FERRIDAY — When the Huntington Hounds needed a win to jump-start what had been a tough start to the 2007 season, they got it last Friday night as they defeated the Tensas Academy Chiefs 34-8 in an important MPSA District 6-A game for both teams.

Huntington’s running game returned to its dominant form as the Hounds finished with 392 yards on the ground. That was thanks in large part to Jody Cottongin, who finished with 221 yards rushing on just 20 carries — over 10 yards a carry — to go with three touchdowns, one of which went for 95 yards.

While the Hounds’ run defense continued to be strong, limiting Tensas to 116 total rushing yards on 30 carries, its pass defense was a pleasant surprise. Chiefs quarterback Bennett Schauf was held to 56 yards on 5-of-16 passing.

However, Hounds head coach Chad Harkins couldn’t have been pleased with his team losing the turnover battle (three to one) and the nine penalties for 73 yards.

Huntington will have a tough task this Friday at 7 p.m. as the Hounds host MPSA newcomer and district opponent Cenla Christian Academy. Yes, the Lions are in their first year and are in a tough district, but they are athletic and they score a lot of points.

Just ask Glenbrook School. The Apaches went into their game with the Lions ranked No. 5 in Class A, but they left Pineville, La. with a shocking 42-31 loss. That, too, was a district game.

Tensas Academy had a chance to prove that it could be a contender in District 6-A, but the defense gave up two touchdowns in the first quarter, both over 70 yards, and the Chiefs were not able to recover.

Even though Tensas steps out of district Friday night, it won’t be easy as the Chiefs host Class AA River Oaks School. The Mustangs scored 32 points in the first half en route to a 52-7 win over ACCS in a District 3-AA game.

Speaking of ACCS, the Rebels probably will have their best chance of getting their first win of the season this Friday at 7 p.m. when they play at Silliman Institute. The Wildcats have been outscored 67-6 in their last two games, including a 43-0 drubbing by the Bowling Green School Buccaneers last Friday night.

Trinity Episcopal, 4-0 overall and 1-0 in MPSA District 3-AA, plays its third straight road game Friday at 7 p.m. as the Saints will travel to Bastrop, La., to take on a good Prairie View Academy Spartans team.

“We got out of there injury free. It was an injury-free ball game,” Trinity head coach David King said of his team’s 45-0 win at Tri-County Academy to remain undefeated.

Parker Brumfield threw for just 54 yards, but King said that number was deceiving.

“He had two touchdown passes. He was extremely effective,” King said. “Four of those plays were when he was flushed out of the pocket. They dropped a lot of people in coverage and he just tucked the ball and ran. He had several good runs on the night.”

With the game out of hand early, Trinity’s offense spread the ball around to several players. R.J. Fleming had a long run called back because of a penalty. “We wanted to give a lot of kids some touches. That’s kind of our forte.” King said.

Prairie View is 3-1 overall and 1-0 in district play after taking a 14-6 win on the road at Riverfield Academy.

“Prairie View has got a very good ball club. These are the type of challenges you get prepared for,” King said. “We’ve penciled this game for a while as the next big step in our fight for a playoff spot. We just keep trucking along and winning ball games and keep making believers out of people.”

Centreville Academy got a good balanced of rushing and passing in winning its District 5-AA opener in impressive fashion – a 36-6 win over then-undefeated Central Private School.

The unsung star of the game was Zach Sinclair, who had 115 yards rushing and three touchdowns, two catches for 25 yards, and an interception. Nick Goudeau was held to 68 yards rushing, but he also caught three passes for 87 yards.

Kyle Brown threw for 174 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-17 passing. He also made an extra point and connected on a 35-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Centreville, 3-1 overall and 1-0 in District 5-AA, takes a break from district play this Friday at 7 p.m. when the Tigers travel to Columbia to face the 0-5 Columbia Academy Cougars.

Wilkinson County Christian Academy got back on the winning track with a big 14-6 win over Claiborne Academy. Rams quarterback Cody Cullen accounted for all of the team’s 14 points – two touchdowns, including the game-winning 10-yard run to go with a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

WCCA, 2-2 overall and 1-2 in District 6-A, continues its string of eight straight district games when it travels to Winnsboro, La. to take on the Franklin Academy Cougars Friday at 7 p.m. Franklin Academy is also 2-2 overall and 1-2 in district play.