Matt Vines
COUSHATTA – Some may think Red River is licking their chops as the No. 19 Bulldogs drew No. 14 Many in the first round of the playoffs Friday.
Red River (6-4) did defeat the Tigers of Sabine Parish in 34-6 fashion just three weeks ago for Homecoming, and now the Bulldogs head west for a return trip to Many (5-5).
But for first-year head coach Travis Gary, he’s treating the playoffs as a new season in which previous results don’t matter.
“It’s 0-0, and they are the opening opponent,” Gary said. “Last season doesn’t matter.
“This is Week One, and we will treat it as such.”
First-year Many head coach Tyler Hassell has rapidly rebuilt the once proud Tiger program that suffered through a winless season in 2024 just two years removed from a state title.
The Tigers are hosting a playoff game, but the return to the Many standard would mean a deep run in the playoffs.
Both Gary and Hassell are familiar with facing district foes in the playoffs opening round.
They were both assistants on the Red River staff this past season when the Bulldogs whipped Winnfield for the second time in three weeks in the 2024 playoff first round.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Hassell said. “The good thing is you’ve already got film, you know their personnel, and the kids know what to expect.
“The flip side is they know you just as well. There aren’t many secrets. It really comes down to execution and who can make adjustments the second time around. It’s tough, but it makes for a great competitive atmosphere.”
Flash back to Red River’s win against Many, and the Bulldogs scored 34 straight points after Many scored the opening touchdown on a Daniel Thomas run.
Hassell cited poor tackling as one culprit of that result, something the Tigers have devoted extra focus in the past couple weeks.
Many’s tackling has improved in a 28-12 win against North Webster and a 28-10 loss to district champion Mansfield.
But Red River’s offense is rolling, scoring at least 30 points in each of the last eight weeks and 50-plus in the last two weeks.
Quarterback Malique Smith continues to impress with his arm and his legs, passing for four touchdowns in the first meeting against Many, which included a fourth-down pass in which he bought valuable time via the scramble.
Smith effectively distributes the ball to other playmakers like Warren Bowman, Lathyn Lewis, Landon Wilson and Cedric Moody.
“That’s been our philosophy all year – get our guys the ball and let them be athletes,” Gary said.
A young Red River defense continues to improve, holding three of its last four opponents to less than 20 points.
That defense will need to rise to the occasion again Friday against Many, and with a win, against No. 3 St. James who’s awaiting the winner of this matchup.
Many’s strong schedule, which includes wins against Class 1A Logansport, Class 4A DeRidder and a loss to Class 5A power Alexandria Senior High, has placed the Tigers in the host position.
But make no mistake – Red River has been more than tested.
All four of Red River’s losses have been by one score – Catholic-Pointe Coupee (26-24), Oak Grove (42-36), Pineville (41-40), and Mansfield (38-30).
Aside from not pulling out one of those wins, the six-win Red River team finds themselves as first-round travelers because of the winless seasons of Oakdale and White Castle, both playoff teams in 2024.
For the Bulldogs to get where they want to go – quarterfinals and deeper – they’ll have to win on the road anyway.
Might as well start in the first round.
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