By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

FARMERVILLE – Red River had scored non-offensive touchdowns in its last four games, but in Friday’s second-round playoff game at Union Parish, the Bulldogs were on the other end.

After No. 12 seed Red River struck first with a touchdown, Union Parish flipped the script and used an interception return for a touchdown as part of a 21-point first quarter.

The No. 5 seed Farmers ran away from there as Union Parish snatched a 42-8 win in this Division III Non-Select playoff game.

“The interception return for a touchdown gave Union control of the game,” said Red River coach Byron Keller. “Union has a dominant physical run game, but we were able to contain the run game but not their passing game.

“We wanted to set the tone early, and we wanted to score early and try to keep them playing from behind.”

Red River (7-5) did do that early as quarterback Malique Smith found Warren Bowman for the first touchdown of the game.

The Bulldogs scored on their opening possession, and they were looking to battle blow for blow with the reigning Division III Non-Select champions.
But that championship pedigree took over, specifically Union Parish’s (8-4) passing game and physical defense.

Quarterback Braxton Patterson, who had thrown for 1,000 yards entering the second-round playoff game, connected with Chase Meeking and other receivers to take control Friday.

The air attack plus Khaidyn Johnson’s interception return for a touchdown lifted Union Parish into the quarterfinals, where they’ll travel to No. 4 seed Kinder.

Union Parish scored 42 points on a Red River defense that barely allowed that many points in its six-game winning streak (46 points).

Red River played against two programs with recent championships in Oak Grove (55-6 loss) and Union Parish, and Keller said those experiences will be crucial as the Bulldogs attempt to build their own championship pedigree.

“In order to be a championship program, you have to know how they play, prepare, and execute,” Keller said. “Our players have been exposed to it and now understand what it takes to get to that level.

“Our program took strides toward that goal this year.”

Those strides include Red River winning its first district title since 2005.

The Bulldogs played seven of their 10 regular-season games away from home, which loomed large in Red River’s 1-4 start.

But Red River turned that early-season adversity in losses like Catholic-Pointe Coupee (26-6 loss), White Castle (48-30 loss), and Pineville (32-20 loss) to success in District 3-2A.

A sophomore-laden offensive line matured, and Smith progressed in the passing game.

The defense mastered its alignment and nurtured an ability to force turnovers into dominant play.

While Red River will miss seniors like Montreveun Smith, Jomello McDonald, Cameron Hobley and Jacob Kellogg, the Bulldogs are fairly young and will return the bulk of their starters.

“It’s always tough when you get to the end of the season and realize that a great group of kids are moving on,” Keller said. “That they’ve worn the Red River uniform for the last time.

“But I’m thankful for our time together and have memories for life. Our underclassmen have large shoes to fill.”

Red River started the season wanting to climb the district ladder, and now the Bulldogs will try to find ways to crack into the state’s elite in Class 2A/Division III.

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