Northwood (Shreveport) Falcons

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Austin Brown (4th year)

2022 record: 9-3 (District Champions, State Quarterfinalists)

Class & District: Class 4A (District 1)

2022 Playoffs: 1st Round Bye, Defeated St. Paul’s 35-9 in 2nd Round, Lost to Brother Martin 28-14 in Quarterfinals of  

Northwood is in District 1, which is one of the toughest districts in 4A as Woodlawn, Minden, North Desoto, Huntington and Evangel Christian are all in the district. With all the great teams in its district, it’s quite amazing that the Falcons were able to win the district back-to-back the last two seasons.

“We are a very young team in 2023 and if we get a lot of sophomores to contribute, we will be ok in the end,” said Northwood head coach Austin Brown. “We have some very talented young players in the program. We don’t have one running back returning with a carry in a varsity game. However, we will have one of the most athletic defenses I’ve had here in eight years even though eight of the starters are new.”

Brown was a graduate assistant at Northwestern State under then-head coach Bradley Dale Peveto.

The offense will have a new starting quarterback in senior Hutson Hearron (6-3, 215). Hearron played tight end and was an All-District punter last season. He also made the All-District team in basketball and baseball as well. Hearron is a third-generation Northwood student in his family and his mother is a teacher at the school as well. He is a very talented kid who has a chance to put up some great numbers in his only year as the starting quarterback in 2023.

The Offense will rely on the experience of senior ATH/RB Desmond Harris (5-11, 185) who is a team captain and does it all for the program. The Falcons also return WR Tucker McCabe (5-10, 190) who missed most of the 2022 season due to injury. McCabe has good speed and hands and is also an All-State baseball player for the Falcons. Then there’s senior ATH Elijah Crawford (5-7, 170) who plays running back, wide receiver and free safety for the team. Northwood also returns senior WR Chase Stewart (5-8, 160) who also missed most of the 2022 season and is a playmaker.

Running backs John Snead, Kaleb Armstrong, Tomarcus Keith and Tyren Johnson will all be counted on to play varsity for the first time. Although they are young, all three are talented backs looking to compete for 100 percent of the RB production from 2022 due to graduation. 

The offensive line will be undersized for Class 4A but they are very tough kids. The unit is led by center Chance Young (5-10, 250), who can block anyone on the field. There’s also senior OG Beau Brady (5-10, 255),  who is a veteran lineman and a team captain. The rest of the line will be determined in the fall. 

The defense has a special player back in leader All-DIstrict LB Jeremiah Reed (5-10, 215) who has 4.6 speed and is extremely gifted when it comes to reading everything thrown his way. Northwood also returns two-year starting MLB Christian Blackmon and senior FS/CB James Hollingsworth (6-2, 180) who has 4.5 speed and will get a chance to show all of it for college scouts this season. You also have senior DE Jaden Terry (5-11, 205, 4.7 speed), DE Zy’Terious Gardner (4.7 speed), DE Brayden Ramirez (6-0, 215) and RB/WR Elijah Crawford will also play a lot of defensive back for the team. There are a few spots open to win the fall at defensive back.

The special teams will be led by kicker Alexander Williams who has a good leg and it will be his second year starting for the program. 

This is the first time in school history had three or more DI players sign in the same year. The signees are CB Mar’Jayvious Moss (Memphis), DT Ta’Derius Collins(Indiana) and OL Ja’Marion Kennedy (Louisiana Tech). Last year’s quarterback, Mason Welch, signed with Kilgore Junior College (Texas).

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