Flashback 1991

By Scott Beder/ Originally printed in The News Star

Forget whatever images you might have had about Oak Grove being conservative offensively. Coach Vic Dalrymple shed his ties with conservatism in the Class A state championship in the Superdome on Saturday afternoon as Oak Grove beat Ascension Catholic 31-21 to claim its second state title in three years.

"We could have won the game by just running, but we would have been hard-pressed," Dalrymple said. "With them matching up on us man, and concentrating on the run, we thought we could get some people open."

The Tigers, who finished the season a perfect 14-0, threw for 245 yards, converted a fake punt, executed a flea-flicker play and went for a fourth-and-eight late in the game.

"It wasn't in the game plan," said Oak Grove tight end Josh Bradley, who caught three passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. "We got in a hole early, and they were aggressive and there was no way we could run for first downs."

The Tigers were forced to pass after they lost leading rusher Steve Freeman, who gained for than 2,000 yards on the season, with a knee injury on Oak Grove's second offensive play of the game. He didn't return.

"When your No. 1 and No. 2 tailbacks are out, it puts a dent in your running game," Dalrymple said. "It's good when you can go to something that you've been practicing all year, but have only been able to do three or four times a game."

The passing attack began on the play after Freeman left the game. Quarterback Jason Martin hit Bradley with a 60-yard scoring pass with 6:03 left in the first quarter, and Dean Jackson converted the extra point to give Oak Grove a 7-0 lead.

Martin completed 6 of 10 passes for 213 yards, including three touchdown passes of 60, 6 and 73 yards as Oak Grove moved out to a 24-7 lead early in the third quarter.

"When Steve went down, we knew we were going to have to pass," Martin said. "I think that worked to our advantage because they were bunched up on the line trying to stop our run."

The flea-flicker came late in the second quarter with Oak Grove leading 7-0 and set up a touchdown. Bradley got the ball from Martin on a reverse and threw 32 yards to Dean Jackson.

Jackson wrestled the ball away from defensive back Dwayne Landry to give Oak Grove a first down at the Bulldogs' 22. Four plays later, Martin his Bradley with a 6-yard touchdown pass.

"That's the first time this year that we've run that play," Bradley said of the flea-flicker. "We ran it in '89 in the championship game, but I got sacked. This wasn't a pretty pass, but he caught it anyway."

"I love it," Jackson said of the passing attack. "We've been living by the run all year, but when our main runner went out, it put more pressure on me."

Jackson responded by catching three passes for 145 yards and a touchdown, and also added a 35-yard field goal. For his performance, Jackson was named the game's MVP.

The Tigers moved out to a 31-7 lead with 4:28 left in the third quarter when Todd O'Neal, subbing for Freeman, scored on a 13-yard run. O'Neal finished with 49 yards on nine carries.

The typical Oak Grove route appeared to be on, but Bucky Mistretta's Bulldogs responded. Dwayne Landry picked off Martin on the Tigers' next possession and returned it 27 yards to the Oak Grove 18.

Two plays later, Terry Joseph hit Ben Landry with a 21-yard touchdown pass and Dwayne Landry kicked the PAT to cut the lead to 31-14 with 11:54 left to play.

The Bulldogs, who finish at 8-6, couldn't move the ball on their next possession and faced a fourth-and-four from their 10. Tony Landry, punting from the end zone, decided to run instead and caught Oak Grove napping, racing 90 yards for a touchdown with 6:59 left to play.