Photos and written by: Nick Debose
The Poth Pirates and Gunter Tigers was one of the most anticipated matchups this weekend at the Texas UIL State Championships. It turned out to be a lopsided 42-7 victory by the Gunter Tigers. Gunter is the 3A Division II Champions.
Both teams had little offensive success to begin the game. Gunter would draw first blood with a 12-yard Ashton Bennett touchdown run and take a 7-0 after the first quarter. Bennett would score his 2nd touchdown of the game on a 11-yard scamper to put the Tigers up 14-0.
Super sophomore athlete Colin Peacock had a big interception that really swung the momentum of the game. Peacock was named Defensive MVP of the game with 4.5 tackles and the big interception. The Tigers defense was very stingy only allowing 243 total yard and 7 points.
The Tigers offense rushed for 297 yard and another 163 through the air for 460 total yards. Bennett was the games leading rusher with 87 yard and 2 touchdowns. Ethan Sloan was second leading rusher with 62 yards and a score, while fellow senior Ivy Hellman rushed for 2 scores on only 7 carries. Quarterback Walker Overman threw for 130 yards and rushed for 52 yards. Cannon Lemberg led the Tigers in receiving with 94 yards on 6 catches.
Sloan, a 4-year starter and now two-time state champion, talked about what went into this season, "All the hours we put in, trusting our coaches, and all the sacrifices we made has paid off and it feels amazing."
This is Gunter and Coach Fieszel's 3rd state championship. They won state titles in 2016, 2019, and 2022. You can say they are a Texas Football Powerhouse.