NEW ORLEANS — Breaking out to an early 28-0 first-half lead, the Southern Lab Kittens captured the Division IV high school state championship Friday with a 36-2 win over St. Mary's.

A rematch between two teams that played for the Class 1A state championship back in 1980, Southern Lab took an early 6-0 lead on Curtlan Williams' 45-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Darbbeon Profit would score later in the first quarter from nine yards out to extend the lead to 12-0.

Senior quarterback Bladrick Veal added two long touchdown passes to put the game out of reach at 28-0; connecting with Williams for a 45-yard touchdown and Xavier Bell for 70 yards.

Scoring two touchdowns in the game, Williams was named the Most Outstanding Player for Southern Lab.

The title for the Kittens (10-3) is their first state championship since 1996 while St. Mary's (13-1) suffered their first loss of the season.