The North Webster Knights scored two defensive touchdowns in a 22-0 victory over the Bossier Bearkats Thursday night at Baucum-Farrar Stadium.
North Webster improved to 3-4 counting a forfeit victory over Carrroll. Three of the four losses were by seven points or less.
The Knights were scheduled to play Carroll in the regular-season finale but the LHSAA canceled the Bulldogs’ season after Week 2 because of a postgame incident.
Bossier dropped to 3-3.
Jardin Gill returned his second interception of the season for a touchdown and Ja’kayden Jackson picked up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
Linebacker Jeremiah Washington, who was pressed into service on offense at running back because of injuries, scored a touchdown and two two-point conversions.
Washington, one of the state’s leading tacklers, and Gill both had strong games overall, North Webster Head Coach Christopher Wilson said.
“Jeremiah Washington carried the ball a lot for us tonight,” Wilson said. “You know it makes my defensive coaches nervous, but we’re at the point right now we’ve got to get the wins however can get them.”
Because Carroll’s season was canceled, North Webster has only three games left.
The Knights open District 1-3A play at Bastrop (4-2), which was scheduled to play Carroll this week, next Friday.
After that, they close the season at Sterlington and at home against Loyola.
At No. 17 in the non-select Division III power rankings as of Friday morning, North Webster is in good position to make the playoffs regardless of what happens the rest of the way.
For now, though, the Knights get to go into another week of practice coming off a victory.
Wilson said despite a tough 22-21 loss to undefeated Cedar Creek in Week 5, his team remained positive.
“It feels good for the kids,” he said of the victory. “We had a really good week. Being fall break, we didn’t have any starters miss any practice this week. So I felt like the kids were in good shape this week.
“They had a good week of practice, and we kind of knew what we were going to expect from Bossier, and they went out and executed the game plan. We wanted to be aggressive, trying to take the ball from them, and they did that.”
Mansfield 42, Lakeside 15: The Warriors opened District 4-2A play with the loss in Mansfield.
The Wolverines, ranked No. 10 in the LSWA Class 2A poll, improved to 5-1. Lakeside dropped to 3-3.
Mansfield won the District 3-2A championship last season. The same teams are now in District 4-2A.
Lakeside trailed 14-0 at the half and 28-7 after three quarters
Lakeside continues district play against Winnfield next Friday at home. The Tigers open district play at Red River Friday night.