Thriller Ends OG Season

By Steve Dooley - 11.25.07

The Friday after Thanksgiving of 2007 will be remembered by Tiger fans for many years to come as a day of high drama and down-to-the-wire football finishes. Earlier in the afternoon, Oak Grove Tiger fans watched as the top-ranked LSU Tigers were taken into triple overtime at Baton Rouge and beaten by the Arkansas Razorbacks with a 2-point conversion. Then, later that night in Baton Rouge, it was four of five successful 2-point conversions that turned out to be the difference in a quarterfinal contest that matched #2 ranked Oak Grove and #23 ranked Desire Street Academy.

Just as in the LSU/Arkansas game, the Lions of Desire Street matched the Tigers of Oak Grove score for score. It was Desire Street's decision to go for two points after each score that turned the game into a 38-35 victory after Oak Grove could not convert a 32-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

Oak Grove set an early quick pace, jumping out to a 21-0 second-quarter lead. Desire Street managed to claw back and put 8 points on the board before the half ended.

The Tigers took the opening kickoff and started from their own 43-yard line following an 18-yard return. With a seven-play drive, Oak Grove struck first with a 14-yard run up the middle by flanker Deoncus Nelson. Kendrick Jackson kicked the extra point and the Tigers were up 7-0.

Desire Street drove to the Tiger's 25-yard line on their first offensive series, but could not convert on a 4th down and eight. The Tigers took over on downs and the offense took up where they left off from the first series. Nelson ran for 14 yards on the first play, then a series of options and dive plays took the Tigers down to the Lions' 6-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, senior tailback Joey Pepmiller took the option pitch from brother Jimmy and beat the pursuit to the corner of the end zone for Oak Grove's second score. Jackson kicked the PAT and the Tigers led 14-0.

The Tiger defense looked impressive the next series, holding the overmatched Lions to three and out. Following a 29-yard punt, Oak Grove went to work again from their own 21. A second-down pass from Jimmy Pepmiller to Nelson was good for 33 yards and set the Tiger offense up at Desire Street's 9-yard line. Three plays later, sophomore quarterback Jimmy Pepmiller kept on the option and found the end zone. Jackson's kick made it 21-0 with 6:27 remaining in the half.

Desire Street managed to get on track offensively on their next series. Starting from their own 27-yard line, freshman running back Robert Kelly carried four successive plays good for 51 yards down to Oak Grove's 26-yard line. It took the Lions eight more plays, but senior fullback Lavar Edwards (6'4", 270) managed to punch it in from the 1-foot line with 43 seconds remaining. The 2-point conversion was successful and the half ended with Oak Grove leading 21-8.

Desire Street took the kickoff to start the second half. On third down from the Lion's own 42-yard line, junior quarterback Greg Williams launched one down field to a wide-open Deangelo Peterson, good for a 58-yard touchdown reception. The Lions converted on the 2-point try and closed the gap to 21-16.

The Desire Street offense didn't get much time to relax. Oak Grove quarterback Jimmy Pepmiller attempted a quick slant pass that was picked off by Peterson. The Lions had good field position at the Tigers' 29-yard line. They took advantage of the opportunity by scoring on a 2-yard run by Edwards. The Lions converted their third 2-point conversion to take the lead 24-21 with 7:40 remaining in the third period.

Neither team managed much offensively the remainder of the third period. Desire Street threatened at the Oak Grove 10-yard line following a 57-yard run by Rasheed Johnson, but Kelly fumbled on the first play to start the 4th quarter and Oak Grove recovered at their own 3-yard line.

The Tigers put together a clock-consuming drive of 10 plays highlighted by a 48-yard run by Joey Pepmiller. First and 10 from the Lions' 27-yard line, fullback Payton Russell and Joey Pepmiller teamed up to get it to the two. From their, Russell drove in behind the right side blocking of his offensive linemen, Dillon Moore and Ethan Pippen. The extra point kick was no good, but Oak Grove regained the lead 27-24 with 7:27 remaining in the game.

Following a mishandled kickoff, Desire Street had to start the next offensive series deep in their own territory at their own 12-yard line. But, a pair of pass receptions by the LSU committed Deangelo Peterson shortened the field for Desire Street. Peterson's second pass was a TD reception of 43 yards with 4:47 left on the clock. The successful 2-point conversion put the Lions back on top 32-27.

On the ensuing kickoff, Oak Grove got good field position following a 50-yard return by Deoncus Nelson. The Tigers set up at Desire Street's 30-yard line with plenty of time on the clock. Oak Grove chipped away at the clock and the yardage with short gains by Russell and Joey Pepmiller. With 2:31 left in the game, Joey Pepmiller found the corner of the end zone to put Oak Grove back on top. The Tigers went for two to make it a 3-point margin and Nelson easily scored to put the Tigers up 35-32.

With time running out, Desire Street had one more offensive attempt to answer the Tigers and they had to start from their own 34-yard line. On the first play, Williams took the snap from the shotgun and launched a lazy pass down field where 6'4", 270 pound Lavar Edwards made an incredible one-hand grab over defensive back Joey Pepmiller. The play was good for 48 yards and set the Lions up at Oak Grove's 18-yard line. A couple of plays later, Rasheed Johnson punched it in from the 1-yard line. Although the next 2-point conversion was no good, the damage had been done as Desire Street took a 3-point lead with only 34 ticks left on the clock.

Oak Grove wasn't finished by a long shot. Working from the Tiger 35-yard line, Joey Pepmiller took the hand-off up the middle and ran it 19 yards to the Lions' 46-yard line. Nelson carried for 8 yards down to the 38. Then Jimmy Pepmiller passed one to the sideline to Nelson, good for 11 yards. With 4 seconds remaining and the Tigers down by 3 points, Coach Dalrymple had only one play left to choose from his massive offensive arsenal.

From the 27-yard line, the final choice was a good one. Sophomore kicker Kendrick Jackson had proven remarkably accurate all season long on extra point tries. Although it would be a 32-yard attempt, distance was no concern for Oak Grove fans who have marveled at Jackson's leg strength. The snap was good, the set was perfect and the kick was a valiant effort that couldn't have been more than 5 feet wide. Desire Street Academy had survived another storm.

Senior Oak Grove tailback Joey Pepmiller had the big night rushing with 175 yards on 19 carries and 2 touchdowns. Jimmy Pepmiller, Russell and Nelson each contributed a rushing touchdown to the Oak Grove effort. Freshman running back Robert Kelly led the running attack for Desire Street with 113 yards on 13 carries. Lavar Edwards added 17 tough yards including two touchdowns. Johnson rushed 8 times for 77 yards and a touchdown. Greg Williams threw touchdown passes of 58 and 43 yards to Peterson to complete the Lions' scoring effort.

Desire Street advances to the semifinal round and will play South Plaquemines Friday night for the right to go to the Superdome for the finals. Oak Grove finishes their season with another 10-win season and 11th straight quarterfinal playoff appearance.

For nine Oak Grove seniors, their high school football careers ended Friday night. They are: Defensive Back Cody Gregory, Tailback Joey Pepmiller, Linebacker Trinceton Jackson, Offensive Tackle Ethan Pippin, Center Brandon Skipper, Defensive Tackle Joey Densmore, Defensive Tackle John Robert Warner, Fullback Payton Russell, and Defensive End Kentrell Gayfield. Thanks guys for your four-year contribution to some quality entertainment. We wish you the best!

For those Tigers returning next year - just like you, we can hardly wait for two-a-days beginning the first week of August 2008.