Zachary rallies for 31-28 overtime win over Dutchtown in state semifinals

No. 6 Zachary and No. 7 Dutchtown looked to decide one spot in the LHSAA Ochsner Prep Classic but Mother Nature had other plans. The Division I Non-Select matchup was suspended and then picked back up Saturday. That’s when the game lived up to its billing.

On the last play of regulation, Zachary kicker Rafael Costa missed what would have been a game-winning field goal. After the Zachary defense held in the first series of overtime, Costa redeemed himself with a 24-yard kick to win the game, 31-28.

The Broncos will return to the state finals for the fifth time in the past 10 years. It didn’t appear that way for Zachary initially.

“This is everything. It’s huge to go back to the Dome for the ones who haven’t been there,” said Costa.

With 1:48 to go in the third quarter, Dutchtown was leading 28-13 when play resumed on Saturday afternoon.

The Broncos started their comeback in the fourth quarter with a 35-yard touchdown run by Kameron Thomas with 7:36 remaining in regulation. After a Dutchtown penalty on the point-after try, Zachary decided to go for two and succeeded with a Tyson George run to cut the deficit to 28-21.

The defense then came up with a huge play. Dutchtown quarterback Ethan Aucoin was intercepted by Jeremiah Smith who returned it for a touchdown with 4:35 remaining in the quarter.

“We have played in big games in this program and we have gone deep in the playoffs over the years,” said Zachary head coach David Brewerton. “We were where we needed to be mentally and locked in to execute our plan for offense, defense and special teams and that’s what Happened to our team today.”

Zachary had a chance to win it in regulation but the field goal attempt was wide left. Dutchtown’s overtime field goal attempt was blocked, setting up Costa’s game winner.

The game on Friday started with Dutchtown’s taking the early momentum. Carter Hanberry’s six yard run with 6:03 to go in the first quarter gave the Griffins an early 7-0 lead. Like late in the game, that momentum didn’t last.

Zachary quarterback Caleb Gonzales hit Tyson George for a 79-yard touchdown to trail 7-6 after a missed point-after.

The Broncos looked like that they had gotten into their rhythm when running back Kameron Thomas found the end zone from five yards out to take a 13-6 lead.

The Griffins finished off a clutch drive to end the half to retake the lead. With 21 seconds left, Hanberry scored on a 11-yard run to put Dutchtown back on top 14-13.

As they did with the last first half drive, Dutchtown scored to open the third quarter. Quarterback Ethan Aucoin tossed a 71-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Fields who did most of the work, racing to the endzone to make it 21-13 less than two minutes into the second half.

The Griffins added to their lead before the weather delay on Hanberry’s third touchdown of the contest with 7:14 to go in the third.

“This was a wild one and the way Dutchtown came out with coach Mistretta’s plan was impressive as was their community support,” Brewerton noted.

The combination of the suspension of the game and the grit of the home-standing Broncos did the Griffins no favors.

“We got another shot today and Dutchtown got tight and we got loose,” Brewerton said.

Zachary will face top seed Ruston Bearcats (13-0) next Saturday night in the final game of the LHSAA Ochsner Prep Classic in the Caesars Superdome.