Russell Hedges
rhedges@bossierpress.com
The Haughton Buccaneers and Bossier Bearkats both lost in regular-season high school football finales Thursday night.
Haughton dropped a 34-13 decision to the fifth-ranked Byrd Yellow Jackets in a District 1-5A game at Lee Hedges Stadium.
The Bucs finished the regular season 6-4 and 2-3 in district. They will be on the road in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs next Friday.
Bossier fell to Green Oaks 25-14 in a District 1-3A game at Northwood’s Jerry Burton Stadium.
The Bearkats closed a tough season 1-9 overall and 0-6 in district.
At Lee Hedges, Byrd’s option offense rolled up 433 total yards with 398 of that coming on the ground.
Haughton quarterback Will Haines, still hampered by a hamstring injury, completed 25 of 34 passes for 230 yards. PJ Douglas caught nine passes for 103 yards. Javonte Woodard grabbed eight for 89.
After falling behind 20-0, Haughton rallied but failed to convert on a couple of scoring opportunities.
“We’re having a hard time scoring, and we can’t run the quarterback right now,” Haughton coach Rodney Guin said. “So we’re kind of handicapped there and they know that so that makes it even harder.
“But we played hard, and these suckers are good we’re playing. These are good football teams in our league. We’re right there with them, but with the injuries we just can’t stay up there with them right now.”
The Yellow Jackets (9-1, 4-1) scored on their first three possessions, including a drive that started at the Haughton 30 after an interception.
Haughton finally came alive late in the first half, driving 86 yards in five plays for a touchdown.
Douglas had catches of 25 and 26 yards. Woodard made a leaping 30-yard catch in the end zone.
The defense came up with a couple of big stops late in the first half and early in the second.
Haughton stopped Byrd quarterback Tyler Howard for no gain on fourth-and-3 from the Haughton 15.
The Bucs tried an onsides kick to start the second half and it backfired when Byrd returned it to the Haughton 16.
But the defense came through again. On fourth down from the 19, Byrd botched the snap on a field goal attempt.
Haughton then drove to a first down at the Byrd 19 behind the passing of Haines.
But the Bucs were eventually forced to punt after an intentional grounding call on third down.
A few minutes later, Byrd’s Tyson Hardman zig-zagged his way for a 64-yard score.
Haughton’s final touchdown came on a 21-yard pass from Haines to Bradley Bockhaus.
