By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

Haughton head football coach Jason Brotherton has a south Louisiana school back on his 2022 schedule in LaGrange of Lake Charles, along with two Class 2A powers in Red River and Many.

Brotherton scheduled East Ascension from Gonzales in 2019 before the virus threw a wrench into scheduling the past two seasons.

LaGrange is trying to bounce back after not playing two years ago because of Hurricane Laura and finishing last season winless (0-10).

The Bucs will open the season at home against Red River, a team they have played three of the last four seasons. The Bulldogs come off an 8-4 season and have not had a losing mark since 2012. They reached the 2A semifinals, but lost quarterback Tre’ Smith to Army.

Following the home game with LaGrange in the second week, Haughton will travel to face Many. The Tigers have quite the resume’ with 10 consecutive trips to the Class 2A semifinals, three straight trips to the 2A title game and two state championships (2014, 2020). They’ll also have some highly-recruited players, led by Class of 2023 linebacker Tackett Curtis. And there’s the spectacular pregame fireworks show, making this a game to watch.

From there the District 1-5A slate begins and it’s not any easier with Haughton hosting Parkway, a team that advanced to the state quarterfinals last season by beating two higher-seeded teams. The Bucs stay at home welcoming Southwood to the piney woods before playing at Byrd and Airline. Two more home games follow against Benton and Natchitoches Central before Haughton ends the regular season at Captain Shreve.

Haughton 2022 schedule

Sept. 2 vs. Red River

Sept. 9 vs. LaGrange

Sept. 16 at Many

Sept. 23 vs. Parkway

Sept. 30 vs. Southwood

Oct. 7 at Byrd

Oct. 13 at Airline

Oct. 21 vs. Benton

Oct. 28 vs. Natchitoches Central

Nov. 4 at Captain Shreve

Contact Lee at lee.hiller51@gmail.com