Iowa Yellow Jackets Punch Ticket to First-Ever State Championship After Semifinal Thriller
Iowa, Louisiana (KNGT-FM) - The old saying of "Third time's the charm" proved to be true once again this past Friday Night as the Iowa Yellow Jackets punched their ticket to the first State Championship Game appearance in program history.
It has been as close to a dream season as you can find. The Exit 43 Boys are 13-0 and are coming off back-to-back one-score victories to get to the State Championship.
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On Friday, the No. 2 Yellow Jackets earned their biggest win yet, beating No. 3 Belle Chasse 28-21 in the Non-Select Division II semifinals at Jesse E. Cady Memorial Stadium. The victory sends Iowa to the Superdome for the first time ever.
For head coach Tommy Johns, the moment struck deep.
“I'm usually not speechless, but I don't know… I'm just so excited for this community, our players, and our school. It's been a rough go the last couple of weeks, and this community deserves it,” he said, visibly emotional after the win.
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Junior standout Kaston Lewis had a career performance, scoring three touchdowns while adding an interception and two fumble recoveries. His second recovery was returned 28 yards to the Belle Chasse 2-yard line before he punched it in on the next play.
Johns said Lewis was everywhere.
“Kaston just did what he does, man. He was everywhere,” Johns said. “And I thought J'Vien ran well tonight, too. We did some really good things. It was a great team effort, and that’s what it takes to win.”
But, for Iowa, it hasn't always been easy, though Head Coach Tommy Johns has made it seem that way with the Jackets reaching their 3rd semifinal in the last four seasons.
"We've been knocking on the door for the last four or five years, and we were finally able to get the job done tonight. It feels great,” said Johns Friday Night.
You can also throw the last month into that "not easy" category for the entire Iowa community, with the passing of two Iowa pillars: superfan Russell Hardy and longtime Voice of the Jackets, Wayne Dawsey. This run has been for the Iowa community.
The Jackets have learned to carry both the weight of expectation and the weight of heartbreak, turning each test into fuel for their historic run. Now, all eyes on Exit 43 are set on New Orleans.
Iowa To Face North Desoto in Division II State Championship
For the third time in five seasons, Iowa will face North DeSoto in the postseason. But this time, the stage is bigger than ever.
The Yellow Jackets and Griffins will meet Friday at noon inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans for the Division II Non-Select State Championship. Fans can listen to the game on 92.9 The Lake with Chaston Tavares & Patrick Frey.
Jacket fans are also invited out on Wednesday Night to the Pigskin Preview radio show at Walk-On's Lake Charles, as Iowa Head Coach Tommy Johns will join the show from 8 PM. 10% of the proceeds will go back to the Iowa Football program.
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