Jackets Blank Kilgore for 7th Title

(Photo credit to Kimmie McKinney Photography – more photos at Kimmie McKinney Photography on Facebook)

Arlington, TX–In front of over 18,600 people at AT&T Stadium, Stephenville proved why its War Dog defense has been the heartbeat of the team all season. The Jackets knew that points would be at a premium as Kilgore’s starting defense had only given up three points in their five playoff games. This would prove to be correct as Stephenville scored 10 points and that would be enough. The Jackets converted their seventh state title in as many tries, winning 10-0.

The shutout would be Kilgore’s first since they lost 14-0 to Crandall in the Bi-District round of the playoffs in 2019. As far as the low scoring aspect of the game, this was the least amount of points scored in a Class 4A state championship since 1976.

Stephenville would hold Kilgore to only 151 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs came in averaging over 450 yards and 41 points per game. The Jackets forced three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a turnover on downs. The Kilgore offense only had one play of over 20 yards.

While Kilgore would struggle to move the ball, Stephenville would find tough sledding as well. It wasn’t as if the Jackets couldn’t move the ball at times as they had eight drives move into Bulldog territory. It was the challenge of finishing the drives that showed the Kilgore defensive reputation was warranted. The Jackets finished with 250 yards of total offense.

With a 0-0 tie coming into the third quarter, the Jackets once again showed that half-time adjustments would spark the offense. Stephenville had their best drive of the game that was capped off by a dynamic 40 yard pass from Trot Jordan to Adan Jergins in the endzone for the only touchdown of the game.

Brighton Devivo would continue his impressive playoff field goal kicking as he nailed a 42 yarder that would have been good from 50. This would wrap up the scoring and prove to be enough as the defensive war would go the way of Stephenville.

The game championship Defensive MVP went to Hudson Butchee and Offensive MVP to Trot Jordan. With the 7th state title, Stephenville is now tied for 8th most championships in Texas High School football history. Time to add another star to the logo.