By Shawn C. White, Special to The Press-Herald
The Minden Crimson Tide came up short in Claiborne Parish Friday night, falling to rival Homer 26-20 at Ronny G. Beard Stadium.
The Tide (0-2) trailed 26-6 heading into the final quarter. Two touchdowns in three minutes put Minden within striking distance but the Pelicans (2-0) held on for the victory.
The Pelicans ground-and-pound offense rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Although Homer only put up 61 yards passing, the yardage was sufficient for two touchdowns with a total of 58 yards.
Gregory Williams had 22 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown. Zyan Warren connected with Katrevick Banks on two touchdown passes. He also scored on a quarterback sneak.
MInden sophomore Hudson Brown completed 14-of-25 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions.
Maurice Rabb had three receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Cameron Mitchell added another receiving touchdown.
Dunovan Robinson ran for a TD in the fourth quarter.
The Minden defense showed out on the first drive of the game as Jakobe Jackson snatched an interception at midfield.
Minden scored first with Brown hitting Mitchell on a 13-yard touchdown pass.
The Pelicans’ offensive woes continued on the next drive as Williams fumbled at midfield and Minden recovered.
The Crimson Tide held on to the ball for the final five minutes of the first quarter and led 6-0.
MInden started the second quarter on the Homer 25. The Pelicans defense held, stopping the Tide for a 1-yard gain on fourth-and-2.
Homer was unable to score on its next drive, but the defense finally ignited the Pels offense.
After Brown was sacked, Minden faced a third-and-21 from the Tide 27. Tyrmarrion Knowles grabbed an interception and carried it to the red zone.
The Pelicans offense kicked in as Warren scored from 4 yards out to give Homer a 7-6 lead.
Penalties hammered the Pelicans, though. Homer was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the touchdown which pushed the kickoff back to the 25.
The kickoff went 28 yards and was returned to the Pelicans 44. After a personal foul on Homer, MInden started the drive on on the 29.
Homer’s defense struck again. Two runs for losses and a failed fourth-down conversion attempt gave Homer one more drive in the half.
Williams pounded the ball down the field for 38 yards on three carries. Warren took it the rest of the way with a 27-yard pass to Banks with 8 seconds remaining and Homer led 13-6 at the half.
Homer picked up where it left off in the third quarter.
The first Pelicans drive started on their 4. Williams and Banks pounded 10-plus yard runs down the field.
The ground attack got them down the field. The air attack allowed them to score.
Warren found Banks one more time for a 31-yard touchdown as Homer looked to pull away.
Minden’s offensive woes continued in the second half.
The kickoff was fumbled and recovered by Homer in Minden territory. Williams did it all on his own with three carries capped by a 4-yard run into the end zone, giving his team the 26-6 lead.
Another drive by Minden resulted in a turnover. This time, though, Minden’s defense forced a punt.
Down 20 entering the final quarter, the Crimson Tide did not roll over.
Brown’s confidence grew as three completions, including in a 23-yarder to Rabb, put Minden on the Homer 1.
Robinson crashed into the end zone and cut the lead to 26-12.
Two unsportsmanlike penalties allowed Homer to gain 10 yards in six plays on its next drive, giving Minden another shot.
After three incompletions, Brown connected with Jaxon Smith to reach Homer territory. He then tossed a 48-yard bomb to Rabb for a touchdown.
After the the two-point conversion, Minden was within six.
The Minden defense held long enough for one more chance for the Crimson Tide at midfield but a interception ended the rally.
Minden will return to The Pit Friday against parish rival North Webster. The Knights (1-1) defeated North Caddo 49-16 Friday night.