Class 5A football: Carl Albert completes turnaround season, wins state title

Three plays later, Thompson picked off Cherry again, returning this one to the Cardinals' 16.

The Titans kept it in his hands, as Thompson carried it five consecutive times before scoring to put the game away for good with 3:02 left.

The interceptions were Thompson's fourth and fifth of the playoffs.

And when the Titans were given the gold ball, it was Thompson who hoisted it and carried it to the Carl Albert fans.

Things got a bit heated for East Central near the end as Demeco Bowens was ejected after an altercation with a Titans player and Fabian Garcia was also ejected in the aftermath.

All three of the winningest coaches in state history won titles this weekend, but none were as unlikely as Rose.

Carl Albert is the first team to win a state championship after starting 1-5 since Wynnewood won the Class 2A title in 1998 after starting 1-6.

For Rose, it's his ninth state title. His first came in 1997. Clinton's Mike Lee won his ninth title earlier in the day and Jenks' Allan Trimble won his 10th on Friday.