It took them a little while to get separation, but the Parkway Panthers stayed unbeaten with a 69-40 District 1-5A victory over the Natchitoches Central Chiefs Friday night at Bobby Marlow Field at Preston Crownover Stadium.
Parkway improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in district. Natchitoches Central dropped to 1-3 and 0-3.
With 9:43 left in the second quarter, Natchitoches Central cut a 27-13 Parkway lead to 27-20. But the Panthers scored two straight touchdowns to go up 41-20.
After the Chiefs pulled within 41-27, Kaleb Williams hit Antonio Gladney for a 22-yard touchdown and the Panthers led 48-27 at the half.
Natchitoches Central got within 14 again early in the third quarter but Parkway answered and led 55-34 with 8:47 left in the third.
The Panthers went over the 60-point mark for the second week in a row on an 11-yard run by AJ Johnson with 6:27 still left in the third.
Williams continued his stellar season, completing 15-of-21 passes for 322 yards and five touchdowns.
Gary Burney and Gladney, who have also been outstanding, accounted for all 15 receptions. Burney caught 10 for 172 yards and three touchdowns and Gladney caught five for 150 and two.
Sophomore Damian Decaldecal rushed for more than 100 yards for the second week in a row. He had 140 on 23 carries and scored two TDs. Johnson had 70 on seven and scored two. Braxxton Black gained 47 yards on eight carries and scored one.
Freshman Thad Smith was 7-of-7 on extra-point kicks.
Linebacker Brady Prine led the defense with nine total tackles, including two for loss. He also recovered a fumble.
Safeties Dallas Loche and Mark Copenhaver had eight each. Loche also had an interception and forced a fumble.
Cornerback Peyton Rayner had six total tackles. Defensive end Rod Johnson and linebacker Colby Lee had five each.
Parkway plays Byrd Friday night at Lee Hedges Stadium. The Yellow Jackets defeated John Ehret 33-0 Friday night.
Note: Statistics provided by coaches.