Flash back to Week 1 of this past season, Tyler Hassell’s first as the head coach on the Many sidelines.
The Tigers were eager to prove that the historically bad winless 2024 season wasn’t an indication that this program that molded itself into championship contenders for the past 10-15 years.
Many made a statement in its 35-19 win at Logansport, a traditional Class 1A power that regularly goes deep in the playoffs.
One can’t say “the Tigers are back” after a 6-6 season that included a revenge win against Red River in the first round of the playoffs, but all can say Many is firmly back on the path toward what the Tigers once were.
Many can solidify that path Friday when Logansport visits Friday to open the regular season.
“I think we’ve made a lot of progress, and last year’s win at Logansport was huge,” Hassell said. “More than anything, it gave our kids, confidence that we were headed in the right direction.
“But this is a new year, and we want to establish discipline and consistency. Year 2 is an opportunity for that.”
When Hassell took the job, he wanted to walk the halls and re-engage the student body to play and support football.
The Tigers boast 66 players on this year’s roster, a gargantuan number in today’s Class 2A.
“I’m really proud of that number,” Hassell said. “In today’s game, especially in our classification, having 66 guys committed to playing football is a big deal.
“We do lose some really good football players from last year, but we have a lot of guys who have been waiting for their opportunity.”
While Many will be replacing eight all-district players, the Tigers do have anchors in running back Daniel Thomas (2,247 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns) and offensive lineman Gage Sanders.
The Tigers tested out many of their new players in a surprising 14-7 loss at Rosepine in the jamboree, a team that won one game each of the past two seasons.
Hassell said his defense struggled to get off the field on third and fourth down, while allowed the Eagles to gobble up large chunks of the one half of football played this past week.
Friday will be the real test in which a normal game rotation will be played, and the defense will be challenged to improve on money downs by a Logansport offense that’s capable of efficiently moving the chains or hitting the big play.
“We have a lot of respect for Logansport, and they are physical, well-coached, and will make you earn everything,” Hassell said. “Offensively, (quarterback) Kollin Magee can throw the ball around with his big arm, and they want to play at a fast tempo.
“They swarm to the football on defense with good ends that set a hard edge. Each down is going to be a physical battle in the trenches.”
Not only will Many unleash its traditional pregame fireworks and famous entrance, but they’ll be able to unveil their renovated $1.1 million fieldhouse.
Having used the gym as their locker room this past season, Many will get the full gameday experience in its new digs starting Friday.