2022 MAIS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME MVPs CLASS 3A-6A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A CHAMPIONSHIP Central Holmes v Canton Academy </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Holmes- #5 [player_tooltip player_id='346261' first='Lamarion' last='Buchanan'] 17 rushes 83 yds 1 td</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buchanan was one of the few bright spots for the Trojans in this game dominated mostly by Canton Academy. He carried the ball like a champ throughout the game coming up with one touchdown, but also got them into enemy territory before turnovers ultimately derailing most of their drives. Buchanan is only a junior so look forward to him making a lot of noise next season hopefully making it back to the title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canton Academy - #15 WR EJ Luckett 5 rec 119 yds 1 td</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luckett came up big time all game long in the state game. He made big time grabs in crunch situations before the game got out of reach. Chris Hunter came into the game as the headline, but quickly Luckett stole the show making spectacular grab after spectacular leading his team to victory and the MAIS 3A state champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A Championship Tri County Academy v St. Joseph Academy </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tri County Academy- #15 [player_tooltip player_id='350937' first='Bryce' last='Warriner'] 21-34 161 yards 2 tds 1 interception</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warriner played with a lot of heart all night battling against a much bigger opponent in St. Joseph on defense. He never backed down from the challenge even after getting balls batted down all night by the opposing team's defensive ends who stood 6'4 a piece on the edges. The game plan was obviously to get the ball out in space to combat the bat downs by the ends, and not to throw it down the field much as they've done most of the season. He gets the game ball because of his grit and leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Joseph Academy- #2 CJ Moore 277 total yards 3 touchdowns (163 passing) (114 rushing)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore was electric all night for the Fighting Irish slashing the defense for 3 total touchdowns and over 250 total yards. He broke the game open on a QB scramble after coming out in a 5 Wide Receiver package spreading the defense out then exploiting for a long touchdown. He also did well through the air were he went 14-20 for 163 yards hitting 5 different receivers over the course of the game. Moore has great size at 6'2 180lbs and most likely projects as a defensive back on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A Championship Oak Forest Academy v Simpson Academy </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Forest Academy - #11 Stiles Guidry 21 carries 112 yards 1 td (passing) 1-1 11 yards 1 td </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guidry was a man amongst boys in this championship game powering through the defense for tough gritty yards onto a 112 yard performance. Guidry is also the middle linebacker for the defense, and it surely showed on offense with his bruising runs out of the wing t offense that Oak Forest runs. He capped off his night with an 11 yard passing touchdown to catapult himself into MVP honors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simpson Academy- #2 [player_tooltip player_id='340735' first='Carter' last='Cockrell'] 11 carries 100 yards 2 tds (defense) 10 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cockrell is a lean mean fast machine darting through defenses all season long with his elite speed, and it was no different tonight as he got over 100 yards. He broke in this game for a 62 yard touchdown smoking everybody in the dust so bad that he did the Tyreek Hill celebration of throwing up the deuces as he flew by. This game was a little different for him as he was slowed down more than normal due to the stingy defense of Oak Forest. Nonetheless, Cockrell was still dominate in the game racking up 10 tackles on defense also. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6A Championship Jackson Prep v MRA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson Prep- #11 Will Upton 5 rec 129 yards 1 td </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upton has been a nightmare for defenses all year long, and in the championship game it was only right for him to cap off his senior season by coming up one last time. He amassed 129 yards on 5 catches coming up huge in enemy territory for a clutch td grab off of play action. He is what kids refer to these days as a "slot machine" there isn't a route from the slot that he cannot get open on and consistently. The 129 yards also won him the receiver crown for the most yards in MAIS class 6A and atop the leaderboard in the whole state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MRA- #1 [player_tooltip player_id='344088' first='John' last='White'] 16-39 244 yards 3 interceptions </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White battled hard all game long against a tough Prep defense that simply had his number this game. He was still [player_tooltip player_id='344088' first='John' last='White'] showing great composure even after making unusual mistakes. Finished the night with 244 yards but the 3 interceptions were too much to come back from. Overall this was not his best game, but this is still the best QB in the MAIS ranks and arguably in the state c/o 2026. Look for White to regroup and make another run as a senior to get back on the winning side of the state game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->