Don’t mistake the simplicity of the DeRidder Dragons’ offense as a sign of weakness.

A midseason tweak has produced a three-game win streak for the Dragons as they head into tonight’s annual District 3-4A rivalry game with Leesville.

The Dragons (4-2, 1-0) started the season 1-2, then everything came to a head in Week 3 when they lost 17-3 to Jennings. That prompted a change.

“After Jennings, we went back to more of a two-back run game,” DeRidder head coach Brad Parmley said. “We were

kind of a double-slot look at the beginning of the year. Then after Jennings, we went back to what we have done in the past. We have gone more to some split back stuff and kind of simplified things, and it has paid off for us.”

DeRidder went from averaging 13.7 points a game in the first three games to 42 in the last three, including a 57-6 win over LaGrange last week to open play in District 3-4A.

The change has also allowed all three of the Dragons’ running backs to flourish. Junior Dylan Vines (510 yds., 6 TDs) and sophomores Javaughn Fairley (590 yds., 5 TDs) and Reed Williams (319 yds., 5 TDs) have combined for six 100-yard games and 11 touchdowns in the last three weeks.

“That has been a huge positive for us,” Parmley said. “We don’t have to rely on just one bell cow. We can spread the load, and all three of them are very capable backs. They are kind of all different.

“Javaughn is a slasher. If he gets open space, he going to outrun you. Then Reed kind of came on the scene as the unknown, but he is probably one of our fastest kids. He has a different style. He runs upright, but he is strong. Then Vines is not a powerback or a big back, but he is a tough, hard-nosed high school football player.”

It has also allowed the offensive line — Nick Rochelle, Hunter Gill, Ethan Parker, Amari January and Quincey Estis — to become a more cohesive group. The line is creating running lanes for the Dragons’ ground game and has averaged 380 rushing yards a game since the loss to Jennings.

“I think the biggest thing was simplifying for my O-line and letting them get comfortable,” Parmley said. “They have just improved tremendously the last three weeks.

“I think getting back to basics and being more consistent. We had some guys rotating early on trying to figure out who the fourth and fifth guy was. I think versus Westlake we just decided to stick with the five we had up front, and they just improved week to week.”

The Dragons’ defense will be key this week as well. After holding four of six opponents to seven or fewer points, they will be faced with a 1,000- yard back in junior Xavier Ford (1,046 yds., 11 TDs) and dual-threat Izaiah Farley (299 rushing yds., 404 receiving yards, 9 total TDs).

“It always starts with stopping the run,” Parmley said. “They have a good back in Ford. He is dangerous. He is a big back, but he can also break it for 60 yards if he needs to.

“Also, No. 6 (Farley) is a heck of a player. They do a good job with trying to catch an edge with the formation, then throw it over your head to No. 6 sometimes.

“It is going to be a big challenge. They are a really good team. It is a big rivalry for us, and we are hoping our kids play good football and have a chance to win the ballgame in the fourth quarter.”

Elsewhere

Barbe (3-3, 1-3) is riding high after blanking rival Sulphur (2-4, 1-4) 31-0 last week. The Bucs will play the first of their last two home games when they host New Iberia (0- 6, 0-4) then Lafayette (3-3, 1-3) next week in its final game.

Sam Houston (5-1, 4-1) looks to rebound from its first loss with a road game at Lafayette, while the Tors seek to end a three-game losing streak when they host Southside (5-1, 3-1).

LaGrange (0-6, 0-1) and Washington-Marion (1-5, 0-1) are both home and looking to even their District 3-4A records. Rayne (4-2, 0-1) travels to John J. Mims Stadium to play the Gators, while W-M takes on Eunice (4-2, 1-0).

In District 5-1A, East Beauregard (4-2, 2-0), which shares the district lead with Basile (4-2, 3-0), will make the trip to Elton (4-2, 2-1).

The game will be a ground battle. Elton’s Tristan Leblanc (94-976, 11 TDs) is the area’s second-leading rusher behind Ford, while East Beauregard is led by Caleb Johnson (71-707, 9 TDs).

Hamilton Christian (1-5, 0-2) will play Merryville (2-4, 0-2) at Cougar Stadium in a game that was originally scheduled for Thursday.

Leesville at DeRidder

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Cecil Doyle Stadium.

RECORDS (District 3-4A): Leesville 3-3 (1-0); DeRidder 4-2 (1-0).

LAST WEEK: Leesville beat Washington-Marion 48-6, DeRidder beat LaGrange 57-6.

OUR TAKE: The battle will be between Leesville’s ground game, which averages 228 yards per game and has scored 14 touchdowns, and the Dragons’ defense, which has given up one rushing TD in the last four games. Junior linebacker Dylon Rhodes (64 tackles, 3 tackles for loss) and senior linebacker Kenias St. Romain (53 tackles, 6 TFL) will lead the charge to stop Leesville 1,000-yard back Xavier Ford.

FROM THE COACH: “The offensive line has done a great job the last few weeks of gelling together and putting the hat on the hat. We have been playing really good defense for pretty much the whole year, which is always a big positive for us.” — DeRidder head coach Brad Parmley.

WORTH NOTING: DeRidder and Leesville will play for the Hooper Trophy. It is named after L.S. “Buck” Hooper, a Leesville High School graduate, and Agnes Hooper, a DeRidder High School graduate. They purchased the first trophy in 1962. Today marks the 102nd game between the rivals and 59th for the Hooper Trophy. There are six Hooper Trophies, one for each 10 games. Leesville owns I, III, V and VI and DeRidder won II and IV. Leesville has won five of the last six meetings.