Shaw passes ED White to win its first state title in 37 years

The Shaw Eagles defeated the ED White Cardinals 28-25 to win the Division II Select State Championship. Shaw wins its second state championship in program history. The other championship came in 1987, also under head coach Hank Tierney. The Cardinals tied the game after a two-yard touchdown run by running back Carter Douglas gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. Just before halftime, the Eagles had a great touchdown connection. Quarterback Mason Wilson found receiver Jacob Washington, who was wide open, and made a juggling catch, scoring a 35-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14-14. ED White led the way in the fourth quarter on a 27-yard field goal from Ty Powell. Shaw, leading 17-14, would respond on its next possession. Running back Jasper Parker took the handoff from Wilson and swept past the entire ED White defense for a 62-yard touchdown to make it 21-17 Eagles. On the Cardinals’ ensuing possession, quarterback Grant Barbera made a bad pitch into the backfield and Shaw’s Tahj Turner recovered the ball. The Eagles capitalized on this fumble for a few points. Wilson joined Washington in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown to give Shaw the 28-17 lead. Wilson had eight catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns and was named the championship game’s Most Outstanding Player. ED White marched the ball 80 yards down the field and scored a touchdown. Running back Jonathan Lee hit it from four yards out on fourth down. The Cardinals scored the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 28-25. Shaw would get the ball back with 3:47 minutes left in the game. The Eagles would take advantage all the time. Parker finished the game with a six-yard run. The freshman from Michigan had 19 carries for 174 yards and a touchdown.