Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – A swirl of emotions, motivations, and story lines collide when Red River welcomes in Many on Friday.

Both Red River (1-5, 0-1) and Many (1-5) are desperate to feel the warmth of victory, but both teams are making important strides even if that hasn’t resulted in more wins.

The Bulldogs and Tigers are still factors in the district and in the playoff picture, although Red River’s more difficult schedule has it inside the playoffs (No. 19) while Many (No. 34) has work to do to jump into the 28-team field.

With four games left, there’s time for both teams to shape their experience and path.

Then there’s the human emotions involved.

The Bulldogs are playing for the last time at home this season as they celebrate nine seniors.

A senior like Landon Wilson has found his way back to the field after missing most of his final high school season with injury.

Preparing all offseason at quarterback, he’s returned in a different backfield role as a running back after making the all-district team as a receiver in 2025.

Ashton Johnson has matured under center, and with Red River having established receivers like Lathyn Lewis, Christopher Hackett, and Tra’Jalen Demery (also a senior), Wilson slid into a running back role that hasn’t benefited from the same depth and definition.

“Offensively we are starting to execute better,” said Red River coach Travis Gary. “Landon is back and making a difference on offense.”

While any district opponent will get the blood pumping, Red River has likely circled the Many game for quite some time.

After Red River thumped Many in the regular season (34-6), the Tigers (and their homefield advantage), edged the Bulldogs in 35-27 fashion in the first round of the playoffs.

“I believe they feel the sting from last year, but more of the motivation is for our hopes for the playoffs this year,” Gary said. “This week, we have to meet force with force to gives ourselves a chance.

Head coach Tyler Hassell is Many born and bred, but he was on the Red River coaching staff for the 2024 district title, the program’s first since 2005.

Red River must patch a defense that succumbed to Winnfield’s Wing-T rushing attack in a 68-39 loss.

That same game featured a season-high in points for Red River’s offense, which has been improving each week. Lathyn Lewis scored five touchdowns in the loss, four receiving and one on punt return as he’ll be a district MVP candidate no matter Red River’s final record.

Many’s power rushing attack will be the focal point of their offense, although stud running back (and fellow MVP candidate) Daniel Thomas took to the air in the second half of their 22-20 overtime loss at Avoyelles to throw for 54 yards on 5-of-6 passing.

Thomas’s five completions (with zero interceptions) nearly matches Many’s nine completions all season entering that game, and those completions came with seven interceptions, including a couple returned for scores.

While one would assume Thomas would be primarily a runner (gained more than 3,000 rushing yards in the last two seasons), Many could try to diversify their offense with Thomas in the air.

The Bulldogs close the regular season with three games on the road, meaning they need to capitalize on their final time to tee it up in Coushatta.

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