In front of an absolutely electric atmosphere for high school football, the North Desoto Griffins punched their ticket for the LHSAA Division II State Championship Game with a 38-9 throttling over the Iowa Yellow Jackets.

With a standing room only crowd, the Stonewall faithful added a level of comfort to the Griffins as they jumped out to a 24-2 Halftime advantage. Special teams continued their dominance with a opening drive punt block that set the Luke Delafield led offense up for a 2 yard Trysten Hopper touchdown reception. Landon Falls added a 27 yard field goal to take the advantage to 10-0. As the game began to take form, the Thunder and Lightning duo of Banks and Lewis started to wear down the Jackets with back to back touchdown runs with Banks scoring for 21 out and Lewis with a highlight reel worthy 79 yard backbreaking jaunt.

Defensively led by seniors Marques ‘Gator’ Hampton and Hunter Addison were tasked with stopping the highly effective Yellow Jackets Run Game. Iowa came in rushing for well over 200 yards per game, but were held to a mere 57 yards rushing for the entire game. Defense also had multiple 4th and short stands that took the stinger out the jackets and gave the Griffins the momentum to finish out the second half.

Banks added a touchdown reception and Marques Hampton 41 yard touchdown run capped off the scoring for the night.

As the Griffins begin their preparations to head to New Orleans to face the #6 Seeded Lutcher Bulldogs (13-1), Coach Dunn, said “We will keep the schedule for the week as consistent as it’s been all year. Keep the guys in a routine that they are used to and block out as much distraction as possible.” The Griffins play in the Caesars Superdome on December 10th at 12 noon. They will be leaving Stonewall to head south for preparations on Thursday.

Congratulations came from the other team to make it to the big show in recent years, the Logansport Tigers.  Congrats to the North Desoto Football team and coaches on their semifinal win to make their first ever trip to the Championship game next Saturday at 12 noon.  In the words of Thomas Jefferson “If you want something you have never had, you have to do something you have never done.”

North DeSoto High posted information on tickets to the game and Superdome guidelines on video photography on their social media sites.