By Matt Vines, Journal Services
WINNFIELD – In the first game of an extremely difficult three-game stretch, the Winnfield offense proved it could make noise in a 57-32 loss to Class 4A West Ouachita.
Winnfield (1-2) scored first when Detavious Williams scampered for a 69-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 edge.
West Ouachita (2-1) scored the next three touchdowns, including a 46-yard touchdown run by Aaden Dean as the Chiefs gained chunk yardage with pitches and options.
Down 21-7, Winnfield didn’t go quietly into the night as the Tigers responded with a pair of touchdowns to slice West Ouachita’s lead to 21-20.
Winnfield forced and recovered a fumble near the West Ouachita 40-yard line in the second quarter for a chance to take the lead, but West Ouachita made a stand and scored the next four touchdowns to pull away. The first two of those scores came through the air as West Ouachita found space behind the Tigers secondary, including play action.
“Our team is tough and physical, and I’m proud of the team for the way they handled the previous week and approached practice and the game,” said Winnfield first-year head coach Byron Keller. “We are steadily improving and becoming the team that we are destined to be.
“After the Caldwell loss (21-12), we felt the need to just focus on us and get better. And that’s what we did. New drills and segments in practice, and it showed Friday night.”
Richard Williams took for a 71-yard touchdown run to chip West Ouachita’s lead to 50-26.
Kenneth Richard tacked on a 54-yard jaunt as Winnfield got a look at a stable of young running backs.
Winnfield outrushed West Ouachita (342-282) and nearly matched the Chiefs in total offense (441-399) despite the score.
West Ouachita took advantage of two interceptions.
The Tigers return home to face a Jena (3-0) squad capable of scoring quickly with its explosive running backs.
“Jena is a semifinals team from last year that’s got another great roster this year,” Keller said. “We have to be disciplined and play fast and physical for 48 minutes.
“We will prepare again this week and continue to develop our tough mentality.”