By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Natchitoches Central’s football team lost for the first time in four games Thursday night after threatening to erase a 20-point deficit.
The Chiefs (4-4 overall, 2-4 in District 1-5A) fell 41-21 to visiting Airline (5-3, 3-3), the two-time defending district champion, at Turpin Stadium.
NCHS got a 223-yard rushing performance from Kelton Howard, whose ability to break tackles accounted for probably at least half his production being yards after contact.
The Chiefs fell behind 27-7 at halftime, but rallied. They were in the red zone on the verge of scoring with just under 10 minutes to play, ready to cut a 33-21 deficit, before Airline senior linebacker Kang Noh made a brilliant play. He read a flanker screen perfectly and intercepted inside the 10, returning it nearly to midfield.
The Chiefs didn’t break, however, stopping the Vikings and keeping hopes alive. Airline’s defense stiffened, though, and the visitors salted away the outcome with 4:24 left when senior star Kenny Darby broke four tackles on a 37-yard touchdown.
It was his fifth of the night. Darby, a wide receiver who is committed to LSU, got a lot more action at tailback, running for 175 yards on 15 carries, scoring on runs of 5, 62, 1 and 37 yards, and an 85-yard kickoff return. The Chiefs limited him to only two catches, the fewest he’s had in two seasons.
“Credit (Airline) coach (Justin) Scogin and how he’s found different ways to get him the football,” said NCHS coach Brad Laird. “The more touches he gets, the more dynamic he is. He made big plays to put them over the top. There’s a reason he’s going to LSU.”
Howard looked like he was ready to go to the NFL with his rugged running style, mixed with athletic cuts and speed. He scored on runs of 4 and 36 yards.
“You see him on game nights, and that’s how he is on Monday and Tuesday (in practice),” said Laird. “We’ve got to get more guys like that. He runs hard, has great vision, is strong, and loves playing the game.”
Laird was impressed with his team’s response after Darby dominated the first half with four TDs, including the kickoff return that put the visitors on top for good at 12-7.
“What I was proud of was we put ourselves in a hole, down 27-7, and in the fourth quarter we’re in position to make it a one-score game. But you just can’t make the mistakes we did against a good team,” said the coach.
NCHS will get another 1-5A challenge in a week, going to Independence Stadium next Thursday night to play Huntington. The Chiefs are in contention for a state playoff berth with two games remaining, the last one at Benton.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com