By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
TIOGA – One school views itself as the big brother, the larger Class 5A school located in the city with more students and resources.
The other school is the smaller Class 4A school that doesn’t have as much glitz and glamor but boasts plenty of history and pride.
Pineville and Tioga will meet at 7 tonight at “The Reservation” in Tioga for what is being dubbed as the “Northside Knockout.”
It’s a game that doesn’t quite carry the importance it did prior to 2007 when the two teams were District 3-4A rivals, but it remains an extremely important rivalry game for students and alumni alike.
“It’s a big game to both communities and all the kids,” said Tioga coach Kevin Cook, who has changed his tune about the importance of the Pineville-Tioga rivalry. “My perspective has always been, we can’t be satisfied with winning games at home. We want to win games statewide. … It is a big deal to everybody, and I think that’s what it should be. If there’s a school up the road, it should be a big deal.”
Pineville coach Bryant Bell has a unique perspective on the rivalry having been on both sides. He worked for Cook as his defensive coordinator at Tioga before taking over the Pineville program three years ago.
“It’s definitely important to the alums,” Bell said. “When you have two big schools 3.5 miles apart, I think it’s a big ball game, and it’s a big ball game for our players, too. It’s where memories are made.”
Prior to Cook’s arrival at Tioga nine years ago, the rivalry had been dominated by Pineville, which won 14 of the previous 15 contests played before 2015. Since Cook became the Indians’ coach, though, Tioga has compiled a 5-2 record against the Rebels, including three wins in a row. (The two teams did not play in the Covid-shortened 2020 season.)
It’s a game featuring two contrasting styles. Tioga (2-0) features a spread offense whose strength is in its skill positions, particularly seniors Ja’Corian Norris, Bradley Riccardi and Josh Loyd. Pineville (1-1), meanwhile, wants to grind out yards on the ground behind its massive offensive line.
“They’re super athletic particularly in their secondary and with their receivers so we have to try to stay on top of their routes, tackle good in space and be sound in our fundamentals,” Bell said.
“We’re very undersized this year,” Cook said. “Typically we’re pretty what-for-what, but this year, just looking at their offensive line, they definitely have a 65- to 70-pound average in their favor.”
The Indians got a welcome blessing with the return last week of junior running back Travis Adams, who rushed for 95 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over Breaux Bridge.
Adams missed the Indians’ first game with an undisclosed illness. Cook initially thought Adams could miss as many as three or four games and is thankful for Adams’ rapid recovery.
“Obviously, I’m ecstatic because he does add a new dimension to the running game,” Cook said.
ASH debuts new turf
After consecutive road losses to state title contenders Carencro and St. Thomas More, Alexandria Senior High makes its home debut tonight, unveiling the new turf field at Butch Stoker Stadium.
The Trojans welcome Natchitoches Central (1-1) at 7 tonight as they look to end a three-game losing skid. ASH was supposed to unveil its new turf last week against STM, but a delay in installation pushed back the home opener to this week.
“I’ve been waiting so long for this,” senior safety Jason Blackwell said. “I’ve been wanting turf since I got here. I’m real excited to be the first team to play on it.”
“We’ve been waiting all summer for this,” senior defensive end Aayden Walker said. “We’re all anxious to get out there. … Everybody’s gonna be there. The whole community’s gonna be there.”
The Trojans have had two offensive standouts over the past two weeks. Senior quarterback Ty Feaster threw for 312 yards and 4 TDs in his Week 1 debut as the Trojans’ starter while junior JT Lindsey rushed for 144 yards and two TDs last week, but they are also trying to shake off slow starts and become more consistent in the first half.
Natchitoches Central has shown great excitement under new coach Jess Curtis, a three-time state champion at Many. The Chiefs are led by sophomore quarterback Owen Smith, a transfer from Calvary Baptist who is averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game with five TDs and two interceptions. Senior Camryn Davis has 19 catches for 369 yards and four TDs.
Despite their 0-2 start, the Trojans feel like they are very close to turning things around and hope to begin that tonight.
“It’s small, simple things we’re messing up,” Walker said. “It’s little things that, playing against the good teams we play against, you can’t mess up those little things or they’re gonna take advantage of them.”
REST OF THE SCHEDULE
This is the first week where all eight parish teams play on a Friday night.
Menard and Buckeye are at home this week, hosting St. Mary’s and Pine Prairie, respectively. Peabody plays at Logansport, Bolton travels to North Caddo and Northwood-Lena plays at Lakeview.