Ruston earns redemption, defeats Zachary 31-17 for first state title in 33 years

NEW ORLEANS – A year ago, the Ruston Bearcats saw their Cinderella season end with the clock striking midnight at the hands of the Destrehan Wildcats. This time around, the Bearcats were not denied their fairy tale ending.

Ruston cashed in on big plays from their offense and special teams to pull away from the Zachary Broncos in the second half for a 31-17 victory in the LHSAA Division I Non-Select State Championship. In the process, the Bearcats earned the school’s first state championship since 1990.

Ruston quarterback Joshua Brantley found success throughout the night on the ground, finishing with 20 carries for 134 yards and three touchdowns. With the success of the rushing attack, Brantley took advantage of man coverages in the secondary for numerous explosive plays, connecting on five passes of 20 yards or more.

Brantley finished 11 for 19 with 194 yards to earn Most Outstanding Player honors for Ruston (14-0).

Wide receiver Logan Malone was the recipient of most of Brantley’s passes, finishing with five receptions for 112 yards. Flanker Jamar Woods added another four catches for 50 yards.

A week after Zachary (12-2) managed late game heroics in the fourth quarter of the resumption of their suspended game against Dutchtown in the semifinals, the Broncos could not seem to find the magic for a second week in a row.

Zachary quarterback William Spangler overthrew receivers in the end zone for potential scores that would have tied the game. He completed just half of his pass attempts, going 16-of-32 for 235 yards and a touchdown.

Wide receiver Trey’Dez Green, an LSU commit, showed his explosiveness when the ball got into his hands, hauling in 8 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. With Ruston dedicating double coverages to Green most of the night, wide receiver Ty’son George showcased his talent and led all receivers in yardage with 126 on seven receptions.

Running back Kameron Thomas contributed another 51 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown as well for the Broncos.

Special teams for Zachary were also not immune to difficulties their offense and defense encountered. The Broncos cashed in on an errant snap in punt formation by Ruston that set up their first touchdown early in the second quarter. However,
a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown by Aiden Anding flipped the momentum back to the Ruston sideline before halftime.

The Bearcats were able to withstand Zachary drives throughout the second half, only ceding seven second half points while bending but usually not breaking. Meanwhile, the offense relied on their size to wear down the Broncos defense, resulting in two Brantley touchdowns that created separation.

Ruston scored first on their opening possession of the game. Brantley evaded the grasps of a Zachary defender, scrambling 25 yards for a key first down to keep the drive alive. The drive stalled deep in Zachary territory leading to a 27-yard field goal by kicker Jack Elliot to give Ruston a 3-0 lead with 3:22 to play in the first quarter.

Zachary’s ensuing drive reached the Ruston 20, but after a wide-open Jaiden Cockerham was missed on a throw in the end zone, the Broncos settled for 27-yard field goal by Rafael Filogonio Costa to tie the game 3-3 with 8:50 to play in the half.

The only lead of the game for Zachary on their next drive, thanks to a disastrous special teams miscue by Ruston. A missed snap by punter Will Findley rolled all the way back to the Bearcats 4-yard line, where it was recovered by Zachary free safety Luke Wisham to give the Broncos first-and-goal. Two plays later, Thomas scored on a three-yard run to put Zachary ahead 10-3.

Anding’s big play managed spark Ruston before half. He hauled in a Zachary punt at the Bearcats 46-yard line and broke free up the far sideline to tie the game at 10-10 with 1:49 to go before the break.

Ruston retook the lead on the opening possession of the second half. Starting on their own 26-yard line, the Bearcats quickly moved down the field on passes of 27 yards and 20 yards from Brantley to Malone. Brantley then bulldozed his way into the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line to make it 17-10 at the 8:22 mark of the third quarter.

Zachary’s explosive offense wasted no time answering with the equalizer on the ensuing possession. Covering 66 yards in only four plays, the Broncos scored on a six-yard touchdown pass from Spangler to Green for a 17-17 tie.

Ruston has more big plays and the finals answers in their biggest test of the season.

Brantley and Malone connected for another long pass, this time for 51 yards down to the Zachary 24-yard line. A couple of plays later, a personal foul penalty against the Broncos gave Ruston first-and-goal from the nine-yard line. Brantley’s quarterback keeper up the gut on the next play put his team ahead to stay with 2:24 left in the third.

Zachary appeared on the verge of answering the score once more. However, the drive stalled at the Ruston 4-yard line when Spangler overshot Green in the end zone on fourth down.

With 2:50 to play in the game, the Broncos had one final chance. On the second play of the drive, Spangler’s pass was initially ruled by the officials as an interception by linebacker Zheric Hill. However, official review determined that the ball hit the ground and overturned the call, keeping Zachary’s late game hopes alive.

Hopes were dashed for good just two plays later as a pass intended for Green on fourth down sailed high, turning the ball over on downs to the Bearcats at the Broncos 26-yard line with 2:14 remaining.

Making use of the short field, Ruston sealed the deal when Brantley broke free on fourth down for 24-yard touchdown for the final score of the game with 1:05 left.

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