By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

COUSHATTA – Red River’s dominance in District 3-2A was rewarded this week with a bevy of all-district selections, including two Most Valuable Player honors.

Senior linebacker Jacob Kellogg took home the Defensive MVP after leading a Bulldogs defense that allowed less than eight points per district contest.

Junior quarterback Malique Smith vastly improved from the start of the season, earning Offensive Co-MVP honors with Mansfield running back Terrell Pegues.

They led a cadre of 10 first-team all-district selections with another nine making second team.

“Kellogg was the leader of our defense, and he set goals for himself week to week and also over the entire season,” said Red River coach Byron Keller. “He’s a hard-nosed, smart linebacker that led the defense to a district championship and playoff run.

“Smith’s maturation from spring football to the end of the season was a joy to be a part of. He progressed and worked hard to get better every day.”

Red River’s coaching staff was also dubbed Staff of the Year after guiding the program to its first district championship since 2005. Red River won a first-round playoff game, slapping Winnfield, 48-6, for its first postseason victory since 2021.

Joining Kellogg on the first-team defense was sophomore defensive lineman Jarvis Whitaker, senior defensive lineman Jayden Stewart, senior defensive back Jomello McDonald, junior defensive back Cameron Jones.

Accompanying Smith on the first-team offense was senior running back Mon’tre’veun Smith, senior receiver Jomello McDonald, senior offensive linemen Kalleon Demery and junior kick returner Warren Bowman.

Bowman was a second-team running back with junior Cedric Moody, junior receiver Carl Lewis, senior offensive linemen Rafe Suggs and Steven Wimberly, and freshman kick returner Lathyn Lewis.

Three Bulldogs earned second-team defense status with sophomore defensive end Johnny Jones, sophomore linebacker Nate Burton, and sophomore free safety Jaren Mitchell.

Eight more Red River players were honorably mentioned – Gaylon Brewer, Germiyah Williams, Jamarion Iverson, Karrington Owens, Quindon Kennedy, Zylon Newman, Ty Cole and Cam Hobley.