Seventh heaven! Hammond football adds another state title to decorated history

Mike Tyler caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Turner in the fourth quarter to give Hammond its seventh straight SCISA state championship, this time a come-from-behind 28-21 victory Friday over Laurence Manning Academy in a game played at Charleston Southern.

It’s the program’s 21st football title overall and third under head coach Jon Wheeler. The first four titles in this latest string came under former coach Erik Kimrey.

The Skyhawks lost two games early in the 2023 season on their home field to Prince Avenue Prep and Gray Collegiate. But they stayed the course and are champions for the seventh season in a row.

“It means everything to this group of seniors and this entire team,” Wheeler said. “This was the year … where early on, we were the underdog. But you have to tip your hat to our boys and the culture of this program.

“We were battle-tested and humbled. They didn’t run from the adversity. They took it in stride and got better every week.”

The Skyhawks trailed 14-0 in the first half Friday and again at 21-20 after a 72-yard run by Ian Harris with 11:09 remaining. They punted after a three-and-out, but Preston Springs recovered a fumble at the LMA 25-yard line three plays later.

After a penalty and facing a third-and-17 from the 32, Turner found Tyler in the corner of the end zone — and Tyler made the catch over the Swampcats defender.

“This one was very special,” Tyler said. “It was a hard-fought game and all respect to them, but we came out on top.”

At that point, Hammond turned it over to their stout defense to close things out. Laurence Manning (10-3) got to midfield but an incomplete pass on fourth down gave the Skyhawks the ball back with 2:11 remaining. Hammond was then able to run out the clock.

“Coaches kept on saying, Contain! Contain!’ ” Miller said. LMA quarterback Tyler June “is a really good player that can run as far and as fast as he wants. We just kept him contained. It’s been a hell of a time.”

Wheeler said there was no passionate halftime speech that led to the team’s 21-point second half.

“No offense to Laurence Manning, but I just told the guys we were going to come out and win the ball game,” Wheeler said. “We are going to execute and not point fingers. We had to play really well to beat them and we did that for the most part. It could have gone either way, so I’m proud of this group.”

Laurence Manning took advantage of two Skyhawks turnovers to jump to a 14-0 first-quarter lead. Jackson Brunson scored on a 4-yard run for a 7-0 lead early into the contest. An interception by Bryson Smith gave the Swampcats the ball at the Hammond 32. Two plays later, June connected with Josiah Burson on a 30-yard touchdown.

Hammond (11-2) got on the scoreboard with 1:39 remaining in the half on a 19-yard run by Manny Johnson that made it 14-7 at the break. The Skyhawks tied it up on Johnson’s 74-yard scoring burst with 4:34 remaining in third quarter. Turner scored on the first play of the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run to give Hammond its first lead of the game at 20-14.

Johnson was the workhorse with 218 yards rushing on 26 carries.

This story was originally published November 17, 2023 at 10:22 PM.