MHS photos by Douglas Blow
Senior running back Daylen Robinson added more milestones to his impressive career Thursday night while leading the Minden Crimson Tide to a 43-26 District 1-4A win over Booker T. Washington on Senior Night at W.W. Williams Stadium.
Robinson became the first Crimson Tider to rush for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons since Sammy Seamster accomplished the feat during his 1985-87 career. Robinson also moved into the number three position in total career yards behind Seamster and Raymond Tate.
Through Thursday’s contest, Robinson has gained 1,026 yards this season with one game remaining on the Tide schedule.
Following a familiar script, the Tide fell behind early when BTW took the opening kickoff and marched 60 yards to paydirt. Freshman quarterback Damion O’Neal connected with Andrew Houston for a 36-yard score on fourth down, and a successful two-point conversion put the Lions up 8-0.
Minden struck back quickly as Robinson popped up the middle from 18 yards out less than a minute later to cap a 55-yard drive. A failed PAT left the Tide down 8-6 with 8:15 remaining in the quarter.
BTW got on the scoreboard on their second possession, going 90 yards in nine plays with Kendrick Platt covering the final three yards to put the Lions ahead 14-6 to end the first quarter. From that point, Minden’s offense went on a scoring spree while the defense clamped down on BTW’s speedy backs.
Cameron Mitchell got Minden even at 14 with a 10-yard scamper to end an eight-play, 58-yard drive at the 10:30 mark of the second quarter. After the Tide defense forced a three-and-out, Robinson gave the locals a permanent lead when he bulled his way over defenders for a four-yard TD run to top off an 81-yard drive.
Up 22-14, Minden climbed back into the scoring seat, thanks to a Jaylin Williams interception and return to the BTW 17. Following an incompletion, Quarterback Jakobe Jackson rumbled up the middle, stretched into the endzone and the Tide led 30-14 after a successful two-point conversion pass from Jackson to Brian Swan.
Three holding penalties, two of which cancelled a pair of Robinson runs totaling 52 yards, put the dampers on a Tide drive opening the second half. But Minden’s defense again forced a punt, and it took only two plays for another Tide score. Jackson hit Williams in stride down the middle with a perfect 40-yard scoring toss, putting Minden ahead 37-14 nearing the end of the third quarter.
Tider Nolan Garms, who also had an interception in the game, blocked a BTW punt early in the fourth quarter, handing the Tide the football at the Lions’ 18. Following a false start penalty, Jackson broke loose on an option and sped 23 yards to score. With 10:47 remaining in the game, the Tide looked good at 43-14.
BTW put up a pair of late scores when O’Neal connected on an 18-yard scoring pass, then capped an eight-play, 96-yard drive with a six-yard dash to the corner of the endzone. Two-point conversion attempts failed after both scores to end it at 43-26.
Robinson eased past his game rushing average, picking up 133 yards on just 10 carries while Jackson had 12 carries and 76 yards. Jaylon McKinney added 18 yards on five attempts as the Tide rushed for 240 yards on the night. Through the air, Jackson was six-of-nine for 100 yards.
Platt led the Lions’ rushing attack, gaining 119 yards on 21 attempts. O’Neal completed six passes on 14 attempts for 131 yards with two throws intercepted.
Minden now stands at 3-6 on the season; 2-4 in District 1-4A play heading into next Friday’s season finale against the Woodlawn Knights in Shreveport.
