The Stephenville Yellowjackets used a fast start to defeat Austin LBJ 38-21 in the 4A Division I state title game Friday at AT&T Stadium. The Yellowjackets win their 6th state championship in school history.
Stephenville Head Football Coach Sterling Doty said, “We just focused on our process. Our motto this was leaders lead and here they are. Our guys are tough and play to the whistle.”
Stephenville got out to a 24-0 lead in the first half. The Yellowjacket defense caused 4 turnovers and Offensive MVP Coy Eakin score 3 of his 4 touchdowns in the first 24 minutes of the game. Eakin finished the night with 212 all-purpose yards and 4 scores. His best play of the night came when he stripped the ball from a LBJ defender after an interception, that was return for a Yellowjacket touchdown by Kallan Kimbrough. When asked about the play Eakin said, “I just went for the ball and got it out.”
Quarterback Ryder Lambert threw for 258 yards and 3 scores on the day. Lambert, second favorite target was Reece Elston. While Julian Iribarren led the Yellowjackets in rushing with 42 yards.
Linebacker Reese Young was named Defensive MVP of the game with 10.5 tackles and a fumble recovery. “With the team and family we have here, I wouldn’t have cared if we went out in the first round, just because these guys are my brothers. Camden McKinney was also a force causing 2 fumbles on the night. Austin Brown and Alex De Leon recorded fumble recoveries also.
Even with a horrible start to the game LBJ battled their way back into the ball game. Quarterback Oscar Gordon threw for 372 yards and 3 TDs to keep the Jaguars in the game. Noah Baker caught 2 of his 3 touchdowns and Sedrick Alexander caught the other one. Trenton Leary led the Jaguars in receiving with 8 catches for 85 yards.