It looked like Lafayette Christian Academy was going to win Louisiana’s Selection Division II state championship Friday at the Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. LCA, ranked No. 138 in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football, led No. 120 St. Thomas More 48-38 with 1:45 to go in the game.
St. Thomas More put together a 5-play, 80-yard drive to get to within three points (48-45) on a Sam Altmann 44-yard touchdown pass to Christian McNees with a minute to play.
STM is not done. TD pass, LCA 48 STM 45 pic.twitter.com/C0Vgo6lHqL
— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 9, 2022
After STM recovered the onside kick, Altmann connected with Connor Stelly on a 54-yard touchdown pass to make it 52-48 with :49 seconds to play.
Ill let u see for yourself pic.twitter.com/x6B8MAE1Jk
— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 9, 2022
St. Thomas More’s Nicholas Beckwith came-up with an interception with :13 seconds to play to seal the 52-48 victory in a game that shattered several Prep Classic offensive records.
The teams combined for 1,392 yards of offense. That’s the most in a game in the 42-year history of the Prep Classic. LCA outgained St. Thomas More 769-623.
LCA QB JuJuan Johnson had 585 yards in total offense, a state final record.
Altmann passed for 422 yards and six touchdowns.
The win gave STM head coach Jim Hightower his 460th career win and his fourth state championship.
LCA was playing in its sixth straight state championship game.
Your Div. II Select State Champions,
— Meagan Glover (@MeaganGTV) December 9, 2022
The St. Thomas More Cougars pic.twitter.com/Ni63PG403k
