Northshore to host Slidell tonight

Inner-city rivals meet tonight when the Northshore Panthers host Slidell’s Tigers in a District 6-5A clash.

Each team comes into action with 4-2-district records. Overall, Northshore is 6-2, while Slidell, winner of three games in a row, is 5-3. In those games the Tigers have outscored its opponents 128-26.

One of these teams could get a share of the district title. If Covington beats Mandeville, the victorious team in this game would finish tied with Mandeville for tops in the district. Staying with that scenario, there could be a three-way tie atop the district if St. Paul’s beats Fontainebleau.

If Mandeville beats Covington, the Skippers get the district championship to themselves.

Last week, the Panthers lost to Mandeville, 14-7, while Slidell blanked Hammond, 33-0.

Northshore coach Mike Bourg said the Tigers are probably playing better than anyone in the district.

“They are clicking on all cylinders,” Bourg said. “They are much improved since the jamboree. For us to win, we have to bring our ‘A’ game. We didn’t do that against Mandeville. We’re not good enough to have an off game and win.”

Tigers’ coach Artie Liuzza said Northshore is a good football team.

“It’s probably the best team they’ve had since Mike (Bourg) has been coaching the team,” Liuzza said. “You don’t beat the defending district champs (St. Paul’s) without being a good team. They have really good talent. They execute both offensively and defensively and that’s what it’s all about.”

The teams met last season with Slidell coming out on top, 34-10. They also played each other in the jamboree and Northshore won, 16-12.

Offensively, the Panthers run the spread with Jervious Epherson at quarterback. Last week, Epherson showed off his ability to run and pass. He completed 14-of-24 for 171 yards. He also carried the ball 20 times for 93 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown run.

This season, Epherson has hit on 73-129 for 963 yards, nine touch downs and four interceptions. He has also produced 525 yards and five scores on the ground.

Northshore’s leading receiver is senior Archie Ambo, who has 21 receptions for 298 yards and three touchdowns.

Last week, Epherson connected with senior wide receiver Andrew Cossé six times for 52 yards. This season, Cossé has 16 catches for 186 yards and a score.

The running back is senior Channing Wise, who has 139 carries for 1,003 yards and nine TDs. He is averaging 7.2 yards a tote.

Defensively, Slidell bases out of a 4-3. Since giving up 45 points to St. Paul’s on Oct. 10, the Tigers have allowed just 26 over the last three weeks and seven over the last two.

Coach Liuzza gave his thoughts on the reason his unit is playing much better.

“We haven’t done a lot of different things. I think our coaches are paying more attention to detail and because of that, our kids have improved,” Liuzza said.

Coach Liuzza said his front seven has played well and the secondary is improving.

In last week’s game, Romeo Garcia had an interception and Michael Norman picked off a throw on a fake punt by Hammond. Slidell running back Jaron Wiggins also had a fumble recovery and Hammond intercepted a pass.

Offensively, Slidell runs the spread with senior Blake Forbis at quarterback. The signal caller has been red hot of late. Over the last three games, Forbis has thrown for 695 yards and nine touchdowns.

Last week, Forbis connected on 19-of-25 for 289 yards and three scores. He hit Travis Markey, Tyler Ziegler and Zack Clark for the touchdowns.

The running backs are Wiggins and Zachary Johnson. Last week, both found the end zone on the ground. Wiggins had a three-yard run, while Johnson got the final tally with a two-yard score.

Defensively, Northshore runs a 4-3 defense. Last week, junior middle linebacker Taylor Eads led the charge with eight tackles, one for a loss. Senior defensive back James Wigstrom and junior lineman Alex Black each recorded four tackles and one assist.

Senior linebacker Chris Ruiz was in on four stops with one assist and one for loss. Senior linebacker Chris Wade had a pair of tackles with an assist and three passes defended. Sophomore lineman Terangi Phipher tallied three tackles, one for loss.