ND Wears Down Raiders
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
The final 15 minutes of the game belonged to Notre Dame Friday night as the attrition factor became the difference in the 2026 Northwest High season opener.
Northwest and Notre Dame were deadlocked at 14 late in the third quarter, but the Pioneers used a pair of unanswered, late-game touchdowns to pull away and defeat the Raiders 28-14 in a contest played in Prairie Ronde.
Raiders’ head football coach Chris Edwards says he has no problems with the effort of his team.
“I’m proud of my guys. Towards the end we were tired. We have several going both ways and Notre Dame has that depth.
“We also made some mistakes, lost some fumbles after getting the ball back. You can’t do that against a good team,” said Edwards.
The Northwest running game was limited to 54 yards, a statistic that Edwards indicates will require some recalibration.
Auditions for that starting spot might begin soon, said Edwards.
“We don’t have that one running back that we had in the past who can give us those long bursts that we need to keep moving it downfield. Right now we’re getting only two or three yards. “That’s something we are going to have to look at,” said Edwards.
The running game adjustments, said Edwards, may also include looking at the offensive line blocking.
Overall Northwest was limited to 183 total yards.
Edwards said he was encouraged by senior quarterback Justin Chavis who energized the running game and completed eight of 16 passes for 116 yards.
Mhy’Kael Richard caught three passes for 62 yards. Kaedon Jenkins had four receptions for 23.
Jayden Lazard rushed nine times for 46 yards and one touchdown.
Chavis and Chaise Dupre shared the quarterback spot against Notre Dame.
Notre Dame compiled 219 total yards. The Pios rushed for 194.
After a scoreless first quarter the teams entered intermission tied at seven.
The Pioneers took a 7-0 lead on a William Lavergne run and a Ty Savant extra point kick.
Chavis scored the Raiders’ first TD of the season with a 10-yard run. Gavin Fontenot tied the game with the extra point pick.
In the third period Notre Dame went ahead early on a 24-yard Braxton Meche run.
Lazard and Fontenot tied the game at 14 following a 29-yard Lazard run.
Edwards said he was encouraged by his defense.
“I really liked what those guys did out there. They held up. They were just out on the field for too long,” Edwards added.
Jenkins led the Raiders in tackles (eight), while linebacker Frederick Nimer had seven. Jermaine Clark had five tackles.
