MANY – The Many football team is eager to start its second season when Lakeside visits Friday to open District 3-2A play.

The Tigers (2-3) are on a three-game losing skid following a 57-0 loss to Alexandria Senior High after winning the first two contests of the season.

Many fell to larger traditional powers Leesville and ASH during the losing streak, but the Tigers were just a couple of plays away from pulling out a road victory at St. Mary’s.

But Many seeks to return to its early-season form as the Tigers scored big wins against Logansport and DeRidder.

Coach Tyler Hassell is laying the foundation for the program to return to its state title contender roots, and a Week 6 against Lakeside (3-2) will serve as a solid measuring stick to gauge Many’s progress.

Despite a winning record, Lakeside is a team finding its way as well. The Warriors soundly beat the teams they were clearly favored over in Arcadia, Plain Dealing and Northwood-Lena.

But the 2024 Warriors also topped LaSalle and Montgomery en route to a 6-0 start, and the 2025 squad lost those contests 32-29 and 34-22, respectively.

Coach John Ware is trying to instill winning traditions in which he was a part at North Webster and Haynesville, but this Lakeside bunch is much younger than the group that put together a 9-3 season and won a playoff game for the first time in school history.

Both of Lakeside’s 2024 losses came in district play, but the Warriors opened up that slate with a 28-6 win against Many.

For Many, finding its early-season form will require improvement in all three phases.

ASH forced two fumbles and blocked a punt in its big win, which included a 37-point first quarter.

Many scored 84 points in its first two wins compared to just 43 points in its three losses. The defensive production is also similar, allowing just 40 points in its first two wins compared to 144 points in its three losses.

The Lakeside loss this past season snapped a 39-game district winning streak for Many, one in which they can start again Friday.