By DARRIN DYESS, Journal Sports
MANY – Smash-mouth and smother.
Many treated Class 5A Haughton like Waffle House hash browns Friday as they smothered, covered and scattered the Bucs across John Curtis Field in a 35-3 win.
The Class 2A No. 1 Tigers didn’t need to attempt a pass as the offensive line blew open large holes and Many ball carriers racked up an astonishing 519 yards.
Two different Tigers had 100-yard rushers – Jeremiah James had 196 yards and Trent Williams 149 yards – with two additional 70-yard rushers in quarterback Tackett Curtis (76 yards) and Sylvonte Aldredge (73 yards)
On the flip side, Many (3-0) smothered Haughton’s spread attack, holding the Bucs (2-1) to under 150 yards.
Many coach Jess Curtis admitted that hosting Haughton on their home turf wasn’t just another regular-season game, but the Tigers took a business-like approach to the task.
“To have an undefeated Haughton team from that 5A Shreveport district come into our place, and for us to get the win, is big for our program,” Curtis said. “We were really looking forward to playing their program.
“We had a great week of practice, and we believe that the preparation is the separation.”
Many set the tone immediately in the first possession as a sack by Keaton Montgomery doomed the Buccaneers with Haughton making sure not to punt or kick to returner Tackett Curtis.
Haughton made an initial defensive stand by stopping the Tigers on fourth down inside the 5-yard line, but it’s one of the few times the Bucs could put the brakes on Many.
Many defensive Jayvion Smart intercepted Haughton quarterback Colin Rains, which turned into a Williams 75-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.
The Tigers then marched 91 yards in 11 plays capped by a James 8-yard touchdown for the 13-0 lead.
A sack by Many’s Swayze Carheel and Blake Matkin helped keep Haughton off the scoreboard in the final drive of the first half.
The Many front seven harassed Rains all night while the secondary blanketed Haughton receivers. Rains finished 6-21 passing for 107 yards. The Bucs gained just 26 yards on 26 attempts.
“We’re blessed to have a great group on that side,” Curtis said. “We have some very good defensive backs in the secondary, and we were able to smother their routes.
“Defensive coordinator Coach Hassell had a great plan.”
Many accelerated in the second half as a 34-yard James touchdown run and a Curtis 47-yard scamper pushed the Tigers’ gap to 28-0 midway through the third quarter.
After a goaline fumble prevented Many from adding more points, Haughton drove the length of the field that ended in a 37-yard field goal from kicker Carter Ebarb.
James tacked on his third touchdown of the night with a 21-yard gallop to put the Tigers up 35-3.
Many will get another stiff test when Isidore Newman visits next week with No. 1 national prospect Arch Manning under center. Newman won a 54-52 shootout with Benton this past week.
Scoring Summary
Second Quarter
10:22 M — Trent Williams 75 run. (Deacon Lafollette kick)
3:00 M — Jeremiah James 8 run. (kick failed)
Third Quarter
10:52 M — James 34 run. (James run).
4:17 M — Tackett Curtis 47 run. (Lafollette kick)
Fourth Quarter
5:25 H – Carter Ebarb 36 field goal
2:00 M — James 21 run. (Lafollette kick)
Stats
First Downs M – 24, H – 11
Plays
M – 54, H -56
Passing
H – 6-21-107
Rushing
M – 54-519; H – 26-26
M — James 21-196-3, Williams 8-149-1, Curtis 3-76-1,
Aldredge 11-73, Maxie 5-15, Booker 1-10
Tackles
M – Curtis 8 (4 solo), Gosey 4
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