Raiders Are Back
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
For those who thought the Northwest High football season was over three weeks ago, the Raiders have posted an updated message.
Northwest has now emerged as the favorite to win a second straight outright District 4-3A championship with a roster that is becoming healthier and more experienced.
The Raiders took another step towards a league championship on Thursday night with an impactful 43-33 4-3A victory over Church Point in a game that should probably decide who wins the league title.
Northwest (3-4, 3-0) however still has to contend with Mamou, Crowley and Iota, while Church Point (5-2, 3-1) has two league games remaining in addition to a non-district contest with Menard-Alexandria.
Raiders’ head football coach Chris Edwards said the trajectory of this season is due to remaining patient.
“It’s been a case of waiting for all the pieces to start falling together and waiting to get healthier. I told the guys we had to stick together and avoid hearing all the noise from people who were saying things out there,” Edwards said.
How The Game Unfolded
A strong fourth quarter that saw the Raiders score a pair of decisive touchdowns and devour the game clock, were the game-clinching elements against Church Point.
The Raiders’ performance featured the return of senior running back Ke’on Johnson, who scored three touchdowns and ran for 221 yards.
Johnson hadn’t played the previous four weeks due to a hamstring issue, but on Thursday night he said after the win that he had grown weary of riding an exercise bike during rehabilitation.
“This game was very important to the team. We started it kind of slow, but we overcame our setbacks and I think now we have a good chance at winning the district, Johnson said afterward.
Johnson took his first carry since the second game of 2025 and turned ithe attempt into a 62-yard touchdown that tied the game at seven, following a Gavon Fontenot extra point kick.
“I was worried that (Johnson) might hurt himself again on such an explosive play, but he’s still faster than most guys even when he’s about 80 percent,” said Edwards.
Other Key Elements
Edwards also praised Raiders’ freshman quarterback Chaise Dupre, who has apparently won the starting position for the remainder of 2025.
Dupre completed five of 13 passes for 114 yards and a pair of interceptions.
Church Point jumped in front (20-7) with a pair of Jarrison Reese touchdowns on a 10-yard run and an electrifying 73-yard reception thrown by quarterback Luke Baudoin.
Dupre got the Raiders closer in the second quarter with a 24-yard TD pass to Coulton Young.
In the third Northwest pulled in front (21-20) on another Dupre touchdown thrown to Markez Davis and a third Fontenot extra point kick.
On the next possession however the Bears moved ahead (26-21) on a Chad Brooks 4-yard run.
In the fourth period, things fell apart for the Bears, as Baudoin was intercepted by Jei’Vonne Owens at the Church Point 38.
Four minutes later Johnson scored on a two-yard run that put the Raiders in front (36-26).
Church Point wasn’t finished.
Reese, who had 169 yards pf receptions, scored for the third time on a 72-yard throw from Baudoin and a Seth Alleman extra point pulled the Bears closer (36-33).
Northwest recovered a definitive onside kick that didn’t travel the required number of yards, with 7:44 left at the Bears’ 47. That recovery turned that issue into another Johnson touchdown eight plays later to seal the win.
In the fourth quarter the Raiders ran 18 plays, while Church Point took nine snaps.
