Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – Week 4 is too early to be looking at the playoff picture and peep around the state to see what other Division III Non-Select teams are doing.

But for a Red River bunch that has started 0-3, a Week 4 home date with a surging Green Oaks bunch does feel like it some impact on the playoff picture.

The Giants (3-0) are the surprise team in Shreveport-Bossier so far this season, already matching or besting the win total from any season since 2020.

The 3-0 start is its best in well over a decade (LHSAA records date back to just 2015), but it’s the feeling around the Green Oaks program and second-year coach Nick Peoples that is turning heads.

Green Oaks edged rival Booker T. Washington in the Soul Bowl this past Saturday by stopping a two-point conversion in the final minute of a 20-18 victory.

Even more than a win and the resulting power point boost, Red River could use some of that feeling that a win over a very good Green Oaks squad would bring.

The Bulldogs don’t have to look far for some inspiration.

They’ve taken an early lead in all three games this season, which included a 12-0 advantage against a Class 5A Parkway squad that’s No. 3 in the Shreveport-Bossier Journal Top 10 poll.

Other leads against Tioga and St. Mary’s means the Bulldogs can have no problem starting quickly, and they just might catch Green Oaks a little sluggish after Saturday’s emotional win.

Now Red River just has to learn how to navigate opponents’ responses.

Tioga and Parkway had big responses, including 56 straight points from the Panthers this past week.

But Red River quarterback Ashton Johnson has steadily improved under center, and his play is expected to slide preseason quarterback Landon Wilson back to receiver when he’s healthy enough to return, which could be this week.

Wilson is an all-district receiver who will provide a great option alongside Lathyn Lewis in the passing game.

Red River is also starting to establish the run behind a maturing offensive line, new running back Ethan Lopez and Johnson, who has scrambling ability.

Red River is still in an OK position at No. 25 in the Division III Non-Select power rankings considering the Bulldogs are winless, and Red River’s strength factor of 5.67 is the second-strongest in the class. Strength factor is a strength-of-schedule measure that rewards teams for playing opponents with a lot of wins and from larger classifications.

The term “must win” is too serious to apply to this Week 4 game, but a win has the power to reverse the early-season struggles and propel the Bulldogs into a competitive contest at Logansport before district play revs up.

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