Featured photo by Kelsey Chanler, Special to The Press-Tribune
An outstanding defensive performance lifted the Minden Crimson Tide to a 20-0 victory over the North Webster Knights Friday night at Baucum-Farrar Stadium.
It was Minden’s first shutout victory since a 14-0 victory over Mansfield in Week 2 of the 2020 season. The Tide improved to 3-0.
Minden has now avenged two of its 2023 losses in consecutive weeks.
North Webster, which also had a stellar defensive effort, dropped to 1-2.
The Tide held the Knights to one first down and 18 total yards in the first half and led 17-0. North Webster finished with four first downs and 49 total yards per stats kept for the KASO/KBEF radio/web broadcast.
“The game kind of went like I thought it was going to go,” Minden Head Coach Spencer Heard said. “Every time we play them it’s a dogfight. This was no different. Their kids played hard. Our kids played hard. It was just a good battle.”
Heard said the his defense played its best game to date.
Minden scored first on an 8-yard run by Caylien Aubry in the first quarter. Bryson Ranger kicked a 40-yard field goal early in the second to give the Tide a 9-0 lead.
One of the game’s key plays came with just over two minutes to play in the half. Javen Calloway returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Hudson Brown ran for a two-point conversion and the 17-0 lead.
“That really put us in a hole giving up the blocked punt for a touchdown and the ensuing two-point conversion,” North Webster Head Coach Christopher Wilson said.
North Webster kept Minden pinned in its own territory much of the third quarter but couldn’t capitalize. The only scoring of the second half was a 26-yard Ranger field goal late in the fourth.
Both teams had three turnovers. The Tide recovered two fumbles and had an interception. The Knights intercepted two passes, both in the first half, and recovered a fumble.
Heard said his offense was a “little sloppier” than it had been in the first two games. But he gave much of the credit to North Webster’s defense.
“They’ve got some talent, especially in their linebacking corps,” he said. “Probably one of the better ones I think we’ve played so far.
“They’re big, they can run, they can get to the ball. They’re going to give people problems on defense. They’ve got to get something going offensively. But the defense was good.”
Minden had 157 yards total offense, 127 rushing and 30 passing.
Aubrey led the team in rushing with 54 yards on 10 carries. Denarius Crowe had 47 on nine.
Wilson thought his defense played more than good enough to win.
“It’s kind of the same thing as last week (a 14-6 victory over North Caddo),” he said. “This time we just didn’t get the win.”
Wilson said his offense just hasn’t been able to find a groove. Two freshmen started on offense and a senior sat out for disciplinary reason, he said.
“We just didn’t do what we needed to do,” he said. “Our defense is playing lights out. I’m really, really proud of those guys. I feel like we turned a corner despite the score. I feel better today than I felt last week after the week based off how our kids played.
“The guys are starting to respond the right way and we just really have to put our heads down as a staff and figure out what we need to do offensively to put us in a better shape. I think this is a seven-win football team being honest. Hopefully we can win seven games we just have to figure out an identity on offense and go with that.”
Wilson said he appreciated Heard’s praise of the linebackers.
“Ja’myrian Jackson and Kemo Jefferson, Jasavion Miller, those kids are all repeat starters,” he said. “Kemo and Jamyrian both had 100 tackles last year. They’re on track for that again this year because they just do things right. They play with their hair on fire, they’re coachable and they do things the right way. It’s really good to hear coaches raving on those guys because they work really hard throughout the week.”
Minden opens District 1-4A play at home Friday against Woodlawn. The Knights (1-2) defeated Lakeview 48-0 Friday night.
North Webster visits Homer. The Pelicans (0-3) lost to Claiborne Parish rival Homer 27-12 Friday night.