Natchitoches Central pounded out a 30-7 victory over Captain Shreve at Lee Hedges Stadium on Friday night. Despite the fact that the Chiefs (2-1) had six turnovers and eight fumbles with four lost, the Chiefs defense kept the Gators from getting into the end zone until the fourth quarter. “We never could get in sync offensively and we put the ball on the ground,’’ Natchitoches Central coach Brandon Helm said. “I could make excuses for us but I’m not coming off a short week..…luckily our defense stood up and played very, very well.” The Gators came in as a young team that is nursing some injuries. “We are extremely young and we’ve been hit big time with injuries on the offensive line….overcoming those injuries with young kids replacing even younger kids makes it tough,’’ Gators coach Byrant Sepulvado said. “We’ve got to go back to the drawing board and keep at it…I think effort was good but execution wasn’t. We go back to the drawing board and clean it up.’’ The Gators struggled right off the start as they had two bad snaps that resulted in a 30-yard loss and the next play Tristan Dubois tackled Lucas Grubbs in the end zone to take an early 2-0 lead within the first minute of the game. The Gators continued to struggle throughout the first half as they had had minus-49 rushing yards the first half. The Natchitoches Central defense kept the Chiefs in the game as they struggled with control of the ball. The Chiefs took control in the second quarter. Natchitoches Central struck with a 54-yard play from Austin Guy to Brandon Rachal. The next play Garry Powell punched in a 5-yard run early in the second quarter to expand their lead to 9-0. Natchitoches Central took advantage of two second quarter turnovers by the Gators. Late in the second quarter, Austin Guy connected with Brandon Rachal for a 20-yard touchdown pass to close out the first half with a 16-0 lead. Natchitoches Central defense continued its dominance into the third quarter. In an unusual set of plays resulted where Natchitoches Central eventually broadened its lead. Captain Shreve began to punt the ball from its 22-yard line when Natchitoches Central blocked the kick and the Chiefs recovered on the 8 yard line. The Chiefs’ offensive woes continued as on the next play, they lost the ball once again for a fumble. The next play was an interception by Zack Dubois. Eventually, Austin Guy marched the Natchitoches Central down to the 1-yard line where he get the touchdown. Captain Shreve didn’t give up. Early in the fourth quarter, Lucas Grubb connected with Camron Davis for the lone score for the Gators. The Chiefs sealed the game with a final touchdown by Jason Fortenberry late in the fourth quarter. Natchitoches Central pounded out a 30-7 victory over Captain Shreve at Lee Hedges Stadium on Friday night. Despite the fact that the Chiefs (2-1) had six turnovers and eight fumbles with four lost, the Chiefs defense kept the Gators from getting into the end zone until the fourth quarter. “We never could get in sync offensively and we put the ball on the ground,’’ Natchitoches Central coach Brandon Helm said. “I could make excuses for us but I’m not coming off a short week..…luckily our defense stood up and played very, very well.” The Gators came in as a young team that is nursing some injuries. “We are extremely young and we’ve been hit big time with injuries on the offensive line….overcoming those injuries with young kids replacing even younger kids makes it tough,’’ Gators coach Byrant Sepulvado said. “We’ve got to go back to the drawing board and keep at it…I think effort was good but execution wasn’t. We go back to the drawing board and clean it up.’’ The Gators struggled right off the start as they had two bad snaps that resulted in a 30-yard loss and the next play Tristan Dubois tackled Lucas Grubbs in the end zone to take an early 2-0 lead within the first minute of the game. The Gators continued to struggle throughout the first half as they had had minus-49 rushing yards the first half. The Natchitoches Central defense kept the Chiefs in the game as they struggled with control of the ball. The Chiefs took control in the second quarter. Natchitoches Central struck with a 54-yard play from Austin Guy to Brandon Rachal. The next play Garry Powell punched in a 5-yard run early in the second quarter to expand their lead to 9-0. Natchitoches Central took advantage of two second quarter turnovers by the Gators. Late in the second quarter, Austin Guy connected with Brandon Rachal for a 20-yard touchdown pass to close out the first half with a 16-0 lead. Natchitoches Central defense continued its dominance into the third quarter. In an unusual set of plays resulted where Natchitoches Central eventually broadened its lead. Captain Shreve began to punt the ball from its 22-yard line when Natchitoches Central blocked the kick and the Chiefs recovered on the 8 yard line.