Non-Select Division IV State Championship Preview: Homer vs Oak Grove

December 6, 2022

by Hunter Bower // GeauxPreps.com Owner

No. 2 Homer (10-3) vs. No. 8 Oak Grove (11-3)

Thursday, Dec. 8 | 3:30 p.m. | Caesars Superdome | New Orleans, LA
Tickets | Watch – NFHS Network ($)

Distance To New Orleans: Homer (350 miles), Oak Grove (275 miles)

Homer Pelicans

Head Coach: Richie Casey (4th year, 37-15)

State Finals History: 4 state titles – 2021 (1A), 1939(1A), 1937 (1A), 1928 (1A); 5 runner-up finishes – 1985 (2A), 1971 (2A), 1968 (1A), 1957 (2A), 1943 (1A)

Road To The Dome:

  • Regional: Beat No. 18 Delhi, 52-6
  • Quarterfinals: Beat No. 7 Logansport, 47-6
  • Semi-Finals: Beat No. 3 Mangham, 38-18

The Skinny:

• Homer is making its second consecutive trip to the Prep Classic following last year’s 41-28 victory over Logansport for its first state title since 1939. The Pelicans along with St. Charles are the last remaining state champions from 2021.

Averages: Scoring 38.3 points per game, allowing 13.0 points per game

Signature wins: Minden (Sept. 9); General Trass (Sept. 16); Haynesville (Nov. 4); Mangham (Dec. 2)

Players to watch: DE Walteze Champ (6-0, 230); RB Elyjay Curry (5-9, 175); MLB Brendon Harris (6-2, 210); DE Camron Winzer (6-1, 240)

Oak Grove Tigers

Head Coach: Ryan Gregory (9th season, 91-28)

State Finals History: 6 state titles – 2020 (1A), 2019 (1A), 2001 (1A), 1999 (1A), 1991 (1A), 1989 (1A); 5 runner-up finishes – 2018 (1A), 2004 (1A), 1997 (2A), 1986 (1A), 1964 (1A)

Road To The Dome:

  • Bi-District: Beat No. 25 Centerville, 52-8
  • Regional: Beat No. 9 Welsh, 35-14
  • Quarterfinals: Beat No. 1 Kentwood, 20-14
  • Semi-Finals: Beat No. 5 Haynesville, 48-7

The Skinny:

• Oak Grove advanced to its fourth state finals appearance in five seasons with a convincing semifinal victory on the road at Haynesville. The Tigers have finished as a semifinalist or better since 2015.

Averages: Scoring 42.7 points per game, allowing 20.1 points per game

Signature wins: Opelousas Catholic (Sept. 2), Sterlington (Sept. 16), Kentwood (Nov. 25), Haynesville (Dec. 2)

Players to watch: DB Kam Franklin (6-3, 195); QB Jackson Bradley (6-3, 205); CB Ty Porter (5-10, 170); RB Cory Freeman (5-10, 175)

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