NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Dec. 11 — The Haynesville [LA] Golden Tornado won their 18th state championship in football Thursday afternoon in a wild 39-37 win over the Mangham [LA] Dragons.
The title is Haynesville's first since 2014, but the 18 titles are the second most in Louisiana prep history, ranking only behind the 27 trophies accumulated by the John Curtis [River Ridge, LA] Patriots.
For Mangham, the loss is gut-wrenching as the Dragons were seeking their first title since 1956. If there's a bright light in the darkness of the offseason, it's the fact that Mangham quarterback Colby Casey is only a sophomore, and he was just one or two plays away from leading the Dragons to the title.
Haynesville finishes the season 14-0 while Mangham's final ledger stands at 11-3.
WATCH ON THE NFHS NETWORK: Haynesville [LA] Golden Tornado vs. Mangham [LA] Dragons
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End of fourth quarter: Haynesville 39, Mangham 37
It's a wild scene at the Superdome as Haynesville captures its 18th state title in football!
HAYNESVILLE 39, MANGHAM 37
Haynesville runs around looking to run out the clock before running into the end zone with no time remaining to give up a safety.
Haynesville's defense holds! This is the second time Mangham has come up with no points inside Haynesville's 10. Two minutes to play, and Mangham has all of their timeouts. The two stalled drives and three turnovers will be the story in this one if Mangham can't get a stop and a score.
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Mangham is in the red zone, trying to simultaneously bleed the clock while looking to regain the lead.
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They're under the five-minute mark.
HAYNESVILLE 39, MANGHAM 35
Haynesville surges back into the lead to start the fourth quarter.
End of the third quarter: Mangham 35, Haynesville 32
Mangham's late touchdown was the only points of the third quarter. They lead Haynesville, heading into the final stanza of this classic.
MANGHAM 35, HAYNESVILLE 32
Following the turnover, Mangham punches it in and then converts a two-point conversion to take the lead.
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After that wild first half, we've gone 10 minutes without a score in this game in the third quarter. But Haynesville just fumbled inside its own 5 yard line, and Mangham pounced on it. Mangham has two turnovers, but this is Haynesville's first and it will probably be costly. Also, we can't forget about all those missed extra points by Haynesville ... three so far.
The second half is under way.
End of the second quarter: Haynesville 32, Mangham 27
What a half! These don't feel like small schools. There's a lot of big school talent on this field, including some FBS recruits. Mangham trails, but the only they were stopped was when they stopped themselves with the interception. They get the ball first in what should be a heck of a second half.
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Mangham finally gets a stop, and they've got the ball with 43 seconds to play around their own 20-yard line.
HAYNESVILLE 32, MANGHAM 27
Mangham's quarterback Colby Casey is just a sophomore, but you've got to love his poise. After throwing that interception, he shakes it off and leads the Dragons back down to Haynesville's 20. From there, he uses a pump fake to freeze the defense and then drops a dime on TE Blake Pierce down the right sideline. Mangum answers, but they need a stop with 2:56 to play in the first half. They do get the ball first in the second half.
We've still got 5:17 to play in the first half.
HAYNESVILLE 32, MANGHAM 20
Mangham was driving deep in Haynesville territory when we get the game's first turnover. And it's a big win. Colby Casey tries to force a throw to the receiver on the right sideline, and Isaiah Washington picks it off for Haynesville and takes it to the house. This is the first time the game has reached a two-score deficit for either team in what's been a wild shootout.
HAYNESVILLE 25, MANGHAM 20
Ethan Henderson breaks free for a 59-yard run and scores his third touchdown of the game. Haynesville goes for two to try and make up for those earlier missed kicks, and they only make it worse. The quarterback keeps the ball on a naked bootleg around the left end after a fake handoff to the right side of the field. Mangham isn't buying the misdirection as three defenders stay home and keep him out of the end zone on the 2-point try.
MANGHAM 20, HAYNESVILLE 19
Colby Casey scores again on a 5-yard run, and this time Mangham connects on the PAT. It's important to remember there's three missed extra points in this game – two by Haynesville, and that's why the Golden Tornado is trailing. If this game continues on its current trajectory, one of these teams might regret missing those kicks.
End of the first quarter: Haynesville 19, Mangham 13
It's been back and forth, up and down the field with these two, and Mangham is on the move again as they head to the second quarter.
HAYNESVILLE 19, MANGHAM 13
Future LSU Tiger Isaiah Washington breaks free on another run, but Haynesville misses the PAT again.
HAYNESVILLE 13, MANGHAM 13
Mangham QB Colby Casey scores on a short run. Mangham's first PAT is pulled wide left, but there was a dead-ball procedure penalty so they get a second chance. The second attempt is then blocked by Haynesville.
HAYNESVILLE 13, MANGHAM 7
The action is fast and furious so far at the Superdome. Henderson scores his second touchdown of the day around the left end, but the PAT is no good off the right upright.
HAYNESVILLE 7, MANGHAM 7
Mangham returns the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to immediately tie this thing back up.
HAYNESVILLE 7, MANGHAM 0
Haynesville's Ethan Henderson picks up a fumble on a short field and takes it the end zone to put the Golden Tornado on top early.
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They are under way in New Orleans, Louisiana!
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Coming soon!
Haynesville vs. Mangham start time
The game between Haynesville and Mangham is being played at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Florida.
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