By Pat Culverhouse

Lucas Owens ran for a pair of touchdowns and Brayden Britton scampered 75 yards with a kickoff return to lead Minden’s Crimson Tide to a convincing 39-20 win over the Homer Pelicans Friday.

With the win, Minden moves to 2-0 on the young season.

Minden scored first on the strength of Owens’ 27 yard run with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter to go up 7-0, then tacked on a Bryson Ranger 36-yard field goal in the second quarter for a 10-0 margin.

Homer came storming back when tailback Gregory Williams broke loose for a 76-yard score. A failed two-point try left the Tide up 10-6 with 7:51 remaining before half.

A pair of touchdowns just before the halftime break pushed Minden ahead 25-6 at intermission. Owens bulled in from one yard out for a 17-6 lead, and a fumble on the ensuing kickoff set the Tide up deep in Pelican territory.

From the Pelicans 12, quarterback Hudson Brown found Kameron Harris in the end zone. After a penalty on the kick attempt, Minden’s Jaden Johnson pushed in for a two-point conversion.

Homer’s Williams, who led all rushers on the night with 189 yards on 15 carries, scored from nine yards out to cut into the Tide lead, but Brown gave the Tide breathing room when he ended a long drive with a one-yard sneak to pay dirt.

Williams again broke a long run for his third touchdown of the game, traveling 59 yards at the start of the fourth quarter to cut the Tide lead to 32-20. But Britton’s return on the ensuing kickoff ended the night’s scoring and gave Minden the win.

Minden’s rushing game proved to be the difference in the win with six different back piling up 230 yards. Leading the way was Denarius Crowe with 77 yards on 11 carries.

Also, Owens had 53 yards on nine carries, Kaiden Shine carried five times for 48 yards, Porter Neal had 34 yards in six tries and Caylien Aubrey picked up 23 yards on seven attempts.

Brown was three of four in the passing department for 12 yards and one touchdown.

Minden travels to Springhill Friday to take on the North Webster Knights in a non-conference game.