The Texas State Championships - Friday

This is the weekend every high school football player in Texas dreams about.  This is what makes all the sacrifices worth it.  Two-a-day practices in the August heat.  Dealing with injuries and adversities during the long regular season.  Having to sit through all those damn pep rallies.  The march through the play-offs.  Some of the players may get another chance next season, some may move on to play college football at some level.  But for many of these players, it will be the last game of organized football they will ever play.  And now your team has a chance to win the Big One and be the best in the state of Texas. I made the drive to Houston and needed some barbeque before I drove over to the stadium.

The Barbeque

Goode Company BBQ opened their original restaurant at 5109 Kirby Drive in 1977.  Even though they have since opened additional barbeque restaurants and have expanded to include seafood and Mexican food, the BBQ at their first location is still mighty good.  

Slow cooked over mesquite, the brisket was superb: moist, tender, great bark and smoke ring.  While I had to bite the meat off the pork ribs, it too was very tender and smoky.  The sauce was a different story.  It was kind of bland and actually detracted from the taste of the meat.  Yet another reason not to drown the meat in sauce.  This was some of the best barbeque I ate all season.

The Games

For the past several years, all of the championship games were held at Jerry’s World where the Dallas Cowboys play.  This year the NFL scheduled a home game for the Cowboys on Saturday night, so the high school championship games were moved to NRG Stadium in Houston (where the Texans play).  I wonder if the owner of the Texans had anything to do with the Cowboys playing at home this year?  

NRG Stadium

The view from the lower level

Friday, game 1 – Argyle vs Waco La Vega

The first game on Friday was between the Argyle Eagles and the Waco La Vega Pirates for the Class 4A, Division 1 title.  Argyle was from District 6-4A and entered the game with a 14-1 record.  This was their fifth appearance in the final game.  Their run through the play-offs:

• ·         Round 1          70-7 over Lake Worth
• ·         Round 2          59-34 over Pittsburgh (no, not the Steelers)
• ·         Round 3          58-34 over Kennedale
• ·         Round 4          32-29 over Texarkana Liberty-Eylau
• ·         Round 5          24-17 over Abilene Wylie

Argyle Eagles 

La Vega is from District 13-4A and brought a perfect 15-0 record into their third trip to state.  Their record in the play-offs:

• ·         Round 1          42-10 over Comal Canyon Lake
• ·         Round 2          41-20 over Rockport-Fulton
• ·         Round 3          6-0 over Liberty Hill
• ·         Round 4          20-7 over China Spring
• ·         Round 5          39-3 over Carthage

La Vega Pirates

The two teams traded possessions and punts throughout the first quarter.  First downs here and there, some dropped passes, a couple of penalties.  With about six minutes to go in the first quarter, La Vega took possession on their own 15 yard line after an Argyle punt.  The Pirates moved the ball to the Eagles 37 where they faced third and 8.  After a timeout, Pirates quarterback Jamal Williams threw deep, but his pass was picked off by Gage Campbell on the Eagles 5 and returned to the 21.  The Eagles were again unable to move the ball, so they punted to the La Vega 29.

Behind Williams’ passing and running, the Pirates moved to a first and goal on the Eagles 8 early in the second quarter.  Running back Kemoche Hobbs burst through the hole his offensive gave him and scored the game’s first touchdown.  With 10:13 to play in the second quarter, the Pirates led 7-0.

Argyle returned the kick-off to their 34 yard line.  The Pirate defense again forced a three and out.  When the Eagles punted, the Pirate return man dropped the kick.  The Eagles recovered for first and goal from the Pirate 10.  On third down from the 6, Eagles quarterback Dane Ledford carried the rock into the end zone to tie the game at 7-7 with 7:38 to play before half time.

La Vega returned the ensuing kick-off to their 32.  After picking up a first down, Williams was sacked for a 5 yard loss.  On second and 15, Williams threw high and Benson Brandon out jumped the Eagles DB for the reception and a first down on the Argyle 34.  Hobbs was tackled for a loss on first down and Williams was sacked for a huge loss on second down.  What kind of play do you run on third and 25?  For the Pirates, throw the ball high and let your wide receiver go up for it like a rebound in basketball.  This time Parrish Cobb out jumped the DB and picked up a first down on the Eagles 12.  Hobbs did the rest from there as he carried for his second touchdown to give the Pirates a 14-7 lead with 4:03 to play.

Argyle started their next possession on their 34.  A wide receiver middle screen gave the Eagles a first down on the 49.  A face mask penalty moved the ball to the La Vega 35.  Ledford ran the ball to the Pirate 20 for another first down.  Ledford carried again for 7 yards, then was sacked back on the 25.  His pass on third and 16 was incomplete.  The Eagles tried a 43 yard field goal, but the kick sailed wide right.  The half ended with the Pirates up 14-7.

La Vega got the ball to start the third quarter.  After a couple of nice gains, the Pirates had first down on the Eagles 45.  Running back Kendall Ratliff fumbled and Argyle recovered on their 43. 

Running back Taylor Sweatt broke tackles and made a great spin move as part of a nifty run to the Piartes 21.  On second down, Sweatt was tackled for a loss, making it third and 14.  Pressured by the Pirates defensive line, Ledford made a desperation pass into the end zone that fell incomplete.  This time the Eagles connected on a 42 yard field goal to make the score 14-10.

After the kick-off, the Pirates took possession on their 25.  The Eagles defense forced a three and out.  The Eagles took possession on their 42.  They picked up a first down, but were stuffed by the Pirate defense on third and 3.  The Eagles pooch punt was downed on the Pirates 1 yard line at the 4:19 mark in the third.

The Eagles picked up a first down and had moved the ball to their 13.  Williams dropped back to pass, but his throw was picked off by Gage Campbell and returned to the La Vega 5.  On third and goal inside the 2 yard line, Gage McCook plunged into the end zone.  With 1:24 to play in the third quarter, Argyle had just taken the lead at 17-14.

Argyle on the move

La Vega returned the kick-off to their 43.  A holding penalty made it second and 19.  Hobbs picked up 13 yards on a tough run.  The third quarter ended with the Pirates facing fourth and 7.  They go for the first down instead of punting.  Williams dropped back to pass, but scrambled up the middle for 14 yards and a big first down on the Eagles 33.  Williams completed a pass for 8 yards down to the Argyle 25.  Hobbs did the rest.  He was almost tripped up, but kept his balance and made a great cut to get into the end zone.  The snap on the PAT attempt was over the holder’s head, so with 10:55 to play, La Vega reclaimed the lead at 20-17.

La Vega tries to answer

Argyle returned the kick-off 14 yards out to their 35.  On third and 2, Sweatt picked up 4 yards for a first down on the 47.  On first down, the Eagles took a shot downfield. Ledford threw deep and connected with Scott Smith for a first down on the La Vega 13.  Ledford ran to the 8 and was tackled late after going out of bounds.  The penalty gave the Eagles first and goal from the 4.  On second down, Ledford tossed a beautiful pass to JC Chalk in the corner on a fade route.  The extra point gave Argyle a four point lead at 24-20 with 7:47 to play.  That’s the third lead change in the game, second in the fourth quarter.  This is getting interesting.

Now it’s La Vega’s turn.  They returned the kick-off 65 yards to the Argyle 35.  If not for the kicker making the tackle, it would have been a 100 yard touchdown return.  The Pirates picked up 2 first downs on option plays where Williams ran the ball.  On second and goal from the 3, John Richards ran up the middle for the go ahead touchdown.  With 4:21 left to play in the game, La Vega grabbed the lead back at 27-24.

Fasten your seat belts.  Keep your hands inside the car.  Make sure your tray tables are in the upright and locked position.  This is going to be a bumpy ride.

The Eagles started from their own 23.  Ledford picked up 13 for a first down to the 36.  After a holding penalty, Argyle was looking at third and 15 with 2:35 to play.  This is the State Championship game.  Gotta get this first down.  Gage McCook got wide open over the middle and Ledford’s pass hit him right in stride.  He easily out ran the defense for a 69 yard touchdown.  Argyle was once again in the lead 31-27 with 2:09 remaining.

The entire season, the state championship comes down to this drive.  Can the Eagle defense put the brakes on La Vega?  Can the Pirates get the touchdown needed to win it all?

The Pirates returned the kick-off to their 47.  Hobbs took an option pitch around end for a first down on the Argyle 43.  As the clock wound down, the Pirates hammered away at the Eagles defense with runs by Hobbs.  After consecutive illegal substitution penalties against the Eagles, Williams tossed a pass to Hobbs which gave La Vega first and goal on the Eagles 4.  With only 15 seconds to play, Williams scored on a quarterback sneak to make the new score 33-31.  Now comes the extra point try.

La Vega on their final drive

La Vega makes the kick to go up by three and their band starts warming up the alma mater.  These are always automatic, right?  That’s why the NFL changed the rules.  But this is high school and nothing is automatic.  This one was a wee bit more exciting.  The Eagles blocked the kick.  Defensive back Dylan Sadler scooped up the ball and headed up the sideline.  If he carries it all the way back and scores, Argyle gets 2 points and the game is tied.  Go, go go. . .  But Sadler was tackled before he could score.  No replay of the Stanford Band play. 

The Eagles ran a trick play on the kick-off return.  The kick returner ran to one side of the field, then threw a backward pass to a player on the other side of the field.  This moved the ball to the 48.  Midfield is a pretty good place to try the Hail Mary play.  With only 1 second left to play, Ledford threw long into the end zone.  The ball was batted down by La Vega and they claimed the championship.

This game was exactly what a state championship game should be: two teams fighting hard, players giving it all they have, the game not decided until the final seconds. Six lead changes in the second half, five in the fourth quarter.  Whew. . .

Friday, game 2 – West Orange Stark vs Celina

The second game of the day was between the West Orange Stark Mustangs and the Celina Bobcats for the Class 4A, Division 2 title.  The Mustangs are from District 9-4A and entered the game with a 14-1 record.  This was their sixth appearance in the final game.  Their run through the play-offs:

• ·         Round 1          63-0 over Houston Scarborough
• ·         Round 2          47-15 over Wharton
• ·         Round 3          69-13 over Caldwell
• ·         Round 4          42-13 over Bellville
• ·         Round 5          41-28 over Cuero

West Orange Stark Mustangs

Celina is from District 3-4A and brought a perfect 15-0 record into their eleventh trip to state, having won a record eight state titles.  Should they win this game, they will break their tie with South Lake Carroll for the most state championship wins.  Their record in the play-offs:

• ·         Round 1          63-0 over Venus
• ·         Round 2          49-21 over Monahans
• ·         Round 3          46-0 over Perryton
• ·         Round 4          42-13 over Krum
• ·         Round 5          49-44 over Gilmore (last year’s state winner)

Celina Bobcats

Celina took the opening kick-off and was able to pick up a couple of first downs, but their chances for winning the game took a major hit when starting quarterback Conner Pingleton injured his arm (possibly broke it) when he scrambled for no gain.  Caleb Knowles replaced Pingelton at quarterback and drove the Bobcats to a first and goal on the Mustangs 9 yard line.  Knowles ran to the 4, but fumbled when he was hit and the Mustangs recovered on their 3.

The two teams traded possessions and punts.  The Mustangs took over from on their 1 yard line after an outstanding punt by the Bobcats.  Running back Jeremiah Shaw fumbled on second down and Celina recovered on the Stark 12.  The Bobcats only picked up a few yards and settled for a 22 yard field goal.  With 2:36 to play in the first quarter, Celina led 3-0.

The teams again traded punts.  The Mustangs started a drive from their 30 yard line.  Quarterback Jack Dallas completed a couple of passes and running backs Shaw and Quinton Chargois ran the ball to set the Mustangs up on the Celina 12.  Dallas scored from there on a quarterback keeper, then made the two point conversion.  Stark took the lead 8-3 with 6:12 to play before half time.

Celina went three and out the next time they had possession.  Stark took over on the Celina 41.  Dallas connected with Keion Hancock for a first down on the Bobcats 21.  Shaw did the rest, scoring a touchdown on a nifty run.  Stark went for 2 again, but this time the Bobcat defense stuffed the running back on an option pitch.  The Mustangs now led 14-3 with 3:54 to play in the second half.  That is how the first half ended.

West Orange took the third quarter kick-off and marched down the field.  On fourth and 2, Dallas ran the ball for a 27 yard touchdown.  His pass for the two point conversion was good.  The Mustangs pushed their lead to 22-3.

Celina went three and out on their next possession.  With their starting quarterback on the sidelines with an arm injury, it looked like it was going to be a long second half for the Bobcats.  And indeed it was as the two teams traded possessions without ever scoring again.  West Orange Stark claimed the trophy with a 22-3 win over Celina. 

Friday, game 3 – Richmond George Ranch vs Mansfield Lake Ridge

The third (and last) game of the day was between the Richmond George Ranch Longhorns and the Mansfield Lake Ridge Eagles for the Class 5A, Division 1 title.  The Longhorns are from District 24-5A and entered the game with a perfect 15-0 record.  They were making their first appearance in the Championship game.  Their run through the play-offs:

• ·         Round 1          55-14 over Fort Bend Bush
• ·         Round 2          63-30 over Nederland
• ·         Round 3          48-28 over Bryan
• ·         Round 4          59-46 over Temple
• ·         Round 5          42-23 over Cedar Park Vista Ridge

Richmond George Ranch Longhorns

Mansfield is from District 14-5A.  Like Richmond, the Eagles brought a perfect 15-0 record into their first state championship game. Their record in the play-offs:

• ·         Round 1          63-12 over Dallas Samuell
• ·         Round 2          77-51 over Tyler
• ·         Round 3          69-40 over Mesquite Poteet
• ·         Round 4          56-53 over Longview
• ·         Round 5          42-21 over Aledo (last year’s champion)

Mansfield Lake Ridge Eagles

Lake Ridge received the opening kick-off, but was unable to move the ball and was forced to punt.  George Ranch took possession on their 45 yard line.  They drove deep into Eagles territory, picking up a big first down on third and 7.  After a false start penalty, the Longhorns faced second and 14 from the 33.  Josh Scruggs took a pitch, swept wide, and scored from 33 yards out.  The extra point made it 7-0 with 7:25 left in the first quarter.

Neither team could move the ball and punted several times.  After an Eagles punt, the Longhorns took possession at midfield.  Richmond picked up big yardage on the ground every time they ran wide.  Scruggs carried the ball to the Mansfield 5 on a jet sweep.  Alex Fontenot scored from 5 yards out as the first quarter ended.  The extra point put George Ranch up 14-0.

Both teams were able to move the ball, but each lost possession when they could not pick up a first down on fourth and short.  With 8:59 left in the second quarter, Lake Ridge started from their 29 yard line.  On second and 7, quarterback Jett Duffey had lots of time to throw, but his long pass was intercepted on the Longhorns 20.

On third and 2, running back Darius Anderson burst through a big hole in the Eagles defense, made a couple of great cuts, and was brought down on the Lake Ridge 23.  On third and 9, quarterback Antonio Jackson connected on a 22 yard touchdown pass to Quintin Morris.  The second quarter ended with George Ranch blanking out Mansfield at 21-0.

Richmond going in for another score

The Longhorns got the third quarter kick-off and picked up exactly where they left off.  Starting from their 36, George Ranch moved downfield using their strong running game.  On third and 8, Jackson hooked up with Anderson for a 40 yard touchdown pass to extend their lead to 28-0 with 10:10 left in the third quarter.

After a 15 yard return of the kick-off, Lake Ridge began their next drive on the 29.  Quarterback Jason Bean ran up the middle for a big gain down to the Longhorns 39.  The Eagles were flagged for a couple of false starts and were facing fourth and 9.  Needing points, they went for the first down, but did not pick up the yardage needed. 

Longhorn Darius Anderson busted up the middle through a gaping hole opened by his offensive line.  He rumbled down to the Lake Ridge 5 where he was stripped of the ball.  Austin McCarther scooped up the fumble and ran it back to the Eagles 25.  The Eagles picked up 7 yards and faced third and 3.  Bean dropped back to pass, but his throw was picked off by Longhorn linebacker Brent Ugo on the Eagles 32. 

Evan Foston carried the ball on a sweep by George Ranch that set up first and goal on the Lake Ridge 8.  Alex Fontenot did the rest, scoring on an 8 yard run to push the score to 35-0 with 6:52 to play in the third quarter.  The rout was on, so we decided to leave the game.  George Ranch scored three more times in the second half to win 56-0 and take home their first state championship.

A great day of football, even if two of the games ended up being lopsided.  Go get something to eat, maybe enjoy an adult beverage or two, and get some sleep. Then do it all over again on Saturday.  

NRG Stadium at night