Photo by Brian McLean
By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
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ARLINGTON— The third day of the UIL football championships kicked off Friday morning with a matchup that most experts billed as the most physical matchup of the week. The 2024 finalist Kilgore Bulldogs drove west from Gregg County to try and avenge last year’s loss to Celina, facing off against the traditional power Stephenville Yellow Jackets out of Erath County.
Over a decade ago, both teams matched up in the 3A semifinals in both 2012 and 2013. Stephenville took the 2012 matchup 42-32 en route to its fifth state title. In 2013, the Bulldogs got revenge in a big way, 44-6, but fell to Carthage in the final.
This time around, the two met on the biggest stage with the Yellow Jackets taking it 10-0 in a showcase of both defenses. The game marked the lowest scoring win in a state championship game since Groesbeck defeated Burnet 7-0 in 1991.
“It’s very special,” head coach Sterling Doty said in the post game press conference. “This group is very special for us. Nine started as sophomores, six on defense and three on offense. They were three year starters for us, getting the job done and it just comes down to their leadership.”
The Yellow Jacket defense held Kilgore to only 150 yards and forced four turnovers in the shutout effort.
From the start, it was evident that the defenses would rule the day. Kilgore won the toss and elected to receive. After getting near midfield, Kayson Brooks was intercepted by Stephenville’s Hudson Butchee. However, the Yellow Jackets were only to pick up one first down before turning it over on downs. After the game, Butchee was named defensive MVP for totaling 10 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
On the very next play, Brooks ran it himself but the ball was jarred loose and Stephenville recovered at its own 43 yard line. The Yellow Jackets were able to get down to the 25 yard line to set up a field goal attempt. However, it was partially blocked and fell short, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs.
Kilgore then went three-and-out, punting the ball back to Stephenville and ending the first quarter in a scoreless tie.
The Yellow Jackets proceeded to go on a nice drive that reached the 15 yard line, but a Zyler McClendon fumble was recovered and returned by Bi’syn Williams for the Bulldogs across midfield.
It was then Kilgore’s turn to drive town to the 16 yard line before Brooks was intercepted again by Willis Jackson in the endzone for a touchback. However, Stephenville was unable to do anything with it and was quickly forced to punt. The Bulldogs were unable to pick up a first down as well, and punted right back just before the Yellow Jackets ran out the first half, still scoreless.
Stephenville finally broke the scoreless tie on the third play of the second half when quarterback Trot Jordan threw the deep ball to Adan Jergins who came down with it despite being interfered with for a 40-yard touchdown. Jordan was named the game’s offensive MVP after completing 6 of 15 for 78 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for 86 yards on 17 carries.
Kilgore then tried to respond and drove into Yellow Jacket territory, but ended up missing a 46-yard field goal wide to the left. The two teams then traded punts before the end of the third quarter with Stephenville driving in Bulldog territory.
The Yellow Jackets were able to take three minutes off of the clock to begin the fourth quarter before Brighton DeVivo hit a 41-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0.
With time running out, Kilgore was able to drive to the Stephenville 31 yard line before turning the ball over on downs. The Bulldog defense did force a stop to get the ball back with one last chance, but Willis Jackson tracked down a pass like an outfielder and secured the game sealing interception, giving the Yellow Jackets their seventh state championship, tying arch-rival Brownwood.
