FERRIDAY &8212; It took four days, but Huntington is headed to the state championship.

The Hounds had a five-run lead after Thursday night&8217;s rain delayed playoff game with Heidelberg Academy, and they tacked on two more Sunday afternoon making it 12-5.

&8220;I&8217;m proud of my players,&8221; coach Mitch Ashmore said. &8220;We have come a long way this year.&8221;

The Hounds scored both runs in the bottom of the sixth Sunday. Richard Steele lead with a walk, Ples Arthur hit into a fielder&8217;s choice and a Trey Corbett single scored the first run. A Trey Brasher single brought in the next run. Brasher also pitched Sunday&8217;s two innings, giving up no hits or runs.

The two teams played in the rain for about an hour Thursday night before officials called the game. The game was scheduled for completion Friday, but was delayed to Sunday.

It was an eight-run second inning Thursday that put Huntington out in front. They won the South State in two games.

Huntington will face Vicksburg&8217;s Porter&8217;s Chapel Tuesday in Ferriday. The two teams will play a best of three series, alternating home field advantage.

&8220;We&8217;ve been an up and down ball club (this year) to say the least,&8221; Ashmore said. &8220;We have played very well when it counted in the playoffs. We are very proud to be back in the state championship.&8221;

This will be the second-year in a row Huntington will play in the Class A state championship.

&8220;If we play well, and we don&8217;t make a lot of mistakes we have as good a chance as Porter&8217;s Chapel,&8221; Ashmore said. &8220;Porter&8217;s Chapel is a very good ball club. They are coached well and traditionally a strong club.&8221;