Amite seeks revenge in title game against Many

It was a dream scenario.

Perennial power Amite, as a ninth seed, got a chance to host top seed Many in the Class 2A quarterfinals in 2020.

In a great game which went to the wire, Many prevailed, 34-30, in a game broadcast live at CrescentCitySports.com.

The dream turned into a nightmare for the Warriors which they have not forgotten as it has lingered for nearly a year.

Many went on to crush General Trass in the semifinals before downing Kinder for the state championship in Natchitoches, close to home.

This time around, the reigning champion Tigers must travel to New Orleans, close to home for the Warriors, for a rematch in the 2A state title Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Many is 13-1 overall, having lost only to 3A finalist Union Parish (42-32) in the season opener. The Tigers proceeded to win 13 straight games, led by a vaunted rushing attack which has accounted for an astounding 5,360 yards.

Senior London Williams has rushed 245 times for 2,545 yards and 46 touchdowns while sophomore Jeremiah James has carried 154 times for 1,529 yards and 19 touchdowns. Tackett Curtis is a superb two-way player. At quarterback, Curtis has thrown for 293 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 35 times for 462 yards and three scores. Defensively, Curtis is the leading tackler with 93 stops with an interception and a fumble recovery.

Many, which led the charge, along with Winnfield to split the LHSAA into non-select and select schools which took effect in 2013, has capitalized on the move by winning state titles in 2014 and 2020.

Amite (12-0) is in search of a sixth state championship, having won most recently in 2018.

Quarterback Jalen Robinson has passed for 28 touchdowns with just two interceptions and he ran for two scores in last week’s semifinal win over Jonesboro-Hodge in a game seen live at CrescentCitySports.com.

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Wide receiver Earl Jackson has nearly 800 all-purpose yards while Brennan Harrell has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Linebacker Ashton Wilson is a tackling machine with 98 stops, three forced fumbles, an interception and two defensive touchdowns.

Amite head coach Zephaniah Powell is thrilled to have his team back in the championship game.

“It means everything, not only to our program but to our community, to our school,” Powell said. “If you know anything about the history of Amite High School, this is a place that is near and dear to coaches before and players before. Just to be able to come and represent, it means the world to us.”

Powell says his team is looking forward to the rematch but that his coaches and players have great respect for the Tigers.

“Many , Coach (Jess) Curtis, they do a fantastic job with everything that they do up there,” Powell said. “Our kids have worked all week so. We want to be up for the challenge. It was actually our first time to play against them. To know the familiarity of how they play gives us a little bit of an edge to finish the job that we didn’t do last year. If we can win two to three phases, we feel we have a good opportunity to win. Many is going to run the physical defense, run the football and be sound on special teams.”

Powell points to one specific ingredient needed to beat Many.

“For us, it’s going to be alignment,” Powell said. “Our kids, defensively, have to line up for what they’re trying to do and also we must withstand their pressure on offense. They’re going to be sending six or seven at a time. If we can withstand that, I think we’ll be okay.”