Following a rare bye week, the Many Tigers have continued to make their case for being the top 2A football program in Louisiana with convincing wins against the Winnfield Tigers 42-14 and the Mansfield Wolverines 61-18. This latest string of victories brings them to 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in 2A Dist. 3.
Their game against Winnfield started out quick, when Jamarlyn Garner got loose and found a little open space for a 20-yard gain on his first carry of the game. It wasn’t long before he’d punch it into the endzone to put the Tigers up 7-0 after the extra point kicked by Deacon Lafollette, whose last name is no stranger to fans of the Tigers as his brothers were also widely known for their kicking prowess.
Winnfield didn’t get off to the same start, having trouble on their possession. A huge tackle by Jeremiah James that knocked the helmet off of the opposition sent an early message from the Many defense.
Winnfield did make one of their better plays of the game when Many got the ball back, when three players hit Garner to force a fumble, which gave them excellent field position. Nothing was to come of that possession with Kendrick Gosey got hands on the ball, knocking away one of the better pass attempts.
In the second quarter, it was Garner’s show again offensively, making tacklers miss and dragging opposing players downfield, with some help from Jeremiah James. With around two minutes left in the first half, Garner punched in his second touchdown of the night from the six yard line making the score 14-0. Winnfield did answer back before halftime, as a little trickery saw them get onto the board for their first touchdown of the game. At the half, the score was 14-7. Many received to begin the second half of play, and Jeremiah James came out swinging when he broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run.
Winnfield wasn’t to be denied a touchdown on their next possession, which gave them their final tally of 14 total points. The rest of the game solidly belonged to Many with the score being 4214 when the final whistle rang.
The Tigers displayed similar resolve and strength during their game against the Mansfield Wolverines. Many came out swinging with an early touchdown, before Mansfield brought the score to 7-6. Sylvonte Aldredge was the next Tiger to put points on the board for the Tigers to go further ahead. At the end of the game, Many was declared the winners 6118.
Despite a valiant try, Mansfield was not to see their first victory of the season against the number one team in 2A, but at times it seemed they posed definite danger.
Now, it’s Homecoming week at Many High School, and the Tigers will play Jonesboro-Hodge at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 21 at John Curtis Stadi- um.