SHREVEPORT – The Minden Crimson Tide played lights out Friday night at Independence Stadium.
The Tide (4-0, 1-0) recorded their third shutout of the season, scored a season high 40 points and kept their perfect record in tact with a 40-0 pounding of the Fair Park Indians.
“The message this week was to work on us and correct some of our little mistakes,” Minden head coach Spencer Heard said. “I think we did a good job of that. I was pleased with the way the offense played. I thought the line had a good game, Tony (Rivette) had a good night and we ran the ball really well. Of course, the defense played lights out and the special teams was good, too; proud of our effort.”
The Minden defense held Fair Park to 38 yards of offense, inlcuding -9 yards rushing. Zi’Kerrion Baker continues to light up opposing offenses.
The senior star had 3 sacks for the Tide to lead the way. Fellow senior and 3-year starter Ethan Culp also recorded a sack for Minden
“Their is a lot of senior leadership on that unit,” Heard said. “Obviously it starts with Cam (Morgan) and Zi, but Ty’Christopher Harris had a really good game and our secondary, which was the question mark early on, has really developed over these last two or three games. Up front we have guys coming off the ball and making it really hard for offenses to move the ball.”
The Tide offense found their stride Friday night. Rivette tossed second-quarter touchdowns to Tavarius Edwards (36 yards) and Kelcey Miller (11 yards), while Patrick Heard had his best game of the season. The junior speedster carried the ball four times for 49 yards and two scores, adding one reception for 9 yards.
“Everything was pretty clean,” Heard said. “Over the last two weeks I’ve really seen our offensive line come together. We have a lot of guys making plays right now, it’s not just one guy. I don’t even know how many different guys we had score tonight.”
Minden’s offense came into the game searching for a breakout performance, and the coach’s son helped provide one.
“He played really well last night,” the elder Heard said. “His best game so far this season. That was (L’Jarius) Sneed’s position last year, and we want our fastest guy their. Pat’s doing a good job of taking what defenses are giving him. On one of those scores Kolby Jackson had a great kickout block to really spring him.”
Rivette finished the game 4-of-8 passing for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Patrick Heard had 58 total yards and two scores, Miller had the 11-yard TD catch and Edwards finished with 37 yards and a TD.
Jackson carried four times for 16 yards and a touchdown, while Jamin Oliver hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter from Kentravion Rodgers. Rodgers added 15 yards rushing.
Minden now turns their attention to another district game back at Independence Stadium, this time against the Huntington Raiders.
“It was a good win,” Heard said. “Let’s enjoy this win. I was proud of the guys who got in during the second half. They worked hard in the summer and in practice so we were happy to see them get in and execute. Now, we have to come out and see that same production against Huntington.”