LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On a rainy Saturday morning in Little Rock, the Arkadelphia Badgers looked to rise again.
The Badgers last took home a state title back in 2018, when the current players were in middle school. Now, Arkadelphia was back at War Memorial Stadium, with the undefeated Elkins Elks between them and a 4A championship.
Much of the morning was spent in near torrential downpour, but the rain lightened to, at best, a slight drizzle by the noon kickoff. Still, things were plenty slick, and both teams had trouble holding on to the football.
The Badgers struck first, and Bryston McCoy’s 57-yard touchdown pass to Jay Purifoy was the only score of the first half. There were four combined turnovers and a pair of blocked punts before the break, was the sloppy play matched the weather.
Elkins’ first two drives of the second half ended in interceptions by Brayden Wagner. The second time, Arkadelphia capitalized, Orion Roberts taking a screen over 50 yards to the house to double the lead.
From there, it was all gravy for the Badgers.
The defense continued to play lights out, the offense added two more scores. When the final whistles rang out, the scoreboard read 28-0 Arkadelphia.
Wagner was named game MVP, fitting for the leader of a defense that managed to shut out one of the state’s top-scoring offenses.
This win marks the 5th state championship for Arkadelphia.