The Minden Crimson Tide suffered their first loss of the season Friday night, falling to the North DeSoto Griffins 61-27 in a District 1-4A game in Stonewall.
Minden dropped to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in district. Defending champion North DeSoto, ranked No. 3 in the LSWA Class 4A poll, improved to 6-0 and 3-0.
Minden got in an early hole thanks in part to mistakes on attempted punts. The Tide trailed 21-0 late in the first quarter.
North DeSoto had to go only 39 yards for its first touchdown after a high punt snap. The Griffins’ second touchdown came after a blocked punt set them up at the Minden 20.
The Tide tried to rally, though. Jardon Carey caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from Kaiden King with 39 seconds left in the first quarter. Carter Martin’s PAT cut the lead to 21-7.
After the Griffins answered with a 75-yard touchdown drive, Jaden Johnson returned the kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point try was blocked.
But North DeSoto closed the first half with two quick touchdown drives of 80 and 95 yards and led 41-13 at the break.
The Griffins’ Braylon Moore returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown and then caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Mason Smith. North DeSoto extended its lead to 55-13.
Lucas Owens Jr. scored Minden’s final two touchdowns on runs of 6 and 7 yards.
According to stats kept for the KBEF-FM broadcast, North DeSoto rolled up 516 total yards and held Minden to 206.
King completed 12-of-30 passes for 168 yards. Johnson had seven catches for 83 yards.
North DeSoto had 301 yards rushing. Hayden Bell gained 129 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown.
Smith completed 15-of-30 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns.
Minden hosts Northwood Friday. The Falcons (2-4, 1-1) defeated Booker T. Washington 58-26 Thursday night.