For the second consecutive year and third time in four seasons, the Dunham Tigers are headed back to the state finals.
Behind a tremendous performance by quarterback Elijah Haven and receiver Jarvis Washington, the Tigers took down Lafayette Christian 49-48 in the Division III select semifinals Friday in Lafayette.
“Coach has been telling us all week to visualize it, see it happening and it is going to happen,” Washington said. “That’s what we did. LCA is a good opponent, and they were a real challenge, but the best man won.”
With the Knights leading 48-41 with 4:35 remaining in the game, the Tigers did what they had done offensively all game — responded. This time, the Tigers went 68 yards in six plays, capping it off with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Haven to Washington to pull the Tigers within 48-47 with 1:46 remaining. Dunham elected to go for two and converted it when Haven hit Khris Thomas in the front corner of the end zone to put the Tigers ahead 49-48.
“Our team endures, man,” Haven said. “We endure and we rise to the occasion. That’s what we did.”
Needing a stop, Washington came through on the defensive end for the Tigers, intercepting a pass at the Knights’ 47-yard line with 1:29 remaining in the game.
“Before I went out there, coach told me to go out there and win this game for us,” Washington said. “I can do it all, so I just went out there and showed my versatility.”
Although the Tigers were forced to punt, which was partially blocked and gave the ball back to the Knights at their own 39-yard line, the Tigers defense successfully batted away a Hail Mary attempt to close out the game.
“It feels great to be going back to the finals,” Haven said. “It’s a reflection of our preparation. The job is not finished. We still have work to do.”
Haven completed 18 of 27 passes for 357 yards, six touchdowns and one interception while also rushing for a team-high 61 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
“I told Elijah he is the best quarterback in the nation,” Washington said. “He showed it (Friday).”
Washington finished with 182 yards receiving and four touchdowns on seven receptions.
“I just trusted in the game plan,” Washington said. “Coach told me there would be big plays to be made, and I trusted myself to make those plays.”
“He’s a baller,” Haven said of Washington. “Week in and week out, he just goes out and makes plays. (Friday) was just another night for him.”
With the win, the Tigers will face No. 6-seeded Calvary Baptist — which defeated Notre Dame 34-28 in overtime — in the Caesars Superdome for the Division III select championship at 7 p.m. Thursday.
“We are back,” Washington said. “Now, we have to go finish the job.”
