Louisiana Football: 2019 Northwood Falcons Preseason Preview
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
Shreveport’s Northwood High School had one of the best seasons in school history as the Falcons racked up 13 wins reaching the 4A state quarterfinals before suffering their only defeat of 2018 to Warren Easton (34-6). The Falcons return several key players on both sides of the ball and are looking to take that next step with a deeper playoff run. But as anyone in the Sportsman’s Paradise can tell you, a run in the Louisiana playoffs is never easy.
Falcons’ Offense
Northwood scored 37 points a game last year led on offense by Class of 2020 quarterback Luke Bogan. Bogan was on target in 2018 throwing for 2,205 yards with 33 touchdowns completing 61 percent of his passes. Junior Terrence Cook will once again be featured at running back after notching 1,253 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground while grabbing 26 passes for 367 yards and four more scores through the air. Bogan’s favorite target, Detraveon Brown, is also returning for his senior season after snagging 43 balls for 813 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. The offensive line is anchored by senior Cory Marshall (6-3, 332) who has committed to play college football at Louisiana-Lafayette.
Falcons’ Defensive
The Falcons gave up just 15 points per contest in 2018 and look to put that same lid on opposing offenses in 2019. Two featured linebackers returning are junior Jermaria Bailey, who put up 79 total tackles including eight tackles for a loss and three sacks, and senior Amiri Theus, who notched 53 total tackles and three tackles for a loss and six sacks last season. The defensive line is anchored by senior Josh Raborn. Raborn fought in the trenches for 37 total tackles including two tackles for a loss and three sacks in the trenches last season. One player who will be featured in the secondary is 2020 cornerback Cason Cox. Cox had 18 stops last season and snagged two interceptions.
Eagles’ 2019 Schedule
September 6 vs. Mansfield, Northwood High School
September 13 vs. Green Oaks, Northwood High School
September 20 at Southwood
September 27 vs. North DeSoto, Northwood High School
October 4 vs. Wossman, Northwood High School
October 11 at Booker T. Washington
October 18 vs. Evangel Christian Academy, Northwood High School
October 24 at Woodlawn
November 1 vs. Leesville, Northwood High School
November 8 vs. Red River, Northwood High School
Overview
With some of their tougher district games at homes, Northwood will definitely be in position for the district crown and another deep playoff run.
Photo credit: The Shreveport Times; Northwood QB Luke Bogan leading the Falcons again in 2019