Class 1A State Championship Preview: Oak Grove vs Grand Lake

December 28, 2020

by Hunter Bower // GeauxPreps.com Owner

A special thanks to Louisiana vs. All Y’all for contributing coach and player quotes.

No. 1 Oak Grove (10-0) vs. No. 3 Grand Lake (8-1)

Oak Grove Preview:

Head Coach: Ryan Gregory

State Championships: 1989, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2019

Last Finals Appearance: 2019 (beat White Castle, 55-12)

Road To Natchitoches:

Round Two: Beat No. 16 East Beauregard, 55-6
Quarterfinals: Beat No. 8 Logansport, 67-14
Semi-Finals: Beat No. 5 Homer, 59-12

The Skinny:

• Oak Grove is in its second straight state title game after defeating White Castle last season. The Tigers are looking for their sixth state title in program history

• No stranger to the postseason, Oak Grove has now appeared in the LHSAA playoffs 47 times, including a 37-year streak since 1984.

• The Tigers defeated three former state champions in the regular season: Sterlington, 53-27; St. Frederick, 14-6; and Ouachita Christian, 47-35

• Oak Grove has outscored its playoff opponents 181-32 in three games.

Grand Lake Preview:

Head Coach: Jeff Wainwright

State Championships: None

Last Finals Appearance: First Appearance

Road To Natchitoches:

Round Two: Beat No. 19 Delhi, 36-6
Quarterfinals: Beat No. 11 Centerville, 27-6
Semi-Finals: Beat No. 2 East Iberville, 13-8

The Skinny:

• The Hurricane Hornets make history Monday when they make their first state championship appearance in program history.

• Grand Lake has had to overcome many obstacles on its way to Natchitoches that included two hurricanes that devastated Southwest Louisiana back in August.

• Despite having to find a new location to play ball, the Hornets finished the regular season with a 5-1 record. Grand Lake upset No. 2 East Iberville in the semi-finals to advance to the state title game.

• Head coach Jeff Wainwright is making his first appearance in the Prep Classic.

Distance To Turpin Stadium: Oak Grove (160 miles), Grand Lake (140 miles)

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