By Joey Grappe
The No. 5 North Caddo Titans hosted the No. 4 Avoyelles Mustangs in AA quarterfinal action tonight at Sanders Prudehome Stadium.
North Caddo and the Mustangs traded blows the first half each scoring three touchdowns. The Mustangs scored on their first possession driving the ball 82 yards in 12 plays to take the lead. North Caddo answered with their own 87 yard drive in 13 plays capped off by a Juvontavious Hodge TD run as the first quarter ended. The Mustangs, using half the second quarter on their next possession, scored making it 16-8 Mustangs.
One minute and seventeen seconds later Juvontavious Hodge scored his second rushing TD from 39 yards out. Hodge to Miller for the conversion and the game was tied at 16. With 1:07 to go in the half the Mustangs scored their third TD retaking the lead. North Caddo struck back going 56 yards in 2 plays on a 27 second drive. It would be a Juvontavious Hodge to Omarion Miller hookup for a 40 yard TD pass. North Caddo failed to convert and at the half North Caddo trailed the Mustangs 22-24.
North Caddo won the toss and deferred to the second half which was to be a great advantage for them. The advantage was short lived when the Mustangs recovered an onside kick. The Mustangs would go down and score extending their lead 32-22.
North Caddo suffered a few tough breaks as the third quarter continued. The Mustangs took advantage and scored again with 2:37 to go in the third making it 40-22.
North Caddo were not giving up. North Caddo scored on their next possession when Matthew Thomas hit Omarion Miller for a 43 yard TD.
As the third quarter ended North Caddo trailed the Mustangs 40-28. With 4:50 to go in the game the Mustangs scored their sixth TD of the game. The Mustangs went on to win 46-28.
While the 2021 North Caddo football season might have come to an end, the season will be forever etched in the record books. The 2021 incarnation made history being the first team to defeat the Dequincy Tigers in school history. They are the first team to win a second round playoff in school history. They are the first team to be district champs three consecutive years in school history. They are the first team to take the field in a quarterfinal game in school history.
The 2021 team made the best case with their achievements as the best football team in North Caddo history.
The offense, the defense, each individual player, the coaches, the “freshmen” who started because they are that talented, I could write novels on each of these and it would be my pleasure but time and space will not permit.
The 2021 football season is over. This season I have witnessed greatness. I have witnessed history being made. I have witnessed the greatest football team in North Caddo High School history. I have witnessed young men suit up and go into battle. I have witnessed them fight beside one another until the final whistle.
I have made friends. I have walked among Titans.