By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

 Entering Week 10, Red River knew it had a playoff spot, and almost assuredly a first-round home playoff game, locked up.

The celebration for the team’s first district title since 2005 was over.

The “attaboys” from fellow students and community members had to feel pretty good.

Some teams might not have prepared quite as hard for a non-district road trip to a three-win Oakdale squad.

But Red River (6-4) is out to prove that they aren’t most teams.

After Red River and Oakdale circled each other for much of the first half, the Bulldogs separated themselves in a 36-8 win.

“There were still a number of factors to play for – pride, a winning record, playoff implications,” Red River coach Byron Keller said. “We play the game to win the game.

“Our kids are hungry and want to prove that Red River football is here and ready.”

Red River’s five touchdowns came from four different Bulldogs – Montreveun Smith (two), Cedric Moody, Jomello McDonald and Warren Bowman.

Keller said halftime adjustments were key to the improved second half.

“It was a heavyweight boxing match in the first half,” Keller said of two teams that prefer to control the clock and play great defense. “Each team traded punches early and felt each other out.

“Once we were able to identify how they were attacking us and their adjustments, we were able to score and stifle their offensive scheme.”

Red River put together a winning season by taking its last five games after a 1-4 start.

The Bulldogs last had a winning season in 2021 (7-3) and have since put together a pair of three-win campaigns.

But Red River lost 14 seniors from that 2023 team that built a huge halftime lead in a playoff game at No. 7 Pine, only to lose that advantage in the second half as a heavy underdog.

This year’s Bulldog squad placed extra emphasis on road trips, including road games at places on the other end of the state like Catholic-Pointe Coupee, Oak Grove and White Castle.

Red River has certainly learned the art of the road trip, evidenced by its Week 10 performance, which was its third straight win on the road.

“We’re focused, we understand out routines and procedures,” Keller said. “Our players understand how to handle a bus ride, the visitor locker room procedures, and how to adapt to changes outside of our control.

“This allows for fewer distractions.”

Even with the win, Red River held firm at No. 12 in the Division III Non-Select power ratings.

The Bulldogs were 0.1 power points away from jumping up another two spots.

But No. 12 Red River will host No. 21 Winnfield in the first round.

The Bulldogs beat Winnfield, 50-6, in Week 9 to secure an outright district title.

The winner will move on to face the victor of No. 5 Union Parish and No. 28 Oakdale, the same Oakdale that Red River beat Friday.