Ruston defeats Zachary: Live updates, score of Louisiana high school football Division I non-select state championship (12/9/2023)

Junior QB Joshua Brantley's 3 second-half TDs lifts Bearcats to first title since 1990

NEW ORLEANS - A season after falling short in the title game, top-seeded Ruston finished the job on Saturday.

The Bearcats got a strong performance from junior quarterback Joshua Brantley, who scored three second-half touchdowns as the Bearcats defeated No. 6 seed Zachary, 31-17, in the Division I non-select championship game at the Caesars Superdome.

Ruston finished the season with a 14-0 record. The Bearcats also won their ninth championship, and the first since 1990. They came close to winning it all last season before falling to Destrehan for the Division I non-select championship.

Zachary, which finished 12-2, was seeking its second state title in three seasons and fifth overall. The Broncos got to New Orleans with a wild semifinal win, rallying in the second half to defeat Dutchtown in a game that was suspended a day due to inclement weather.

Below is our Live Update Feed created as the contest progresses. Read from the bottom up to follow from the beginning and refresh often for the latest updates throughout the game.

FINAL: RUSTON 31, ZACHARY 17

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POSTGAME

-- Zachary finished with 317 total yards (82 rushing and 235 passing). Ruston had 306 total yards (112 rushing and 194 passing), which means that Joshua Brantley out-gained his team in total yardage. Brantley accounted for 328 total yards.

-- Ruston quarterback Joshua Brantley was named the Bearcats' Most Outstanding Player. He finished with 194 passing yards, completing 11-of-19 passes, and also rushed for 134 yards on 20 carries and three TDs, all coming in the second half.

Ruston quarterback Joshua Brantley (left) and linebacker Jadon Mayfield share a laugh during a postgame press conference following the Bearcats' Division I non-select title win on Dec. 9, 2023.

-- Zachary receiver Trey'Dez Green was named the Broncos' Most Outstanding Player. He caught eight passes for 97 yards and a TD.

-- Ruston is also state champions for the ninth time in program history.

-- For the first time since 1990, Ruston is state football champions.

FOURTH QUARTER

-- Inside of a minute now. Ruston getting closer to winning a state title.

-- Joshua Brantley with a brilliant fake-out, initially going to his right before suddenly darting to his left and he finds real estate. He goes in for the touchdown with 1:05 left and Ruston now has a two-TD lead (Ruston, 31-17 | 1:05, 4th)

-- Time out Ruston, which has a fourth-and-8 at at the Zachary 24 with 1:13 left.

-- Zachary stops Ruston on a running play, bringing up a fourth-and-8 from the Bronco 24. Looks like the Bearcats will take the play clock down before calling time out.

-- Joshua Brantley brought down on a keeper. Zachary calls its final time out. Ruston has a third-and-9 at the Zachary 25 with 2:03 left.

-- Zachary takes its second time out with 2:08 left. Ruston has a second down coming up. 

-- Throw a bit high. Incomplete. Ruston takes over with 2:14 left.

-- Incomplete pass. Fourth down for Zachary with 2:18 left, and they're going to go for it.

-- Ruston appeared to get an interception with 2:20 left. But after a lengthy review, it was ruled incomplete. Zachary retains possession with a third-and-3 at its 26.

-- Ruston punts it away. Zachary takes over at its own 19-yard line with 2:50 left and two time outs remaining.

-- Joshua Brantley stopped short of the first down and is taken out of bounds. Clock stops with 2:57 left and a fourth down upcoming.

-- Ruston faces a third-and-6 from its 41 with 3:01 left. Zachary calls a time out.

-- Joshua Brantley appeared to convert on a second-and-short but the Bearcats were flagged for a false start penalty. There is 3:30 left.

-- Another strong run by Joshua Brantley gives Ruston another first down at the Bearcat 37 with more than four minutes left.

-- Joshua Brantley with a 16-yard keeper to the Ruston 23. First down for the Bearcats with less than six minutes to go.

-- Quick pass by William Spangler looking for the corner route to Trey'Dez Green, but the ball sails over Green's head for an incomplete pass. Ruston holds on downs and takes over with the lead with 7:28 left.

-- Ruston will call time out before the play, the Bearcats' first time out of the half.

-- Pass to the end zone broken up. Fourth-and-goal now, and the Broncos will go for it.

-- Third-and-goal at the 4 coming up for Zachary.

-- Kameron Thomas breaks loose on a third-down run and the Broncos have a first-and-goal at the 7.

-- Ruling on the field is confirmed. Pass is incomplete. Zachary has a third-and-10 at the Ruston 23.

-- A Zachary receiver made an incredible one-handed catch near the goal line, but officials ruled it incomplete. But they are going to review the play.

-- Trey'Dez Green again, catching a slant in traffic for a first down to the Ruston 23.

-- Trey'Dez Green catches a pass on third-and-long, and Zachary gets a first down at the Ruston 35 a minute into the fourth.

-- Through three quarters, Zachary has 253 total yards and Ruston 236. Both teams have combined for 87 rushing yards.

THIRD QUARTER

-- Zachary has the ball at midfield as the third quarter comes to an end.

-- Touchdown Ruston, as Joshua Brantley runs in a keeper from 9 yards out. PAT is good; Bearcats back up by seven (Ruston, 24-17 | 2:29 3rd)

-- Zachary flagged for a personal foul after a play. Ruston will have a first down at the Bronco 11.

-- Ruston QB Joshua Brantley launches a deep ball, and receiver Logan Malone is there to haul it in for a 51-yard gain to the Zachary 24.

-- Zachary goes backwards after a personal foul penalty and a third-down sack. Broncos punt it back to Ruston with 4:32 left in the third.

-- Trey'Dez Green at it again for the Broncos. He catches a 34-yard pass, elevating high in the air over two Ruston defenders to grab it. Broncos have the ball at the Ruston 35.

-- Broncos will get the ball back after forcing Ruston to punt. More than six minutes left in the quarter.

-- Zachary goes 66 yards in just four plays to tie affairs once more, as QB William Spangler hooks up with WR and LSU commit Trey'Dez Green for a 6-yard TD. Broncos add the PAT for the tie (17-17 | 7:09 3rd)

-- But just like that, Zachary is on the move. Broncos have a first-and-goal at the Ruston 6.

-- Ruston faces a fourth-and-goal at the 3 and goes for it. And they get it, on Joshua Brantley's 3-yard keeper into the end zone. Bearcats add the PAT (Ruston, 17-10 | 8:22 3rd)

-- Zachary called for pass interference on third down, giving Ruston the ball at the Broncos' 3.

-- Ruston QB Joshua Brantley hooks up with receiver Logan Malone on a pass play for a first-and-goal at the 5.

-- Bearcats quickly moving down the field, as they have the ball at the Zachary 25.

-- Ruston will receive the kickoff to start the second half.

HALFTIME

-- Zachary had 120 yards of total offense in the first half; 23 rushing and 97 passing. Ruston had 83 total yards in the opening half; 82 passing and only 1 yard rushing.

SECOND QUARTER

-- Ruston's pressure forces an incomplete pass to end the first half with the score tied at 10-10.

-- Pass falls incomplete near the end zone with one second left. Zachary with the ball at the Ruston 38.

-- Broncos call their final time out of the first half with nine seconds left and the ball at the Ruston 38.

-- Pass interference penalty gives Zachary a first down at the Ruston 44 with 26 seconds left until halftime.

-- Ruston ties the score as Aidan Anding returns a punt 54 yards to the house with less than two minutes left in the half, and the Bearcats convert the PAT (10-10 | 1:49, 2nd)

-- Zachary capitalizes on the special-teams miscue, scoring in just two plays. Tailback Kameron Thomas runs it in the end zone from 3 yards out and the Broncos are in front for the first time this evening (Zachary, 10-3 | 6:12 2nd)

-- Ruston is forced to punt on the ensuing series. However, the snap sails over the punter's head and it is recovered by Zachary for a first-and-goal at the Ruston 4. Broncos attempt to take advantage of the situation.

-- Following the time out, Zachary back to try a 27-yard field goal. Broncos get it, as Rafael Filogonio Costa connects and the score is tied (3-3 | 8:50 2nd)

-- Zachary's coach iced his own kicker. Broncos made a field goal but called time out right as the ball was being snapped.

-- Broncos run the ball and are stopped 3 yards shy of a first down, setting up a fourth down at the 10. Zachary will try a field goal.

-- Zachary faces a third-and-long at the Ruston 17. Bearcats call a time out.

-- Ruston punted the ball to Zachary and the Broncos are on the move again, getting inside the Bearcat 20.

-- In the first quarter, Ruston had 105 yards of total offense and Zachary had 43 yards total. Broncos had 50 yards passing but minus 7 yards rushing.

FIRST QUARTER

-- Ruston gets the ball out to near its 40 as the opening quarter comes to an end.

-- Fourth-and-2 for Zachary at the Ruston 17. Broncos go for it, but a running play is stopped by several Bearcats, headed up by Jadon Mayfield.

-- Zachary QB William Spangler connects with Ty'son George for a first down to the Ruston 25.

-- Ruston then tries an onside kick, but the Broncos make the recovery.

-- Ruston starts the scoring with a 27-yard field goal by Jack Elliott (Ruston, 3-0 | 3:22, 1st)

-- Incomplete pass on third down. Ruston will attempt a field goal.

-- Fumble on the snap; Joshua Brantley falls on it. Ruston faces a third-and-goal at the 10.

-- Ruston faces a fourth-and-1 and goes for it. Joshua Brantley converts on a keeper inside the Zachary 40. Moments later, he finds receiver Jamar Woods for a big play down to the Broncos' 5, setting up a first-and-goal.

-- On third down, Ruston QB Joshua Brantley finds receiver Joran Parker for a first down to midfield.

-- Ruston QB Joshua Brantley evades a sack and sprints downfield 25 yards for a first down at the Bearcats' 38-yard line.

-- On third down for Zachary, Ruston's Jadon Mayfield breaks through to get a sack, forcing the Broncos to punt. Bearcats get the ball for the first time tonight.

-- Ruston wins the toss, defers to the second half. Zachary will get the ball to start the game.

PREGAME

-- Zachary is the first to take the field, and then Ruston comes out seconds later.

-- Kickoff time is set for approximately 8 p.m.

-- Both teams have taken the field. Ruston is wearing red helmets, gray jerseys and gray pants. Zachary is in white helmets and white jerseys with blue pants.

Photo of Ruston quarterback Joshua Brantley (left) and linebacker Jadon Mayfield