Photograph: Northwest High running back Javian Reese gained 223 yards and scored four times on Thursday night. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
A simple position switch on the offensive line helped provide a difference for Northwest High Thursday night.
Northwest head coach Chris Edwards swapped starting personnel at the guard and center positions, a decision that he thinks helped the Raiders defeat Crowley High 61-20 at Gardiner Memorial Stadium,
Edwards, who also redesigned the Northwest offense at the start of the season, said once he solidified the new assignments along the offensive line, the Raiders’ running game against Crowley proved more effective.
That was evident as Northwest senior running back Javian Reese gained 223 yards and scored four times during the win which evened the Raiders’ record at 1-1.
“I think once we were able to get the timing down for the snap to the quarterback, it helped us with what we are attempting to do with our offense. We have a big offensive line that grew up last year,” Edwards said.
Reese, a senior starter for nearly four years, was injured most of 2022.
Now that Reese is healthier, Edwards thinks the Northwest running game with quarterback Jayden Chavis and former North Central standout Craig Malveaux will provide a formidable combination.
Malveaux should be declared eligible by Louisiana High School Athletic Association officials by next week, said Edwards.
Against Crowley Chavis threw for 85 yards and ran for another 79. Wide receiver Lane Fontenot caught his second touchdown pass in two games from Chavis. Against Crowley (0-2) Fontenot had a 41-yard scoring reception from Chavis.
Northwest bolted to a 27-14 first quarter lead off three touchdown runs by Reese of 39, 51 and two yards.
The Raiders’ Samuel Leday put Northwest in front 13-7 on a 51-yard run, while Chavis later scored on a 22-yard attempt.
Crowley scored two touchdowns in the first on long runs of 78 and 90 yards.
Northwest remained positioned ahead at halftime (41-14) and then scored three more times during the second half.
Northwest compiled 479 total yards, with 424 of that total occurring on the ground.
Crowley was limited to 179 total yards. The Gents converted only one of 10 third down situations and were 0-of-3 on fourth down.
The Gents also lost four of five fumbles.
Edwards also praised the defensive end, which was sparked by Damon Thibodeaux, who had 10 individual tackles and an assist.
NEXT WEEK: Northwest goes to Beau Chene.
The Raiders’ Samuel Leday put Northwest in front 13-7 on a 51-yard run, while Chavis later scored on a 22-yard attempt.
Crowley scored two touchdowns in the first on long runs of 78 and 90 yards.
Northwest remained positioned ahead at halftime (41-14) and then scored three more times during the second half.
Northwest compiled 479 total yards, with 424 of that total occurring on the ground.
Crowley was limited to 179 total yards. The Gents converted only one of 10 third down situations and were 0-of-3 on fourth down.
The Gents also lost four of five fumbles.
Edwards also praised the defensive end, which was sparked by Damon Thibodeaux,
