Benjamin Wins Back-to-Back State Championships

1st Quarter

Oglesby received the opening kickoff and struck first in less than two minutes. A 48-yard touchdown run from Kyler Fosset gave the Tigers a 6-0 lead. Benjamin returned the favor on its opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown run from Rigdon. Each team continued to score until the Mustangs’ defense finally stymied the Tigers on a 4th down attempt. Both teams battled throughout the 1st quarter, but Benjamin held a slight 28-20 advantage at the end of the period.

2nd Quarter

Oglesby capitalized on a takeaway early in the 2nd quarter after Benjamin put the ball on the turf. The quick score tied the game back at 28-28. The momentum changed after Benjamin scored on the ensuing possession. 

Rigdon avenged the previous Mustang turnover with a takeaway with 4:11 remaining in the 2nd quarter. Oglesby launched a deep pass toward a Tigers’ receiver, but Rigdon undercut it. The pick occurred in the end zone, so the Mustangs took over at the 20-yard line. Rigdon followed up the pick with a 52-yard run on the ensuing play. One play later, he scored from 8 yards out to give Benjamin a 44-28 lead with four minutes remaining in the half.

The Tigers looked to answer and drove the football down the field to Benjamin’s 5-yard line. Faced with a 3rd down and two yards to go, Oglesby all but secured another touchdown. However, a poor placed pitch saw the ball on the ground behind the offense. An opportunistic Weston Weatherford scooped up the loose football and returned it 68 yards for another Mustang touchdown.

Events only worsened for the Tigers as Benjamin recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. Rigdon again showed his skill one play later on a 36-yard touchdown scamper. Oglesby responded with a much-needed touchdown with only two seconds left in the half. However, Benjamin needed two seconds to erase that touchdown with another explosive play. Keegan Hayes launched a deep pass to Rigdon for a 60-yard touchdown. Benjamin led at the break 68-34.

3rd Quarter

Benjamin received the 2nd half kickoff and looked to end this contest early. On second down and long, Rigdon dropped back and had to scramble away from pressure. The Tigers overpursued and left a convoy of Mustangs waiting on the other side of the field. Rigdon hit Tallon Hayes across the field, and the Tight End waltzed into the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown.

Rigdon forced a fumble on Oglesby’s next possession, and the Mustangs took over at the Benjamin 34-yard line. The Tigers held Benjamin to a 4th down and 8 yards to go but committed a pass interference on the play. The Mustangs would score one play later to win the 2023 1A Division II Championship 82-34.

Check out the post-game press conference below:

Grayson Rigdon was the obvious choice for offensive MVP in this contest. The young man compiled video game numbers during the championship game. Rigdon finished 7/7 passing for 116 yards and three touchdowns.

He had 15 carries for 263 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He added one catch for 60 yards and a touchdown. Rigdon finished with ten touchdowns on the biggest stage of his career. While only a junior, he has a chance to finish his high school career as one of the best six-man players ever.