Jackson House powers Dunham past University Lab in state semifinals, 35-28

BATON ROUGE – On Friday night, the Dunham Tigers and their fans partied like it was 2004.

The LHSAA Division III Select semifinal home game was just the latest reason to celebrate.

Dunham extended its win streak to 12 and advanced a state championship game for the first time in 18 years with a gritty 35-28 victory over University High.

One of the major turning points of the night happened when the Cubs were marching towards the endzone in search of their first lead of the night in a tie game. Dunham senior Colin Boldt punched the ball loose on what at first appeared to be a sure touchdown inside the two yard line, and junior Sione Albert made the big recovery.

“GTA (Grand Theft Auto), we’re looking to steal the ball everytime,” Dunham head coach Neil Weiner said about the huge play that kept the score knotted at 21.

In the final stanza, quarterback Jackson House led a 60-yard drive to put the Tigers back in front but Dylan Moses on the next Cubs possession went off to the races for a 40-yard touchdown to even the score again.

The way the night seemed destined to go, it was no surprise House punched in the winning scoreon a 34 yard run.

On the final possession, University crossed midfield but could not reach the end zone before the clock expired.

Dunham (12-1) outgained University, 488-393. House, an Eastern Kentucky commit and the son of LSU defensive coordinator Matt House, accounted for 431 yards and four touchdowns to power the Tigers to victory.

“He’s special,” Weiner said of his quarterback, “Jackson House, I think he’s Superman.”

Jac Comeaux was House’s top passing target, posting 146 yards on four receptions.

Moses led the way for University with 179 yards on 21 carries and a apir of touchdowns.

Cubs quarterback Blake Abney was picked off three times by a Tigers defense which forced four big turnovers.

University started slowly, going three and out twice and than ended their third drive with an interception.

“We put ourselves in a hole to start with,” said University head coach Andy Martin. “we didnt give up and kept going and going.”

On the flip side, Dunham started fast, scoring touchdowns on each of its first two drives. Both scores came on the ground with one from House and the other from Mason Wild.

The Cubs gained some momentum in the second quarter, marching seven plays and 70 yards on a drive capped by a five-yard score from Mosses.

Dunham took the momentum right back thanks to a 80-yard march in six plays. A 48-yard touchdown run by House bumped the Tigers lead back up to two scores at 21-7.

Not willing to fade away eaily, University quickly bounced back before the half. Abney hooked up with Jaiden Ausberry from 15 yards out to the Caubs pull back within 7 at the break.

University (9-4) finally pulled even in the third quarter after Abney hooked up with Seth Gale on a 10-yard touchdown to even the score at 21-21.

Dunham advance to play St Charles Catholic next Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Caesar Superdome.