Photo by Brian McLean
By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
We have finally reached the pinnacle of the 2025 football season. Over the next four days, 24 teams will face off for the right to call themselves Texas State Champions. It all begins on Wednesday morning with two six-man games, ending with an 11-man game that nobody saw coming.
11 a.m.: Rankin Red Devils (12-2) vs. Gordon Longhorns (13-0)
This one may be the one blowout seen this weekend. No disrespect to Rankin, but the Longhorns have arguably the greatest six-man team in history. Thanks to the 45-point mercy rule, the Longhorns have played a total of 33 quarters out of possible 52. That includes an 11-man game against Thorndale, which they won 54-21. Brayden Walters, Ry Reed and Stryker Reed are arguably the best three-way backfield in six-man football. In the semifinal against Union Hill, the Longhorns only ran 12 offensive plays en route to a 69-24 win.
On the other side, Rankin is the type of underdog that relishes its status as such. The Red Devils are in their first state title as a six-man program after years of being a fringe program in their respected region. Early season losses to established six-man programs Borden County and Water Valley had the squad looking like they were heading for another deep postseason run, with disappointment looming. However, behind athletes Matthew Ramos and Gage Lopez, Rankin was able to avenge a 68-20 loss to Water Valley in the semifinal by winning 54-46.
To me this game is all about pedigree. Two years ago, Gordon defeated Westbrook to prevent a three-peat. That year, Gordon was led by a group of sophomores that are now seniors. They have been on this stage before. Rankin has not. Forget the fact that Gordon is hands down the best six-man team in the state statistically, the Red Devils’ inexperience under the dome of AT&T Stadium is the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
NOLAN’S PICK: Gordon by 45
2 p.m.: Richland Springs Coyotes (12-1) vs. Jayton Jaybirds (14-0)
Two of the most decorated programs in six-man football will meet for the first time ever on the biggest stage possible. Richland Springs holds nine state titles, the most in Texas six-man football. Jayton is the reigning champion and the biggest hub of six-man football, hosting an opening week showcase every year.
The story of this game is the defense for both teams.. That is rare in six-man football. The Jaybirds are second in scoring defense, allowing just 11.2 points per game, second only to Gordon who plays in the game before them. Jayton brings in several returners from last year’s state title team, with Bode Ham, Colt Gentry and Sean Stanaland. This recent experience will be key.
While Richland Springs has the most state titles in six-man football, it has been four years since they have reached this stage. Nobody on this team has taken the field at AT&T Stadium. How big of a difference will that make? The Coyotes are third to Jayton and Gordon in scoring defense making this matchup arguably the best title bout in a while.Athletes Cohen Ethridge and Billy Perry have made a massive impact this season and should be the biggest impact on Wednesday afternoon for Richland Springs. Though the Jaybirds are the favorite, expect the Coyotes to not go down without a massive fight.
I think this game will be closer than people expect. This game may even go the distance. However, due to Jayton’s recency in the title game, I give the Jaybirds the edge. With what they have coming back from last year’s team, they take this one in a slim one.
NOLAN’S PICK: Jayton by 12
7 p.m.: Joaquin Rams (11-4) vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (13-2)
Arguably the most shocking matchup of the week involves two teams that did not even win their own district. If anyone told you that these teams would be meeting in a state championship game, you would have laughed. However, these two teams have proven their worth.
The Rams shocked the entire state last Thursday by upsetting the Refugio Bobcats in a late fourth quarter comeback, 37-28. While it involved two onside kick recoveries, Joaquin plays an offensive scheme that is hard to defend. The slot-t is arguably the hardest offensive scheme to defend and Joaquin runs it better than any team in the state. Quarterback Trenton Runnels and running back Cooper Bragg make the run game work extraordinarily well, while tight end Conner Rios can find himself open in the passing game. All three play both ways, and play just as well on defense. I had the chance to see the Rams last season, and I can confirm what they say in East Texas, playoff Joaquin is something to be feared.
On the other side, Hamilton came so close to reaching this point in 2024, much like its opponent. It was a difficult road for the Bulldogs this season including in the semifinal against a solid Stinett West Texas team. The biggest difference for Hamilton from last year is running back/linebacker Halston Haile, who spent the 2024 playoff race in the hospital. Now he is back and hungry for a title, having already collected 2,446 all purpose yards and 28 total touchdowns. The Bulldogs seem like the more complete team in this game. But despite the strong defensive capabilities, the slot-t offense of Joaquin is hard to stop. One last point of interest is that this will likely be Hamilton’s last game in Class 2A. With realignment looming, and the UIL releasing the cutoff numbers, the Bulldogs are now guaranteed moving up to 3A Division II in February. So the time is now, for Hamilton.
I expect this one to come down to whoever has the ball last, and whichever defense can make just one extra stop. Personally, this is the one I am looking forward to the most this weekend. All due respect to Joaquin, I have been on the Hamilton bandwagon all season, and I am not jumping off now.
NOLAN’S PICK: Hamilton by 9
