JOURNAL SPORTS
The high school football regular season wraps up tonight with plenty of high-stakes matchups, some that will determine championships, playoff seedings and prized home games in the postseason.
Topping the slate is the District 1-5A championship game in Haughton, where the Bucs host the defending champion Evangel Eagles. Haughton is aiming for its first district title since 2016, but must rebound from its first loss, a 27-14 defeat last week at Natchitoches Central. Meanwhile, Evangel earned this shot by outlasting Airline 52-42.
Two of the best local rivalries are renewed tonight. Parkway goes to Airline in the battle for Bossier City bragging rights, while Byrd and Captain Shreve collide in the 49th “Backyard Brawl” at Lee Hedges Stadium – home field for both teams.
Another spicy contest sends Booker T. Washington to Minden in a District 1-4A matchup.
Of note: Magnolia School of Excellence tries to halt the state’s longest active losing streak, 27 in a row, when it visits Plain Dealing. The Lions ended a 49-game string of frustration earlier this season.
Thursday night, Huntington won for the fourth time in five games and the third straight outing with a comeback to top Natchitoches Central. The Raiders’ AJ Johnson ran for three scores, two after halftime as Huntington (4-6, 4-2 in District 1-5A) secured its playoff ticket.
The Raiders outscored NCHS 28-7 after halftime, after their defense came up with a couple of turnovers that prevented the Chiefs from having a three-touchdown advantage after two quarters, along with scoring itself on a 65-yard fumble return.
North DeSoto cruised by Bossier to complete an undefeated 10-game schedule and lock up outright possession of the District 1-4A crown.
THURSDAY’S SCORES
Huntington 42, Natchitoches Central 28
Calvary 56, Green Oaks 20
North DeSoto 44, Bossier 14
TONIGHT’S GAMES
Parkway (5-4, 3-2) at Airline (6-3, 3-2), M.D. Ray Field
Captain Shreve (4-4, 2-3) at Byrd (1-8, 1-4), Lee Hedges Stadium
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)