The Haynesville Golden Tornado are champs for the 18th time, as they defeated the Mangham Dragons to open up the 2025 LHSAA Prep Classic.
Haynesville received the opening kickoff and was forced to punt after a penalty stalled their run game. Eli Bray flipped the field with a 47 yard punt to pin Mangham inside their own 15 yard line. After only two plays, the Golden Tornado defense forced a fumble, and it was returned 19 yards by Ethan Henderson for a touchdown less than 5 minutes into the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Reggie Roberson brought the Dragons right back with a 95 yard kickoff return TD, and the game was tied 7-7 after two possessions with neither offense having to score.
As soon as Haynesville got the ball back, Yasin Meadors took a long 45-yard run into the red zone, and from there, Ethan Henderson got the Golden Tornado into the end zone again. The extra point hit the goal post, and after three drives, the score was already 13-7.
The Dragons used a mix of run and pass to work down the field, and QB Colby Casey converted a third-and-long scramble and a QB run into the endzone to tie the game with 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Isaiah Washington blocked the extra point to keep the score knotted up.
Washington put the Tors back in front with a 54 yard designed touchdown run, but the extra point was blocked, which left the score at 19-13. The first quarter ended with three missed extra points and only one punt.
Colby Casey ran in another red zone touchdown to open up the second quarter, and Mangham took the lead 20-19 with the PAT. Haynesville continued to get good field position to start each of their drives, and Ethan Henderson scored from 60 yards out for his third touchdown. Washington tried to score on a two point attempt, but was stopped short diving for the pylon with about 10 minutes left in the first half, which left the score at 25-20.
Casey was back at it again using his legs to move the chains, and Mangham continued to use Roberson, Kenneth Mitchell, and Willie Randolph in a variety of formations. Casey began to throw downfield out of the shotgun, and was stopped by L’Travious Brooks from getting into the end zone again. Donnie Critton rushed the QB on third down, which led to a 77 yard pick six by Isaiah Washington. Bray added the PAT to make it 32-20 heading towards halftime.
Kenneth Mitchell broke several tackles and got the Dragons back down in field goal range with a long sweep run down the sideline, and Colby Casey found Blake Pierce for a 17 yard touchdown pass with just over 2 minutes left in the first half to make it a 5 point game at the half, 32-27 in favor of Haynesville. Mangham had two players with over 100 rushing yards in the first half (Willie Randolph and Kenneth Mitchell), while Ethan Henderson led the Tors with 88 yards in the first half.
Mangham’s first drive in the second half needed a fourth down run from Colby Casey to keep it going, but another Dragon fumble was recovered by Haynesville around midfield. After another long punt from Eli Bray, Willie Randolph got those yards back via a 66 yard run up the middle to set up Mangham with first and goal. From there, the Golden Tornado defense got a 4th and goal stand to take over on their own goal line. Haynesville had trouble getting room to work from there, and a fumble was recovered by Mangham to give them first and goal again, where Willie Randolph was able to score on a short run. Mangham went for two and Ty Wilcher caught a short toss to give the Dragons a three point lead at the end of the third quarter.
Brooks and Washington ran the Tors into Dragon territory to start the fourth, and the Senior QB for Haynesville scored again on a 16 yard TD run to regain the lead 39-35 after the Bray PAT. The Tors kicker consistently kicked touchbacks on the Superdome turf.
Mangham pinned Haynesville back for a safety, and drove back into the red zone with a 4th and goal fade route that fell incomplete. Haynesville needed one first down to ice it, and were on their way to an 18th state championship from the Victory formation from there.
Ethan Henderson and Isaiah Washington had over 80 yards and two touchdowns each, while Willie Randolph led Mangham with 203 yards rushing, followed by Kenneth Mitchell (137 yards) and Colby Casey (133 yards).
“I think the greatest thing about coaching is watching seniors like these mature into not only better football players, but better men as well, and hopefully we’re back again doing the same thing next year”, said Coach David Franklin after his team’s victory.
The Haynesville Golden Tornado finish 14-0; Mangham Dragons wrap up 2025 at 11-3.
Haynesville wins 18th State Championship in school history
