Coming off a big loss to Red River, the Many football team could have had feelings of déjà vu when they fumbled on the opening possession, which led to a North Webster score.
But the Tigers didn’t let the same script play out as Many outslugged North Webster in a 28-12 win in non-district play.
“We’re never happy about putting the ball on the ground, and that’s something we talk about all the time,” said Many coach Tyler Hassell. “But I was proud of the way our guys responded after that.
“Nobody panicked. We settled in, trusted our game plan and went right back to work.”
The non-district win puts Many (5-4, 2-1) in position to achieve key season goals in the finale at District 3-2A leader Mansfield (7-2, 3-0).
The Tigers can seize a share of the district title with a win and secure a first-round home playoff game. It is possible for the No. 14 Tigers to keep its home playoff game even with a loss to No. 8 Mansfield because Many’s strength factor will get a boost, but it’ll need a few teams just below them to also lose their Week 10 bouts.
Not bad for first-year coach Tyler Hassell, who is rebuilding the football program after the 2024 winless season.
Going back to the North Webster (3-6) win, the Knights capitalized on that early fumble with a Ja’myrian Jackson rushing touchdown.
Many’s Daniel Thomas doesn’t let that stand for long as his 3-yard rushing score handed Many a 7-6 edge.
The Knights weren’t going quietly as they retook the lead on a Jackson 7-yard touchdown run.
Arguably the play of the game came on the ensuing kickoff when Camdyn Bell returned it 90 yards for the touchdown, the first of three straight Tigers scores.
It’s Bell’s second return touchdown in three weeks, something Hassell said has been a weapon all season.
“Camdyn’s been steady, and our special teams unit takes a lot of pride in what they do,” Hassell said.
“Early in the year, we were setting up field position, and now we’re starting to cash in with touchdowns.
“That’s just a result of the work they’ve put in week after week.”
The defense stymied North Webster from there as the 12 points allowed is a season low.
That type of defensive play is going to be necessary to slow an explosive Mansfield offense that features stud running back Terrance Pegues and a passing attack that relies on the big play.
“The defense played lights out against North Webster,” Hassell said of a defense that allowed 34 points to Red River the week before. “We tackled better, communicated better, and really flew to the football.
“We were one fourth-down play away from only allowing six points, and that says a lot about how well they executed, We challenged them all week to bounce back, and they did exactly that.”
Another key play in the North Webster win came on one of Tatum Manasco’s two interceptions, including one right before the half.
“That really shifted momentum, and then his other one set up our last score in the fourth quarter” Hassell said. “Those were huge plays that came at big moments in the game.”
Mansfield has won its last five games with only one of those contests being close (38-30 win against Red River.
The Wolverines ripped through Rosepine (45-14), Winnfield (56-22) and Lakeside (39-0) in the last three weeks.
A Mansfield win means they claim sole possession of the district title, while a Many win means the title is split three ways between Mansfield, Red River and Many.
Mansfield hadn’t won a district title since 2005 when it shared the crown with Red River, which also served as its last title before taking the 2024 crown.
That illustrates Many’s dominance as they’ve won 11 straight from 2013-23 and 13 of the last 17.