Matt Vines

MANY – Once the Red River offense started clicking in the fourth quarter trailing 28-7, it was just too late as No. 14 Many held on for a 35-27 victory over the No. 19 Bulldogs in the first round of the Division III Non-Select playoffs.

The big plays started coming – Malique Smith broke loose for an 85-yard touchdown run before he connected with Lathyn Lewis for a 20-yard strike to cut Many’s lead to just one score.

Even when Many (6-5) and running back Daniel Thomas found their answer – a 2-yard touchdown run after a Red River offsides penalty on fourth down helped continue the drive – Red River (6-5) wasn’t done.
Smith hooked up with Lewis for the third time of the night, a 66-yard strike that sliced Many’s lead to 35-27.

The ensuing onsides kick threatened, but Many hopped on it to secure the first-round playoff win and a second-round date at No. 3 St. James.

“They played with more intensity than we did,” said Red River coach Travis Gary. “They played like they wanted it more.

“We were able to make big plays, but we had miscues throughout the entire first half before starting to connect late. It was just too late.”

Many’s Thomas scored all five of the Tigers touchdowns as he paced a rushing attack that Red River stifled in the regular-season meeting, a 34-6 Bulldogs win.

Red River’s Nathaniel Burton had one of the Bulldogs’ plays of the game when he ripped the ball out of Thomas’s hands to set up Red River’s final score.

Smith had a hand in all four touchdowns, three through the air to Lewis and his one lengthy run.
But Many’s defense contained the explosive Red River offense for much of the game, something they couldn’t do because of poor tackling in the Week 8 blowout loss.

“Week 8 didn’t come out the way we wanted, but they never flinched – they never flinched one bit,” said Many coach Tyler Hassell, who has rebuilt the program following its winless 2024 campaign.

While Red River’s 2025 season didn’t match the 2024 campaign in terms of overall wins, a district title, or a playoff win, the Bulldogs clearly took steps forward in Gary’s first season.

After the 2024 Bulldogs lost big to the likes of Catholic-Pointe Coupee, Oak Grove, and White Castle, the 2025 squad suffered one-score losses to the first two and whipped the third team.

Red River proved it could go toe-to-toe with an elite program like Oak Grove, losing by just six points after a 48-point defeat from this past season.

The Bulldogs will have to rebuild offensively with huge losses like Smith at quarterback and Warren Bowman at receiver, but a young defense steadily improved and could be the leading unit in 2026.

Gary said the 2025 senior class redefined program expectations throughout their four seasons.

“This was our program’s pioneer group,” Gary said. “They took all of the lumps and losses so that the guys that follow behind them can learn and be successful.

“They have set a standard, and now it’s up to the guys in the years to come to raise the bar.”