By Matt Vines, Journal Services 

Winnfield came roaring back from a three-touchdown deficit against Many, but the visiting Tigers didn’t have quite enough fuel to take over the lead in the second half.

Winnfield (2-5, 0-1 District 3-2A) cut Many’s lead to three points in the third quarter after trailing by more than three touchdowns, but Many (4-3, 2-0) scored three straight touchdowns to pull away for a 66-40 win.

Trailing 35-12, Winnfield running back Detavious Williams rushed for a score and then returned an interception for a touchdown, before the visiting Tigers turned a Many fumble into a Nickalas Mockosher 43-yard scoring pass to Shayne Ford.

“We have a team that is resilient, and we battled until the very end,” said Winnfield coach Byron Keller.

“We had numerous obstacles to overcome and still battled.

“Having three touchdowns called back and still our guys competed. I’m proud of these guys.”
Williams scored four touchdowns (three rushing), including the first score to answer Many’s kick return touchdown to start the game.

“Detavious is the real deal,” said Many coach Tyler Hassell, who served on Keller’s staff at Red River in 2024. “He’s one of those guys you’ve got to account for on every snap.”

“Offensively, he’s explosive. He can break one at any time. And defensively, he’s just as dangerous and he’s physical with a big motor. Winnfield leans on him in a big way, and rightfully so.”

But Many had their own running back study in Daniel Thomas, who rushed for an astounding six touchdowns.

Thomas scored Many’s last four touchdowns, including three straight after Winnfield came within a few points in the late third quarter.

Winnfield can’t afford to wallow in this defeat with a trip to Mansfield (5-2, 1-0) on the books.

The Wolverines knocked off Red River, 38-30, to start district play with a victory before stepping outside the league to handle Rosepine, 45-14.

Mansfield running back Terrell Pegues is one of the most dynamic in the state and is the focal point of his offense much like Williams and Many’s Thomas are.

“We’ve got to stop the run, control the ball and control the clock,” Keller said. “We are steadily improving, now it’s time to finish a complete game.”

Winnfield is sitting outside of the Division III Non-Select picture at No. 29 (28 teams get in), and the Tigers finish with Mansfield, defending champion Red River and Lakeside.