The ball finally started bouncing Minden’s way after weeks of bad luck and an inability to get over the hump for a win. All of that luck shifted in the Tide’s favor on Friday night, as they stomped Huntington to open district play, 35-0.
It was the Tide’s first game outside of The Pit, and the new scenery and white uniforms seemed to give the appearance of a new team taking the field.
The uniforms weren’t the only changes made since Minden’s heartbreaking loss to North Webster last week. Standout defensive back and kick returner Jacareon Lathan was inserted into the offense during this week’s practice, and he was able to give the Tide offense more of the explosive playmaking ability that head coach Spencer Heard had been looking for.
After AJ Lister came up with an interception on Huntington’s first drive, Minden found themselves inside the Raider red zone. New offensive weapon Lathan caught a 22-yard touchdown pass on a long third-and-17 that put Minden up 7-0 with 7:50 left in the first quarter.
On the following Raider possession, a high snap ended up costing Huntington more points as Stefan Wheeler scooped up the fumble and ran five yards for a touchdown. Minden was up 14-0 after less than six minutes of play.
The Raiders had more bad snaps to deal with even after that possession, one of them almost costing them a safety were it not for a personal foul called against Minden in the Raiders’ end zone. Huntington was forced to punt shortly after, and Lieric Robinson quickly turned the next Tide possession into points. Robinson ran for a 30-yard touchdown that put Minden (1-3) up 21-0 with 4:34 left in the first quarter.
Huntington put together a decent drive that put them at the Minden goal line, but another poor snap was recovered by Lister, and Minden scored on a three-yard run by Lister to put Minden up 28-0.
Robinson scored a ten-yard touchdown in the second half that all but put the game away.
The Tide are now 1-0 in district play and return home next week for another district battle against Washington.
AREA SCORES
North Webster 28, West Ouachita 14
Lakeside 12, Rosepine 45
Acadiana Christian 22, Glenbrook 11
