The Many Tigers, fresh off of their second state championship season, are warmed up and look ready to face their upcoming challenge of the Tioga Indians on September 24.
Many quickly fell to 0-1 on the season after a disheartening and rare loss at home to the Union Parish Farmers by a score of 42-32.
The Tigers often play higher classified schools at the start of the season, and this was one of those games, as the Tigers are 2A while the Farmers are 3A.
Many came out strong and looking for a win over a team that has become quite the rival over the past few years. The Farmers lost the ball while receiving the opening kickoff and the Tigers fell on it to force the turnover. They capitalized on the first drive of the game, with Tackett Curtis and London Williams establishing a presence the team hopes to maintain throughout the year. In fact, it was a handoff to Williams to score the Tigers’ first score of the year to put Many up 8-0.
The score was 16-6 at halftime when Union Parish began their march toward a win. They scored numerous unanswered points, which put them up when the final whistle sounded.
Many traveled to Deridder for their second game of the season and walked away with a 61- 26 win. Jeremiah James ran for 12 yards after a handoff from Curtis for the first Tiger score of the game, which put them up 8-0. Curtis, who has been playing offense and defense during this newest season, soon picked off a DeRidder pass. Shortly after, London Williams ran 83 yards for the team’s second touchdown of the game.
By halftime, it was clear that Many were going to be the clear winners of the first meeting of the Tigers and Deridder in a number of years.
Similarly, Many took out North Desoto, a yearly staple of their schedule, by a score of 50-0 on September 17.
Despite the first loss, the team looks extremely strong and definite contenders following last year’s blockbuster season.