Dave Campbell's Texas Football: Déjà vu: Grayson Rigdon claims offensive MVP again as Benjamin mercy rules Lora

ARLINGTON - Grayson Rigdon might have worn new threads this season, but the end result was still the same.

Rigdon, who claimed offensive MVP honors and a state championship with Strawn last season before transferring to Benjamin this offseason, did it once again.

The star sophomore was all over the field in Benjamin's 68-20 win over Loraine in the Class 1A UIL State Championship on Wednesday at AT&T Stadium.

However, Loraine (13-2) didn’t show up just to hand Benjamin the state title; they made the Mustangs work for it. Loraine’s AJ Williams and Rigdon went blow for blow in the first quarter both trading two touchdowns each. But that is when the Benjamin defense would wake up and slow down Loraine. Two sacks by Nicolas Ham and Nicholas Stovall on the same Loraine drive late in the first quarter helped set up a suffocating second quarter from the Benjamin defense. 

Not to be out done, Rigdon ended the first half with 172 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and throwing for a touchdown to Brody White. But the pair also combined for a bigger play right before the end of the half. As Loraine was looking to score before halftime, Rigdon came up big to force a fumble as White scooped the ball up and ran it back for a touchdown. 

After the half, Benjamin (13-0) only needed 19 points to invoke the mercy rule. Two more Rigdon rushing touchdowns and a 49-yard touchdown pass to John Wolffarth would seal things for the Mustangs.