Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Airline). Everything went their way against the Natchitoches Central Chiefs on Friday as the Airline Vikings made off with a 76-52 win. Considering the Vikings have won five matchups by more than 22 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Ben Taylor was his usual excellent self, throwing for 460 yards and six touchdowns while completing 82.4% of his passes, and also punching in two touchdowns on the ground. He has been hot , having posted four or more passing touchdowns the last six times he's played. Kenny Darby was Taylor's top target, picking up 202 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Airline was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 224 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since the start of last season.
Despite the loss, Natchitoches Central still got an impressive performance from Owen Smith, who threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns, and also rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown on only 14 carries. Those 147 rushing yards gave Smith a new career-high. Jordan Carpenter was another key player, picking up 77 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The victory for Airline keeps them at an undefeated 8-0. As for Natchitoches Central, they are on a seven-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 1-8.
Airline is taking a road trip to challenge Byrd at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Airline is looking to tack on another W to their eight-game streak on the road dating back to last season. As for Natchitoches Central, they will host Huntington at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Huntington is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 32 points per game this season.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
