The Oak Grove Tigers (12-3) shut out the Homer Pelicans (10-4) 17-0 to win the LHSAA Division IV Non-Select State Championship Game. It was a game not for the faint of heart as it was a physical football game on both sides of the football. The contest was going to come down to which team was able to make the less mistakes and the Tigers played the cleaner football game.
On the first drive of the football game, Homer decided to roll the dice on fourth down deep in their own territory, but Oak Grove safety and Oklahoma State commit Kamryn Franklin made the play behind the line of scrimmage to force a turnover on downs.
Oak Grove had a fourth down situation too on their first drive of the football game, but unlike Homer, executed their fourth down play call exceptionally well as Decorian Freeman hit the outside and scored from over 20 yards out to draw first blood at 7-0.
Again, Homer would turn the ball over on downs as quarterback Andrevious Buggs’ pass fell short of the intended receiver. Once again, Oak Grove would add points to the board on a 23 yard field goal from Thomas Clack to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead.
It would look like Oak Grove would get the ball back on a kickoff recovery, but the play was reversed when it was ruled that the Tigers’ Madox Hurley stepped out of bounds before recovering the ball. Homer would threaten to score, but Oak Grove’s Franklin would strike again intercepting Buggs and running the interception back 43 yards to set up the Tigers in the plus side of the field.
Oak Grove would try to add more points before halftime, but Clack’s field goal attempt before the buzzer would be unsuccessful.
In the second half, both defenses would continue to hold serve. Late in the third quarter, Oak Grove would turn the football over giving the Homer Pelicans some life, but that would go away when Homer turns the football away themselves.
Oak Grove would later put the game on ice when quarterback Jackson Bradley punched the ball in the end zone from two yards out to give the Tigers a 17-0 lead with less than a minute left to play.
The 17-0 victory for the Oak Grove Tigers clinched the program’s seventh state championship and the third in last four years under Ryan Gregory.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these guys. What a gritty effort against a really classy hard fought football team. Hats off to Homer. Man, I couldn’t be prouder of my dudes.”
Oak Grove Head Coach Ryan Gregory
Winning the Most Valuable Player Award is Oklahoma State commit Kamryn Franklin, who made his presence known with an interception and a tackle for loss on fourth down plus many more tackles throughout the game. Jackson Bradley used his legs often throughout the contest rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown while Decorian Freeman led the Tigers in rushing with 128 yards and one touchdown.
Meanwhile, for the Homer Pelicans, led by head coach Richie Casey, they will end the season short of back-to-back state championships, but two ten plus winning seasons and back-to-back state championship game appearances.
Check out some of the photos taken by Billy Metcalf! We will release the magazine with all the game photos throughout the weekend for the Prep Classic. If you wish the receive the magazine for free through email, fill out the contact sheet form at the bottom of the article.
Pregame Poll:
Road To The Dome Preview:
Key Plays: (Videos provided by Tyler Barros)
1st Quarter:
2nd Quarter:
Oak Grove leads Homer 10-0 at halftime.
3rd Quarter:
4th Quarter:
Stay tuned on Monday. We will release the magazine with all the game photos throughout the weekend for the Prep Classic. If you wish the receive the magazine for free through email, fill out the contact sheet form below!
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