The celebration was well-earned.
El Dorado’s senior class fought through a 4-7 season as sophomores and a 5-5 pandemic campaign a year ago.
To finally break through with an 11-2 season and the school’s first state championship since 2013, the Wildcats had a right to celebrate.
“It’s a special feeling, a great group of kids, great group of seniors,” said El Dorado coach Steven Jones. “I’m proud for them, really excited for that group. The kids worked so hard from start to finish. They absolutely earned that state championship.”
Jones had special feelings for the seniors, who welcomed him to the program three years ago as sophomores.
“Hat’s off to the senior class. What a great group of athletes and a great group of kids,” he said. “They’re a lot of fun to coach and so competitive. That competitive spirit day in and day out pushed our team. It was an awesome sight to see them hold up that championship trophy.”
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In a record-breaking season for El Dorado’s offense, it was fitting to see the defense have a dominating performance in the biggest game.
Defensive coordinator Trey Outlaw said he thought his squad was shorted with just eight sacks credited by the stat crew.
The Wildcats held Greenwood to 223 total yards, including minus-44 rushing.
“They made a statement. The defense just rallied to the football every time it was snapped,” said Jones. “We had two or three guys at the point of attack and making plays left and right. There had so much energy and were just so physical. Trey Outlaw, hat’s off to him. He put together a great plan for Greenwood. The kids went out and executed and I’m just so proud for that group.”
The Bulldogs completed 18-of-35 passes for 267 yards. El Dorado forced five turnovers, including two interceptions. The Wildcats scored 20 points off those turnovers.
“For the defense, this was probably the best game, which surprised me just because of the atmosphere and nervousness of everyone,” said senior linebacker Patrick Sixbey. “It’s natural to get nervous but just the way they responded was amazing. Our tactic was really just to blitz. We blitzed almost every play and it worked. Their quarterback couldn’t handle it. Their offensive line couldn’t give their quarterback enough time to make a deep pass and we stopped the run pretty easily. They just had a tough time with our overwhelming defense.”
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Another unsung unit on the team this season was the offensive line. They had their time to shine on Saturday, putting the game away with an 11-play, 66-yard drive. El Dorado ran the ball 10 times on the drive with Shadarious Plummer carrying on seven, including a 35-yard touchdown.
“A group that started the season as a question mark. We were unsure and Kris Borosvskis put together a great group and they continued to get better week in and week out. They went out with a bang,” Jones said of the offensive line.
The Wildcats rushed for 227 yards on 50 attempts. Rester completed 11-of-25 passing for 109 yards.
“They were dropping eight in coverage and giving us four in the tackle box. That just tells you to run the football,” Jones said. “I hate to say it again but we take what the defense gives us. They had four guys in there in the tackle box and we put it on the offensive line’s back and Shadarious Plummer made play after play.
“At halftime we told them, offensive line and number 10 are going to win this game. You could see it in their eyes they believed that. We went out in the second half and the offensive line moved bodies around and Plummer had a big second half and won MVP.”
The junior running back had 26 carries for 181 yards and four touchdowns.
“DeAnthony Curtis did a great job with him all year long, turning him into a complete running back, great in pass protection, getting out and catching the ball out in space and the ability to run the ball downhill,” said Jones. “He was a complete running back.”
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On the clinching drive, the one pass might’ve been the key to the Wildcats’ victory. On fourth-and-3 near midfield, Rester hooked up with Jackie Washington on a 5-yard slant for a first down.
“We were to the point in the game where we wanted to keep the ball on the ground. We had to make a play on fourth down and they were loading up to stop it,” said Jones. “We called a slant and Jackie made a big play. You could see the energy after that catch. Our offense knew we were fixing to go down and score. It was a great play.”
Washington finished with five receptions for 43 yards. DeAndra Burns, Jr., had three for 32 with Kamron Bibby adding a 16-yard reception. RJ Thomas had one 5-yard grab.
Two unusual suspects also made it into the passing stats. Rester was credited with an 8-yard reception after catching a deflected pass. Offensive lineman Cameron Davis also gained five yards in the receiving sheet after catching a lateral on the final play of the first half.
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Rester didn’t have his best day statistically. He had rushed for 101 yards on 18 carries but also threw three interceptions.
But Jones said the senior’s leadership was invaluable. He also made key plays at key moments, including the fourth down pass to Washington.
“He made a lot of plays to keep the drive alive. Yeah, he threw a few picks but he never got down on himself,” said Jones. “He continued to lead the team. His leadership really shined in the fourth quarter, pushing our team down the field and winning the game.”
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Defensively, safety Marquees Waller had six tackles with one tackle for loss. Sixbey had six tackles with a sack and a forced fumble.
Seven players were credited with sacks, including Damarian Rester with two among his three tackles for loss. Sixbey, Jyrin Steward, Danquez Shelton, Ahmayus Young, Trey Cook and Takoi Steward also had sacks in the game.
“Greenwood’s offense was so fast and if we decided to hit them in the mouth every single play, they would slow down,” said Sixbey. “They’d get scared and get hurt. In the end, that’s what happened.”
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It was a fitting farewell for El Dorado’s seniors.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Sixbey, one of four three-year starters. “We were saying as a team and as a defense, we were all dreaming about this when we were seventh, eighth grade when we had those undefeated seasons, just to finish it off on a high and win a ring is unbelievable.
“The game was electric. You couldn’t have ended it any better.”