Southern Lab stages huge comeback to defeat Ouachita Christian

BATON ROUGE – No. 2 seeded Southern Lab and No. 3 seeded Ouachita Christian has been through some battles since their first meeting in 1985 but the majority of the six games in the series have been one sided including a 38-14 Southern Lab victory in the 2021 Division IV (Select) state title game.

The programs met again Friday night, and this time the situation was different for multiple reasons. For the first time ever, the game took place in Baton Rouge. It was also a close thriller.

Ouachita Christian had control of the game until Southern Lab scored 19 straight points in the last 5:46 to punch a ticket to the Division IV (Select) state finals with a 38-34 victory Friday night at AW Mumford Stadium.

Dylan Day’s interception return for a 48-yard touchdown provided the late game winner.

Ouachita Christian (11-2) had taken a 34-19 lead on Luke Vidrine’s 39-yard touchdown pass to Tate Hamby late in the third quarter.

Special teams kick started the rally for the Kittens. Marquez Williams got things going for Southern Lab (11-1) with a 61-yard punt return touchdown, cutting the lead to 34-25.

The offense provided the nect big play when Marlon Brown connected on a 47-yard bomb to Denhim Hunt to the OCS five yard line. Two plays later, Armriyan Asberry plowed through for a one-yard touchdown to draw the Kittens with within 34-31 with 2:01 remaining.

Then came the Day pick-six to complete the comeback.

The Eagles had one more chance to win the game and had great field position at their own 48 yard line. Vidrine connected with Patrick Turpin and Jett Hudnall on consecutive passes to drive OCS to the Southern Lab 22 yard line. But the drive stalled from there with seconds remaining. On fourth down, Vidrine’s pass was knocked down by Jude Foster.

Ouachita Christian struck first on a Noah Lovelady 49-yard touchdown catch.

Southern Lab bounced back with an 82 yard drive on nine plays. Douglas Thorton plowed in for a two-yard touchdown to tie the game at 6-6.

The Eagles answered with a 50-yard drive on nine plays. Zach White ran in a three-yard touchdown giving Ouachita Christian a 13-6 lead.

Brown tossed a 64-yard completion to Williams. Asberry finished off the drive with a two-yard touchdown to tie it once more at 13-13. Brown linked up with Hunt for a 22-yard touchdown giving the Kittens their first lead 19-13 at the half.

OCS took charge after halftime starting with Drew Dougan’s 50-yard touchdown on a screen pass giving Ouachita Christian a 20-19 lead. Vidrine’s 14-yard touchdown run extended the lead to 27-19.

Southern Lab had 409 yards of total offense that included 214 rushing and 195 passing. Brown led the Kittens with 5-of-17 passing for 195 yards plus nine carries for 96 yards and a touchdown. Asberry finished with 11 carries for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Williams had two catches for 75 yards. Hunt also had two grabs for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Ouachita Christian had 353 yards of total offense with 256 passing yards. Vidrine led the Eagles with 11-of-21 passing for 256 yards, four total touchdowns and one interception. Hamby finished with three catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. White had 12 carries for 54 yards and added two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.

Southern Lab will take on No. 5 seeded Riverside Academy in the Division IV Select State Championship game this Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the Caesers Superdome.