By Jeff Halpern | Photos by Tommy Land 

LITTLE ROCK — In 1993 when Malvern defeated Lake Hamilton 20-9 for the Class 3A state champion, the Leopards were led by Madre Hill, who capped 2,863-yard season with a 243-yard, 2-touchdown performance.

On Saturday night, Malvern running back Jalen Dupree did his impersonation of Hill in leading the Leopards to the Class 4A state championship. Capping off a season in which he rushed for 2,832 yards and 38 touchdowns, Dupree rushed for 291 yards on 33 carries with 4 touchdowns and had 2 sacks on defense in helping the Leopards to a 64-39 victory over Harding Academy before 1,918 at War Memorial Stadium in a game that was delayed for three hours and 28 minutes due to lightning.