Oak Grove claimed their eighth state title in history and for the second year in a row against a Claiborne Parish team. Oak Grove, a 2A school, outscored the Haynesville Golden Tornado in a 62-36 championship game. The game was the sixth-highest-scoring game in the LHSAA championships. Oak Grove was the only two blemishes on the Haynesville 12-2 record.
The offensive yards were not widely varied between the two teams as Oak Grove had 404 yards to Haynesville’s 375. Hayneville struggled on the third down conversion going 0-for-6 and just downright bad luck on some opportunities.
Take nothing away from the Tigers. Louisiana Tech commit Jackson Bradley had 21 carries for 188 yards and three touchdowns and Jay Freeman backed him up with 24 carries with 177 yards and also three touchdowns causing havoc for the Golden Tornado. Oak Grove also received touchdowns from Madox Hurley and a kickoff return touchdown from Tamarques Pritchard.
Haynesville’s Isaiah Washington was 5-for-19 for 115 yards a touchdown and two interceptions. Washington also had 8 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns. JerMarquis Hampton was the top target with 2 receptions for two touchdowns. Hampton also had a touchdown reception from Tra Brooks. Byruss Burns was the top rusher with 4 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown.
The first quarter saw a quick score from Oak Grove with a 29-yard bolt downfield to give the early lead. Haynesville matched the score Washington connected with Hampton on a 53-yard touchdown reception. The Tigers didn’t allow much celebration as Pritchard returned the kickoff for an 84-yard touchdown. This opened the nightmare first quarter for the Golden Tornado. Haynesville looked to be making momentum as Alonzo Jackson reached a first down on a third down conversion. The call went for review and the call was called as it ruled a stripped ball by Spencer Foster. Oak Grove marched downfield and finished the drive on a 6-yard run by Freeman. Haynesville had to punt on the next possession and the deepest field position of the Tigers yet for the night was not enough as Bradley jetted the quarterback keeper for 74 yards for a touchdown. Oak Grove was up 28-7 by the end of the first quarter.
The woes continued for Haynesville in the second quarter. Another three-and-out for Haynesville resulted in midfield position again for Oak Grove. A 9-play almost four-minute drive resulted in a 2-yard run touchdown by Freeman. Haynesville’s first play after the touchdown saw an interception by James Harris that reached the Haynesville 9. Bradley reached the end zone again on a 6-yard run and a 41-7 lead with 6:53 left in the second quarter. Haynesville finally caught a break when Byruss Burns broke through for a 68-yard touchdown run. Oak Grove had the 41-15 halftime lead.
Haynesville came out of the locker room with some spark. The Golden Tornado continued to struggle with the third down conversions. Oak Grove couldn’t capitalize though as a 31-yard field goal was missed. Haynesville’s defense sparked some hope as Damondra Martin intercepted Bradley’s pass. Washington took the Golden Tornado to the end zone on the 12-yard keeper. Haynesville had closed the gap to 41-23 late in the third quarter. Not to be outdone, Oak Grove’s Freeman broke away on a 31-yard run and closed out the third quarter up 48-23.
Oak Grove was catching the breaks again in the fourth quarter as Pritchard snagged an interception. The Tigers reached the red zone to the Haynesville 12 facing a 4th and 1. The Tigers go for a quarterback push for the first down and the ball became loose and was batted to the end zone by a Haynesville player only to be recovered by Freeman in the end zone and once pushed the lead to over 20 points. Haynesville looked to stay alive as Alonzo Jackson made a pass that looked to be a touchdown but instant replay ruled him dead on the Oak Grove 1. Washington finished the drive with a 1-yard run. Freeman made a three-play 53-yard run to only allow senior Hurley to make a state championship memory with a 1-yard touchdown. A little of the Golden Tornado’s future was able to be seen as Hampton scored his second touchdown but from a pass by freshman Tra Brooks.
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