the Giants rebounded with a 46-0 breeze by North Caddo last week.
That leaves GOHS with just one loss, same as Calvary, although the Cavaliers were beaten by Class 4A power Archbishop Shaw and are perfect once again in District 1-2A.
Tonight at Jerry Barker Stadium, Calvary aims for its 74th consecutive district victory and outright ownership of the District 1-2A title.
If the Giants pull off the surprise tonight, they would be co-champs with the Cavaliers.
Like Calvary, North DeSoto is assured of a co-district title, and the unbeaten Griffins can repeat as outright champion in District 1-4A if they handle business at Bossier tonight.
The other Thursday contest brings Natchitoches Central to Independence Stadium to meet Huntington. The Chiefs pulled a stunner last week, spoiling Haughton’s undefeated record with a 27-14 victory in Natchitoches. Two weeks ago, they lost in overtime at Benton 41-35, where last Friday, the suddenly red-hot Raiders pushed away from the Tigers after halftime in a convincing 32-6 triumph.
Huntington has won two straight and three of its last four in District 1-5A. Both teams played extremely challenging non-district schedules.
TONIGHT’S GAMES
Natchitoches Central (1-8, 1-4) at Huntington (3-6, 3-2), Independence Stadium
Green Oaks (7-1, 2-1) at Calvary (8-1, 3-0), Jerry Barker Stadium
North DeSoto (9-0, 4-0) at Bossier (3-6, 1-4), Memorial Stadium
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Captain Shreve (4-4, 2-3) at Byrd (1-8, 1-4), Lee Hedges Stadium
Parkway (5-4, 3-2) at Airline (6-3, 3-2), M.D. Ray Field
Evangel (5-4, 4-1) at Haughton (8-1, 4-1), Dak Prescott Field at Harold E. Harlan Stadium
Southwood (1-8) at Benton (4-5), Newman-Mason Field at Tiger Stadium
Red River (1-8) at Loyola (6-3), Messmer Stadium
Woodlawn (1-8, 1-4) at Northwood (5-4, 4-1), Jerry Burton Stadium
Booker T. Washington (7-2, 3-2) at Minden (6-2, 3-2), W.W. Williams Stadium
Homer (4-5, 2-1) at North Caddo (2-6, 1-2), Sanders-Prudhomme Stadium
Magnolia School of Excellence (0-9) at Plain Dealing (1-8)