Pine’s Raiders take to the road tonight to face the Many Tigers in the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Both teams enter this week following lopsided shutout victories in the first round.
No. 13 Pine, which is 7-4, blanked West St. Mary 42-0, while fourth-seeded Many defeated 29th-seeded Ville Platte, 62-0.
“We just need to go out and play a good sound football game,” Pine coach Bradley Seal said. “We’ve got a good challenge in Many. We need to make plays and eliminate mistakes.”
The defense stepped up last week and held West St. Mary off the board, as it was a 12-0 game at halftime.
Seal said that linebacker Hunter Temples played really well last week.
“He’s a three-year starter that we’re very proud of. He’s a quiet guy that goes about his business and seems to get better every week,” Seal said.
Seal said the outside linebackers Zavier Elzie and Dakota Brooks also played well, but overall, it was a team effort.
Offensively, quarterback Joey Seal had a big night. He was part of all six touchdowns. Seal threw for three and ran for three more. Seal posted 45 yards passing on 5-of-7 and rushed for 27 yards.
“Right now, he’s calling a lot of the plays,” coach Seal said, after Friday’s game. “I mean, he’s throwing the ball well. He had three touchdowns rushing, three touchdowns passing. He’s a dual-threat quarterback.”
The Raiders’ running game was strong last week, going for 316 yards.
Jakyran Handy led the way with 100 and Delvric Dillon posted 91 on the ground.
Damarea Odom had two catches, both for touchdowns, and 43 yards receiving. Jordan Anderson caught a pass for four yards, which was a touchdown.
The winner of tonight’s game will play either fifth-seeded Vidalia or No. 12 Northeast. Vidalia defeated No. 28 DeQuincy, 56-14, while No. 12 Northeast was a 29-12 winner over No. 21 Port Allen.
Many enters tonight’s game with a 9-2 record and the winners of seven games in a row.
Many has not allowed an opponent to score in double figures since Sept. 29, a week five win over Carroll, 47-12. Since then, the Tigers have posted five shutouts and they have six for the season.