The Lamar Tigers won their unprecedented seventh consecutive state championship on Friday, beating Lafayette County 37-20 in Columbia.
This one will go down as arguably the toughest of the seven as the Lamar Tiger Brotherhood had to overcome injuries, adversity and weight of the expectations that come with being the six-time defending state champion sporting the nation’s fourth-longest active winning streak.
“When we won the first one (state title) against Higginsville (Lafayette County) it was more joyous. Here the last couple it has been more of a relief because the expectations are so high. I think when you saw us playing in the first half we were carrying a lot of those expectations for us while we were trying to play,” Lamar head coach Scott Bailey said. “Now is has some relief to it that we got it done. We finally got to playing some good football in the second half and we got it done.”
Lamar struggled offensively in the first half. After forcing a Lafayette County three-and-out on the first drive, the Tigers fumbled the ball away on their first play offensive play of the game. The Huskers responded with a touchdown on the extra possession via a 42-yard touchdown pass from Kinser Madison to Elijah Thirkield.
The Tigers would continue to scuffle on offense until five-foot-six Trevor Medlin would provide the Tigers with a spark in the form of a 91-yard touchdown run. That run tied for the longest run from scrimmage in MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl history and it almost didn’t happen.
“He (Medlin) was late for breakfast this morning and the only thing I said told him when he came to the sideline (after the touchdown) was that I was glad I didn’t leave him at home because part of me wanted to leave him at home for being late to send a message to the rest of the team. I am glad I didn’t leave him at home today,” Bailey said.
The second quarter would remain scoreless until the 2:25 mark when Cooper Lucas scored on a 42-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead.
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Lamar would force a three-and-out on Lafayette County’s ensuing drive which led to a 50-yard punt return by Landon Hardman to the Husker 18. The Tigers would lose their second fumble of the game on the first play of the next drive.
Then, as it did all game, the defense stepped up. The Tigers got to Madison in his own end zone where he threw the ball away for an intentional grounding call to give Lamar a 16-7 lead that would hold into the half.
The third quarter would remain scoreless until there was 12 seconds left. Lafayette County scored on a six-yard touchdown pass to bring it to it to 16-14 heading into the fourth quarter.
Then everything changed with 7:24 left on in the game.
Medlin busted a 48-yard touchdown run to bring it to 23-14. The junior finished with five carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Lamar finished with 384 yards rushing as a team.
On the ensuing kickoff, Isaac Collins would recover a Lafayette County fumble to give the ball back to the Tigers at the Lafayette County 35.
Three plays later Travis Bailey would go 35 yards for a touchdown up the left side.
“Duncan Gepner called the play to Travis. He said ‘I don’t think they are honoring the back side. I think if we give it to Travis on the first back, he might come free’,” Bailey said.
The play call by the junior gave Lamar a 30-14 lead.
Lamar would force a three-and-out on the next drive that ended with a Cooper Lucas sack.
TW Ayers and Lucas were key to the Tigers on defense as the senior duo combined for five total sacks.
“This group of seniors will be remembered for overcoming adversity. They are going to be remembered for doing things the right way and for not taking short cuts. Our defense playing at that level gives our offense confidence that if we are struggling like we were in the first half that everything will be ok. The defense is going to take care of business and do their job and we are going to get the ball back,” Bailey said
“It just feels great that we can overcome adversity. We don’t have to score 60 points to win a game. We know that we have a solid enough defense that we just have to score one more point than the other team and we can overcome adversity and come out on top,” Ayers said. “It meant a lot to know that I was giving my team confidence and making plays for the team (so) that we could get our offense back on the field.”
Hardman would take the ensuing punt 50 yards for a touchdown to give Lamar its third touchdown in as many minutes and put the game away.
Lafayette County would score a late touchdown, but that wasn’t bad news for the Tigers. It allowed injured senior quarterback Stuart McKarus to come into the game and kneel on the ball in victory formation.
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The championship marked the end of the line for 17 seniors and their time in the Lamar uniform.
“They were crying (before the game). It wasn’t for show, it was genuine. They were upset that it was coming to an end. I have guys in here that have been stone-faced throughout the season and their career, but they are going to miss it,” Bailey said. “They are going to miss the time together.”
Lamar now has won 49 consecutive football games, which is the fourth longest active streak in the nation. The Tigers lose a solid senior group, but don’t expect the Brotherhood to take a step back thanks to the special bond within the locker room and between the football team and its community.
“In regard to the community, they let us coach their kids. Everybody here when I look at them, has been in my doghouse. I have been face to face with them and yelling at them. Their parents allow us to coach them in an old school and brutally honest way and they don’t interfere with it,” Bailey said. “I will tell you what I told them before the game. People believe the Brotherhood is weight room and X’s and O’s and, that is part of it I am not going to lie to you, but we believe the Brotherhood is based on love. Those parents and people in our community, my bosses, understand that I love these kids and sometimes it is tough love.”
