Louisiana North DeSoto High School 2015 Football Season Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Head Coach: Scott Abernathy
Mascot: Griffins
District: 1-4A
2014: 9-3
Location: Stonewall, Louisiana

Overview
In 2014 North DeSoto opened the season with a seven-game winning streak before falling 34-13 to Edna Karr in the second round of the 4A playoffs. Expectations are just as high, if not higher, for North DeSoto going into the 2015 season. The Griffins return nine offensive starters and nine defensive starters and look to build off their great season in 2014. North DeSoto’s biggest game this year will be when they travel to Benton on
Oct. 2.

Offense
North DeSoto scored 25 points a game in 2014 and plan to keep the same momentum on offense with senior Kyler Radford under center. Radford started in his sophomore year for the Griffins but did not play last year.

The two biggest offensive weapons are Delmonte Hall and Dennis Hall. Delmonte played running back and wide receiver last year rushing for 814 yards while scoring 15 touchdowns. For his efforts he was selected first-team All-District. Dennis rushed for 941 yards and was selected second-team All-District.

The leader of the offensive line is 6’2″, 305 pound, senior Will Champion who is gaining interest from colleges.

Defense
The Griffins came out plus five a game giving up 20 points a game a year ago on defense. North DeSoto also returns nine starters on the defensive side of the ball leading to high expectations for a stout defense in 2015.

The leader of the defensive line is senior J.R. Davlin who was selected second-team All-District as a junior. The leader of the linebackers is senior Justin Gaskin who had 144 tackles and five sacks in 2014. Gaskin was also selected first-team All-District and second-team All-State in his junior year. One of the leaders of the secondary is senior Caleb Brown. Brown had three interceptions in one game and was selected second-team All-District in 2014.

Schedule
9/4 Natchitoches Central
9/11 at Mansfield
9/18 Many
9/25 Bossier
10/2 at Benton
10/9 Woodlawn
10/15 at Northwood
10/22 at Huntington
10/30 Minden
11/5 at Fair Park

Photo credit: shreveporttimes.com; Delmonte Hall rushes up the middle against Benton (2014).