Photograph: Northwest High running back Javian Reese heads towards the end zone Friday night during the Raiders’ 56-12 over Port Barre Friday night. (Susan Angelle photograph.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
When Javian Reese finds a crease, he’s difficult to contain.
That was evident again Friday night as Reese scored three rushing touchdowns and gained 146 yards while Northwest opened District 4-3A with a 56-12 win over Port Barre.
Reese only touched the ball seven times, but he scored TD’s on runs of 40, 61 and 37 yards.
Northwest head football coach Chris Edwards said Reese is healthy so far this year and that is making a difference in the productivity.
“Right now he’s gained just over 700 yards and averaging 12.1 yards per carry. We can play him at a number of backfield spots and he provides quite a load for the defense to overcome,” Edwards said.
The win enabled the Raiders to improve to 3-2 overall. Port Barre is 2-3 overall and 1-1 in district games.
Edwards said the victory was important for Northwest, since the Raiders face a combination of difficult district opponents over the next two weeks.
“We got to Iota next week and after that we have Church Point (at Northwest). Those teams and (Northwest) are all 1-0 in district right now. The next two weeks are going to have a lot to say about who wins district,” Edwards said.
Separating From Port Barre
The Raiders scored 43 unanswered points to separate from the Red Devils/
Port Barre kept it close in the first quarter, matching the Raiders with a pair of touchdowns apiece.
Northwest however led 13-12 entering the second period.
“I thought we started off kind of lax, It was Homecoming and we had a fumble and some mistakes. We didn’t change up anything we planned to do, but we jumped on them a little bit and that seemed to get some fire under them. We told the players that they just had to do their jobs and not get out of position,” Edwards said.
Statistical Side
Northwest compiled 395 total yards.Port Barre which gained 198.
Both teams were hurt by turnovers, as Northwest and the Red Devils combined for six lost fumbles.
The Raiders scored off one of the lost Port Barre possessions, as Northwest returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown.
Raiders’ quarterback Jayden Chavis completed five of 12 passes for 103 yards. One of the throws went for a 22-yard completion to Dillion Guilbeaux.
Northwest scored three touchdowns off runs by Craig Malveaux, Percy Chavis and Martez Davis.
In the first quarter the Devils an initial touchdown off a 14-yard pass from Tylus Metrejean. The other Port Barre touchdown came on a five-yard run.
