By Roy Lang III

HAYNESVILLE — A distraught West St. John (9-4) running back Kylum Favorite had to be helped from the Rams’ sideline, while he was still weeping several minutes after the conclusion of the team's Class 1A semifinal game at Haynesville.

“I’m a man, I have to shake their hands,” Favorite said through a river of tears."

The Tornados wanted to shake his hand, too. After all, Favorite carved up Haynesville’s defense for 202 rushing yards, a pair of scores and a 2-point conversion.

But it wasn't enough on this Friday night. All season West St. John sought to return to the Superdome, to make good for a loss on that stage last season. Instead, they fell one game - and one point - short, losing 36-35 at Haynesville.

Despite more than 900 yards of total offense by the teams, the game was ultimately decided when quarterback Jerrell Jackson, playing safety, batted down a pass on fourth-and-5 from Haynesville’s 35 with 1:13 remaining.

After Jackson took a knee in “victory formation,” Haynesville fans poured onto the field for an emotional celebration. Although Haynesville won its 15th state championship in 2009, Friday marked the first time in 16 years the town hosted a state semifinal.

“This is one of those games you hate to see anyone lose,” Haynesville head coach David Franklin said. “I enjoyed it because it’s two public school football teams, and we do it the right way.”

The second-seeded Tors (11-2) will play No. 1 Ouachita Christian (14-0) for the Class A crown Friday at 4 p.m. in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

“We’re going to enjoy it (Friday night) and start preparing for (Ouachita Christian) today,” Franklin said.

The Tors were led by speedy running back CaVontae Critton, who had four touchdowns and 206 yards rushing. Bruising runner Tyus Early added 169 yards on the ground.

“(Critton) is 5-5 and people don’t think he can do what he does, but he has heart. He plays like he’s 6-5,” Jackson said. “I love that kid.”

Not only did the game feature two 200-yard rushers, there were a total of four backs with more than 100 yards, and Jeremy Jackson collected 110 for the Rams.

Haynesville outgained West St. John 466-449.

Amid all the gaudy numbers was the difference in the game — a missed extra point by West St. John with 8 minutes remaining.

West St. John jumped to a 22-6 lead following the opening quarter, before Haynesville rallied to tie the game with a pair of second-quarter touchdown drives — capped by runs by Critton — and complementing 2-point runs from quarterback Jerrell Jackson.

The teams combined to gain 587 yards in the first half.

West St. John scored on the second play of the second half — a 65-yard run by Favorite — but Critton answered with 12-yard scoring run. Early rumbled in from 4 yards out and added a 2-point conversion with 4 seconds left in the third quarter to take a 36-29 lead — Haynesville’s first lead of the game.

The Rams got within a point when Lafarrin Stipe hauled in a 35-yard pass from Austin Howard, but the ensuing kick sailed wide.

“I’m very proud of our defensive effort the second half,” Franklin said. “I have about nine guys that play both ways, and they have nobody. I told the guys we’ll rest (today).”

Jackson, one of Franklin’s two-way stars, had the final say.

“Now I can tell people I went to the Dome,” he said.