Also, by the hardest. In a thrilling championship match played at Scott Field, the Simmons Blue Devils defeated the Lumberton Panthers 30 to 26 Friday morning and afternoon. Tavares Johnson, Simmons coach, said that it took all of us to win. He was a mess. “Our guys go both ways. They are exhausted. They are just exhausted.” Johnson said that they were able to rely on the help of above. Detavian Reynolds, who passed away in October at the young age of 17, was the inspiration for the Blue Devils. Johnson was the starting center for Simmons’ 2014 team. He was also expected to be a leader on last year’s state championship team. In 2014, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Johnson stated, “He fought and fought it.” He asked for one more state championship when we visited him at St. Jude’s. Today was the day we achieved that goal. He was there with us. It was almost like he was there with us all day.” Lumberton outgained champions by 320 yards to 244, but two quarter pass interceptions led two Simmons touchdowns. Lumberton was fighting back the whole way. Johnson stated, “Lumberton has an amazing team and that was something we knew.” They won 12 games this season. They’re really skilled up front. “We knew that.” Marquez Pam led Blue Devils with 91 yards of rushing on 21 runs. Pam ran for touchdowns of one and four yards. Chandler Robinson completed six out of eleven passes for 91 yard and scored a touchdown with a 19-yarder to Amos Robinson. Rodraqus Coleman was the leader of Lumberton, who ran 22 times for 114 yards. He also caught three passes for 39 yard. Hollandale Simmons was the only senior in its team and is expected to win three consecutive state championships. Johnson stated, “We’ll give the seniors two weeks off and then get back to work.” We work hard. “We work hard.