Photograph: A Northwest High running back attempts to gain yardage as Port Barre defenders Travon Victorian (10) and Omar Ware (24) move in to make a tackle. (Photograph by Susan Angelle Photography.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
An in-game transition in the Northwest High offensive backfield didn’t affect the Raiders’ running game that severely Friday night.
Due to injuries, the Raiders inserted linebackers into the lineup and finished with 244 rushing yards in a 25-8, District 5-3A victory at Port Barre.
Northwest traveled to the game without dressing starting running back Javian Reese, who is among the state’s leading rushers and finishing the contest minus starter Donovan Thomas, who left the game early with an injury.
“We were happy the get the win in a first district game. It was Homecoming at Port Barre and we knew they would be ready and for our guys to step up like they did and run the basic plays in our offense was huge for us,” said Northwest head football coach Chris Edwards.
Ethan Aucoin, John Veal and Bryce Offord moved over from the defense to fill in temporarily for Reese, while Thomas when he was in the game and the other backs and did a credible job, Edwards said.
Thomas was still the Raiders’ leading rusher (seven carries, 57 yards). However Veal gained 46 on seven attempts and Offord had six carries for 43 yards.
Defensively Edwards said he was pleased with the win.
Port Barre was limited to 58 total yards.
The Raiders led 13-0 by the end of the first quarter after Logan Jolivette caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Devin Zachary and Offord scored on a 15-yard run.
Port Barre made it a one-score game by halftime after the Devils’ Keenan Hardy ran for a yard and a touchdown.
Hardy was the leading rusher for the Devils with 40 yards on five attempts.
Offord scored on a 15-yard run.
Northwest passed for 86 yards, with Jolivette catching three passes for 50.
What’s next? Port Barre (0-4, 0-2) hosts Church Point. Northwest (3-2, 1-0) meets Iota in a 5-3A game.
