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. 

Rigdon claimed offensive MVP honors rushing for 255 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 25.5 yards per carry, and throwing twice for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Defensive honors went to Stovall with his sack and nine tackles. White led the Mustangs in tackles with 11 alongside his two fumble recoveries to help lead Benjamin to its first ever state title.

Williams did his best to keep Loraine in the game with his 144 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 86 yards through the air. Jadrian Limones had Loraine’s lone passing touchdown to Zannon Perez, while Malaki Williams led the team in receiving with 70 yards on two catches. He also led the team in tackles with four.