BREAKING: The Lamar School Raiders have ended their six-year championship drought by defeating Brookhaven Academy 34-17 in the MAIS Class 4A, Division III state championship at Mississippi College’s Robinson-Hale Stadium on November 11, 2023. This victory marks Lamar’s 10th state title overall and their first since 2018.
In a thrilling match, the Raiders showcased resilience, powered by standout performances from Jalin Trotter and a defense that contributed two interception returns for touchdowns. Head coach Jacob Land expressed pride in his team’s mental toughness, stating, “Our kids are just resilient and anything we throw at them, they responded the right way.”
The game kicked off with Lamar striking first. Tyler Brown scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with just 4:33 remaining in the first quarter, leading 7-0. Following a defensive stand, quarterback Sullivan Reed connected with Trotter for a 34-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-0.
Brookhaven Academy responded with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Will Newell to Carson Mowdy, narrowing the score to 14-7 in the second quarter. However, the Raiders quickly regained momentum when Trotter intercepted a pass and sprinted 90 yards for another touchdown, bringing the score to 20-7 at halftime.
The Cougars attempted a comeback, scoring a 36-yard field goal by Jacob Jones early in the second half, making it 20-10. Yet, Lamar swiftly retaliated with a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Khari Towner, increasing their lead to 27-10 before Trotter sealed the game with a stunning 54-yard interception return for a touchdown, pushing the score to 34-10.
Despite an 8-yard touchdown run from Tanner Smith for Brookhaven, the Raiders held firm to secure their victory. Towner finished the game with 106 rushing yards on 22 carries, while Trotter, a North Alabama commit, notched 39 receiving yards and an interception return for a touchdown.
“This victory means a lot,” Land stated, highlighting the efforts of his players and the foundation laid by previous coaching staff. Trotter echoed the sentiment, saying, “Feels great to win a state championship my senior year. All the hard work we put in paid off.”
Brookhaven Academy finished their season with an 8-5 record. Coach Ryan Ross acknowledged the challenges faced, stating, “We just didn’t execute offensively… the guys played hard and this is something to build on.”
As the Raiders celebrate their hard-fought victory, their championship win resonates deeply within the Lamar School community, marking a significant milestone in their athletic history. Fans and supporters alike are already looking ahead to what next season will bring for this resilient team.
