Southern Lab defeated Riverside Academy to win the Louisiana high school football state championship.
The Kittens (11-1) mounted a second half comeback to defeat the Rebels (12-1), 42-35. Play is underway in the Caesars Superdome. Southern Lab held a 27-14 lead at halftime of the LHSAA Division IV select championship. Refresh and scroll down for the latest updates from Nola.
Riverside Academy eliminated top-seeded and undefeated Vermilion Catholic on the road, 34-7. The Rebels held Vermilion Catholic quarterback Jonathan Dartez to 18 yards on 12 carries. Dartez came into the game with 1,822 yards and 28 TDs.
Southern Lab won its regional final game in epic fashion. The Kittens rallied back down 18 in the final 5:46 last week to get past Ouachita Christian, 38-34. Defensive back Dylan Day, a University of Miami commit, returned an interception for a touchdown to cap off the comeback.
Follow Louisiana editor Buck Ringgold (@Buck_SBLiveOkla) for updates from the ground at the SuperDome, and refresh this post for the latest. The game is being streamed live and will be available for replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required).
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FOURTH QUARTER
— Most outstanding players have been awarded to Riverside’s Dedric Lastie and Southern Lab’s Armariyan Asberry.
— That’s it. Southern Lab completes the two-touchdown comeback to beat Riverside Academy.
— Touchdown, Southern Lab. Kittens score then punch in the two-point conversion with 2:44 left. (42-35, Southern Lab | 2:44)
— Dedric Lastie scores his third rushing touchdown of the day, punching in a long-gain. (35-27, Southern Lab | 10:40)
THIRD QUARTER
— Kaden Brumfield showing that next-level talent. The Riverside Academy junior scooped a deep ball out of single coverage for a big interception.
— Touchdown Riverside Academy. Dedric Lastie gives his team the one-point lead in the third quarter. Buckle up for a tight finish. (28-27, Southern Lab | 2:55)
SECOND QUARTER
— Ian James takes a 94-yard pick-six to the house with five second left and Southern Lab takes a two-score lead into half. (27-14, Southern Lab | 0:05)
— Marlon Brown hits Anthony Witherspoon for a 14-13 lead with 5:57 left in the second quarter. (14-13, Southern Lab | 5:57)
— Southern Labs scores again. Marquette “Dweed” Duncan nets a 10-yard run for six and the PAT misses. (14-6, Southern Lab | 7:09)
FIRST QUARTER
— Brennan Maus hauls in pass from Kenric Johnson to put the Rebels on the board. (7-0, Riverside Academy)
PREGAME READING
— Southern lab is seeking its first state title since 2021. The program has won five total titles — seven if you don’t include the 2015 and 2016 crowns it was forced to vacate. Riverside Academy, in fact, won in 2016.
