The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 22

Qfhc (Stmes HIGH SCHOOL This week's poll Should high schools be allowed to "play up" in class higher than their enrollment? Total votes: 122 Yes, play up as high as you want 72.1 No, play at your enrollment 18.9 Yes, but only one class higher than your enrollment 9.0 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2002 nn i Log on every week to talk about your team, answer poll questions, see scores and a lot more. uvuu CONTACT BRIAN McCALLUM 'rr 459-3298 or sportsshreveporttimes.com 4C 2 I (Hie CTimca shreveport 2 fa sw Rushing As the 2001 season ended and Ouachita sat home for the Class 5A playoffs, talk began to focus on Connor Campbell. Evangel 6 27 476 6 Antonio Preaiow Red River 8 25 492 3 Keith Phillips. Mansieid 8 24 362 Jumarcus Thomas Red Rivet 8 23 223 1 LeoRactial Natch Central 8 22 346 3 Lute Scuyres Lakeside 8 21 209 3 Kern Jones. Fair Park 8 21 255 2 Booby too Glenorook 9 21 352 Brooenct Ramsey HomH 8 19 364 Jason Havden.

St Mary 8 18 36 Keith O'Neal Captain Shreve 8 17 267 2 Zacn Tnched St Mary 8 16 273 3 JacobHester Evangel 8 16 175 1 Stephen Morehait Loyola 8 15 178 2 Bnan Wants. Logansport 7 14 215 2 Jonn Williams, huntmgton 8 14 431 4 Scoring TD AntowoTum St Mary 8 190 1 309 12 JsWali GentKx 137 1049 12 Hootw hams Lovoa 8 165 1 041 15 Htckv Scoil Manstel! 8 147 1 031 7 Trwion Wiitams Nat Central 7 162 94J 9 Aaw Anderson Woodian 8 128 6'0 7 Jacob Hesi Evangel 8 114 865 13 Doc Hewitt logansoort 7 125 784 11 Boon Young Bossier 8 105 762 11 BuO Owns Ainu 8 84 711 6 Anmony Moss Airhna 8 75 708 13 DonaW KmgN Hjntmgron 8 103 690 12 Jamanrus Foobs Huntington 8 110 688 7 Jerry Casey. Ho 8 108 635 Jemon Casey Norwood 8 152 633 7 Cnase Vise Lakeside 8 107 576 8 WesieyOuck.Qienorook 9 55 501 5 Passing CM ATT INT YD TD SetriHoHoway HauoMon 8 129 224 7 2 240 23 John 0, Booty Evaroel 8 151 226 6 2.139 21 Ctiuck Beverage, Parkway 6 98 230 10 1.396 9 Dais Calhoun, MansM 8 84 208 10 1.131 1 Stearv Clark Reo Rivet 8 87 155 11 944 6 BuddBogan Huntington 8 37 68 5 773 6 Clint Methvin, St Mary 8 54 113 10 720 9 Jams Wills. Homer 8 42 100 2 653 ,10 Fleming, Glenorook 9 35 70 2 649 12 Steven Thoma Shrew 5 53 88 2 534 3 Marcus Getter. Fair Park 7 41 88 6 524 3 Anthony Moss.

Airline 6 26 48 0 522 7 Trevor Lawrence. Lgnsprt 7 26 50 1 512 8 Receiving NO TO TD Oevonrjnc Tezeno. Haughton 8 51 871 8 Antonio Shannon Mansfield 8 39 641 5 Denny Duron. Evangel 8 34 516 5 Josh Keitn, Haughton 8 32 695 6 Detnck James, Evangel 8 31 488 5 Tnsten Ross Evangel 8 31 375 4 Mat! Moreiand. Haughton 6 30 452 5 Chad Beverage Parkway 8 29 459 4 FrerJOsby.

Captain Shreve 8 29 227 F6 MT Its 15 0 1 92 14 0 3 90 14 0 I 88 14 0 A 64 13 0 0 78 12 0 1 74 12 0 1 74 12 0 72 10 0 4 68 11 0 0 66 11 0 0 66 11 0 0 66 10 0 1 62 9 0 0 54 9 0 0 54 9 0 0 54 7 0 12 54 a Sects Remember how many times Tom Osborne and his Nebraska Huskers came close to winning that national title before they got over the hump? The lesson which finally did the trick is the same one on the horizon for Ouachita. Speed kills. Airline 22, Ouachita 15. Evangel vs. Ruston: What a head of steam the Bearcats have.

What a crash it's going to be. Evangel 28, Ruston 17. Woodlawn vs. BTW: So many teams have that first turnaround season finally competing for a district title, or, as the Knights did, finally breaking a long losing streak only to hit a plateau the following year. That would appear to be Woodlawn's situation, as their 4-5 finish of a year ago is followed by a younger team that can win but not quite excel.

BTW 24, Woodlawn 14. Southwood vs. Bossier: Hp, down, up, down. That's the season Fall notebook: Benton challenged as regional cross country meet nears how the uons might continue their late-season surge and play the role of North Louisiana bully in 2002. That didn't happen exactly, but the Lions are once again getting better as the season wears on.

Brian McCallum 'tti i Opinion For Airline, that could be bad news. The Vikings already lost a big game at West Monroe and need to win the rest of their games to contend for the District 2-5A crown. A win Friday would once again make Airline a factor in the race, while a win in Bossier assures Ouachita of a championship showdown against the Rebels. This Week's Games Thursday's game Fair Park vs. Byrd WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Lee Hedges Stadium RECORDS: Fair Park (1-7, 0-3) vs. Byrd (5-3, 2-1) LAST WEEK; Fair Park lost at West Monroe, 3S6; Byrd lost to Ouachita, 10-7 LAST YEAR: Byrd 61, Fair Park 22 Friday's games North DeSoto vs. Springhill WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Springhill RECORDS: North DeSoto (0-8, 0-4) vs. Springhill (6-2, 3-1) LAST WEEK: North DeSoto lost at Lakeside, 32-19; Springhill def.

Parkway, 33-31 LAST YEAR: North DeSoto 25, Springhill 20 Huntington vs. Natchitoches Central WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Lee Hedges Stadium RECORDS: Huntington (6-2, 0-2) vs. Natchitoches Central (4-4, 1- 1) LAST WEEK: Huntington lost at Evangel, 41-19; Natchitoches Central def. Southwood, 23-17 LAST YEAR: Natchitoches Central 16, Huntington 14 Southwood vs.

Bossier WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Bossier RECORDS: Southwood (44) vs. Bossier (5-3) LAST WEEK: Southwood lost at Natchitoches Central, 23-17; Bossier def. Wossman. 38 LAST YEAR: Bossier 20, Southwood 0 Michael DunlapLouisiana Gannett News Bossier's Bryon Young (front) lunges across the goal line despite the efforts of a trio of Wossman defenders Friday night in Monroe.

The Bearkats won the game 39-8 to improve to 2-1 in District 2-4A. for the Bearkats. Up, up, up, down, down. down. That's the Cowboys.

Somebody is going to change a trend this week. Southwood 17, Bossier 13. Homer vs. Red River: Both the Pelicans and Bulldogs have had big games this year, but when it comes to deciding a district's pecking order none will be bigger than this. Red River 22.

Homer 15. Huntington vs. Natchitoches Central: If the Raiders' heads are spinning, now is the time to get over that sensation. It's time for them to forget district titles and reform a cohesive unit for a run to the playoffs. Huntington 17, Natchitoches Central 10.

Benton vs. Mansfield: This one should be a no-brainer considering the way the Tigers have battered so many of their opponents this season. Mansfield has had some big wins but some huge losses and is playing at home. The difference? The Tigers consistently win the 7r RECORDS: Northwood 0-3) vs. Minden (4 4, 1-3) LAST WEEK: Northwood lost to Woodlawn, 28-20 in OT; Minden lost at Bastrop, 46-0 LAST YEAR: Minden 43, Northwood 8 Benton vs.

Mansfield WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Mansfield RECORDS: Benton (62, 1-0) vs. Mansfield (4-4, 0-1) LAST WEEK: Benton def. North Caddo, 47-12: Mansfield lost to Green Oaks, 26-0 LAST YEAR: Mansfield 26, Benton 0 Green Oaks vs. North Caddo WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: North Caddo RECORDS: Green Oaks (3-4, 1-0) wrist) and Laquarius McDonald (injured knee) are also in question. Dennis hopes to see Robinson return soon. LAKEVIEW: Larry Alexander said Loyola and Springhill are two of the better teams his team will play all year, and they are the two teams that the Gators must beat in order to make it to the playoffs. Alexander said his 4-4, 2 2 Gators aren't making any changes for the Fnday game against Loyola: he depends Deans on continued strong play by running back DeAngelo Coleman and defensive back Corey Deans, who he said has been "outstanding on both sides of the ball." The defensive line has played well all season, he said. "We've gotten more production out of them than we expected.

We scored a defensive touchdown last week off a fumble, and we're averaging two sacks a game out of those guys." LOGANSPORT: Durrett Woods said his 52, 1 2 team matches up well with St. Mary. Fnday's opponent. "I feel we have more team speed than St. Ma7 (71) has; we have a little advantage over them," he said.

Tailback Lyntroyce "Doc" Hewitt has been running hard all year, Woods said, and "keeps us going offensively. A couple of wideouts. Brian Waines and Derek Gray, do a good job catching the ball for us. We give the ball to Bnan a lot on the reverse he has a lot of speed." 3 1 games they are supposed to win. Benton 18, Mansfield 12.

Haughton vs. Parkway: Like Darth Vader against Luke Skywalker in a light saber battle, the Panthers and Bucs bring varying amounts of passing-game experience to this District 2-4A showdown. Parkway will discover what Luke did: It takes a couple of battles against the big man to really get a feel for it. Haughton 28, Parkway 23. Loyola vs.

Lakeview: If anyone doubts the power of tradition, look at Loyola, which has been in the playoffs every year since well, forever. When the afternoons turn dark and the Louisiana State Fair comes to town, the Flyers are usually rolling toward the postseason. Loyola 26, Lakeview 18. Last week: 5-4 This season: 50-23 Brian McCallum is The Times' prep sports editor. vs.

North Caddo (0-7, 0-1) LAST WEEK: Green Oaks def. Mansfield, 26-0; North Caddo lost to Benton, 47-12 LAST YEAR: Green Oaks 27, North Caddo 20 Loyola vs. Lakeview WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Lakeview RECORDS: Loyola (5-3, 3-2) vs. Lakeview (4-4, 2-2) LAST WEEK: Loyola def.

Homer, 24-7; Lakeview lost to Red River, 42-20 LAST YEAR: Loyola 34, Lakeview 21 Evangel vs. Ruston WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Ruston RECORDS: Evangel (7-1, 3-0) vs. Ruston (4-4, 2-0) LAST WEEK: Evangel def, Huntington, 41-19; Ruston def. Strake Jesuit (Texas), 28-14 LAST YEAR: Evangel 33, Ruston 14 Ouachita vs.

Airline WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Airline RECORDS: Ouachita (6-2, 3-0) vs. Airline (7-1, 2-1) LAST WEEK: Ouachita def. 10-7; Airline def. Captain Shreve, 19-0 LAST YEAR: Ouachita 14, Airline 7 Captain Shreve vs.

West Monroe WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: West Monroe RECORDS: Captain Shreve (2-6, 0- 3) vs. West Monroe (5-3. 2-1) LAST WEEK: Captain Shreve lost to Airline, 19-0; West Monroe def. Fair Park, 35-6 LAST YEAR: West Monroe 42.

Captain Shreve 0 games The starting quarterback, junior Kendrick Hill, broke his leg a few weeks ago and has been replaced by tight end Trevor Lawrence. "He's a competitor; he'll do whatever it takes to win," Woods said. "Defensively, linebacker Chris Murray is the team's leading tackier, and defensive end Mark Magee does a good job at motivating and keeping the team up." WOODLAWN: Coming off a big win against Northwood, Mike Green isn't too concerned about the playoffs right now, stating, "We'll try to play every Friday night like we did this past Fnday." Fnday's BTW game is "an important baltgame for us. Maybe we'll try to slide In the back door of the playoffs, but that's not our mam concern." With no injuries, a mam concern would be keeping key play Simpson ers healthy: Warren Jamison, linebacker, whom Green calls a "diamond in the rough;" LaTaurus Simpson, offensive guard and defensive tackle, who had two touchdowns and a two-point conversion along with eight tackles in last week's Northwood game. Fullback Charles Edwards had 13 cames for 90 yards last week and is considered a supplement to quarterback Aaron Anderson, who Green said, "has been producing for us." "We're young, but I can see the progress." Green said.

Compiled by Kym Klass 0 Robbie Hams. Lovola Jerry Casey. Homer Doc' Hewitt Logansport Jacob Hestet. Evangel Alhony Moss, Airline Antonyo Turner. St Mary Jesse Waller.

Gnbnk Donald Knight Huntington Jason Hayden St Mary Derrick Larmar, Airline Deiter Russell. Red River Brvon Young. Bossier Bobby Igo. Gienbrook Thurston Williams Nat Cntrl Weldon Brown, Bossier Devononc Tweno. Haughton 8 HicKy scon, Manstieid Bnan Grubbs, Gienbrook Jesse Thomas, Homer Demck Gray.

Logansoorl Jordan Speer, Claiborne Academy Mike Smith. Bossier Bnan Moss, Lovola John Wilkie. Glenorook Paul Natchitoches Central 7 65 65 6 Woolbert Thomas "I'm hoping to get down into the 16s. I'll feel pretty confident if I get down into those times." Volleyball EVANGEL: After consecutive district losses to Barbe and LaGrange last week, coach Sarah Thomas was still able to see the positive side of things as the Eagles' season draws to a close. The Eagles will spend time later this week reviewing film of their start to the season just so Thomas can emphasize the progress made by the inexperienced team over the last two months.

"I'm proud of just how far we've coma over the season," she said. "Our record doesn't even begin to show It. Against those two teams we were just happy to compete as much as we did and get some points, and we took some pride in that." LOYOLA: Despite a nailbiting loss to Mansfield last week, coach Laura Woolbert is hopeful that her Lady Fryers can still reach the playoffs, which start next week. Loyola lost 16-14. 15-13 to the district leader but still plays Mansfield twice and North Caddo twice before district play ends on Nov.

5. "Nobody likes to lose, but ft was a close game and the two teams were pretty evenly matched," said Woolbert "I don't think there's one thing that really separated the teams. It was just a good close game." Two players have been struck with illnesses over the past week, but both are expected to play the last two games of the season, both of which are at home. Complied by Tim Barnes joker gets the field admits to being the joker on the team, he also knows that, come game time, the younger players are looking to him for inspiration. He rarely fails to produce.

"As a senior we have to be leaders. The seniors are really trying to set an example this season and k'ave something behind so that the program can continue to grow after we Wave," said Finley. "I try to have fun, but when I do joke around it's in the locker room. When I get out on the field Tm serious and I want to work hard and do my best for the team, and I think the younger players can see that They see the funny side of me, but they also know that I'm serious when I get out and play." Finley has already played five different positions on the team this season tight end, wide receiver, running back, free safety and comer but expresses no preference for one particular position. Instead, he simply wants to play and do what he can for the team.

"He probably is out there for more plays than anybody else on the team by the time the game is over," said Gatlin. "He doesn't get off the field too many times." For the first time this season, there's a question over whether Rnley wiB dress for the Panthers this Friday against Haughton after suffering a rib injury in the 33-31 loss to Springhill last week. "If it's just bruised, hell play. HopefuDy it's nothing more than that, because he's such an important part of this team," said Gatlin. With just two meets left before the regional meet on November 13, Benton coach Frank Trammel placed stiff competition ahead of winning on his list of priorrties at the school's cross country meet on Thursday.

Fourteen schools, several of which are from outside the area, attended, giving some of the city teams their toughest competition of the season so far. Winnfield won the girls' team competition, with Benton in second and Caddo Magnet in third, while Ruston took the boys' title, with Natchitoches Central, Caddo Magnet and Benton taking second through fourth. Those three teams were separated by only 15 points. "It was important to get a gauge on some of the stronger teams," said Trammel. "It would be easy to invite teams that we know we can do well against, but we wanted some tough competition to get ready for the regional meet, and we got that." AIRLINE: Freshman Jacob Lott finished 12th at the Benton meet, but Vikings coach Chris White still feels Lott and his teammates will contend when the regional meet rolls around.

"I'm very happy with where they are right now," White said. "It's going to be tough but I hope to get in the top three, which considering where we placed last year would be good for us." Mychal Ward placed 24th at the Benton meet and will also be looking for a top-30 finish at the regional meet. GRAWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: Thomas Woodruff, a junior for the Crusaders, won the MPSA boys Class A cross country title Monday in Clinton, at Choctaw Trails. He had a time of 19:30 over the 5.00Ometer course. His personal best is a 17:40, but the runners were hampered by course conditions.

"It was very muddy and rainy," Woodruff said. "It stopped raining just before we started running, and I stepped in a few big puddles." Woodruff, who won the title last year and was sixth as a freshman, believes he could have run in the lower 18s with good weather. He said his chances for a three-peat are "pretty good." Parkway's serious on By Tim Barnes The Times The turnaround that Parkway has seen this season from a team that lost 19 consecutive games to a team that is legitimately competing for a playoff position hasn't changed too much about how senior Doug Fin ley plays the game. What has changed is how much he's enjoying the game, and for a player who coach Jim Catlin says genuinely plays for "love of the game," that's a big deal to a player like Finley. Call it what you will, he enjoys what he does and he's en- Finley joyuig every second of being a part of the transition which he hopes will make Parkway strong long after he graduates.

"He loves to just play, and because of that he does some crazy stuff sometimes," said Gatlin. "But as goofy as he might be sometimes, when he's out on the field he's a heck of a ball player and is by far the most physical player on this team. "He's the kind of guy a coach loves to have because he plays to have fun, and that is so obvkius with him. He just wants to play ball" he added. "A lttt of peopk- don't give him anything like the credit he deserves for what he does." Mnley himself is somewhat modest about his role on the team.

While he i j- High school football notes: Byrd needs wins in final two Woodlawn vs. BTW WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Barnes Stadium RECORDS: Woodlawn (3-5, 1-2) vs. BTW (6-2, 1-2) LAST WEEK: Woodlawn def. Northwood.

2820. in OT; BTW lost at Neville, 38-7 LAST YEAR: Woodlawn 26, BTW 14 Haughton vs. Parkway WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Parkway RECORDS: Haughton (7-1, 3-0) vs. Parkway (3-5, 1-1) LAST WEEK: Haughton def.

West Ouachita, 43-36; Parkway lost to Springhill, 33-31 LAST YEAR: Haughton 35, Parkway 6 Northwood vs. Minden WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Minden always in "the right place at the right time he's made some key tackles." Against Southwood at home Fnday, the 5-3, 2-1 Bearkats' key is to stay consistent. "It's a big game, a 5A school. Coach (Scott) Abemathy is doing a good job a Gay over there." Injured Mario Brown (broken foot) had his cast taken off Monday and may play next week depending on how his rehabilitation goes.

GREEN OAKS: Steve Oennis said his 3-4, 1-0 Giants set a goal at the beginning of the season to make a showing in the play offs. To be assured a position, though, all distnet games have to be wins. "North Caddo and Benton the only thing I can hope for nght now is beating those two," Dennis said. "We'd repre Harris sent the distnet as champions and then be assured a playoff spot." Dennis desenbes junior Antonio Harris, the team's leader in sacks, as "the guy who really makes things happen on our defensive line." Mario Kelly and his cousin Albert Kelly are key on offense, while Ja Willi Ned and Kevin Clay shine on offense. Running back Tnstian Demery has an ankle injury, and receivers Marcellu Roberson (with a broken I After last week's 10-7 loss to Ouachita.

Byrd is hoping to close out the season on a short winning streak to remain in the chase for the District 2-5A lead. Mike Suggs said Friday's meeting with Fair Park is a nvalry game, and he said the Indians have always done a good job vs. Byrd. Suggs credits his offensive line and the entire defensive team with playing well, "not as individuals, but as a group. Our offensive line has done well; it's not just one person." It's not just one person at the quarterback position, either.

Both senior William Edge and junior Jeremy Wllbom Edge Wllburn share the posrtion. Suggs said Edge 'has been in the program longer arid knows the offense better. He's a good leader. Jeremy is a little more athletic and quicker than William. Both of them are just very similar quarterbacks." BOSSIER: Bilry Doe McHatffey said hts team is "probably" already in the playoffs, and nght now he just hopes to get a high enough seed to play the first playoff game at home.

'We've been playing pretty good defense," he said. "I still don think we've played our best offensive ball." Senior Jacob Gay, an outside hne- backer, is described by McHalffey as t'ri.