By Gray Haynes
Haynesville Tornado took out the Knights Friday with a final score of 38-0.
The North Webster Knights opened the 2025 season against their traditional first week opponent, The Golden Tornado of Haynesville. Haynesville took the opening kickoff and drove the ball to near midfield where they were forced to punt. The Knights took over at their own 10 yard line. After a promising drive, penalties forced North Webster to punt on a 4th and 4 from near midfield. Haynesville began marching down the field. With 5:24 left in the first quarter, the Tornado completed a 36 yard catch and run to the tight end racing down the hash for the first score of the night. The point after touchdown was good to make the score Haynesville 7 and North Webster 0.
After an offsides call on the Tornado’s kickoff, the ball was fielded near the 5. After a very nice return by JD Harden and a late hit on Haynesville, the Knights had 1st and ten from the Haynesville 46. After 3 plays, The Knights lined up in punt formation. The punt was partially blocked and recovered by Haynesville near midfield. After a penalty and a couple of nice defensive stops by the North Webster defense, Haynesville faced a 3rd and 22. Haynesville’s quarterback heaved the ball downfield where it was tipped by the North Webster defensive back. The ball bounced right into the hands of the waiting Tornado receiver who trotted the rest of the way to the endzone. The snap on the PAT was errant, so the score was 13-0 Haynesville with 1:25 left in the first quarter.
Haynesville’s kickoff to North Webster sailed into the endzone for a touchback, so the Knights began their next possession from the 20. North Webster was able to pick up a few first downs until Haynesville intercepted a pass and returned it to the North Webster 30. Haynesville scored 8 plays later and converted the two point conversion to make the score 21-0 with 7:16 left in the first half.
The ensuing kickoff pinned the Knights on their own 16 yard line to start the next drive. After 3 plays, North Webster was forced to punt on a 4th and 1. Christian Whitlock boomed a 50 yard punt that was returned 40 yards and fumbled. The punter recovered the fumble at the North Webster 41 with 4:52 left in the half. The Knights matriculated the ball down the field until they stalled out on the 15 yard line with half a minute left in the half. After a fourth down pass fell incomplete, the Tornado took over on downs. Haynesville chose to kneel the ball to end the half. At halftime, the score was Haynesville 21 and North Webster 0.
Haynesville’s second half kickoff was another touchback giving the Knights the ball on the 20 yard line. The Knights couldn’t get anything going offensively and were forced to punt on a 4th and 9. Haynesville took over at the NW 45. Four plays later, Haynesville scored on a 25 yard pass into the endzone. The PAT was good to make the score 28-0.
North Webster took the kickoff out to the 31 yardline. Two plays later, they put the ball on the turf, and it was recovered by the Tornado. A few plays later, Haynesville ran a trap play from the 15 yard line. The fullback found his way into the South endzone to make the score 35-0. On the ensuing possession, North Webster was able to manage a few first downs before being forced to punt. Haynesville took over at their own 28 yard line. After rushing for a few first downs and a big run by the quarterback, Haynesville lined up to attempt a 36 yard field goal. The kick split the uprights to make the score 38-0.
Each team had another possession in the game, but that rounded out the scoring. The 0-1 Knights will host the North Caddo Titans next Friday night at Baucum-Farrar stadium at 7:00.
