By Gray Haynes
The North Webster Knights traveled down Interstate 20 this Friday to face the Sterlington Panthers in a district 1-3A matchup. Sterlington won the coin toss and deferred their option to the second half. North Webster took the opening kickoff out to the 33 yard line where they began their night. Confusion running a new offense caused the Knights to have to call a timeout on the first offensive play. The Knights picked up a first down on the ground, but then they had to punt from their own 45. Sterlington began their first offensive drive from their own 25 yard line. The Panthers methodically ran the ball down the field and scored on a 3 yard run. The PAT was good to put Sterlington up 7-0. The ensuing kickoff went through the endzone giving North Webster the ball on their own 20. North Webster had trouble securing the snap from under center and fumbled at their own 25. Three plays later, Sterlington crossed the goal line to make the score 14-0.
After another touchback, the Knights began their next drive at the 20. The Knights’ new offense looked good moving the ball down to the Sterlington 29. After 3 consecutive penalties caused the Knights to face a 3rd and 25, they went for it on 4th and 5, but the visitors were unable to convert. Sterlington drove across midfield and fumbled at the North Webster 43. After picking up a first down, North Webster fumbled another snap and gave the ball back to Sterlington at the Panthers’ 47 yard line. Four plays later, Sterlington reached pay dirt to make the score 20. The two point conversion attempt was no good. North Webster returned the kickoff out to the 25 where they began their next drive. An untimely penalty negated a first down, and the Knights had to punt from the 30.
Sterlington took over at the Knights’ 49. Donte Owens picked off a Sterlington pass at the North Webster 20 and returned it to the 36 to thwart the Panthers’ drive. The Knights ran two times to end the half with the score 20-0 in favor of the home team.
Sterlington took the 2nd half kickoff out to the 32 yard line. On their first play from scrimmage, a 68 yard run made the score 26-0. The PAT was good to increase the lead to 27. North Webster took over at their own 20 after another touchback. They were forced to punt the ball back to Sterlington. The Panthers took over at the North Webster 41. Six plays later, the home team increased their lead with another touchdown. The two point attempt was no good. The score was 33-0 midway through the 3rd quarter. North Webster took the ensuing kickoff out to the 29 yard line. On a 3rd down and 5 play, North Webster threw up a jump ball that was intercepted at the North Webster 41. Sterlington marched down the field throwing the ball and running the quarterback to score again. After the PAT was good, the Panthers increased their lead to 40-0.
The Knights fumbled the ensuing kickoff and recovered it on their own 6 yard line. On the second play of the final period, North Webster attempted a punt from their own end zone. The snap slipped through the hands of the punter and out the back of the end zone. The safety made the score 42-0 in favor of the home team. This would be the final score. Next week, the Knights host Richwood for Homecoming at Baucum-Farrar Stadium in Springhill.
