For the second consecutive year and for the third time in five years, the Sterlington Panthers have won the Division III Non-Select State Championship. The Panthers were able to defeat the Jena Giants 34-20 thanks to a combination of their strong, physical rushing attack alongside some big defensive plays and it happened to be two brothers that were leading the charge on both sides of the ball.
Down 12-7 at halftime, the Panthers outscored the Giants 27 to 8 the rest of the game. On the ground, Sterlington ran for 287 yards and three total touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns came from TJ Burch, who finished the game with 105 yards on the ground as well as the game’s most outstanding player.
His older brother Tre Burch finished with 11 tackles and also a 34 yard interception for a touchdown to get the team’s final touchdown. It was a special moment for both Burch brother as their final game together would be for a state championship.
“It just felt special because we’ve been playing football together our whole life and it just feels good to win a championship playing with my brother for the last time.”
Sterlington RB TJ Burch
“It feels amazing knowing we worked hard all summer and offseason and all that. This is just a good feeling to be with each other for the last time.”
Sterlington LB Tre Burch
The Panthers also had a 21 yard rushing touchdown from Xavier Rawls-Stromile and a 37 yard interception return for a touchdown from Devyn Downs to extend their lead to two possessions. Downs and Burch’s interceptions came on back to back drives to clinch the win.
Both teams had long methodical six minute scoring drives to start the game as Jena’s Sedrick Wilson ran for a 10 yard touchdown, but both defenses would settle in as the game progressed.
Early on, Sterlington did not have many answers for Jena wide receiver Zadrien Cooper, who ended up being the Most Outstanding Player for the Giants with four catches for 125 yards and one touchdown, but the Panthers’ defense minimized his damage in the second half.
“We’ve been in fist fights before and we talked about that at halftime. We’ve been there, done that with our schedule.”
Sterlington HC Lee Doty
After scoring on their first two drives, Jena turned the ball over on downs three times and turning the ball over three times. The Giants added a late touchdown from John Mcphereson to Adrian Sharp and a two point conversion from Sedrick Wilson, but it was too little too late.
Still, it was an incredible year for Jay Roark and the Jena Giants for making to the Superdome for the first time ever.
“I’m extremely proud. I mean, several years ago, nobody would’ve thought this would be possible. It’s been a lot of hard work put in by a lot of great kids.”
Jena HC Jay Roark
Lee Doty has been a part of all four Sterlington championships including the last three as head coach and for him, there is nowhere else he would rather be at.
“You know, I’ve got the best job in the world. My family and I love it here. You know, we’ve been through some hard times family wise with some health issues. This community rallied around us. For me to be able to help give this community, it means the world to me and these young men, win, lose, or draw, I wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else. We have a special place.”
Sterlington HC Lee Doty
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