Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – Despite scoring on the opening drive with an offense that looked like it got a jumpstart from the season opener, Red River didn’t have enough gas in the tank to push by St. Mary’s.

The Bulldogs erased a two-touchdown deficit in the second half only to have the Tigers score in the final minutes of a 26-20 win at Pat Strother Memorial Stadium.

Quarterback Ashton Johnson was under center for a second straight week, capping the first drive with a short touchdown run.

Johnson had a hand in all three Red River touchdowns with the last two coming on lengthy passes.

After Red River (0-2) scored the opening touchdown, St. Mary’s responded with the next three scores to lead 20-8.

Running back John Paul Thibodaux led the Tigers’ ground game with 105 yards on 22 carries with one score.

The Red River tides turned when Jacarvis Speed and Raylon Solton forced a St. Mary’s fumble near midfield.

The Bulldogs used that momentum to score twice, including a 45-yard strike to Christopher Haskett with 8:15 remaining in the game.

Johnson connected on a 78-yard touchdown pass in which the receiver did most of the work on the long catch and run with 4:46 remaining.

Red River missed the two-point conversion, and St. Mary’s drove the field for the game-winning touchdown.

The Bulldogs path gets tougher this coming week when they head to Class 5A Parkway.

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