OHS, NW, Look Ahead
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
It’s been a battle against difficult schedules, significant injuries and inexperienced starting lineups for Northwest High and Opelousas as both teams approach midseason.
Both programs are winless after four weeks with combined 0-7 records, but their head football coaches remain optimistic that becomes reversed as the teams approach their district schedules.
Opelousas under first-year head coach Harry Coleman, has played three ranked teams that are a combined 11-1.
The Raiders have also played an upgraded non-district schedule, while confronting recent injuries to a number of key starters.
Northwest begins district play this Friday against winless Pine Prairie, while Opelousas goes to Zachary, which is 4-0.
The Opelousas-Zachary game was originally scheduled to be played at Donald Gardner Stadium, but renovation efforts at that facility will keep the Tigers away from their home field for at least another week.
Northwest High
The Raiders began 2025 losing two close games (Eunice and Rayne) by a combined five points, but injuries are beginning to affect Northwest after consecutive losses to Barbe and Jennings, said Northwest head coach Chris Edwards.
On Friday night Jennings gained early first half control (19-0) while using an effective rushing attack (224 yards).
Northwest scored the Raiders’ only touchdown in the fourth period.
The Raiders gained 226 total yards.
Edwards said the Raiders also started 0-4 during his first season as head coach in Prairie Ronde.
“That season we also had a brutal schedule. This year we have a pretty young team and we’re just trying to figure it out. I thought (this year) we would get at least one of the four we played,” said Edwards.
At this point Northwest is limited offensively with three running backs, two linebackers and one receiver out of action. On Friday night senior defensive back Hayden Brown suffered a season-ending injury.
Northwest, Edwards said, will now run a version of the Veer offense until senior running back Ke’Von Johnson, (over 300 rushing yards) gets back from an injury
Opelousas High
Coleman said the Tigers are undergoing a learning process, as many of the Opelousas starters saw limited playing time over the last three seasons.
“We’re starting with guys who haven’t seen that much ball and they are seeing the Friday lights for the first time. We are having missed assignments and making the needed adjustments. With that being said, I think we’re progressing,” Coleman added.
Opelousas lost at Alexandria (59-6) last Friday night.
Tigers’ wide receiver Jaylon Owens had two catches for 93 yards, in addition to a 79-yard touchdown reception.
Opelousas rushed for 25 yards and threw for 117. ASH ran for 281 and passed for another 229.
Coleman said Owens, who also plays defense, quarterback Colin Rideau and tackle Shane Broussard have been standouts.
Rideau passed for 120 in a Week 3 loss at Lake Charles Prep.
“Owens has five touchdowns for the season and we have some other players that are coming along. We’re looking forward to district,” said Coleman.
