Northshore’s Panthers welcome the St. Paul’s Wolves tonight in a District 6-5A match up.

Both teams enter the contest with 2-1 records in district.

Overall, St. Paul’s, the three-time defending district champion, is 5-1, while Northshore is 4-1.

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Last year’s game went to the Wolves, 20-14.

The two teams are coming off wins as St. Paul’s defeated Slidell, 45-24, and Northshore knocked off Hammond, 56-7.

Something to watch for will take place in the trenches when St. Paul’s junior defensive end Houston Bates (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) takes on Northshore senior offensive lineman Chris Faulk (6-6, 315), who has a verbal commitment to LSU.

This season, Bates has been in on 44 tackles and 19 individual stops. He leads the Wolves with 11 sacks, with nine stops for a loss and two forced fumbles, which have both been returned for touchdowns. Last week, Bates recorded four solos and had a sack.

St. Paul’s coach Ken Sears said they move Bates around to both sides of the line, so the two will do battle during the game.

“Chris Faulk’s a tremendous kid and athlete for his size. Houston’s quick off the ball and explosive when the ball is snapped,” Sears said.

Northshore coach Mike Bourg said he is looking forward to seeing how it pans out.

“That will be the match up of the year,” Bourg said. “The Bates kid is an extremely good football player. He plays with a motor that never stops, but I think our player is pretty good too.”

Offensively, St. Paul’s will start Alec Duncan at quarterback. Last week, he passed for 144 yards and a score. For the year, he has thrown for 399 yards with three TDs and one interception, while adding two tallies on the ground.

The running backs are Stephon Smith, Mikhail Washington and Josh Pereira. Last week, Smith ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns, including one for 64 yards.

This season, he has 361 yards and six tallies, while averaging 6.8 a carry.

Washington was the team’s second-leading rusher with 51 yards and he also found the end zone. This year, Washington has gone for 304 yards a pair of TDs and is averaging 7.2 yards a tote.

Pereira has carried the ball for 205 yards and two touchdowns so far this season.

When Duncan looks to throw, his main target will be Patrick Huval, who has caught a team-leading 18 passes for 419 yards and one touchdown. Smith is second with nine receptions for 117 yards and a TD.

They will be facing a Northshore defense led by its linebacking corps of seniors Chris Ruiz and Chris Wade along with Taylor Eads.

Coach Bourg said his linebackers have been playing well, but said the key will be the defensive line.

“We’re undersized, but we’ve got four tough kids up there. St. Paul’s is big and good up front,” Bourg said.

NHS’ line includes senior James Wigstrom (6-0, 235), juniors Alex Black (5-5, 175) and Mason McGee (6-0, 200) along with sophomore Terangi Phifer (5-9, 243).

Bourg said sophomore Brandon Taylor (5-9, 215), who also starts at offensive guard, will rotate in. Faulk and senior Chandler Emery (6-2, 265) will also see time on the line.

Offensively, Northshore runs a spread attack. Senior running back Channing Wise is having a great season.

He has gone for 747 yards and six touchdowns. Last week, he rushed for 233 yards and two scores.

The quarterback is junior Jervious Epherson. Last week, Epherson threw for 143 yards and two TDs, while completing 10-of-12 passes.

His scoring passes were to Archie Ambo and Ben Cardon.

Defensively, SPS is led in total tackles by back Greg Blasiar, who has been in on 44.5 stops.

Last week, he topped the Wolves with 11 tackles, seven individual, one for a loss, he broke up a pass and intercepted another.

Linebacker Jordan Bodenheimer has posted 42.5 stops, 32 solos, two for a loss and a forced fumble. Last week, he had eight total and one for a loss.