ferriday — A bruised CENLA Christian Academy couldn’t muster the needed strength to defeat a focused Jody Cottongin and the rest of the Huntington Hounds Friday night.

Huntington (3-2) easily rolled over the Lions 53-7.

“Our kids were focused and enthusiastic tonight,” Huntington head coach Chad Harkins said. “We’ve been lacking enthusiasm.”

The Lions had several new faces starting due to the recent firing of four coaches including head coach Matt Middleton.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” Harkins said. “We had heard players left the team and they haven’t been practicing much this week.”

CENLA was able to dress out over 30 players consisting mainly of junior high and freshmen players.

“Our quarterback is just a sophomore,” CENLA interim head coach Bobby Curtis said. “We lost a lot of starters but the ones that stayed showed a lot of courage.”

Huntington jumped out early on the Lions scoring on their first drive off a 22-yard run from wingback Martez Tolliver.

The Hounds busted out in the second quarter scoring three touchdowns with one coming with no time left off a Chuck Bowie 26-yard pass to Cottongin.

“We practiced and worked hard all week,” Cottongin said. “We were ready for them.”

CENLA changed up their pass-heavy offense to more of a run in the first half.

“All the tape we had on them showed nothing but passing,” Harkins said. “We had to scrap everything we did to prepare on defense. But we adjusted very well.”

The Huntington defense recovered two fumbles and intercepted the ball three times.

“Our pass defense isn’t our strong point,” Harkins said. “We showed great improvement tonight.”

Curtis said he was proud of the way his teamed played and never gave up.

“These guys were abandoned by their former coaches and teammates,” Curtis said. “I couldn’t be prouder of this team. They continued fighting all the way.”

Harkins said he was impressed by the Lions and the athleticism of some of their players.

“(CENLA) played hard tonight,” Harkins said. “They will get better.”