St. Mary’s was one play away from a huge victory Friday night but after winning three non-district games close to or at the end, couldn’t pull off another.
Natchitoches Central and Lakeview were overwhelmed in district games Friday.
LOGANSPORT 29, ST. MARY’S 28: To say Logansport escaped Turpin Stadium with the win is understating the outcome.
St. Mary’s did everything but celebrate another thrilling victory. Instead, a 21-yard field goal with three seconds left to win was blocked, thwarting a tremendous homecoming effort and spoiling SMHS’s unbeaten record.
The local Tigers outgained LHS 412-330, evenly balanced (207 yards rushing, 205 passing) as they overcame an early 14-0 deficit. St. Mary’s roared back to lead 22-21 at halftime, and the teams traded second-half scores.
Preston Tilley connected with Brady Childress on an 84-yard first-half TD, and ran for a 3-yard score. John Paul Thibodaux scored on runs of 40 and 3 yards, the latter getting St. Mary’s within 29-28 in the third quarter.
The Tigers came up with another clutch late-game drive, starting at their own 33 with under five minutes to go, converting one fourth down near midfield along the way.
St. Mary’s defense came up with big stops including interceptions by Waylon Bolton, Holt Cedars, Kane Dortlon and Michael French.
Thibodaux ran for 113 yards on 20 carries.
Both teams are now 5-1, but Logansport opened District 3-1A 1-0. St. Mary’s will play another district stalwart, Jonesboro-Hodge (5-1) Friday night at Lakeview High School.
EVANGEL 63, NCHS 28: Take away one of the nation’s top high school quarterbacks and this was a different game, but Peyton “Pop” Houston is a cut above all competition. The Evangel senior, one of 11 players across the nation with an NIL deal from Nike, accounted for eight touchdowns, running for four and throwing for the rest, while only one other Eagles player scored.
David Newton broke a pair of long touchdown runs, 72 and 70 yards, while Kobe Jones threw a pair of scoring passes, 11 yards to Kaden Kuykendoll and 2 yards to KJ Newton.
Houston threw TD passes to Zarico Wyandon on Evangel’s first three series to reach the 100-score milestone in his three seasons, and ran for touchdown of 27, 41, 75 and 5 yards.
The Chiefs (0-6, 0-2) are home Thursday night in Turpin Stadium against Captain Shreve. Evangel (4-2, 3-0) won its fourth in a row this season and 14th consecutive District 1-5A game overall dating back to the finish of the 2024 season.
MONTGOMERY 44, LAKEVIEW 12: The Gators couldn’t slow down the Grant Parish Tigers, who opened a 28-6 halftime advantage. Lakeview got a kickoff return touchdown by Jadarious Reliford and a 16-yard TD run from Julius Johnson.
Lakeview (2-4, 0-1 in district) goes to Logansport this Friday.