NW Uses Defense
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
The best offense for Northwest High was a solid defense.
Three pass interceptions that highlighted a shutout victory moved the Raiders into the second round of the Division II non-select playoffs Friday night as Northwest defeated South Terrebonne 45-0 in a first-round playoff game in Prairie Ronde.
Markez Davis provided two of the Raiders’ interceptions with one of the picks providing a 43-yard touchdown that gave Northwest a late 28-0 second quarter lead over the Gators (5-6).
Davis also had a touchdown reception that provided the final points for the Raiders.
Northwest (7-4), a No. 15 seed, moves into the regional round against No. 2 Iowa.
Iowa had a first-round bye.
The winner will play either No. 10 Lutcher or seventh-seeded Franklin Parish in the quarterfinal round.
Flow Of The Game
Northwest scored on the second possession, as running back Ke’Von Johnson scored on a 6-yard run. The TD was set up by a 46-yard pass reception from quarterback Jayden Chavis to wide receiver Reginald Lavergne.
That touchdown was the first of three for Johnson, who finished the game with 95 yards on 16 carries.
The Raiders’ 7-0 lead was established by the second period, but Northwest sealed the victory by halftime by compiling a 35-0 lead.
Davis used the first interception to set up a 29-yard scoring drive that ended when Johnson scored on a three-yard run.
Northwest established the 35-point lead following a 65-yard possession that ended with no time remaining on the third Johnson touchdown.
In the second half the Raiders scored on a 30-yard Gavon Fontenot field goal and a 12-yard pass that went to Davis from freshman quarterback Chaise Fontenot to Davis.
Fontenot was perfect on six extra points.
The Statistical Side
Northwest compiled 353 total offensive yards.
The Raiders rushed for 165 and three Northwest quarterbacks — Chavis, freshman Chaise Dupre and Davis, who also took some offensive snaps — passed for 165 yards.
Dupre completed all five passes for 90, while Chavis connected on two of four attempts for 68.
Reginald Lavergne had two receptions for 59. Courtland Young caught two for 42.
Coach’s Comments
Northwest head coach Chris Edwards felt the Gators would have provided a bigger challenge offensively.
“I thought it was our defense that really played well. Our linebackers did a great job and then we had Markez with those two interceptions. We moved Courtland over to safety and I thought he too had a big game,” said Edwards.
Edwards said his defense, which started the season with eight new starters, has improved as the season moved forward.
“I thought South Terrebonne tried to use the RPO’s, similar to what Church Point did to us, but we were able to take that away. We’re putting our best people on defense right now,” Edwards added.
