AMITE - It was a battle that took two overtimes to decide. In the end, the 5A Hammond Tornadoes beat the 5th ranked 3A Amite Warriors 28-27 in double overtime for one of the best games in the series between Amite and Hammond.

“This is a very big win for our program. We were 4-6 last year, and we are trying to get our guys to learn how to win these close games. To be able to beat a great program like Amite is good for our team,” said Hammond Coach James Gillyard.

The Tornadoes tied the game in overtime when quarterback Austin Miller connected with wide receiver Donald Davis on a 4th and three. The Warriors would have sealed the game if they had kept the Tornadoes out of the end zone.

With the game tied at 27-27 the Warriors needed to block the Tornadoes PAT to push the game to a third overtime. Amite did just that, but the Warriors were flagged for being offsides. The Tornadoes had another chance to win the game.

Kicker Harris Beall then nailed the PAT, and the Tornadoes came up with a 28-27 win over the Warriors. Amite is now 2-1 on the season, while the Tornadoes are 3-0 for the first time in over ten years.

Amite will return home this week to take on the St. Helena Central Hawks, while Hammond opens district play on the road at Fontainbleau. Amite had their chances in the game, but costly penalties hurt the Warriors.

The Warriors were down late in the game and needed a score to force overtime. Amite did just that, as they tied the game with just fifteen seconds left in regulation.

Hammond committed several costly penalties in the game, as well. Amite went on a game-tying drive with less than four minutes left in the game. The drive was aided by two big Hammond penalties, and the Warriors got a touchdown when Reginald Porter scored on a one-yard sneak.

Wayne Johnson then added the PAT, and the game was tied at 15-15 with just fifteen seconds left on the clock. Hammond then went on to edge the Warriors 28-27 in double overtime.