Stephenville Kicks Its Way to the State Championship

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

Fort Worth, TX–It doesn’t matter how long you lead the game, it matters who has it at the end. Stephenville led for the final two seconds of the contest over Celina, winning 24-21. Brighton Devivo connected on a 46 yard field goal with two seconds remaining and a wild celebration erupted on the Stephenville side.

The Jackets didn’t make it easy on themselves. Stephenville turned the ball over twice and Celina made them pay by scoring 14 of their 21 points off of the turnovers. The War Dog defense flexed many times as other than the scoring drives for Celina after the turnovers, Celina only mounted one drive of any length.

For the Stephenville offense, it was tough sledding other than for one drive in the first half. For the second week in a row, the Jackets trailed at half. Trailing 14-7 to start the third, a different offense emerged from the locker room. The Jackets more than doubled their first half numbers and started moving the chains.

Stephenville scored on its opening possession of the third to tie it 14-14 on a ten yard strike from Trot Jordan to Adan Jergins. After another Jacket stop of Celina on defense, Stephenville looked ready to take their first lead, late in the third. On a second down play from the Celina 11 yard line, the Jackets tried the Flea Flicker trick play. However, things went terribly wrong and the ball ended up on the ground. Celina scooped the ball and returned it deep into Stephenville territory to setup another Bobcat touchdown after a Jacket turnover.

True to the season script of the year, when the Jackets face adversity, they have responded. Stephenville moved the ball right down the field with ease on the ensuing drive and Zyler McClendon punched it in from seven yards out to tie the game again. Now it was 21-21 mid way through the fourth quarter.

Celina’s final drive of the game would stall out at the Stephenville 36 yard line and facing a fourth and two, the Bobcats elected to go for the lead with a 44 yard field goal. It was no good. The Jackets had a minute and half to work down the field with only one time out remaining. Some clutch receptions and runs got Stephenville to the Celina 39 yard line with seven seconds left. The Jackets would line up for the 46 yard field goal attempt and the result would add more credence to the Jacket Mystique banner that hangs at games.

Stephenville Football will go for their seventh state championship this coming Friday at AT&T Stadium with kickoff at 11am versus Kilgore.