By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports

St. Mary’s head football coach Kedrin Seastrunk was not exactly celebrating after his team notched its first win of the season Friday night.

After one thrashing and two that got away, the Tigers finally were able to find ways to win, taking a 39-28 victory over visiting Many.

But there was no party afterwards for Seastrunk, just a big exhale.

“I’ve been so locked in excitement couldn’t hit me,” the second-year coach of the Tigers said. “But that relief did.”

There was relief, not only that the team got the win, Seastrunk said, but also how it got the win. Many (2-2) gave the Tigers a battle and led 22-19 at the half. The difference, Seastrunk said, was the passing game found its way, which opened up the run.

Quarterback A.J. Johnson threw two touchdown passes, one to Haiden Nelson for 10 yards and one to Cole Yopp for 64 yards. J.P. Thibodaux ran for two scores, including one for 61 yards, and caught one from Merritt Vandersteen.

“It was a battle,” Seastrunk said. “They’ve got a real good team. The key is, our game style — we’ve been one-dimensional. It’s been easy to scout us. The difference was, we opened it up and our passing game allowed us to run the ball efficiently. A.J. (Ashton) Johnson really stepped up.”

The Tigers, now 1-3 after their second win over Class 2A Many in as many seasons, will have a short week before they host St. Frederick Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Turpin Stadium.

There was some satisfaction for Lakeview Friday night as well after the Gators lost to DeQuincy, 39-8. It was the fewest points the Gators gave up this season and the most points the Gators have scored.

Zantavious McKinney broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and tight end Atlas Hicks caught the 2-point conversion pass from quarterback Gavin Spears to account for all of Lakeview’s points.

Gators coach Lawrence Seawood said he was proud of the way his team played in the second half, holding DeQuincy to one touchdown.

“We had a little come-to-Jesus meeting with them at halftime,” he said. “They kind of woke up in the second half.”

The Gators play one more upper classification team, 2A Avoyelles, before starting District 3-1A play against LaSalle on Oct. 10.

“We’ll be ready for district,” Seawood said.