St. Mary’s overwhelmed Lakeview Friday night while Natchitoches Central nearly broke through at Benton, but fell in overtime.
BENTON 41, NCHS 35: Senior David Newton ran for four touchdowns and NCHS came from behind with two long drives in the fourth quarter to force overtime at Benton, but the Tigers came up with an interception and won on a 10-yard run on the next play by SMU commit Malachi Zeagler to deny Natchitoches Central its first victory this year.
Newton scored on runs of 16, 15, 11 and 2 yards.
After Benton took a 35-21 lead early in the fourth quarter, Natchitoches Central mounted scoring drives of 65 and 61 yards to tie it with 3:03 left to play.
The Chiefs defense made a stop and NCHS tried a 47-yard field goal on the last play of regulation, but it fell short leading to overtime.
NCHS (0-8 overall, 0-4 in District 1-5A) moved on top with a game-opening scoring drive and Newton’s 16-yard TD. His 12-yarder put the Chiefs back in front 14-7 and they led 14-13 at halftime.
Benton (4-4, 2-2) rallied to twice build two-TD advantages, but the visitors battled back both times, converting a fourth-and-14 with a K.J. Newton reception in the third quarter on the way to their third score.
David Newton’s final two touchdowns capped the long, clutch drives as NCHS fought back to tie the game. Clarence Williams scored the Chiefs’ other TD on a 2-yard run to make it 28-21 late in the third quarter.
This week, Natchitoches Central is home hosting district leader Haughton Friday at Turpin Stadium. The Bucs are unbeaten at 8-0 overall, 4-0 in 1-5A.
ST. MARY’S 57, LAKEVIEW 6: In a game played at Montgomery due to water system issues around Campti, the Tigers scored 51 unanswered first-half points.
St. Mary’s (7-1 overall, 2-1 in District 3-1A) got a 46-yard scoop and score defensive touchdown by Jayd Linebaugh in the onslaught.
Three touchdown runs came from John Paul Thibodaux (25, 10 and 2 yards), while Dennis Morgan ran for a 50-yard score.
Preston Tilley had TD throws to Holt Cedars (22 yards) and Brady Childress (63 yards) and Michael French caught a 12-yard scoring toss from Gavin Solomon.
The Tigers gave offensive linemen chances to score two-point conversions. The Tigers’ big man two-point runs came from Hudson Methvin, LaVarion Fisher and Knox Wilson. Kicker Carter Hogg knocked through three extra points.
Lakeview’s points came on a 35-yard run by Christopher Nicholas that finished the scoring.
St. Mary’s visits Ringgold next Friday. The Gators (2-5, 0-3) go to Jonesboro-Hodge.