Many fends off Winnfield's valiant effort with 42-14 road win

By LaMar Gafford

Photo courtesy of Many head coach Jess Curtis' Twitter page

WINNFIELD - Many showed why it is a contender in Division III’s non-select subdivision, but Winnfield showed that it is for real. 

In a matchup between Tigers, Many traveled to Winnfield and remained undefeated with a 42-14 victory.

Many's Tigers (6-0, 2-0 District 3-2A) scored the final 21 points in the game, including a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win their 48th straight district game.

“Winnfield played hard in the first half, but in the second half, I was proud of our guys for getting back to the way that we need to play football,” Many coach Jess Curtis said. “We still had too many penalties and turnovers.

"Normally, you don’t win when you don’t have that many turnovers.”

JaMarlyn Garner started the pivotal 21-point run with a kickoff return with 5:47 left in the third quarter for one of his three touchdowns in the game.

“It made the other team change (their game plan) and start slacking,” Garner said.

“I think that kick return really broke their backs,” Curtis said. “It got us rolling.

"We played some big games early. We have to understand that this is getting us ready for November and December.”

Also having a good night was Jeremiah James, who rushed for two touchdowns - one of those a 65-yarder.

Winnfield (5-2, 1-1) came in with its best start since 2012 and was not fazed by the three-time Class 2A finalists.

Malachi Jackson threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Trey Starks right before the half, and Keithan Hamilton added a 15-yard touchdown run midway through the third.

While Winnfield did not keep up with Many late, coach Jay Watson was proud of his team’s effort.

“Heck of a football team,” Watson said. “They are big. Our kids just fought and didn’t back down.”

Many hosts Jonesboro-Hodge next week, while Winnfield hosts Red River.