KAPLAN — The Kaplan Pirates scored two touchdowns before 25th-seeded North Webster entered Friday’s Division III non-selection bi-district playoff game.

It was that kind of night for the Knights from Springhill in northern Louisiana, who fumbled two kicks and had a punt blocked in a 50-0 loss to the eighth-seeded Pirates. series, which saw a clock ticking down with more than five minutes to play. first half.

“We put pressure on them,” Pirates coach Stephen “Tank” Lotief said. “We beat them everywhere. We beat them with execution. We beat them with fundamentals. We never let them get ahead.”

The Pirates (8-2) got the first of three first-half rushing touchdowns from tight end Daylon Landry on their first possession. Landry, who rushed for 142 yards on 13 carries, scored on 26, 17 and 9 yards.

Javonte’ Mouton recovered a forced fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the Knights 14. Wyatt Hebert, who also had a TD run in the first half, carried for five yards and Bradyn Bearb followed with a nine-yard run and a quick 12-0 lead. .

“We set the tone,” Lotief said of the hits that forced fumbles. “We played them. I thought we were the better team, hands down, after watching film, and our kids played. That’s important. Our seniors have never won a playoff game before. “

The Pirates showed off their passing ability. Quarterback Sabe David threw a 14-yard pass to tight end Carter Petry to take a 28-0 lead late in the first quarter. Earlier, David connected with Landry on a two-point conversion pass that followed Hébert’s one-yard plunge.

“It’s good because it opens up the run and allows us to pass the ball the way we want,” said David, who threw a 44-yard touchdown in a win over Southern Lab. “It’s good to have three guys to pass the ball to and know they’re going to gain three yards no matter what.”

Landry surpassed the 1,000 rushing yard mark this season. Hébert, who had 32 yards on 10 carries against North Webster, leads the team with 20 touchdowns. Bearb carried seven times for 52 yards.

“Sabe David does what he has to do,” Lotief said. “He’s a smart kid. He doesn’t get a lot of credit. People think he just passes the ball. He’s respected in this group. He tells the kids what to do.”

The Knights (3-8) rushed for four yards in each of the first two quarters and failed to complete their first six passes against a Kaplan defense that allows fewer than 50 rushing yards per game.

“We had a good game plan,” Lotief said. “Guys are starting to trust. ‘Do your job. Don’t worry about the stats. Don’t worry about the tackle,’ that’s what we tell them.

“Do your job. We will achieve success.”

Landry’s second touchdown and a two-point dive from Hébert made it 36-0 at 10:28 of the second quarter. Landry’s third score and a Gannon Smith PAT made it 43-0 with 5:59 left in the half.

Kaplan will host No. 9 Pine (8-3) – a 40-16 winner over No. 21 St. Helena – in the regional round. Lotief, who has taken Kaplan teams to the semifinals three times, believes this team has what it takes.

“We talked about it,” he said. “This team can be special. It can be on (a banner) on the gym wall. These teams don’t come around much.”