Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – Homecoming.

A celebratory time when alumni come back into town and turn the stadium and surrounding areas into a party.

An environment that provides plenty of distraction for a football team in position to compete for a second straight district title.

Good thing that Red River (3-4, 1-1 District 3-2A) knows its hands will be full when Many 4-3, 2-0) rides into town looking to take another step toward a district crown of its own Friday.

“We make sure our guys keep the main thing, the main thing,” said first-year coach Travis Gary. “The fun and energy that surrounds homecoming is a great thing for kids, but I had to make sure they understood that everyone is coming home to watch them play a football game.

“What better way to show our appreciation than to win the game.”

The Bulldogs need a win to keep its district title hopes alive and to better position itself for a home playoff game (No. 21 in Division III Non-Select coming into this Week 8 matchup).

Red River bounced back from a district opening loss to Mansfield (38-30) by thumping Lakeside (49-21).
But this is a Many bunch that’s intent on laying claim to a district in which it held a death grip on for so long before the 2024 winless season.

Running back Daniel Thomas and Co. have won their two district games by a combined 69 points (over Lakeside and Winnfield).

“We just have to be disciplined and play sound defense,” Gary said. “Align correctly and play fast and physically.

“We have to start fast and finish faster while playing to our strengths and be great at what we do.”
That starts with three-year quarterback Malique Smith, who’s proven to be a threat with his legs and his arm.

Weapons like Warren Bowman, Lathyn Lewis and Cedric Moody will power a Red River offensive attack that may need to outscore a Many offense that’s scored 49 or more points three times.

Red River’s topped the 36-point mark four times itself this season.

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Many head coach Tyler Hassell, who spent this past season on the Red River staff after a long and successful tenure under Many coach Jess Curtis as the program’s defensive coordinator.

Hassell is on his way to restoring that proud program.

“We are looking forward to this matchup,” Hassell said. “We’re expecting a big crowd and a great atmosphere.

“It’s always fun to compete against coaches you’ve worked with and to see athletes you’ve coached on the other sideline.”

Gary added that it’ll be a “good time, especially with the way district is shaping up.”

Mansfield and Many are the two undefeated teams left, and Red River needs to win its last two district games and have Mansfield lose one game (Winnfield, Lakeside, Many) to claim a share of the district crown.