Lyddy’s record-setting passing powers Calvary Baptist past Ouachita Christian for Division IV title

Calvary Baptist quarterback Landry Lyddy throws for a new state championship game record 464 yards. pic.twitter.com/w8uTPdKnT8

— Jake Martin (@JakeMartinOC) December 29, 2020

NATCHITOCHES – A year ago, Ouachita Christian outscored Calvary Baptist 49-47 in the Division IV quarterfinals in an instant classic.

OCS staged an incredible comeback from 20 points down at halftime to secure the win and went on to capture the state championship.

It turned out that the Eagles and Cavaliers were the best teams in class in 2019 but met early.

This time around, the two outstanding programs faced off in the appropriate time and place—in the Division IV state championship game at Turpin Stadium.

Top-seeded Calvary Baptist scored early and never let up in a convincing 62-33 victory over third-seeded Ouachita Christian.

Congratulations to Calvary Baptist Academy, the Division IV State Champions! @CalvaryCavs pic.twitter.com/AgRqwo9RrM

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 29, 2020

Junior quarterback Landry Lyddy lit it up for the Cavaliers.

Lyddy passed for 464 yards, breaking an LHSAA Prep Classic record, as he completed 26-of-36 passes, throwing four touchdown passes.

Lyddy has a lone scholarship offer, from UAB, thus far.

Any college coach who watched this game will certainly consider enhancing that lone offer as Lyddy was lights out.

It took Calvary Baptist (9-2) just 39 seconds to get on the board, needing just two plays to go 68 yards with Lyddy hitting Joseph Wilson on a 54-yard touchdown pass and it was 6-0 with 11:21 to play in the opening quarter. The two-point conversion pass attempt failed.

Then, the OCS defense came up with a big play as Casey Cobb sacked Lyddy, forcing a fumble, and Christopher Holyfield scooped it up and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown and the extra point by Samuel Harrell gave the Eagles a 7-6 lead with 7:36 to play in the opening quarter.

After a good punt return gave the Cavaliers great field position, it took just one play for Calvary Baptist to take the lead as Lyddy connected with Jordan Wallace on a 39-yard touchdown pass to make it 13-7 with 41 seconds left in the first quarter.

On the very next play from scrimmage, OCS took the lead right back on a 64-yard touchdown run by University of Louisiana signee Hunter Herring to give the Eagles a 14-13 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the quarter.

The Cavaliers scored first in the second quarter, driving 81 yards in five plays with Lyddy throwing his third touchdown pass, a 31-yard completion to Aubrey Hermes to give Calvary Baptist a 20-14 lead with 10:51 to play in the first half.

Following an interception by LaTarraus Jackson, Joseph Wilson scored on a 2-yard run to cap a four play, 52-yard drive to extend the Cavaliers lead to 27-14 with 7:55 to play in the first half. The drive covered 52 yards in four plays.

OCS (8-2) pulled closer when Herring raced 47 yards for a touchdown to cap an 80-yard drive in seven plays and it was 27-20 with 4:32 to play in the first half after a missed extra point.

It took just 56 seconds for Calvary to answer, going 50 yards in four plays with Wilson scoring on a 5-yard run and it was 34-20 Cavaliers with 3:36 to play in the first half.

Herring returned from an injury and made his presence felt, completing an 84-yard touchdown pass to Tristan Wiley to cut the deficit to 34-27 with 49 seconds to play in the half.

OCS strikes with 49 seconds left in the first half!

Calvary 34 • OCS 27 pic.twitter.com/nQQb5FzbGT

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 29, 2020

That was enough time for Calvary Baptist to answer as Lyddy punched it into the end zone on a 1-yard quarterback sneak to cap a six play, 51-yard drive, taking just 37 seconds and the Cavaliers led 41-27 with 11 seconds to go in the half and that would be the halftime score.

Lyddy finished the first half 16-of-22 for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Herring was 13-of-20 for 189 yards and a touchdown and rushed 11 times for 149 yards and two scores. The two teams combined for 717 yards in the first half.

Ouachita Christian took the second half kickoff and drove 80 yards in 15 plays, taking 4:50 off the clock with Herring hitting Landon Graves on a 15-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 41-33 after a missed extra point with 7:10 to play in the third quarter.

Touchdown OCS!

Calvary 41 • OCS 33 pic.twitter.com/QS1zOfbixw

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 29, 2020

Once again, Calvary Baptist answered quickly, driving 56 yards in five plays with Wilson scoring on an 8-yard run to make it 48-33 with 4:47 to play in the third quarter.

The Cavaliers broke the game open early in the fourth quarter as Lyddy hit Jordan Wallace on a 32-yard touchdown pass to make it 55-33 with 9:33 remaining in the game. The drive covered 68 yards in seven plays, taking 2:19 off the clock.

Touchdown Calvary!

Calvary 55 • OCS 33

9:18 remaining in the 4th pic.twitter.com/3WVFfuNgmr

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 29, 2020

The Calvary Baptist defense then got in the act as Jackson picked off a Herring pass in the right flat and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown to make it 62-33 with 6:49 to play in the game.

Pick Six! Calvary returns the interception for a touchdown!

Calvary 62 • OCS 33

6:41 remaining in the 4th pic.twitter.com/hUAB99JnZ3

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 29, 2020

Herring hit Tristan Wiley with a 7-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining and he connected with Wiley on a 2-point conversion to complete the scoring.

Herring, playing with a bad ankle which he injured in the second quarter, finished 26-of-45 for 328 yards and three touchdowns but with three interceptions. Herring rushed 15 times for 152 yards and two scores. Wiley had 13 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns.

Herring was the Most Outstanding Player for OCS.

Lyddy was the Most Outstanding Player for Calvary Baptist.

Wallace finished with nine catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns while Wilson had 12 catches for 38 yards and three touchdowns and he caught eight passes for 89 yards and a score.

The game featured the most yards combined by two teams in the Class 1A or Division IV championship game, the longest punt ever in any Classic game (64 yards by Jordan Wallace). The 95 points scored were a classification record as well.

Then, there was Lyddy’s record as well.

The state championship is the third for Calvary Baptist, which won consecutive titles in 2013 and 2014.

The Cavaliers played an extremely challenging schedule, losing only to Division I finalist Byrd and Division I power Archbishop Rummel. The competition paid off in spades Tuesday.

FINAL
CB 13 28 7 14 — 62
OCS 14 13 6 8 — 41

First Downs:
CB: 19
OCS: 25

Penalties:
CB: 12 penalties for 121 yards
OCS: 7 for 82 yards

Turnovers:
CB: 1
OCS: 2

Rushing yards:
CB: 30
OCS: 197

Passing yards:
CB: 464
OCS: 340

Total yards:
CB: 494
OCS: 537