Ville Platte tasked with playing No. 1 Many in first round

Talk about deja vu!!
Last season the Ville Platte Bulldogs finished the season with an overall record of 3-7 and found themselves with the No. 29 seed entering the playoffs. Their opponent in the first round, No. 4 Many.
Skip forward to 2108. Ville Platte owns an overall record of 3-7 and find themselves the No. 32 seed in the playoffs. Tomorrow night the Bulldogs will play (drum roll please) No. 1 Many. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Many.
“It is a little weird that we end up in almost the same position that we were in last season,” stated Ville Platte head coach Jorie Randle. “It is even more weirder that we wind up playing Many once again. They have a tremendous program up there and are a powerhouse in Class 2A. It is going to be a tough task for us, but having played them last year, we know what to expect.”
Many, the 2014 Class 2A State Champions, comes into this game with an overall record of 9-1. The Tiger’s only loss came at the hands of Class 4A North Desoto.
Many has put up plenty of points this season, scoring over 40 points in seven games and averaging 41.7 points per game. Only once have the Tigers scored less than three touchdowns in a game.
“Offensively, they are very good,” said Randle. “They have a ton of talent and can break a long one on you at any time. Our job defensively is to try and force some three and outs and get the ball back in the hands of our offense.”
Defensively, Many has been one of the best in the state. The Tigers have shutout five opponents and only give up 6.4 points per game.
“We know it is going to be tough going against their defense,” stated Randle. “I feel if we can get some time in the pocket and get our athletes in space, we can have a chance of moving the ball. Our running game has to be effective so we do not become one-dimensional. If that happens, we will be in for a long night.”
If Ville Platte’s running game is to be effective, junior Jahmal Byers will need to get it going. Byers has rushed for over 600 yards this season and has also been a tremendous asset in the passing game.