It was an emotional win for Haynesville Head Coach David Franklin, who ended the Tornadoes’ 10 year state championship drought with a 39-37 victory over Mangham for the Division IV Non-Select State Championship.
“It has been a tough year. I had two parents that passed this year. They guided me in the right direction and they put these guys in the right direction. They put God first in everything that we do and that is important to us and equally as important to teach them right. I am so proud of the run we’ve had and this is the icing on the cake.”
Haynesville HC David Franklin
This was the first time in the Dome that Coach Franklin’s legendary father the late great Red Franklin was not in attendance, but his presence was there on the Superdome turf the entire game
The game itself was a back and forth affair as there were numerous records that were set by both teams.
There were 766 combined yards, which is a Division IV championship record. Mangham had 465 rushing yards, which is a Division IV record and 31 first downs, which was a Division IV record.
Although the Dragons outgained the Tornadoes 567 yards to 282, it was timely defensive plays that helped the Tornadoes get the victory including a scoop and score by Ethan Henderson and a pick six by Isaiah Washington.
Washington, who is a LSU commit, was a factor on both sides of the football for the Tornadoes in his final high school game rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns on offense while having 14 tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown on defense. His efforts earned him MVP honors for the Division IV Non-Select State Championship Game.
“Since my freshman year, I got thrown into the water. There is a lot of pressure. I had great senior classes that were always getting my head up. It’s been a long tough grind. Being a leader definitely stands out to me because of how those other senior classes treated me.”
Haynesville QB/DB Isaiah Washington
Ethan Henderson also had a three-touchdown game himself scoring twice on offense and one on defense.
At one point, Haynesville had a 32-20 lead, but Mangham kept themselves in it and even took the lead at 35-32 before Washington would score the eventual go ahead touchdown.
Mangham had three rushers that over 100 yards rushing paced by Willie Randolph, who had 203 yards rushing and one touchdown, Kenneth Mitchell, who had 137 yards rushing, and QB Colby Casey, who ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another.
Overall, this is the Tornadoes’ 18th state championship, which is only second to John Curtis, and for many reasons, this one will be remembered by all of the Golden Tornado nation.
Check out the photos taken by Billy Metcalf!
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