Benjamin goes back-to-back, blows out Oglesby in 1A DII title game

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ARLINGTON, Texas — Grayson Rigdon ran for 263 yards and six touchdowns, caught a pass for a 60-yard score, and completed 7-7 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns to lead Benjamin to an 82-34 win over Oglesby in the 1A Division II state championship.

The Mustangs have won back-to-back state titles, and their winning streak is at 29 games in a row heading into 2023.

“It was just a great team win for my kids,” said Benjamin head coach Nathan Hayes. “Oglesby is a great football team. They were trading punches back and forth and battling early on.” Hayes has now won four state titles as a head coach, two at Crowell and two at Benjamin.

The Tigers went toe-to-toe with Benjamin into the second quarter. The game was tied at 28 early in the second quarter, but Benjamin went on a 40-6 run to close the half, fueled by several Oglesby mistakes. The Mustangs took control with a 68-yard Weston Weatherford fumble return for a touchdown, followed by an onside kick recovery and a Ridgon touchdown run. Four touchdowns were scored in the final minute, including Rigdon’s circus reception on the final play on a pass from Keegan Hayes.

Rigdon has now scored 16 touchdowns in his three state championship game appearances, which is a new state record. He stayed very humble when asked about his achievements. “I just want to thank my linemen,” he said. “Thank my teammates and coaches who believed in me and, most importantly, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

The Mustangs entered the season with only two returning starters and a huge target on their back. All they did was reel off 15 straight wins, 14 of those by mercy rule.

Hayes said, “I feel like our kids embraced the challenge. We had a lot of people come in and fill some big holes for us.”

Oglesby star Kyler Fossett ran for 243 yards and four touchdowns in the game to lead the Tiger attack.

Keegan Hayes was named defensive MVP after picking up 11 tackles and forcing a fumble. Ridgon also was a star on defense, with 10.5 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception.