By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
Complementary football describes a game in which a team’s offense and defense work in tandem to overwhelm an opponent.
That’s the best way to describe Evangel Christian’s 45-7 win against Natchitoches Central on Friday in Turpin Stadium in both squads’ District 1-5A opener.
Evangel’s (1-1, 1-0 District 1-5A) defense suffocated Natchitoches Central’s (1-1, 0-1 District 1-5A) offense, creating short fields early for the Eagles’ offense.
With a number of drives starting in or near NCHS territory, Evangel scored the game’s first 31 points and led 31-7 at the half.
“There were some field position issues early, but it didn’t come down to that,” said NCHS coach Brad Laird, who was coaching in his first game at Northwestern State’s Turpin Stadium in Chiefs’ maroon after serving as the Demons’ head coach for the past six seasons. “We didn’t prepare well all week on offense, defense or special teams, and it showed in the way we played.
“Both coaches and players, and it starts with me, have to understand what it’s going to take this week to be prepared to play.”
The Chiefs defense made it as tough as they could early on Evangel, forcing a Kaegan Kent field goal on Evangel’s first possession.
But the Eagles stacked up the touchdowns after that, although a combination of the NCHS defense and Evangel penalties meant the Eagles had to convert lengthy first downs to keep drives going.
“There are things we can take away in all three phases,” Laird said. “Defensively, I thought we were competitive on first and second down for the most part.
“We have to learn how to get off the field on third and fourth down, make stops, and give ourselves a chance to change the momentum.”
Evangel quarterback Peyton “Pop” Houston and the offense were more than up to the challenge as the Eagles’ offensive line gave Houston time to operate.
Houston used his legs and his arm to march the Eagles up and down the field, having time to find receivers streaking down the field or openings to scramble.
The sophomore finished the night with six touchdown passes.
“It was a great team effort, especially with how well we played defensively,” said Evangel coach Denny Duron. “Our offense was very resilient in the fact that we overcame a ton of penalties to finish drives.”
Natchitoches Central counterpart Owen Smith didn’t have much time to throw most of the night, and the Chiefs’ early attempts to get their screen game going were swarmed by Evangel.
NCHS scored its first touchdown against Breaux Bridge in the opener on a 77-yard screen to Dillon Braxton, but the Eagles didn’t allow the Chiefs those chances.
With a nine-team District 1-5A, the Chiefs face district opponents for all but one game the rest of the season.
The district slate continues with a trip to Captain Shreve (1-1) on Friday. The Gators lost a tough one to Huntington this past week.
The one non-district game is against reigning Division II Non-Select champions Opelousas when the Tigers visit NCHS in Week 6.
