By Mark Chreene
The much-anticipated battle of unbeatens never developed into the game Minden had hoped for Friday night.
North DeSoto scored three first-quarter touchdowns, built a 41-13 halftime advantage and handed the Crimson Tide their first loss of the season, 61-27, at Griffin Stadium.
Minden struggled to establish any offensive rhythm early, and field position quickly became a problem.
After the teams exchanged punts to begin the game, a failed Minden fourth-down attempt gave North DeSoto possession at the Tide 39. The Griffins needed six plays to take advantage, with Miller Warren scoring from a yard out for a 7-0 lead.
Things got worse on Minden’s next possession.
A blocked punt gave North DeSoto the ball at the Minden 20, and just 17 seconds later Derik White scored from a yard out to make it 14-0.
North DeSoto struck again late in the quarter. Hayden Bell ripped off a 50-yard run and followed it with an 11-yard touchdown on the next snap, pushing the lead to 21-0.
Minden finally found a spark before the quarter ended.
Kaiden King connected with Jardon Carey for a 48-yard touchdown on third-and-6, cutting the deficit to 21-7 with 39 seconds remaining.
But every time Minden appeared to gain some momentum, North DeSoto answered.
The Griffins opened the second-quarter scoring with a 75-yard drive capped by White’s second touchdown, a two-yard run that made it 28-7.
Jaden Johnson responded immediately for Minden, returning the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score 28-13.
North DeSoto answered again.
Mason Smith found Khy Johnson for a 45-yard touchdown on fourth-and-5, extending the lead to 34-13.
Minden then put together one of its better offensive possessions of the half. A 35-yard King completion to Ian Clark helped the Tide drive 60 yards to the North DeSoto 5, but Minden came away empty when a fourth-down pass fell incomplete.
The missed opportunity proved costly.
Starting at its own 5 with 2:38 remaining, North DeSoto drove 95 yards in nine plays, with Smith finding Chris Kennedy for a 16-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left in the half.
Instead of potentially trimming the deficit, Minden went to the locker room trailing 41-13.
Any hopes of a second-half comeback took another blow almost immediately.
Braylon Moore returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter 85 yards for a touchdown, stretching North DeSoto’s lead to 47-13 just 16 seconds into the half.
After forcing another Minden punt, the Griffins drove 86 yards in 10 plays. Smith’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Moore and a successful two-point conversion made it 55-13.
Minden continued to battle.
King connected with Johnson for 32 yards on third-and-10 and later found him for 13 yards on fourth-and-3 during a 58-yard scoring drive. Lucas Owens finished it with a six-yard touchdown run, and Johnson connected with King for the two-point conversion to make it 55-21.
North DeSoto added a five-yard Brody Snedegar touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
Minden answered once more after Ian Clark’s 63-yard kickoff return put the Tide at the North DeSoto 22. King found Johnson for 15 yards, and Owens scored his second touchdown on a seven-yard run for the game’s final points.
The final numbers reflected North DeSoto’s control of the game.
The Griffins out gained Minden 516-206 and piled up 301 rushing yards on 35 carries, an average of 8.6 yards per attempt. Minden managed only 38 rushing yards on 23 attempts and nine first downs compared with North DeSoto’s 24.
North DeSoto was also a perfect 6-for-6 in the red zone.
Bell led the Griffins’ ground attack with 129 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while White added 70 yards and two scores. Smith completed 15 of 30 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns.
King finished 12-of-30 for 168 yards and a touchdown for Minden without throwing an interception. Johnson caught seven passes for 83 yards in addition to his 81-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Carey had two catches for 48 yards and a score.
Owens led Minden on the ground with 36 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.
The loss leaves Minden at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in district play, with the Tide now looking to bounce back as the schedule turns toward home. Minden will play its final three games at The Pit over the next four weeks, beginning Friday night when the Tide hosts Northwood.