Several factors contributed to the Cowboys’ 44-22 triumph over the Washington Commanders on Sunday evening at AT&T Stadium.

Dallas held a 20-15 advantage late in the second quarter before scoring on their next four possessions, highlighted by DaRon Bland’s 68-yard pick-six with 5:31 left in the third quarter.

The scoring spree commenced when Dak Prescott located George Pickens 24 yards along the sideline at the Commanders’ 35-yard line. On the subsequent play, Javonte Williams surged down to the two-yard line with 10 seconds left in the second quarter, and Prescott’s two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ferguson allowed the Cowboys to take a 27-15 lead, which they would maintain.

Prescott continues to perform admirably this season, concluding the game with 264 passing yards, completing 21 of 30 attempts with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Williams rushed for 116 yards on 19 carries, contributing one score. CeeDee Lamb secured five receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Pickens had four targets, achieving 82 yards. Ferguson caught seven passes for 29 yards; however, his two touchdown receptions were instrumental in helping the Cowboys (3-3-1) clinch the victory.

Following linebacker Shermar James’ strip-sack of Jayden Daniels, Jadeveon Clowney recovered the fumble at the Dallas 45-yard line, as the Cowboys scored 17 consecutive points, which included Prescott’s second connection of the day with Ferguson, who caught a five-yard touchdown pass, and Bland’s 68-yard interception return for a touchdown extended the score to 41-15.

Daniels exited the game due to a hamstring injury, making way for backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, as both players faced relentless pressure throughout the match. Clowney, Donovan Ezeiruku, James, and Kenneth Murray, Jr. collectively recorded four sacks. Dallas’ defense established a commanding presence, invigorating its offense.

Mariota ignited the Commanders when he scrambled for 25 yards to the Dallas’ 28, and added a ten-yard run to the two-yard line. Two plays later, Chris Rodriguez Jr. pushed the ball into the end zone from the one-yard line. This made the score 41-22.

The absence of receivers Noah Brown, Terry McLaurin, and Debo Samuels may have impacted Washington’s offensive performance.

Despite Daniels’ injury, he completed 12 out of 22 attempts for 156 yards, achieving one touchdown without any interceptions. The Commanders (3-4) were unable to counter Dallas’ balanced offensive approach.

Brandon Aubrey successfully kicked a field goal with 12:45 left on the clock, finalizing the score at 44-22.

Prescott’s 74-yard touchdown pass to Lamb was a key part of a 17-point surge in the first quarter.

The Cowboys will face the Broncos next week while Washington takes on the Chiefs.

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“They found a way to win tonight,” says Klein Collins’ Adrian Mitchell. “They found a way to make plays, offensively, defensively, and on special teams.”

Representing the path to 15-6A district championship could not have showcased a stronger performance on a night overflowing with huge plays.

Senior quarterback Braydon Schoggin threw a ten-yard touchdown pass to receiver TyDrick Finley with 29 seconds left, sealing a 45-42 win for Klein Collins against Magnolia in a pivotal district matchup at Klein Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.

Schoggin delivered a lateral pass to Finley, who drew tight coverage, but with some clever moves, the speedy receiver managed to evade three defenders and sprinted into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Finley also caught a two-point conversion, boosting the Tigers’ lead to 45-42.

“I started seeing red,” Finley explained. “If the ball is there, I’m going to get it.” The old saying is that defense wins championships. Our offense fed off the momentum of this seesaw affair.”

However, the contest used every second of the clock before the dust settled. The undefeated Bulldogs used its time effectively, advancing into field-goal range, where kicker Gavin Gonzales’ 51-yard attempt veered wide left as time expired.

Junior quarterback Chase Lowery launched an incomplete pass, and Tigers’ cornerback Christian Wilkerson broke up another throw, leading to a fourth and three. But, a pass interference penalty against the Tigers’ defensive back Makell Wilson granted Magnolia a first down at the Klein Collins’ 34-yard line with just one second left.

Despite Klein Collins (7-1, 5-1) trailing, 42-24 with 11:22 left in the fourth quarter following Lowery’s connection with senior receiver Jayden Cooper on a stunning 85-yard fly route, it battled back with consecutive scoring drives, aided by Wilson’s interception at the Magnolia’s 36-yard line with 8:40 to go.

“The fight of our kids is unreal, said coach Adrian Mitchell. “Many times the kids respond to the way our coaches respond, and our coaches responded the right way on both sides of the ball.”

The brief drive consisted of eight plays as Schoggin powered his way into the end zone from the one-yard line, reducing the deficit to 42-37 following Samual Galeas’ extra point kick with 4:41 remaining.

Schoggin accumulated 131 rushing yards and passed for 292 yards. Aiyden Benford recorded four receptions for 134 yards, while Adrian Jenkins had five catches totaling 113 yards.

Klein Collins failed to recover an onside kick, allowing Lowery to orchestrate a five-play series that helped the Bulldogs reach the 25-yard line, where it faced fourth-and-two. Magnolia’s head coach, Craig Martin, called a timeout. When play resumed, instead of attempting a field goal, Lowery came up a yard shy of the mark to gain, which forced a turnover on downs with 1:55 remaining in the game.

Schoggin directed the offense on a 77-yard drive. A pass interference penalty, along with Schoggin’s 27-yard throw to receiver Aiyden Benford at Magnolia’s 18-yard line, energized the home crowd. However, the Tigers encountered a setback, marking one of six false start penalties throughout the evening, with one occurring on each of its initial three possessions. Following an incompletion with one minute remaining, Schoggin successfully connected with receiver Adrian Jenkins at the ten-yard line just before Finley’s fireworks.

Magnolia (6-1, 4-1) led 21-17 at intermission and extended its lead in the third quarter.

Klein Collins encountered another false start while facing fourth and one as the offense gave way to the punting team.

Lowery, who completed 20-for-28 with 330 passing yards and added 153 rushing yards on 11 attempts, served as a constant challenge for the Tigers’ defense. He made crucial throws and impressed the crowd with his agility.

Following four straight completions, Lowery gained 25 yards, progressing the ball to the Tigers’ 35-yard line. In a similar situation to Klein Collins, the Bulldogs faced a fourth down and inches, but junior running back Cash Ferrell powered through to the 23-yard line and scored on the subsequent play. Magnolia led 28-17 after Gonzales’ successful extra point kick.

Magnolia’s senior receiver Joseph Solomon had eight targets, resulting in 152 yards. Cooper finished the game with five receptions totaling 126 yards.

Then, both teams exchanged 75-yard scoring drives to conclude the third quarter, with the Bulldogs leading 35-24.

In the first quarter, both teams punted after its opening possessions. Then, Lowery orchestrated a 70-yard drive, finishing it with a 35-yard scoring run, giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 advantage with 6:35 remaining.

Klein Collins responded by advancing 74 yards in seven plays. Schoggin, who performed admirably like Lowery, discovered a gap in the Bulldogs’ defense and gained 31 yards to reach Magnolia’s 39-yard line. The clever quarterback then added a 17-yard run before Finley capped the quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run, leveling the score at 7-7 after Galeas’ kick.

Wilson’s recovery of a fumble on the Bulldogs’ 40-yard line with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter enabled the Tigers to take the lead, 14-7, when Schoggin charged into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown.

Magnolia made a strategic decision to reposition Navy linebacker commit Tyler Covar, utilizing him on both sides of the defense, particularly in key areas where the Tigers were causing considerable upheaval. Covar’s performance included vital stops that resulted in no gain, as well as tackles for loss. Despite his efforts, Klein Collins continued to answer.

“It was a dogfight back and forth,” Covar responded. “They have a good front line. “I think we battled correctly, they just came out on top at the end of day.”

The Bulldogs knotted the score at 14-14 with Ferrell’s two-yard run before heading into the locker room with a 21-17 lead, during which Covar sacked Schoggin, concluding the first half.”

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Fans make bold PREDICTIONS!

Dem Boyz battle back from down 7-0 in the first and 13-0 until the Packers extra point was blocked by the Cowboys and returned for 2 points giving new life to Cowboys. Dallas scores two more time to take a 16 – 13 led at the half. Cowboys gain the momentum through out the second half. Packers struggled to get within field goal range to tie the game at 37 all sending it into overtime. Both place kickers from each team Brandon Aubrey and Brandon McManus trade field goals to end overtime at a 40-40 tie.

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Aldine Mustangs play their first home game in their new stadium.

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Four teams from the greater Houston area advanced to the UIL football state finals. The Bellville Brahmas, North Shore Mustangs, Port Neches-Groves Indians, and the Summer Creek Bulldogs will battle for the rights to bring home titles.

The Brahmas (15-0) edged Wimberly, 35-33, in its Class 4A Division II Semifinal. The Indians of Port Neches-Groves (14-1) knocked off Liberty Hill, 35-28, to set up a rematch of last season’s Class 5A Division II championship game against South Oak Cliff (13-2). The Golden Bears won back-to-back titles, including its 34-24 victory over the Indians last season. With seven appearances in the state finals, North Shore (15-0) will face Duncanville (14-1) after dispatching Austin Westlake 23-14, in the finals for the fifth time in six seasons. The Panthers won its first championship game since 1998 by defeating North Shore, 28-21, in last year’s Class 6A Division I Championship. The Mustangs have taken three of the four previous meetings. Also, the Mustang’s history versus Westlake continues to build, as it has won two out of three contests against the Chaps dating back to 2015. Last season, the Mustangs defeated Austin Westlake, 49-34, on its way to the finals.

Summer Creek (14-1), who competes in district (21-6A) with sister schools Atascocita, Humble, and Kingwood, is looking to make a big splash in its first appearance at the state finals. Beaumont United, Beaumont Westbrook, C.E. King, and North Shore conclude the district schedule. Despite facing stiff competition in one of the most vital districts in the state, the Bulldogs’ opponent, DeSoto, will look to throw a monkey wrench in the plans.

It’s been 46 years since Bellville advanced to the state finals. Unlike other seasons, fall practice rolled in with something special in the air. The dream season has the community hoping for a special ending. The undefeated Brahmas run the ball at a torrent pace and look to continue its winning ways. Its offense has accumulated over 5,000 ground yards. Don’t look for the offense to stray from its ground attack when it takes on Gilmer for a chance to do something the 1960 and 77 teams attempted. In those particular seasons, the school reached the championship game.

Try competing against two quality foes in consecutive weeks. That’s what Port Neches-Groves is up against. Last year, it bounced Liberty Hill from the semifinals, and likewise this season. This week, the Indians will attempt to bring home its first state title. Last season, the Indians watched its hopes slip away, falling 34-24 after holding a double-digit lead over the Golden Bears.

Please visit the link below for more information on the UIL football state championship schedule.

(https://www.uiltexas.org/football/state/football-state-championships-broadcast-information)

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With nothing new under the sun Brian Peavy II does what every competitor on any level in a Championship game dreams of doing. He recorded 3 interceptions had 5 solo tackles assisted on 4 more , set up on kick and punt return. Brian Peavy said ” I felt as if i were moving at an faster speed”.
All of Peavy’s interceptions were drive stoppers, but the 3rd interception came in the fourth quarter stopping another drive of Nottingham taking the hopes away from them winning the game.

UWE Bullets defeat Nottingham 28-21 making them the Bucs National Champions 11-0 for the 2021 – 2022 season

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Arlington – Lighting rarely strikes twice in the same place, more less three. Déjà vu, again. Not much has changed between the two teams outside of new players. Yet, they share the same results.

Junior defensive back Jayven Anderson had a game-ending pick, and freshman quarterback Kaleb Bailey’s 29-yard touchdown strike to senior receiver David Amador with 2:53 remaining gave North Shore its third title, 17-10 in four years in the Class 6A Division I Championship on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

For the third time in four years, North Shore (15-1) has walked out of Arlington with Class 6A Division I title.

“Beating a team three times is about the approach from our kids and our coaching staff,” says North Shore coach Jon Kay. “It’s never been about North Shore beating Duncanville, or program beating a program.”

Anderson picked Duncanville’s quarterback Solomon James’ pass at the Mustangs 49 with 1:49 remaining. Solomon scrambled out of the pocket to avoid the rush and did not see Anderson. It all but sewed up the Mustangs fifth state title in the school history. The other titles came in 2003, 2015, 2018, and 2019.

The Panthers (13-2) stopped North Shore on three consecutive downs, but North Shore purposely let the clock tick down to 16 seconds left before snapping the ball on fourth down. Then Duncanville suffered perhaps its worst setback, not gaining possession of the ball after officials threw a flag for illegal participation (12 men on the field). That gave North Shore a first down while Bailey took the final snap and kneeled to run the remaining time down to zero.

The winning drive benefitted from a personal foul assessed on junior running back Kaleb Kenney for tackling junior defensive back Evan Jackson after signaling a fair catch at the Mustangs 45. Officials’ 15-yard walk-off left the ball on Duncanville’s 39. On the next play, Bailey, who completed 10-of-13 for 107 yards and a pair of scores, dropped back in the pocket and spotted Amador, who had seven receptions for 79 yards, breaking free in the end zone where he made the overhead catch providing the go-ahead touchdown. The strike covered 39 yards and left 2:53 on the clock.

“We were heavy run a lot, so we knew at some point we were going to take a chance at a shot, Mustangs offensive coordinator Willie Gaston said. “It was just a simple play shot, and we knew David Amador is our top receiver.”

The timing of the play call brought Mustangs fans to their feet with thunderous shouts, cheers, and a sigh of relief. With the way its defense played, the opportunity appeared to be a low risk.

The wealth of North Shore’s experience returned on defense and showed from the opening whistle throughout the fourth quarter. An offense responsible for scoring 76 points twice this season and accounting for 622 points suffered at the hands of defensive backs Caleb Flagg, Denver Harris, linebackers Kent Battle, Josh Garrett, defensive linemen Jacoby Brass, Jaylon Joseph, Kris Ross, Ronald Wilson, who controlled the line of scrimmage and held the Panthers high powered offense to 10 points. Ten times during the first half, North Shore stopped the Panthers for loss of yards or no gain.

“I wouldn’t say their defense is the fastest, but they are the most athletic we’ve seen,” Panthers coach Reginald Samples said.

In place of former quarterback Dematrius Davis, now at Auburn University, is freshman quarterback Bailey.

Duncanville, who could not get out of its way, encountered the adversity of a suffocating defense that pressured its offense all evening, found it challenging to respond, facing two potential touchdown drops.

“They did a good job of taking advantage of some of our weaknesses,” Samples explained. “Mater Dei (California and national power) exposed a lot of the same things that happened tonight.”

North Shore’s season did not open as bright as it ended. The Mustangs searched for its identity using four different quarterbacks and six running backs with minor adjustments on defense, where the bulk of its experience returned.

Coach Kay and his staff learned more about the team throughout the season. He challenged his team after the tough loss to arch-rival Westfield, which exposed weaknesses. But that did not hamper the Mustangs; it raised the level of focus.

“We focus on what the kids need to focus on, and not on the outcome,” Kay mentioned. “Too often you focus on revenge or you focus on it being the third time. You start to play scared, you start to play out of character.”

The two teams are meeting for the third time since 2019. North Shore defeated the Panthers 41-36 in 2018 and 31-17 in 2019. Austin Westlake and Southlake Carroll knocked off Duncanville and North Shore in 2020.

By far, this is the best defensive matchup between the two teams. The two previous games watched the teams light up the scoreboard, combining 125 points.

Jackson’s 24-yard punt return to the Panthers 29 highlighted North Shore’s scoring drive in the first quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, defensive end Omari Abor sacked Bailey for a five-yard loss at the 34. However, tailback Xavier Owens’ 23 yard run to the 11 gave North Shore a first down. Bailey’s swing pass to receiver Jhalyn Bailey put the Mustangs on the board 7-0 following junior kicker Carlos Dominguez PAT with 2:55 left in the first quarter.

“The one thing we take a lot of pride in, in our community, is in the grit and the ability to finish and make things when things probably shouldn’t be there,” Coach Kay said.

The Panthers responded with a 14-play, 87-yard frame on the ensuing possession. Running back Malachi Medlock’s 36-yard run coupled with junior receiver Lontrell Turner’s 20-yard reception at the North Shore’s 40 watched James convert a fourth and seven strike to tight end Marcus Vinson at the 27. Still, the Mustangs defense responded with a pair of stops for loss yards until Duncanville benefitted from a pass interference infraction, moving the ball to the 12. Jordan Crook found a hole a few plays later, running into the end zone to conclude a one-yard touchdown, and the Panthers tied the game 7-7 on Armando Benitez’ PAT.

Respectfully, Medlock and Turner’s efforts turned in 114 yards on 22 carries and six receptions for 57 yards.

After both teams settled down, the game turned into a defensive tug-of-war. Anderson, Battle, Brass, Harris, Tai Leonard, Ross, and Wilson led the Mustangs with several stops at or behind the line of scrimmage. Battle and Wilson recorded one sack each in the first half. The Panthers answered with a similar effort, pressuring the ball led by Abor, linebackers Crook, junior Vernon Grant, Donovan McFail, sophomore Colin Simmons, defensive linemen Kaden Seay, and Kristian Whitfield.

The Mustangs made its first drive of the third quarter count. Bailey’s 12-yard run to the Duncanville 18 put Dominguez in position to drill a 32-yard field goal with 5:52 to go in the third quarter. North Shore led, 10-7.

The defensive units continued its surge in the third quarter, with both teams surrendering three points.

“Both defenses dictated the flow of the game,” says Samples.

Like two heavy-weight fighters, the Panther answered when defensive back Da’Myrion Coleman returned the kickoff 36 yards to the 40. On the next play, Medlock ran back through the Mustangs defensive line and down the sideline to the North Shore 17 with 5:33 left in the third quarter. Yet it all vanished when Wilson dropped Medlock for a loss at the 15. Then, Ross deflected a pass on 3rd and eight, allowing the Panthers to settle for a 23-yard field goal from Benitez. That leveled the score 10-10 with 4:23 in the third quarter.

Although the opportunity appeared twice, Duncanville failed to execute when James threw a perfect ball to receiver Dakorien Moore, who dropped it while breaking free from a defender.

At times, the Panther moved the ball well but failed to execute clutch plays when the opportunity presented itself.

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Arlington, Texas – We fought hard, came from dark days and hard times. The Jack-in-the-box player of the game Qualon Farrar described the Golden Bears’ journey. This history-making moment showed the Texas high school football world in front of 42,275 and the South Oak Cliff Community.

Inner-city schools have seen little with winning state titles. Typically, that sides with the suburban schools. However, 71 years later, Dallas ISD and South Oak Cliff became tremendous stories.

That’s how long it’s been since the Sunset Bisons; a Dallas ISD school, defeated Houston Reagan, 14-6, to bring home a state title to Dallas ISD. Eight years later, Booker T. Washington won the Prairie View Interscholastic League title.

“We feel what you feel in the stadium, excitement,” says Golden Bears running back Farrar. “This is one of the best accomplishments in South Oak Cliff Football.”

The Golden Bears (15-1) has chased history since the first round of the playoffs as it sent shock waves throughout Texas after shocking perennial power Aledo, 33-28, which holds ten state titles.

Sophomore kicker Diego Varela booted a 29-yard field goal with 8:25 remaining, and the Golden Bears defense kept the Liberty Hill Panthers’ Slot-T offense in check in the second half, sending South Oak Cliff to its first state championship, 23-14 in the Class 5A Division II state championship on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

The win gives the Golden Bears its first title in school history. Liberty Hill (13-3) fell short of its third title, with its last coming in 2007, a 35-13 decision over Gilmer.

Varela did the honors of giving South Oak Cliff the edge, 17-14, with a 29-yard field goal with 8:25 remaining. The kick came after three big plays by senior running back Ke’Undra Hollywood, who rambled 32 yards to the Panthers 41. Hollywood caught a nine-yard reception from offensive MVP quarterback Kevin Henry-Jennings, who connected on 12-of-23 for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while facing fourth and five and scampered 15 yards to the 12.

“We told them about character reveal,” said Golden Bears coach Jason Todd. “We’ve been up in some games, but one thing we know how to do is climb back and scratch it out and find a way to win at the end.”

The Panthers seemed poised to answer but, junior defensive lineman Keith Smith and junior MVP defensive back Abdul Muhammad, who led the Golden Bears with ten tackles, turned in huge stops to halt one of a few impressive Liberty Hill possessions. Smith tackled sophomore running back Noah Long for no gain on third and six to force a fourth down. Liberty Hill’s offense stayed on the field but drew a holding infraction back it up to its 24. That’s when Coach Kent Walker sent out the punt unit, which ran a fake when linebacker/running back Andon Thomas, who received the snap from center, threw a pass intended for sophomore running back Joe Pitchford, who rushed for 158 yards on 20 carries, but Muhammad, defending on the play, knocked the ball away, giving the Golden Bears possession at the Liberty Hill 24 with 4:39 remaining.

“I’m proud of these kids; they fought their tails off,” Panthers coach Walker said. “I can’t say enough about our kids and our community. They showed out today, and I’m very grateful for that.”

Three plays later, South Oak Cliff enjoyed its largest lead when Farrar took the handoff going right and turned upfield for a 17-yard scoring run, making the score 23-14 after Varela kick. That all but sealed the deal.

The Golden Bears defense had its hand’s full bending but not breaking as it faced a well-oiled Slot-T offense that rushed for over 5,000 yards this season. Defensive back Kyron Chambers, sophomore linebacker Brandon Jones, defensive linemen, Courtland Kidd, junior defensive lineman Keith Smith, and Tyler Young proved to be up for the task, controlling the line of scrimmage for most of the evening. Holding the Panthers scoreless in the second half while its offense mustered nine points proved to be the difference.

“They are the fastest and the most physical team we faced and huge upfront,” coach Walker mentioned.

Still, sophomore defensive back Semaj’ere Gasaway’s jarring hit on Noah caused a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, which watched junior receiver Taylor Starling recover the ball on the Liberty Hill 27 with 3:07 left.

The Golden Bears were on the receiving end as the game opened. Liberty Hill’s on-side kick to begin the game caught South Oak Cliff by surprise; however, the ball traveled six yards instead of the allotted ten yards, setting up first in ten from the Panthers 46. South Oak Cliff converted two fourth downs before Henry-Jennings threw a 17-yard strike to junior receiver Corinthean Coleman to put the Golden Bears up 7-0 after Varela’s kick.

After both teams forced a three and out, the Panthers’ best frame of the evening foiled when Ethan Minix’s 35-yard field goal attempt drifted left with 37 seconds to go in the first quarter. But the running game settled in, including carries by Long, Pitchford, and senior Thomas for double-digit yards. Yet, a holding penalty forced fourth and eight with the kick to follow.

“It’s a special group, for obvious reasons,” coach Walker explained. “Most of you all know what they’ve been through and what we’ve been through over the past year.” (The passing of former head coach Jeff Walker, the brother of coach Kent.)

Henry-Jennings engineered an 80-yard drive, including tossing a pair of 15 yard passes to receiver Kylin Mathis coupled with Hollywood 13 run to the 27, setting up the scoring strike to sophomore receiver Jamyri Cauley in the corner of the end zone, increasing its lead, 14-0 with 7:46 left in the second quarter.

Just when the Golden Bears looked to blow open the game, Liberty Hill, who rolled up 208 first-half ground yards, responded with an eight-play, 63-yard touchdown drive. Behind sound blocking up front, Pitchford picked up 14 yards to South Oak Cliff 45. Three plays later, Long churned out 11 yards to the 23 before standout Thomas bowled his way up the middle, mowing defenders to the end zone as the Panthers cut the lead in half, 14-7 following Minix’s PAT.

On South Oak Cliff’s next possession, junior linebacker/receiver Colin Brandt and junior defensive back Carlton Schrank provided blanket coverage and held Farrar to five yards, forcing a punt. That momentum carried over to Liberty Hill’s offense as it quickly progressed 87-yards on the strength of its ground game, including Pitchford highlight 62 yard run to the Golden Bears 4. Thomas would eventually cap the frame, scoring from a yard to tie the game, 14-14 with 11 seconds left in the second quarter.

Liberty Hill started the third quarter with excellent field position at the 46 after a good return by its special teams. Pitchford, junior running back Logan Dyer, Long, and Thomas shared the ball pounded the Golden Bears defensive front to the 17; still, possession came up empty when Minix missed his second field goal attempt wide left.

From there, the defense headlined the third quarter.

The Panthers watch its season end on a sad note but will have much to look forward to with experience and youth returning next season.

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Arlington – Stephenville’s championship day glistened behind a heady performance from its defense and key offensive standouts.

Its defense forced six turnovers, including four first-quarter fumbles. Senior receiver Coy Eakin scored four touchdowns as Stephenville deflated the Austin LBJ Jaguars, 38-21 in the Class 4A Division I Championship at AT&T Stadium on Thursday evening.

The win rekindled memories of its ‘90’s dynasty and gave the No. 2 Yellowjackets its sixth title in school history. Stephenville won four of its six titles in the ‘90s, including ‘93, ‘94, ‘98, and ‘99.

“We’re just so proud of our football team and the way they have prepared all season,” Yellow Jackets coach Sterling Doty said. “We were here, we played so well, and we wanted to finish, just get that sixth state title. I couldn’t be more proud of our guys.”

The Yellow Jacket’s offense could not ask more of its defense, which set the tone by recording six turnovers and forcing three turnovers on downs. Linebacker MVP Reese Young tallied 14 tackles and recovered a fumble.

“The war dogs went out and put a ton of pressure on LBJ and their rushing attack,” Stephenville’s coach Sterling Doty mentioned. “We made their quarterback, Oscar Gordon, make quick decisions, and they put the ball on the ground because of it.”

After scoring four touchdowns, Eakin, who had nine receptions for 187 yards, easily grabbed the offensive MVP honors. Three receiving scores and one rushing.

Stephenville (16-0) led 17-0 at the end of the first quarter, spurred by four consecutive Jaguar fumbles. Defensive lineman Alex De Leon corralled a fumble at the Austin LBJ 34, leading to its first score. Junior quarterback Ryder Lambert, who finished with 258 yards on 16-of-28 and three scores, threw three straight passes to Eakin on the frame. The last watched Eakin make a one-handed catch in the right corner of the end zone, and the Yellow Jackets led, 7-0 following Corbin Poston’s kick with 5:58 to go in the first quarter.

“Our guys are taught to play till the whistle,” Doty explained. “All of our offensive guys did that, and we were able to get the ball out.”

The top-ranked Jaguars (15-1) were seeking Austin ISD’s first state title since Austin Reagan fell to John Tyler in 1973, struggled on both sides of the ball.

“It hurts a lot because we worked so hard, and we had an outstanding season,” Austin LBJ coach Jamal Fenner said. “It just didn’t happen for us. I love all these kids, and to see the community rally the way they did, we really wanted to pull it off for everybody.”

Sophomore defensive lineman, Camden McKinney of Stephenville, jarred the ball loose from junior tailback Sedrick Alexander, and linebacker Reese Young recovered the ball at the Jaguars 15. Two plays later, Eakin recorded his second touchdown – rushing this time. Stephenville led 14-0. Defensive lineman Austin Brown’s fumble recovery, watched the Yellow Jackets use six plays to get in field goal range as Poston netted a 26-yarder, increasing the lead, 17-0.

In search of its first score, on its first series of the second quarter, Austin LBJ drove to the Yellow Jackets one-yard line with the help of a pair of big plays and a pass interference call. But the drive stalled after facing fourth and goal from the two after Young took down Alexander at the two-yard line forcing a turnover on downs.

“This was our first time, so you’re just trying to get a feel for everything in the pregame,” Fenner said. “We just tried to get them to settle in the game as quickly as possible, and it just took longer, so we made mistakes early, and that’s what ended up really putting us behind. We have never made those mistakes early in a game like that.”

A defensive holding call set up the Yellow Jackets in LBJ territory at the 49. Then, Stephenville added to the scoreboard when Eakin beat Jaguars’ defensive backs Trenton Leary and Jaybreon Riggins on a short slant pattern as he broke free from both defenders en route to the end zone. That made the score 24-0.

However, the Jaguars had an answer, driving 76 yards in four plays. Quarterback Oscar Gordon, who passed for 372 yards on 30-of-48 attempts, three touchdowns, and one interception, hooked up with junior receiver Noah Baker on a 33-yard scoring pass with 1:17 left in the second quarter. Edguardo Sandoval kicked.

Stephenville yielded a pair of scores but continued its dominance on both sides of the ball in the second half.

Yet the third quarter got off to a bizarre start. Stephenville receiver Reece Elston’s 15-yard reception at the 45 watched junior running back Julian Iribarren ping-pong his way 22 yards up the middle to the Austin LBJ 33. Then Baker picked off Lambert at the Jaguars’ three-yard line, returned the ball to the seven, where Eakin punched the ball out of Baker’s hands. That caused the ball to go air-born at the ten where receiver Kallan Kimbrough intercepted the ball and ran into the end zone to blow open the game, 31-7 following Poston’s PAT.

“I ran a slant-and-go and Ryder through the ball over,” Yellow Jackets receiver Eakin explained. “Baker intercepted the ball, and I just went for the ball to get it out.”

After both teams traded possessions, Gordon’s 26-yard pass to receiver Keilan Rogers at the Stephenville 40 gave the drive light, but it had to overcome a fourth and nine. Then Gordon completed a ten-yard toss to Baker at the 29 and followed with a 29-yard strike to Alexander, cutting the deficit, 31-14 with 3:56 left in the third quarter.

The Yellow Jackets dashed thoughts of a rally when it responded with a 74-yard frame directed by Lambert. Iribarren provided the groundwork, rushing five times to the 48-yard line. Lambert finished the frame with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Eakin, regaining a four-score lead, 38-14 with 11:09 remaining.

Austin LBJ’s last score came on Gordon’s 30-yard scoring toss to Baker, drawing the Jaguars within, 38-21.

The Jaguars held the Yellow Jackets off the scoreboard with two fourth-quarter interceptions but failed to convert the turnovers into points.

“I think this will really humble us and make us eager to come back here,” Baker said. “We came up short last year and look what happened. We’re ready to come back and win it next year.”

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