By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON – “Unfinished business.”
That’s been the theme for the 2023 Bearcats all year long after coming up one-touchdown short last season in the Superdome.
Now, they have the chance to finish strong and write their names into Ruston High School history after beating the Mandeville Skippers 28-7 and headed to New Orleans for the second straight season to play in the championship game.
“I’m really pleased with how the kids came out and competed to start with,” Ruston High School head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “Tthe kids were excited about the opportunity to go play for another state championship. And now we got that chance. So I’m really proud of our kids. And you know, what a great turnout, the community and wonderful. It’s been great.”
Senior Skipper running back Nate Sheppard came in with over 30 touchdowns on the season, and would only rush for 21 yards in the first half on eight carries.
“It was a tremendous job by the coaches and the kids putting the plan together and executing what we needed to,” Baugh said. “You know, they’re a really good football team. They put up a lot of points and a lot of yards on some good football teams. And I think our kids took that personal and and came out and played really well.”
Ruston put two touchdowns on the scoreboard in the first quarter alone, first on a 7-yard touchdown run by junior running back Dylone Brooks at the 4:33 mark, and shortly after, junior running back Jordan Hayes would score from 24 yards out after a 30-plus yard punt return by senior Nate to set up excellent field position for the Bearcats.
Junior quarterback Josh Brantley would find senior wide receiver Jamar Woods in the back corner of the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 7:58 to go in the half.
Hayes would get his second touchdown of the night on a 12-yard redzone touchdown run with 7:25 to go in the third quarter to go up 28-0.
Mandeville would finally put points on the board with a 34-yard jailbreak screen to tailback Isaiah Baham with 5:03 to go in the third quarter to cut it to 28-7.
Hayes would lead all rushers with 184 yards and two touchdowns. Brooks totaled 102 with a touchdown as well.
Brantley threw 8-of-12 on the night for 72 yards and a touchdown.
The Bearcats totaled six sacks on the night coming from senior defensive linemen Ahmad Breaux and Geordan Guidry and junior tackle Peyton Bell. Each of them had two sacks apiece.
Ruston would not relent from there en route to the victory and a ticket punched to New Orleans as they await the winner of the No. 7 Dutchtown – No. 6 Zachary matchup. Kickoff will be set for 7 p.m.
