By Shawn White
(Under the Radar NWLA)
The Homer Pelicans and the Haynesville Golden Tornado will be ready for the second round of the playoffs. The two teams took different routes to get to the second round. Haynesville got a week of rest as they were granted a first round bye and awaited the winner of the General Trass and Arcadia. General Trass upset Arcadia in a 22-6 matchup in Bienville Parish. Homer took care of business at The Nest with a 28-8 win over the Delhi Bears
Unless some upsets occur, Homer may be playing their last home game of the season as they will host 2A Oakdale (8-3). Haynesville will also have a 2A opponent facing General Trass (6-5) from Lake Providence.
Homer 28, Delhi 8
Homer took the win at the Nest on Friday night over the Delhi Bears. Jermaurion Pickens led the rushing attack for the Pelicans with 11 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Zyan Warren added a quarterback keeper for the score. Brandon Williams caught a touchdown pass from Kevin Williams. Raymond Castro took a punt return to the house for six.
Homer raced down to the red zone on a long pass from Warren to Dunn. Warren scored on a 5-yard quarterback keeper to take the early lead. Homer led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Homer got caught in the end zone to give up a safety to the Bears. Homer bounced back. Andrevious Buggs snagged an interception giving Homer one last chance at scoring in the first half. The Pelicans added six points with no time left on the clock as Kevin Williams connected with Brandon Williams. Homer took a 12-2 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Bears held the Pels scoreless in the third quarter and cut the lead early in the fourth witha touchdown but missed the two point conversion. Homer led 12-8 with a little over 9 minute remaining. Pickens broke loose on a 27-yard run and pushed the lead to two scores at 20-8 after Williams ran in the 2-point conversion. Raymond Castro locked the win in for the Pels returning a short punt 35-yards for the touchdowns and advancing to the next round with the 28-8 win.