SPRINGHILL – The North Webster Knights and head coach John Ware trailed, 27-23, with three minutes remaining and the ball at their own 5-yard line.
Those 95 yards were the only thing standing between North Webster and a second round home game between themselves and their rivals from Amite.
In typical Knights’ fashion, North Webster drove the length of the field and Devin White bullied his way into the end zone to give the boys in black the lead with 40 seconds remaining.
“We knew going in Port Allen was a good team,” Ware said. “It was back and forth all night. We never quit, never stopped, never got flustered; we’re down with three minutes to go and take it down the field to score. That’s getting it done.”
North Webster quarterback Cameron Huff was 4 for 4 on the winning drive, starting things off with a 45-yard bomb to T.J. Hawthorne to get the Knights out of the shadow of their own end zone.
“He was clutch,” Ware said. “Think of all the qualities you want your quarterback to have and he’s like that. He threw it well all night long.”
The play before the last drive started, Wesley Franklin took a punt return all the way for a touchdown, only to have it called back for a block in the back.
The North Webster defense held up well all night, with one of the Port Allen touchdowns coming on a kick return.
“Blake Atchley a heck of a game last night,” Ware said. “Jaylon Bonton, Rico Gonzalez, Ke’Untra Gipson. You name it, they were all fighting off blocks and getting to the football.”
Devin White was the offensive star of the game, flashing power and speed on his way to 290 yards and a pair of crucial touchdowns. The highlight of his night was a 90-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Jaylen Smith had a good game as well, scoring a big 20-yard touchdown in the second half to keep North Webster in striking distance.
“It was tough sledding out there,” Ware said. “They were blitzing linebackers and doing several other things, but we stayed the course and did what we do. When something finally opened up it was huge. We stayed patient and didn’t get frustrated. This team knows how to win.”
A win next week would be monumental, as Amite has knocked North Webster out of the playoffs the past two seasons. Both of those games were played at Amite, but now the Knights get a shot at the Warriors inside Baucum-Farrar Stadium.
“It’s going to be a great night here in Springhill,” Ware said. “We’re looking forward to it.”