By Shawn White

The Lakeside Warriors (6-1, 1-1) had been one of the hottest teams in Northwest Louisiana regardless of class.  Under the helm of John Ware in his first year, the Warriors started with the best start in the history of Lakeside football.  The move out of District 1-2A to District 3-2A looked to be a good move.  The Warriors had to get past the Red River Bulldogs (3-4, 2-0) would define who would be in the driver’s seat for the district title.  As the Chaucer proverb goes, “All good things must come to an end…”.  The Warrior’s six-game winning streak came to an end with a trip to Coushatta in the 30-6 loss against Red River.    

Don’t let the 3-4 record for the Bulldogs think this was a surprise against Lakeside.  Red River has traveled to Catholic-Pointe Coupee (7-0), defending Division IV Non-Select state champion Oak Grove (6-1), and a road trip to White Castle (3-4).  This has been a road-tested team.  

The lone score for the Warriors came from Kentravion Miller with 18 carries for 106 yards.  

The Warrior’s defense kept the Bulldogs in check as Eli Santelices grabbed 7 tackles (6 solo, 2 assists) and snagged an interception.  Caleb Bryant added another 6 tackles (3 solo, 6 assists) and added an interception.  Jamarion Evans had 5.5 tackles (2 solo, 7 assists).  

Red River’s Cedric Moody reached the end zone twice.  Jomello McDonald and Carl Lewis each added a touchdown for the Bulldogs.  

Lakeside is not out of the district race yet.  Lakeside dropped to third in the district with the loss on Friday.  The last two weeks of the regular season can determine who could district champion.  Scenarios exist for outright titles for Winnfield and Red River.  Other scenarios show how Lakeside could share a district or even a three-way split.  

The Warriors season is in no way over with the loss and are currently looking at a first-round home playoff matchup.  The loss brings up a sports debate that has gone on for years. Does the loss take the pressure off of being perfect or does it become a stumbling block for the rest of the season.  They will answer that one game at a time and that will begin on the road Friday at Ringgold (3-4).