The Calvary Cavaliers redeemed an early exit from last year’s playoffs with a 62-41 Division IV State Championship over Ouachita Christian Eagles at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches on Tuesday afternoon. This is the Cavaliers’ third state championship in history and first since 2014. Coach Rodney Guin also collected his first-ever LHSAA championship ring.
The No. 1 seeded Cavaliers rode the Calvary triumvirate of Landry Liddy, Joseph Wilson, and Jordan Wallace to the title.
Liddy broke the LHSAA record for passing yards with 464 yards in a state championship. Liddy’s stellar performance going 26 for 36 passing and also had a hand in five (4 passing, 1 rushing) touchdowns. The main target for the Liddy rockets was Jordan Wallace who caught 2 touchdowns and compiled 202 receiving yards. Joseph Wilson mixed up the action between the ground attach and an option for Liddy from the air. Wilson compiled 127 yards total offense and crossed the end zone four times (3 rushing, 1 receiving). Aubrey Hermes got into the mix with 89 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The Cavalier defense stopped the potent Ouachita Christian offense. Dustin Lang collected 16 tackles (1 solo, 15 assisted). Cade Bedgood added 15 (6 solo, 9 assisted). Latarrus “Pop Tart” Jackson also made sure the defense was represented with a pick-six and another interception.
Ouachita Christian Eagles outgained the Cavaliers 537 yards to 494 yards on offense. The Eagles were led by UL commit Hunter Herring who passed for 328 yards and 3 touchdowns. Herring also plowed the yards with 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Kristin Wiley broke the reception record with 216 yards. Wiley scored two touchdowns. Landon Graves added a touchdown for the Eagles. Christopher Hol made sure the defense was represented on the scoreboard for the Eagles.
Calvary wasted little time to make an impact in the game with a Joseph Wilson 54-yard touchdown run. Calvary stumped the Eagles offense on their first drive and Calvary got the ball back. OCS defense struck recovering a fumble by Lyddy and Christopher Hol ran back for a 26-yard touchdown. Calvary struck fast again with a 39-yard pass to Jordan Wallace to regain the lead at 13-7. The Eagles kept pace as Herring broke loose for a 64-yard run. Ouachita Christian took a 14-13 lead into the second quarter.
Aubrey Hermes got his opportunity to cross the end zone early in the fourth with a 34-yard touchdown reception. LaTarrus Jackson picked off OCS and gave the Cavs midfield position. Calvary marched to the red zone and allowed Joseph Wilson to widen the gap to a 27-14 Cavalier lead. Calvary seemed to have the Eagles under control. But when you assume that for Herring, he struck with a 47-yard run for a touchdown to close within a touchdown. Calvary went down the field in 53 seconds to allow Wilson to crash into the end zone on a 5-yard run to get back to a two-score lead. Hunter Herring on the next drive at midfield went down with an ankle injury. Looking to take the Eagle a key offensive playmaker. Backup OCS QB Landon Graves stepped in a few plays. Herring hobbled back on the field and launched a rocket to Wiley on an 83-yard touchdown pass. The Eagle once again within a touchdown. OCS trying to get a last possession for the half went for the onside kick with 53 seconds remaining. Calvary recovered midfield. That’s all Lyddy needed. Lyddy took the Cavs to the 1 with 11 seconds remaining. Lyddy took the QB keeper across to give OCS the 41-24 halftime lead.
With Herring taken out of his running game, the Eagles went to milk the clock. A 15 play, 80-yard drive finished with a 13-yard touchdown from Herring to Graves close the gap once again. Calvary still enjoying the lead went in the same direction as the Cavs reached within the OCS 8. Wilson finished off the drive for the fourth touchdown with an 8-yard run and the comfortable 48-33 lead heading into the fourth.
Herring continued to lead the Eagles at quarterback despite showing signs of an injury throughout the second half. Calvary struck once again with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Lyddy to Wallace to give a good 22 point cushion. Taking to the air attack only to find Jackson get another pick but this time took it home with a 64-yard interception return to give a 62-33 lead. Still showing a fight and not to close out his senior season quietly. Herring connected with Wiley on a 7-yard touchdown pass one final time. Too late though as Calvary had claimed the Division IV State Title.
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