By Josh Beavers
Let’s talk about North Caddo first.
K.J. Black ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns on just four carries, and Omarion Miller made one of the best runs this writer’s eyes have ever seen as the duo led North Caddo to a 46-6 victory over Lakeside Friday night in Vivian.
The Titans scored every time they had the ball in the first half as they racked up all their points in the first two quarters. Black scored from 65 yards out on the second play of the game and added two more scores quickly thereafter.
The Miller run was his only touchdown of the game and his only official catch of the game as well. The North Caddo quarterback threw a screen to the standout receiver who then juked and spun and evaded nearly every Lakeside defender on his way to a 57-yard touchdown. The LSU signee also caught three 2-Point Conversion attempts and ran for 28 yards on his only rush of the game.
Now that’s enough about the Titans (7-1). Let’s talk about the good things that happened for the Lakeside Warriors (3-4). Good things? You may ask what good could come out of 40-point loss?
Lots. There are always a lot of good things that take place when the Lakeside Warriors take the field. Win or lose. Grit isn’t just present in victory. Pride just doesn’t reside in wins.
Positive #1.
Lakeside never gives up. Trailing by 46 points, the Warriors continued to fight for yards. Players didn’t go out or go down with questionable injuries. Heads weren’t held low. Boys weren’t sitting on the bench disinterested in the game or feeling sorry for themselves.
Jaden Miller kept making impressive tackles. Conner Dunnfey played well. Jamarrion Evans recovered a fumble to set up a score. Players on the sidelines were cheering and encouraging those who were on the field.
The offensive line opened holes for Ashton Stewart, who rushed for 67 yards, as well as quarterback CJ Watts, who scored the Warriors lone touchdown.
That touchdown came as time ran out in the game and after North Caddo made the questionable call to insert its first team defense again despite leading by 46 points.
The Warrior crowd was louder than the North Caddo fans as they willed Watts into the endzone on the game’s last play.
The crowd – well that brings me to point number 2.
Positive #2.
Lakeside has community support. If you didn’t know that before, then Friday night’s showing in Vivian should eliminate any doubt. The Warrior faithful may have outnumbered the home team fans. And that is a home team with a 7-1 record and a number five ranking in the state.
Lakeside fans care. Lakeside fans travel. And Lakeside fans are loud. Even in defeat, it remained a great night to be a Warrior.
