Raiders Capture MAIS State Championship with 34-17 Victory

The Lamar School Raiders triumphed over Brookhaven Academy Cougars with a decisive score of 34-17, claiming the MAIS Class 4A, Division III state championship on March 23, 2024, at Mississippi College’s Robinson-Hale Stadium. This victory marks Lamar’s first state title since 2018 and their tenth overall, ending a six-year championship drought.

Lamar’s success was fueled by standout performances from players like Jalin Trotter, who contributed both offensively and defensively. The Raiders’ defense was particularly impressive, returning two interceptions for touchdowns, which proved crucial in securing the win. Head coach Jacob Land expressed pride in his team’s resilience, stating, “Our kids are just resilient and anything we throw at them they responded the right way.”

The game began with a strong offensive push from Lamar. Tyler Brown opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Raiders a 7-0 lead with just over four minutes left in the first quarter. Following a defensive stand that forced the Cougars to punt, quarterback Sullivan Reed connected with Jalin Trotter for a 34-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-0 with under two minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

Brookhaven Academy responded with a touchdown of their own, as Will Newell launched a 49-yard pass to Carson Mowdy, narrowing Lamar’s advantage to 14-7 early in the second quarter. The Raiders quickly answered back when Trotter picked off a pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown, bringing the score to 20-7 just before halftime.

The Cougars tried to regain momentum in the second half, scoring a field goal through Jacob Jones, which made it 20-10. Nevertheless, Lamar’s Khari Towner responded with a 14-yard touchdown run, pushing the Raiders’ lead to 27-10. The game was effectively sealed when Navy commit Mikeal Willis intercepted a pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown, giving Lamar a commanding lead of 34-10.

Brookhaven Academy did manage to score once more, with Tanner Smith completing an 8-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to change the outcome, finishing the game at 34-17 in favor of Lamar.

Towner’s performance was significant, as he rushed for 106 yards on 22 carries, helping the Raiders maintain control of the game. “Winning a state championship means a lot,” Land remarked. “Some things got crazy, but our guys responded well the right way.”

Trotter, who is committed to the University of North Alabama, reflected on the game, saying, “Feels great to win a state championship my senior year. All the hard work we put in paid off to get this trophy.”

For the Cougars, Newell finished the game with 153 yards passing and one touchdown, but head coach Ryan Ross acknowledged that turnovers hindered their chances. “We just didn’t execute offensively,” he said. “Defensively we played really well and gave us some momentum at times. This means a lot to get to this point; the guys played hard and it’s something to build on.”

As the Raiders celebrate their championship victory, the win serves as a testament to their dedication and teamwork throughout the season, setting a strong foundation for future success.