By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
SHREVEPORT – Both Southwood and Natchitoches Central desperately coveted a win to regain early-season momentum Friday, but the Chiefs defense was the deciding factor as NCHS started district play with a 27-0 win at Lee Hedges Stadium.
The Chiefs (2-2) halted Southwood’s short passing game by coming up big on third and fourth down, creating numerous short fields for the NCHS offense.
“Our defense did a great job, and we finally got some pressure on the quarterback and made tackles,” said NCHS coach James Wilkerson. “I am proud of the team for competing and taking the challenge of proving something in this game.”
The Cowboys (2-2) didn’t convert on copious third- and fourth-down opportunities, and Southwood’s defense eventually couldn’t hold the Chiefs any more as NCHS scored three of their four touchdowns in the second half.
NCHS receiver Camryn Davis scored on a rushing and receiving touchdown, starting the scoring with a 9-yard end-around after the Chiefs stuffed Southwood on a fourth-and-1 in the second quarter. NCHS took advantage of the short field, cashing in on the 35-yard drive.
Jeremiah Miles once again paced the Chiefs offense with 127 yards on 25 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown plunge midway through the third quarter to finally put more distance (14-0) from Southwood. Miles has three 100-yard rushing games in the first four contests.
Davis struck again with a 36-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Lannon Collum late in the third quarter to essentially salt away the win, going up 20-0.
“Davis and Miles are certainly play makers for us, and they can change the game,” Wilkerson said.
Collum finished with 43 passing yards on 3-6. Fellow sophomore Adam Guillet completed 2-11 with an interception, but recorded zero yards because of a negative passing play.
Already down 20-0, the Cowboys finally got moving on offense in the short passing game, driving to the 12-yard line. But a fourth-down sack derailed Southwood’s best scoring chance as the Chiefs pitched their first shutout since the beginning of the 2021 season (Woodlawn).
Quarterback Cornilus Martin accounted for 129 passing yards on 17-29 with his favorite target being Detonion Arkansas (9-75).
The Chiefs tacked on a Zion Thompson rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the 27-0 margin. Thompson neared the century mark with 75 yards on nine rushes.
Both teams continue District 1-5A play as Southwood heads to Haughton and the Chiefs return to the Shreveport-Bossier area with a date at Airline.
Score By Quarter
NCHS | 0 | 6 | 14 | 7 | — 27
Southwood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — 0
Scoring Summary
N – Camryn Davis 9 run (pass failed), Q2 5:49
N – Jeremiah Miles 2 run (Adam Guillet to Branden Woods), Q3 5:53
N – Davis 36 pass from Lannon Collum (pass failed), Q3 :25
N – Zion Thompson 15 run (kick 91), Q4 1:35
Individual Stats
Rushing: N – Jeremiah Miles 25-127 TD, Zion Thompson 9-73 TD, Branden Woods 2-21, Camryn Davis 1-9, Adam Guillet 1(-1), Lannon Collum 2(-3); SW – Mario Stevenson 12-21, Jaboree Cook 3-18, Detonion Arkansas 1-7, Michael Morgan 1-0, Corinthian Walters 2(-1), Cornilus Martin 3(-15).
Passing: N – Adam Guillet 2-11-1 0, Lannon Collum 3-6-0 43 TD; SW – Cornilus Martin 17-29-0 129.
Receiving: N – Camryn Davis 2-42 TD, Branden Woods 1-5, Anthony Jernigan 1-5, Jeremiah Miles 1(-6); SW – Detonion Arkansas 9-75, Harold Mitchell 4-26, Chase Williams 3-17, Mario Stevenson 1-11.
PHOTO: Kevin Shanahan/NPJ Sports
