By Matt Vines, The DeSoto Parish Journal 

STONEWALL – North DeSoto had this week circled on their calendars for more than a year. 

The Griffins, who earned the No. 1 seed in Division II Non-Select thanks to a dominating regular season performance that included winning their final nine regular season games, had planned on playing for a state title for a second straight season. 

But instead, the program’s 23 seniors said their final football goodbyes Friday in 28-20 loss to No. 12 seed Opelousas. 

Kick returner Lake Bates gave North DeSoto a spark late with a 65-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to pull within one score, but the Griffins couldn’t snatch the onside kick and give the offense one more chance. 

The offense did have its chances, losing a couple of fumbles in the red zone that took away scoring opportunities. 

“After the sting is over – it’s going to hurt awhile – but in no way does this diminish what this senior class has done,” North DeSoto coach Dennis Dunn told his players after the game. “This senior class has set the standard and left a legacy that will live on forever.  

“I’m so proud of how you fought and battled. We had some opportunities, but that’s over, and we’re going to build on this for the future. I love you, and these coaches are proud of you. We’ll cherish every moment. This thing will end, but the memories will last forever.” 

North DeSoto created plenty of memories. 

The Griffins made their first-ever appearance in a state title game this past year, winning a pair of road games to reach the Superdome in New Orleans before losing a late lead in a 28-25 loss to Lutcher. 

But Opelousas was this year’s North DeSoto as the Tigers won three straight road games – knocking off No. 5 West Feliciana, No. 4 Lutcher and the No. 1 Griffins to reach their first-ever state title game. 

Opelousas will meet up with fellow district member No. 2 Cecilia in that title game. Cecilia won the regular-season matchup 25-22 in Week 8. 

But the Griffins has cemented their status among the powers of Class 4A/Division II. 

Even without another chance at a state championship, North DeSoto continued to take steps forward this season. The Griffins won District 1-4A outright after sharing the title with Northwood in 2022 after the Falcons beat North DeSoto in the regular-season finale. 

North DeSoto posted seasons of 12 and 11 wins in the last two campaigns, finishing with a 23-4 combined mark after an 11-2 record this season. 

But it’s the manner in which North DeSoto largely dominated its opponents – 20 of those 23 wins by at least 20 points. 

Seniors like offensive linemen Gage Caskey and Michael Loupe may not have gotten the same recognition as fellow seniors running back Trysten Hopper and receiver Landry Wyatt, but the offensive line paved the way for a pair of 1,000-yard receivers and 1,000-yard rushers, an insane statistical accomplishment. 

Replacing 23 seniors spread over both sides of the ball will be difficult, but the Griffins do have some key guys back. 

Quarterback Luke Delafield will still have top target Cole Cory and top rusher Kenny Thomas on his side. Two of Delafield’s other favorite targets in Tucker Brewster and Eli Procell also return. 

Defensive leaders like Bates, Corbyn Cross and Brian McMillian will be hard to replace, but the culture North DeSoto has established should help prepare younger Griffins for bigger roles. 

Those lessons were learned by 1-3 and 0-4 starts to the 2020 and 2021 seasons, which both ended in late-season surges and second-round playoff exits. 

If current trends continue, it should be awhile before North DeSoto has to worry about second-round playoff exits. 

North DeSoto should remain a Class 4A/Division II contender for the foreseeable future.