Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – Red River kicks off district play on a high Friday when Winnfield (3-2) rolls into town.

The Bulldogs (1-4) have labored through a tough non-district slate in which injuries have forced players into larger roles than anticipated.

But everything came together this past week in a 30-24 win against Logansport, who was ranked No. 5 in Class 1A entering the game.

The win showcased how far quarterback Ashton Johnson and the offense have come while also highlighting a Bulldogs’ defense that grounded a potent Tigers attack.

Johnson answered the call when starter Landon Wilson went down in the preseason with injury, and he accounted for three touchdowns in the Logansport win.

When Wilson does return, he’ll do so as a receiver, where he earned all-district status this past season.

Red River’s defense has faced high-powered quarterbacks like Logansport’s Kollin Magee, Tioga’s Ronnie Stevens, and Parkway’s Bryston McCoy.

Winnfield signal caller Nickalas Mockosher won’t necessarily stretch the field like the aforementioned throwers, but he’s a multi-year starter with moxie and command of his offense.

The Tigers have a multitude of players that have moved around because of their own injuries, which includes a big increase in two-way players when Winnfield originally arranged their large Class 2A roster (46 players) to limit that phenomenon.

Red River has their own two-way players, which includes receiver/defensive back Lathyn Lewis, who returned an interception for a touchdown against Logansport.

Winnfield is attempting to stop a two-game losing streak in which they’ve lost to Jena (52-6) and St. Mary’s (23-14).

St. Mary’s 5-0 start also includes a 26-20 win over Red River back in Week 2 as the Natchitoches-based Tigers have proven they can pull out close wins.

Turnovers doomed Winnfield in last week’s loss, and they’ll want to protect and control the ball to limit Red River’s opportunities this week.

Red River’s engine is sure to be running high as the Bulldogs want to secure their first home win and start District 4-2A on the right foot.

But there’s another reason as well – the return of former Red River coach Byron Keller, who is donning Winnfield red.

Keller led the Bulldogs to the district title in 2024, the program’s first since 2005.

He won a total of 10 games in two seasons at Red River helm, including a playoff win over Winnfield in what turned out to be his final Red River win.

The Bulldogs beat Winnfield the past four meetings, all by at least 20 points, since Winnfield’s last win in the series in 2022.

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