Many in control of 3-2A

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Oct 28, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:45 a.m.

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One of North Louisiana’s biggest turnaround stories has a local connection.

Many High raised its record to 7-1 with a 56-20 victory over Red River and assumed control of the District 3-2A race over the weekend.

The Sabine Parish-based Tigers are ranked ninth among Class 2A schools and are coached by former Central High coach Keith Menard.

Menard is in his second season at Many. Last season, a young Many squad finished 3-7. During the offseason, the Tigers picked up several athletes who had previously concentrated on basketball.

“We had about six or seven basketball guys came out and said they wanted to play football,” Menard said. “Most of those guys played in junior high but not in high school.

“Right now, we have no one going both ways unless we have an injury. The kids have bought in and good things are happening.”

Quarterback D.J. Palmer helps lead Many. In addition running and a throwing, Palmer also returns kicks. Last week he returned one kickoff for a TD against Red River.

Running back Alexander Norris is another key player for the Many offense. The Tigers face Lakeview and Mansfield to close out their regular season and are seeking their first playoff berth in five years.

Former Live Oak, St. Edmund and Assumption High coach Donnie Bozeman is Menard’s defensive coordinator.

Bozeman, a former LSU football player who retired from LOHS three years ago, was out of coaching for one year before accepting Menard’s offer to join him at Many.

Leesville running back Michael Ford ran for 205 yards on 29 carries and scored one touchdown as the fourth-ranked Wampus Cats (7-1) of Class 4A ousted Peabody of Alexandria, 22-6, in District 3-4A action.

It was the fifth straight game in which Ford, an LSU commitment, has rushed for at least 200 yards. The Wampus Cats of coach Terence Williams, a Baton Rouge native, used four turnovers to claw their way to a Week 8 victory.