Featured photo of the Lakeside game by Amber McDown, Press-Herald
The Lakeside Warriors and North Webster Knights stayed within striking distance of their respective opponents but both came up short in season openers Friday night.
Arcadia 26, Lakeside 14: At Lakeside, the game came down to the wire.
With just more than four minutes left, Lakeside trailed 20-14. Arcadia had the ball but the Lakeside defense had the Hornets in a fourth-and-8 situation.
The Warriors appeared to force a turnover on downs, but a penalty gave Arcadia a first down.
Lakeside did get the ball back with just a ver a minute left. But the Warriors fumbled and the Hornets returned it for a touchdown.
“It was a tough ending to a tough night,” Lakeside Head Coach Michael Santelices said. “The defense played phenomenal. I will say that. The defense was lights out.”
If not for the penalty, Santelices firmly believes his team would’ve pulled out the victory.
“At that point in the game they weren’t stopping us,” he said. “They were so gassed. We were doing what we wanted to finally at that point.”
Turnovers were a big factor in the game. Arcadia returned an interception for a touchdown and set up another with a fumble recovery at the Lakeside 5.
Tamarjah Ferrell and Jordan Case scored rushing touchdowns for Lakeside.
The Warriors visit Ringgold Friday. The Redskins defeated Northwood-Lena 34-26 in their opener. Arcadia visits Delhi.
Haynesville 29, North Webster 13: At Springhill, the Knights hung tough against the Tors, who return eight starters on both sides of the ball from a team that reached the non-select Division IV semifinals last year.
“We stayed in it the whole game,” North Webster Head Coach John Ware said.
Ware thought the difference in the game was at the line of scrimmage.
“Probably up front on both sides of the ball,” he said. “They were a little bigger and a little bit more physical than we were. But our kids played. They fought. They played hard but made a lot of mistakes of course for the first game. Not a bad effort.”
Ware thinks Haynesville can go even farther in the playoffs this season. He also thinks his team has a good chance to be successful as the season goes on.
“Honestly it was a bad matchup this year for us and we kind of knew that going in,” he said. “I think we’ll be fine moving forward. We saw a lot of positive things. That’s what you look for early in the year. That team there is a championship football team. If they stay healthy they’re going to be in New Orleans.”
North Webster defensive end Braylin Richardson scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
North Webster hosts North Caddo Friday. The Titans fell to Bossier 46-38 in their opener.
Haynesville visits Harmony Grove, Ark.