Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – If Red River wants to keep a shot at a second consecutive District 3-2A title alive, the Bulldogs need to come away with a victory Friday at Lakeside.

Red River (2-4, 0-1) couldn’t complete the comeback in a 38-30 loss to an explosive Mansfield squad, and now the Bulldogs are looking to enforce their will against a Lakeside bunch (3-3, 0-1) that’s struggled against good competition.

The Warriors got buzzsawed by Many in 56-13 fashion as the Tigers looked like they’ve regained their early-season from (Red River hosts Many in Week 8).

Lakeside’s three wins – Arcadia, Plain Dealing and Northwood-Lena – have come against teams with a combined three wins.

Red River will lean on the experience its gained from facing a schedule that’s included one-score losses to Catholic-Pointe Coupee, Class 2A No. 7 Oak Grove, Class 5A Pineville, and Mansfield.

The defensive experience may come most in handy for a young unit that’s faced a multitude of different styles of offense.

“They are progressing,” said Red River coach Travis Gary. “These are the growing pains that you go through.

“It’s their first look at an offense like Mansfield’s, and we just have to learn to adjust better and match physicality to make up for what we lack in experience.”

Lakeside features quarterback Brock Case, who’s rushing and passing touchdown basically represented the entire Warriors’ offensive output against Many.

Red River quarterback Malique Smith doesn’t lack experience as a three-year starter, and he led the

Bulldogs on two scoring drives to close to with one score.

Smith threw for just 95 yards on 6-of-15 passing but did add 81 rushing yards and two scores.

He’ll need to return to his more efficient self as the Bulldogs’ offense has blossomed for the most part in their new spread system under Gary.

If the season ended today, No. 25 Red River would find themselves a Division III Non-Select spot, but running the table in the next four games could secure another home playoff game and much more favorable first-round matchup.