With the LHSAA’s playoff system based not on district standings but power points, the Natchitoches Central Chiefs have the chance to mount a charge toward postseason over the last four games.
Tonight is a key contest for that ambition as NCHS (0-6 overall, 0-2 in District 1-5A) plays host to Captain Shreve (3-3, 1-2) at 7 o’clock in Turpin Stadium.
The Chiefs stand 33rd in the Non-Select Division I power rankings. The top 28 teams make it to the playoffs. The Gators are 13th in Select Division I, so a win tonight will provide NCHS with a very beneficial boost in their power ranking.
After losing its first two district games, including 46-0 at home to Evangel two weeks ago, Captain Shreve was on the brink of collapse last Friday, trailing visiting Parkway 34-13 at halftime. The Gators, coached by former NSU player and graduate assistant coach Jeremy Wilburn, erupted in the final two quarters for a 61-48 victory.
The Chiefs have weathered a very challenging non-district schedule and in their two district games have demonstrated encouraging signs.
Despite missing 10 starters due to injury, they came within three points of Airline (32-29) in their District 1-5A opener two weeks ago before losing 63-28 last week at co-league leader Evangel. Natchitoches Central has averaged 28.5 points per game in the last two games after averaging 15.5 the first four. Senior running back David Newton had scoring runs of 72 and 70 yards against Evangel.
Daygen Johnson, a senior, leads the defense with 64 tackles, an average of 10.7 per game. Junior Bryce Smith is next with 58 stops. Derrick Sowell leads the defense with seven tackles for loss, three sacks and 38 total.
Captain Shreve has run for 100 or more yards in 44 consecutive games. The last time they failed to gain more than 100 was against Natchitoches Central in 2022.
Shreve tailback Gabe Lockett has posted 200-yard rushing outputs twice in the last three games, topped by 214 yards against Haughton.
Captain Shreve and Natchitoches Central will play for the 46th time with the Gators holding a 27-18 advantage. NCHS has an 11-10 edge in the series in games played at Turpin.
Shreve coach Wilburn was a safety playing under NCHS coach Brad Laird at Northwestern, then became a graduate assistant coach on Bradley Dale Peveto’s NSU staff, working on defense when Laird was defensive coordinator.
The game will be streamed at NCHSChiefs.live and broadcast at 100.7 KZBL FM with Brad Ford and Dane Terrell on the call.