Madison Prep batters Union Parish for Class 3A state title

The seed was obviously very low. It was a lie.

Madison Prep was far, far better than the ninth overall seed in Class 3A.

The Chargers upset three higher seeds to get to the state championship game Wednesday afternoon at Turpin Stadium.

They finished the deal against another high seed, whipping second seed and previously unbeaten Union Parish 50-0 on a rainy afternoon in Natchitoches.

It was the Zeon Chriss show.

The junior dual threat quarterback put all of his vast skill on display as he shredded the Farmers defense running and passing.

Chriss has a pair of college offers and his performance Wednesday will likely expand interest in his talents.

Chriss accounted for 333 yards and four touchdowns and was named Madison Prep’s most outstanding player. Chriss completed 9-of-16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns and he rushed 20 times for 126 yards and a fourth touchdown.

Previously, Madison Prep knocked off eighth seed Donaldsonville, top seed Jennings and No. 4 Church Point, all on the road.

Madison Prep jumped all over Union Parish in the first quarter to take a quick two-score lead.

First, the Chargers drove 76 yards in 16 plays, taking 5:17 off the clock with Chriss scoring on a 2-yard run to make it 6-0 with 6:43 to play in the opening quarter.

Union Parish drove to the Madison Prep 2-yard line on its first drive but Cole Dison fumbled and Marlon Smart recovered at the 6-yard line for the Chargers to kill the threat.

Madison Prep promptly drove 94 yards in six plays with Chriss hitting Smart with a 72-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 with 41 seconds left in the quarter.

Madison Prep with a long touchdown strike to extend their lead!

2 pt. Conversion is good

Union Parish 0 • Madison Prep 14 pic.twitter.com/L8usbXmHSX

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 30, 2020

The run continued for the Chargers in the second quarter as Chriss hit Brian Chapman with a 26-yard touchdown pass co cap a nine play, 63-yard drive and it was 22-0 with 7:18 to play in the half after Hakeem King ran two yards for the 2-point conversion.

Madison Prep (11-1) continued its dominance, driving 72 yards in seven plays with Chriss throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Raby before connecting with Raby again on the 2-point conversion and it was 30-0 Chargers with 2:59 to play in the half.

Madison Prep extends their lead once again!

Union Parish 0 • Madison Prep 22

7:18 remaining in the first half pic.twitter.com/glcxl6Qe9H

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 30, 2020

Madison Prep scores!

Union Parish 0 • Madison Prep 30

2:59 remaining in the first half pic.twitter.com/Bdnu4Yjae8

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 30, 2020

Chriss accounted for 286 yards and four touchdowns, including three passing and one rushing in the half.

Sophomore sensation Trey Holly of the Farmers was held to a season low of rushing yards, though he carried 23 times for 114 yards, and was held without a touchdown for the first time since eighth grade. Holly finished his terrific season with 283 carries for 2,709 yards and 44 touchdowns and had 12 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

The dominance continued in the third quarter.

After Union Parish (11-1) could not convert on a fourth down play in its own territory, Madison Prep drove 33 yards in four plays with Myles Poullard scoring on a 7-yard run and Chriss ran in the 2-point conversion and it was 38-0 with 9:02 to play in the quarter.

The Chargers added to the lead in the fourth quarter when Colby Williams scored from a yard out to make it 44-0 with 5:51 to play in the game. The drive covered 60 yards in 12 plays.

The game was delayed exactly one hour with 3:20 left on the clock as tornado sirens sounded and a tornado warning was issued.

Landry Williams gets the water bath but now we wait with a 30 minute weather delay. #MadisonPrep 44-0 with 3:20 left in the 3A State Championship #LHSAA #Chargers #3A pic.twitter.com/XmMLEZrsY4

— Chessa Bouche (@chessabouche) December 30, 2020

When it resumed, Troy Lewis scored on a 15-yard run on the final play of the game to complete a five play, 48-yard drive to account for the final margin.

“To go through all the protocols and stuff you do to keep safe, it wears on you, but for our guys to do what you ask them to do, and to have this as a reward, there’s no greater feeling,” said Madison Prep head coach Landry Williams.

Jacarre Cooper had 13 carries for 107 yards for the Chargers.

It is the first state championship for Madison Prep. The Chargers reached the 2A title game in 2016, losing 28-27 to Sterlington.

The victory was the largest shutout in a Louisiana state championship game since 1942.

FINAL
MP 14 16 8 12 — 50
UP 0 0 0 0 — 0

First Downs:
MP 26
UP 7

Penalties:
MP 10 for 60 yards
UP 8 for 76 yards

Turnovers:
MP 1
UP 3

Rushing yards:
MP 284
UP 155

Passing yards:
MP 202
UP 6

Total yards:
MP 486
UP 161