After a rough first half of the season, the Bossier Bearkats went into Friday's game against Northwood looking for some momentum to carry them into the second half.
They got it.
The Bearkats knocked off the previously undefeated Falcons 35-28 at Memorial Stadium. Bossier completed the first half of the regular season 2-3. Northwood dropped to 4-1 under second-year head coach Jim Gatlin, a former Parkway head coach.
“We’ve been trying to find something to stimulate us, to get the train back on the right track,” Bossier coach Michael Concilio said. “The kids bought in. This is what we needed.”
The Bearkats have faced some adversity this season. Running back Xavier Chism missed his second straight game with a pulled hamstring. He is expected to return this Friday, Concilio said.
Also, Bossier lost running back/defensive back Deandre Federick to a broken ankle in the first game of the season.
Senior Tevin Robertson, a safety and tight end, played with a sore ankle against Northwood.
Robertson made one of the game’s biggest plays. With Bossier leading 28-27 late in the fourth quarter and the Bearkats facing a fourth-and-8 at the Falcons 25, Robertson ran 14 yards on an end around for a first down.
Quarterback Samuel Dudley scored on an 18-yard run to give the Bearkats the 35-28 lead with 1:23 left.
Robertson also blocked the extra point after Northwood scored to get within one with 10:45 left in the game.
Dudley rushed for 124 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jaquarious Tutt in the first half.
Tutt also ran for big yardage on the Bearkats’ final touchdown drive.
Rodney Bonds was another hero.
He blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to give Bossier the 28-21 lead. He also led the defense with eight tackles.
Darius Leary scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first half.
Bossier was coming off a 23-13 loss to North Webster, a team it beat 55-14 last season. But Concilio said the Bearkats didn't get down.
“Believe it or not, coming off that loss we had the best week of practices since I’ve been here,” he said.
“This football team is very resilient. We preached team, team, team all week. All we had was what dressed in the locker room. It took every one of us tonight —offense, special teams, defense.”
