Edna Karr won their seventh state championship and the first since 2019. They did so against another undefeated team in the Alexandria Trojans and did so in dominant fashion by a final score of 53-8.
The 45 point victory is the largest ever in the history of the Division I or Class 5A state championship.
Despite throwing for four interceptions, John Johnson led the way as the Cougars’ dynamic dual threat quarterback with 197 yards passing and two touchdowns plus 161 yards rushing on the ground.
For the Cougars, the LSU commits all had impressive performances. Taron Francis finished the game with three grabs for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Aiden Hall had a pick six and Richard Anderson was unblockable with seven tackles plus six tackles for loss.
Alexandria running back JT Lindsey was held to 115 yards rushing on 22 carries as the Trojans offense was only held to less than 200 yards of total offense.
To start things off Alexandria receives the ball first, the ball is kicked out the back of the end zone and the game begins on the 20 yard line.
On the second play of the game Alexandria QB Karsen Sellers is picked off by Karr DB Aiden Hall and he returns it for a 32 yard touchdown. Karr gets on the board 11:27 into the game.
Alexandria feeds their RB JT Lindsey but the Karr defense has swarmed to the ball and forces a punt to get their first offensive possession. They begin their first drive on the 40 yard line.
First play is a bomb from QB John Johnson to WR Taron Francis for 46 yards for a Karr touchdown. Karr up early on Alexandria 14-0 10:06 in the first quarter.
Alexandria hands it off to RB JT Lindsey three times in a row, but the Karr defense would have none of it and bring up another 4th down for Alexandria. Karr is looking to put this game away early in the first quarter.
Karr QB John Johnson putting the team on his back on their second offensive possession. Three carries and Karr is on the 16 yard line. He would once again take himself for the scramble and the five yard score. Karr is pouring it on early and the score is extended to 21-0 with 6:30 left in the first quarter.
Alexandria finally gets something positive going with a 36 yard carry by RB JT Lindsey and the ball is across midfield for Alexandria now.
Alexandria would get to the 20 yard line but stall out and turn it over on downs. Karr ball with 2:48 to go in the 1st.
Alexandria gets a gift on defense as the ball is tipped and picked off by Jaytun Terry and the ball is returned to midfield.
End of the first and the score is 21-0 with Karr leading the way.
First play of the second quarter is a huge sack by Karr’s Tyrrik Brigalia to force Alexandria to punt yet again. Karr could look to put this game away early in the first half.
As Karr marches down the field, QB John Johnson is picked off for a second time and Alexandria has the ball on their own three yard line with 9:43 left in the second quarter.
Karr’s defense swarms RB JT Lindsey in the endzone for a safety. The score is now 23-0 Karr.
Karr would be held to their first punt with 8 minutes to go in the second quarter, Alexandria’s defense is giving them ample opportunities to get something going against this stout Karr team.
Karsen Sellers is pressured and sacked in the endzone and Karr gets another safety extending the lead to 25-0 with 7:25 left in the second quarter.
QB John Johnson completes it to WR Oliver Mitchell, and he brings it to the 1 yard line, and QB John Johnson finishes the job with a 1 yard keeper for a touchdown. Karr is putting it on Alexandria in the first half with the score 32-0 with 5:38 to go.
Alexandria has their best drive yet. Marching the ball from the opposite side of the field. With 4:04 left in the half they get to the five yard line. Their first time in scoring position.
After a drought, Max Gassiott would get Alexandria some points on the board after a five yard keeper. After a successful two point conversion the score is now 32-8 with 3:27 left in the half, Karr still with a big lead.
Karr QB John Johnson on the next drive throws across his body and the ball is intercepted and Alexandria has a chance to cut into the lead with 2:50 left in the half.
End of the first half and it is all Edna Karr with a score of 32-8.
Karr starts the second half off on their own 33 yard line.
Karr elected to use their ground and pound attack on Alexandria to start the half off and it brings them all the way down to the 25 yard line.
QB John Johnson scrambles 24 yards and brings Karr within striking range. The Alexandria defense is putting up a fight, but Karr would power their way in with RB Bryant Sanchez for the 1 yard score 7:44 into the third quarter. Karr extends their lead to 39-8.
Later, with 4:32, QB John Johnson would complete a deep one to WR Daejawn Smith for 46 yards to get Karr going, and the very next play he tosses a touchdown pass to WR Taron Francis for 22 yards. A two play scoring drive puts Karr up 46-8 with 4:01 left in the third.
End of the third and it is all Karr Cougars running away with this game 46-8.
With 10:09 left in the game, Karr would score yet again on the feet of QB John Johnson giving him 3 rushing touchdowns on the day. The score is a runaway at 53-8 Karr with this game wrapped up. At this point of the game it is now a running clock.
Alexandria (13-1) was just no match for the powerhouse that was Edna Karr in this game. Karr has handled everything Alexandria has thrown and run at them. A testament to great play and coaching on all fronts.
Brice Brown once again adds to his Hall of Fame legacy accounting for five of the Cougars’ state championship teams as the Cougars’ head coach. While he has coached some of the greatest teams in Louisiana high school football history, he does acknowledge that this team is among the best because of their senior leadership as well as their ability to block out the outside noise.
“If you ask these guys, I don’t think they have to worry about hearing the outside noise because they’re more worried about having to hear my voice.”
“Our first goal of the week was to have a running clock in a state championship. It didn’t have anything to do with ASH. It was about us. I don’t want to sound arrogant or cocky, but that’s the expectation. When you sign four guys to Division I colleges this month, that should be the expectation.”
Edna Karr Head Coach Brice Brown
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