Northwood bests North DeSoto as more legends are born
STONEWALL – It was the kind of contest in which legends are made, and that isn’t surprising because it seems to occur every time the denizens of Stonewall and Blanchard, two communities on the outskirts of Shreveport-Bossier, get together.
Friday’s birth of a legend belonged to Northwood’s Quintavious White, who scored three times as the Falcons won the District 1-4A title with a 20-19 victory against the previously undefeated Griffins. The effort lifted the senior running back to No. 2 on Northwood’s all-time single-season touchdown rushers with 20. Afterward, White wouldn’t quit talking.
“No. 2 on the record board. And in the playoffs, I’m coming for No. 1,” the exuberant White said. “Love my O-line. They block with their heart. All summer we’ve been out here.”
The battle royale that took place Friday night in Griffin Stadium between Northwood and North DeSoto should go down as of of the best high school football games of the season.
The Griffins (9-1, 6-1) were favored coming in against the Falcons (8-2, 6-1) if for no other reason than they were due. The loss was their seventh consecutive to their small-town neighbors to the north. Two of those came last year, including one for the district title when Northwood defensive back Mar’jayvious Moss became a legend by intercepting five passes in the Falcon win.
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MEGA MEMORY:North DeSoto’s Luke Delafield lofts five TD passes in a memorable night
Friday’s game again belonged to the defenses with Northwood’s defense led by giant Ta’Derius “Tootie” Collins, one of the state’s top defensive recruits. With a pair of sacks on Luke Delafield, he became another Northwood legend as No. 2 in career sacks.
“We refused to lose, and we knew it would be a hard game,” said Collins, who has offers from Texas, Baylor and Auburn. “We knew deep down inside they couldn’t hang with us. We stuck to our plan. We have the best coaching staff in the state in my opinion.”
The Griffins looked in charge in the first half when they went in front 13-0 on a short TD jaunt by Brian Banks. The Falcons didn’t figure out the Griffin defense until after halftime and it came from a punishing rushing attack from White and quarterback Mason Welch.
“North DeSoto has been dominating in all phases of the game all year long,” Welch said. “We knew they hadn’t really been tested, but if they were going to be tested it would be this game. It was a dog fight from start to finish, but hat’s off to them for playing their tails off like they have all season.”
Unlike last season, when Northwood eliminated the Griffins from the upcoming LHSAA playoffs, the two teams won’t meet again this season. Northwood will compete in Select Division I against Louisiana’s best teams, while North DeSoto will play in Non-Select Division II, where they’ll have a solid chance at advancing to the Superdome for the state championships.
“This game will prepare us for the playoffs,” North DeSoto coach Dennis Dunn said. “It was a heckuva war tonight. They came in with a plan to run the ball on us and (White) did a great job. It was just a great high school football game.”
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: LHSAA football: Northwood picks up mega Power Points win vs. North DeSoto
