Bossier Press-Tribune Online

The Louisiana New Tech at Plain Dealing Lions pulled off one of the biggest wins in school history Friday night, defeating No. 4 seed Mangham 29-23 in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs in Mangham.
The No. 29 seed Lions (8-3) will host No. 13 seed Basile (10-1), a 17-16 winner over Elton, in the second round Friday night.
“It speaks volumes,” second-year New Tech coach Coy Brotherton said. “It’s huge. The kids are excited. This is a special senior bunch. They were all in the sixth grade the last time Plain Dealing won a playoff game.
“This was obviously something that was a goal of ours. It’s a great feeling.”
The game had plenty of drama.
Mangham (9-2), which reached the semifinals of the playoffs last year, led most of the game. New Tech didn’t take the lead until about three minutes remained.
Mangham reached the Lions 35 on its final drive. On fourth down, the Dragons tried a trick pass play. The tight end was open but dropped a pass that would have given Mangham a first down around the 15.
A Logan Allen fumble recovery set up New Tech’s go-ahead touchdown, a        2-yard run by Cardarrious Ray.
Ray scored two other touchdowns on runs of 2 and 87 yards. The 87-yarder was on a hook-and-lateral play.
Isaac Jacobs had a big interception in the end zone late in the first half to end a Dragons threat.
The Lions trailed 23-13 at halftime but a touchdown and two-point conversion got them within two early in the fourth.
New Tech missed a field goal with about six minutes left, but Jammarei Stromile forced a fumble, giving New Tech new life.
“We made stops when we had to,” Brotherton said. “In a close  game like that there are so many big plays. It was very emotional.”