Southern Lab continues to be defined by one word - resiliency

Kittens put together another dramatic fourth-quarter rally, this time to claim Division IV select title

NEW ORLEANS – A cornered cat will always have some fight in it. 

That can be said for Southern Lab as it withstood a pair of runs to defeat Riverside Academy, 42-35, in the LHSAA Division IV select championship game Thursday. With the win, Southern Lab now has six official football titles – not counting forfeits of the Division IV titles in 2015 and 2016.

Southern Lab beats Riverside Academy: Live update, score of Louisiana high school football state championship (12/7/2023)

“These kids have been resilient the whole year,” Kittens coach Darrell Asberry said. “They were two points away from being undefeated. This is a very disciplined football team.”

Since Ausberry took over before the 2017 season, he has helped Southern Lab (12-1) rise from the ashes of recruiting violations that cost the school those titles in 2015 and 2016, a runner-up finish in 2014, a postseason ban in 2017 and a hefty fine of $17,000.

In just five seasons, he was able to deliver a title to the North Baton Rouge school when the Kittens defeated Ouachita Christian for the Division IV title in 2021. However, he admitted that he could enjoy this one a bit more.

“Just hat's off to this whole program,” Ausberry said. “These kids are unbelievable. It’s remarkable and to watch this team is unbelievable.”

Even though Southern Lab suffered a one-point loss to Madison Prep, fighting back has been the key for the team all season.

And it has made the Kittens stronger as a result.

Louisiana's Prep Classic high school football state championships: Game previews, kickoff times 

In Week 9, they scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to down District 9-1A rival Kentwood for a 33-31 road win.

Last week, it scored three touchdowns in the final six minutes to defeat Ouachita Christian, 38-34, in the semifinals – an outcome that was sealed by Miami (Fla.) commit Dylan Day’s interception return for a touchdown.

The Kittens stayed true to their unwavering ways Thursday after they trailed 14-0 in the first 16 minutes. They responded with four touchdowns in seven minutes to close the first half – ending with a record-breaking 94-yard interception return by Ian James to take a 27-14 lead at halftime.

However, when Riverside (12-2) regained the lead after three rushing touchdowns by Dedric Lastie, Southern Lab needed another fourth-quarter comeback.

“I always tell them that if I don’t push the panic button, then you don’t push the panic button,” Ausberry said. “They haven’t flinched all year.”

This time, sophomore running back Jerome Harris would help the Kittens’ cause with a pair of rushing touchdowns.

He and Ausberry’s son, Armariyan, each scored two touchdowns as Southern Lab rushed for 169 yards as a team.

Southern Lab's Armariyan Ausberry was named the Most Outstanding Player for his team in the Division IV select championship game Dec. 7, 2023. (Photo by Buck Ringgold) 

“We knew that as long as our running backs stayed healthy (we’d have a chance),” Ausberry said. “We have four explosive running backs and all four came to play. We just wore them down.”

That rushing attack isn’t going anywhere soon as Armariyan is just a junior and Harris is a sophomore, and that bodes well for Ausberry and the Kittens for staying around as a power in Division IV select.

“We’re here to stay,” Ausberry said. “I’m going to be here and I’m not going anywhere.”

Southern Lab photo by Ricardo LeCompte, WWL-TV 

-- LaMar Gafford | @SBLiveLA