MANY – Playoff football in Sabine Parish.
It’s something that’s just come to be expected in the past 15 or so years as long-time coach Jess Curtis built a program that won three state titles and appeared in three other state championship games.
Even though its just been one season without the postseason, it’s the way the 16-year playoff streak was broken with the winless season in 2024.
But playoff football is back as No. 14 Many (5-5) remained in a host position (top 16) despite its Week 10 finale loss to Mansfield.
Many will host No. 19 Red River (6-4) on Friday in the first round of the Division III Non-Select brackets.
“It feels right,” said first-year coach Tyler Hassell, who was part of Curtis’ staff for many of the Many glory years and returned to the program this offseason. “Around here, the expectation is to be playing in November, and sitting out last year didn’t sit well with anybody.
“These kids took that to heart, and they’ve worked all year to put us back in this position. It means a lot to our program, our town, and especially these upperclassmen that have led the way.”
Of course the Many standard is more than just making the playoffs, it’s advancing to Thanksgiving week and beyond.
But the feisty Bulldogs stand in the way, a Red River bunch that whipped Many 34-6 in Coushatta just three short weeks ago.
Many scored first in that contest on a Daniel Thomas touchdown run, but the Red River defense suffocated Many while the offense poured on 34 straight points.
Hassell said in the postgame that tackling Red River’s weapons in space was a problem, something on which the Tigers have put extra emphasis.
“We’ve improved our fundamentals, taking better angles, wrapping up and finishing plays,” Hassell said “Early in the season, we were getting there but not always completing the play. The past few weeks, our defense has done a much better job of swarming to the football and getting guys on the ground.”
Red River quarterback Malique Smith is the cornerstone of the offense with his arm and his legs, passing for four touchdowns in the first meeting, including a fourth-down pass in which he bought valuable time via the scramble.
But the Bulldogs want to distribute the ball to playmakers like Warren Bowman, Lathyn Lewis, Landon Wilson and Cedric Moody to get the job done.
“That’s been our philosophy all year – get our guys the ball and let them be athletes,” said Red River coach Travis Gary. “We are in a new season, and it’s 0-0 and they are the opening opponent. “Last season doesn’t matter. This is Week One, and we’ll treat it as such.”
That mentality certainly served Hassell and Gary as they were assistant coaches on Red River’s staff this past season when the Bulldogs handled district opponent Winnfield easily in Week 9 and again in the first-round of the playoffs.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Hassell said. “The good thing is you’ve already got film, you know their personnel, and the kids know what to expect. “The flip side is they know you just as well. There aren’t many secrets. It really comes down to execution and who can make adjustments the second time around. It’s tough, but it makes for a great competitive atmosphere.”
Many’s strong schedule, which includes wins against Class 1A Logansport, Class 4A DeRidder and a loss to Class 5A power Alexandria Senior High, has placed the Tigers in the host position.
But make no mistake – Red River has been more than tested.
All four of Red River’s losses have been by one score – Catholic-Pointe Coupee (26-24), Oak Grove (42-36), Pineville (41-40), and Mansfield (38-30).
Aside from not pulling out one of those wins, the six-win Red River team finds themselves as first-round travelers because of the winless seasons of Oakdale and White Castle, both playoff teams in 2024.
But if Many wants to further return closer to its standard, it’ll have to find a way against good teams.
That’ll be the case in the first round against Red River, the winner of which will earn the privilege to head to No. 3 St. James (8-2) in the second round.