The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 26

2C TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 HlGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS MATT GRAHAMRUSTON HIGH SCHOOL At Louisiana Tech, Matt Graham has started 38 straight games at deep snapper for punts, field goals and extra points. He is a senior and a three-year letter winner. OYERSSG AREA HIGH SCHDOL SPORTS 1 2005 football standings Aire district games special? District 1-5A Overall W-L Ruston 3-1 West Monroe 3-1 Natchitoches Central 2-2 District W-L 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 Byrd 2-2 Airline 1-2 Southwood 1-3 Huntington 0-4 Thursday's result Ruston 28, Huntington 7 Friday's results West Monroe 50, Airline 5 Ouachita 41, Byrd 21 Natchitoches Central 22, Southwood 15 District 1-4A Parkway Captain Shreve Minden Woodlawn Bossier Haughton Northwood 4-0 3-1 3-1 2-2 2-2 2-2 1-3 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 Thursday's result Captain Shreve 24, Haughton 14 Friday's results Parkway 23, Northwood 15 Minden 28, Bossier 19 BTW 36, Woodlawn 15 District 1-3A "Benton 2-1 0-0 BTW 2-1 0-0 Mansfield 2-1 0-0 North DeSoto 2-2 0-0 Fair Park 1-3 0-0 Green Oaks 0-3 0-0 Thursday's result Peabody 37, Fair Park 8 Friday's results West Ouachita 21, Benton 14 Carroll 21, Mansfield 14 (OT) North Caddo 32, Green Oaks 14 Monday's result North DeSoto 41, Lakeview 0 District 1-2A Lakeside 3-0 0-0 Homer 3-1 0-0 North Caddo 1-3 0-0 Springhill 1-3 0-0 Loyola 0-3 0-0 Lakeside at Grant, cane. Many at Loyola, cane. Homer 42, Delhi Charter 12 Springhill 33, Farmerville 23 District 3-2A Power-point system changes emphasis for some coaches.

By Brian McCallum bmccallumgannett.com Schools hang banners based on winning them. Players decorate letter jackets commemorating them. But do district games really mean anything any more. Two area coaches have similar ideas on the subject, and both figure to be in contention for district titles this season. With the creation of power points and a bracket based on numbers of victories with little benefit to district finish, district games do not generate the same energy they once did.

Although district champions are automatic entrants into the postseason, power ratings now determine seeding in the playoffs. "I'd say winning a district title is still very important, but whether you win one or not doesn't count toward where you're seeded," St. Mary coach Eric Held says. "In the past, you were already mapped out on the bracket if you won. Nowadays, there've been many times where the team that is finished second (in a district) is seeded higher than the team that finished first." Minden's David Feaster is a little more adamant that district games are no more special than other games.

"Absolutely right," he says. "It's just a pride thing, local rivals. District championships obviously mean something, but nine times out of 10, your district champion is in the playoffs anyway." While coaches often speak of a hope for teams to take every game seriously and play the season on an even keel, Feaster still likes to see his teams get excited for particular opponents. 'We just say it's another game, but our kids were fired up for the Springhill game," he says. "They were fired up for Jonesboro-Hodge.

When we get to the district, every game still matters, and we're still playing to get into the playoffs." But a loss in a distinct game isn't as fatal, and Feaster says it should be easier for coaches to revive their players after such a defeat. "One you lose district games, you don't focus on the district championships," he says, "you're just trying to get into the playoffs." Held says scheduling has become a science. For example, his 2005 team has plenty of experience, 1 1 (jr tl, 1 A 4i Jn rs 1 1 jvK(J Or. This week's schedule Thursday's game Oberlin at St. Mary Friday's games Huntington at Airline Southwood vs.

Byrd, Lee Hedges West Monroe at Natchitoches Central Ruston at Bastrop Winnfield at Bossier Captain Shreve at Northwood Woodlawn at Haughton Parkway at Minden Benton at North Caddo Farmerville at Fair Park, Indy Green Oaks at Wossman Mansfield at Port Barre Many at North DeSoto Loyola at BTW Homer at Red River LaSalle at Lakeside Jonesboro-Hodge at Springhill Lakeview at Merryville Cotton Valley at Arcadia Calvary Baptist at Sarepta Evangel at Logansport Plain Dealing at Haynesville Newellton at Bernice Lake Providence at Cedar Creek McCall at Grambling Hamilton Christian at Montgomery Acadiana Prep at Northwood-Lena Ringgold at Oakdale Texas Marshall at Kilgore Carthage at Atlanta Woodville at Center Harmony at Elysian Fields MPSA Claiborne at University Christian -Riverdale at Glenbrook Upcoming games Oct. 6 Northwood at Woodlawn Oct. 7 Airline at Ruston Byrd at West Monroe Natchitoches Central vs. Huntington, Indy Bossier at Haughton Minden vs. Captain Shreve, Lee Hedges Loyola at Parkway Mansfield at Benton Fair Park at North DeSoto BTW at Green Oaks Lakeside at Homer Springhill at North Caddo Sacred Heart at Lakeview Jonesboro-Hodge at Many Red River at Ferriday Arcadia at Plain Dealing Haynesville at Calvary Baptist Logansport at Cotton Valley Sarepta at Evangel Delta at Bernice Cedar Creek at Oak Grove St.

Frederick at Grambling Montgomery at Ringgold Northwood-Lena at St. Mary Open Southwood Texas Carthage at White Oak Center at Tatum Elysian Fields at Troup Nacogdoches at Marshall Waskom at Linden-Kildare MPSA Briarfield at Claiborne Franklin at Glenbrook Riverdale at Huntington Acad. University Christian at Porter's Chapel Notice Because of the disruption caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there will be no LSWA prep polls this week. The association has not determined when the poll will, resume. Statistics needed Coaches, The Times needs your statistics.

Stats can be e-mailed to bmccallumgannett.com or sent via fax at (318) 459-3301. Online Go to shreveporttimes.com all season long to follow area high school football and talk about your favorite teams. Greg Pearson The Times the District 14A opener for both teams. Coach David Feaster of Minden goal but says every game is important based on the power-point system. Red River 2-1 0-0 Many 1-2 0-0 Menard 1-2 0-0 Lakeview 0-4 0-0 Many at Loyola, cane.

Red River 40, Davidson 0 Monday's result North DeSoto 41, Lakeview 0 District 1-1A Haynesville 4-0 1-0 Calvary 2-2 1-0 Evangel 1-3 1-0 Sarepta 0-3 0-0 Cotton Valley 1-3 0-1 Arcadia 0-3 0-1 Plain Dealing 0-4 0-1 Friday's results "District championships obviously mean something, but nine times out of 10, your district champion is in the piayoffs anyway." David Feaster, Minden coach AREA NOTEBOOK Cougars hope to stay perfect on anniversary week Minden defeated Bossier on Friday admits district championships are a whereas next season's team will be younger. "You want to schedule some games where you know you're going to be tested and some games where you play up in class," he says. "Next year, I'm going to try to take care of them so we can be competitive." The kids are working hard, and I couldn't ask for a better group of assistant coaches." LAKESIDE: The Warriors had their game at Grant canceled, but coach Gary Cooper is expecting to have no problem playing LaSalle this week at home. He also needs to get back on the field before District 1-2A play starts the following week. "If big that we play." Cooper says.

"Missing that one game is going to set us back as far as things go. We're just going to try to get better faster tlus week." Lakeside will play Homer in the first week of 1-2A games, and from talking to coaches in the area, Cooper thinks the Pelicans may be the favorite to win the district He knows what it will take for the Warriors to compete for the top spot "We just need to become a little bit more physical," he says. "Grant was CAMPUS JEREJII.1II RIRIS Jeremiah Burns gave the Tors all they would need on their first score, a 3-yard touchdown run. He caught one pass for 43 yards and rushed for 51 yards on four carries. in Evangel 1, Cotton Valley 0 (forfeit) Calvary 50, Plain Dealing 20 Haynesville 34, Arcadia 7 Monday's result Logansport at Sarepta (n) Other LHSAA Cedar Creek, 2-1A 4-0 0-0 Ringgold, 3-1A 3-1 0-0 St.

Mary's, 3-1A 3-1 0-0 Grambling, 2-1A 3-1 0-0 Friday's results Cedar Creek 58, Delhi 8 Caldwell 20, St. Mary 19 Jonesboro-Hodge 49, Ringgold 22 Grambling 66, Newellton 26 MPSA District 8-A Claiborne 3-2 1-0 Glenbrook 3-2 1-0 Riverdale 2-3 0-1 Univ. Christian 2-4 0-1 Friday's result Glenbrook 42, University Christian 12 Texas schools Waskom, 18-2A 4-1 0-1 Carthage, 16-3A 4-1 0-0 Marshall, 17-4A 3-1 1-0 Center, 16-3A 1-3 0-0 Elysian Fields, 19-2A 1-3 1-0 Friday's results Marshall 24, Jacksonville 13 Elysian Fields 20, Hawkins 14 (OT) Carthage 33, Jefferson 7 Paul Pewitt 56, Waskom 7 Center 21, Garrison 14 llMIEVFOOTIillJ, Dakota Haynes caught four passes for 90 yards in the Tide's District 1-4A opening win on the road. He caught a 28-yard touchdown pass. IIIKOTI IIMES Cedar Creek is celebrating its 35th anniversary as a school this year, and while that is a fun time for those involved, it can be a cause for concern for a football coach.

The Cougars are 3-0 on the field with one more game before entering District 2-1A play. Lake Providence is the final non-district opponent 'Trying to keep these kids focused during this week is big," coach Cor-wyn Aldredge says. "There are a lot of distractions, and it will be hard to keep them focused on a ballgame." like Providence is a Class 2A team with a 2-2 record, but Oak Grove, which has been No. 1 in the state in recent polls, awaits in the district opener. "Lake Providence has got some talented kids, and if they put it all together, well be in for a tough night," Aldredge says.

"We hope we've closed the game somewhat with the top of this district and us. IlilTOFOimilLL Jermaine Johnson rushed for 101 yards on 15 carries for the Wolverines on Friday in an overtime loss on the road. mistakes, but the kids know they were in the game all the way." MINDEN: The Tide faces one of the other first-week winners in District 14A this week. Parkway, the only unbeaten team left in the league. "They look really good," Minden coach David Feaster says.

"There's no weak spots. The last few weeks, I've told our guys we have an advantage in the kicking game, but I can't really say that this week." Feaster says the Panthers appear to have more speed than they've had in recent years, and he points to RonDerrick Jackson as the most prominent example. "Their running back has really emerged and looks outstanding, and their passing game is good, too," Feaster says. "They may not have very many big names, but they make plays." Brian McCallum HOMER. FOOTBALL Termaine Benjamin rushed for 136 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Pelicans won on Friday.

He scored once on a 53-yard fumble return. TERH4IXE BE-I4HI a physical team, and we needed that. LaSalle is a whole lot different deal, because they're wide open." MANSFIELD: Coach Donald Mayweather and the Wolverines also have one more game before district play begins. His first problem is that he isn't sure if the game will be played. Port Barre coaches are apparently having trouble with phone lines.

"I'm trying to get in contact with those people, but I can't even get through," Mayweather says. "I guess it will be (today). "It's very important for us to play. It will keep us going as far as confidence and timing to get a game this week. We really want to play if we can play, but I don't know how much rain they got or anything." Mansfield lost an overtime game at Carroll on Friday.

"We're still upbeat" Mayweather says. "We didn't capitalize on their FACES CAMP McCfflM RIST0. F00TB1I.L Camp McCormack caught an 18-yard pass from quarterback Ben Alsup as the Bearcats won their District 1-5A opener on the road on Thursday. rsyefsortfimes.com mil AA MIUIUL ('KEEK. FOOTBALL Justin Aldredge ran for three touchdowns and passed for another as the Cougars stayed unbeaten on Friday.

He rushed for 1 182 yards on 16 carries. I.