SHREVEPORT – The North Webster Knights got a scare from the Southwood Cowboys in their regular season finale, but did enough to win in the end, 16-7.
North Webster trailed, 7-2, early in the game as Southwood played with grit and determination in an effort to get their first win.
“We didn’t play too well,” Knights head coach John Ware said. “The conditions weren’t bad at all, we just came out and had a couple turnovers early. In the end, we got the win. That’s the main thing.”
On a night where they desparately needed a spark, North Webster got one from their 250-pound tailback, Devin White.
White finished with 150 yards rushing and scored both of the Knights’ touchdowns Friday night inside Lee Hedges Stadium.
Those two scores would be enough to hold off a Southwood offense that has struggled mightily this season.
“They weren’t very good on offense to be honest with you,” Ware said. “Defensively, they were very good. I knew that going into it and we tried to relay that to the kids all week. With the playoffs and district already wrapped up I think we took them lightly. That being said it was a good test and we played four quarters last night.”
The second of White’s touchdowns didn’t come until the fourth quarter, when he plunged in for the game sealing touchdown, allowing Knights’ fans and coaches to breathe a sigh of relief.
Now, North Webster can put this game behind them and focus on their goal of winning a state championship.
“I feel pretty good about our team,” Ware said. “In the playoffs, every one of them is going to be tough. It’s the start of a new season and all 32 teams have a shot at it.”
The Knights were led by White with 150 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Jalen Smith with 28 yards and T.J. Hawthorne with nine yards.
Cameron Huff completed one pass to Hawthorne for six yards.
Class 3A playoffs
The Knights enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed and will play at home Friday against the No. 27 seed, Port Allen Pelicans.