Northwest Raiders
2017 Record: 9-4
How it Happened: By any account 2017 was a very successful season for Northwest Raiders football. The team going all the way to the state quarterfinals in 3A before falling to the eventual state champion in West Feliciana.
But the bar is set a bit higher at Northwest. 2017 also marked the third straight year the Raiders made it to the quarterfinals and lost. Something fifth-year head coach Chris Edwards hopes will change this season.
Edwards says this summer has been all about getting faster for his team. The Raiders bring back five starters on offense and five on defense — including junior quarterback Montaze Sam. Sam has played safety, running back and linebacker in the past, but Edwards wants to see the junior concentrate more on the passing game this year.
The biggest loss this offseason is no doubt standout wide receiver August Pitre. Now as Pitre prepares to play receiver for Rice University this fall, the Raiders will have to find a way to replace his 765 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2017.