BREAKING NEWS: The Lamar School Raiders have just clinched the MAIS Class 4A, Division III state championship, defeating the Brookhaven Academy Cougars 34-17 at Mississippi College’s Robinson-Hale Stadium on December 2, 2023. This victory marks Lamar’s 10th state title overall and their first since 2018, ending a six-year championship drought.
In a game filled with explosive plays, the Raiders showcased a formidable defense, including two interception returns for touchdowns. Head coach Jacob Land expressed pride in his team’s resilience, stating, “Our kids are just resilient; anything we throw at them, they responded the right way.”
The Raiders struck first with a 1-yard touchdown run by Tyler Brown, putting them ahead 7-0 late in the first quarter. Shortly after, quarterback Sullivan Reed connected with Jalin Trotter on a 34-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-0.
The Cougars responded with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Will Newell to Carson Mowdy, narrowing the gap to 14-7. However, Trotter swiftly answered with a dramatic 90-yard interception return, pushing Lamar’s lead to 20-7 just before halftime.
As the second half began, Brookhaven Academy’s Jacob Jones managed to kick a 36-yard field goal, making it 20-10. Yet, Lamar quickly countered with a 14-yard touchdown run by Khari Towner, extending their advantage to 27-10.
The game was sealed in the third quarter when Navy commit Mikeal Willis delivered a stunning 54-yard interception return for a touchdown, bringing the score to 34-10 with just 44 seconds left in the third quarter. Brookhaven managed to score one more time with an 8-yard touchdown run by Tanner Smith, finalizing the score at 34-17.
Towner led the Raiders with 106 yards rushing on 22 carries, while Trotter contributed 39 yards receiving alongside his pivotal interception return. Trotter, a North Alabama commit, expressed his elation, saying, “Feels great to win a state championship my senior year. All the hard work we put in paid off.”
Brookhaven Academy finished the season with an 8-5 record. Coach Ryan Ross reflected on the game, saying, “We just didn’t execute offensively. We hurt ourselves tonight with turnovers.” Despite the loss, he praised his team for exceeding expectations this season.
As the Raiders celebrate this monumental victory, fans and players alike look forward to what next season holds. The win not only signifies a return to glory for Lamar School but also sets a strong foundation for future championships.
Stay tuned for more updates on the aftermath of this thrilling state championship game.
