Stephenville offense explodes for 70 points in historic performance

By Shawn Smajstrla

Special to the Star-Telegram

ARLINGTON -- When football fans think "prolific offense," teams like the Oregon Ducks usually come to mind. But look no further than Stephenville to find a locally grown, lightning-strike offense.

The Yellow Jackets put on a record-setting offensive clinic in the Class 3A Division I state championship game Friday night at Cowboys Stadium, scoring touchdowns on nine of their 11 drives en route to doubling up on El Campo 70-35.

The Yellow Jackets scored 28 points in the first 13 minutes of the game, with their average scoring drive lasting only 1:11. Three of the drives were 80 yards or more.

"It starts off with our offensive line," said senior wide receiver Brice Gunter, who had 151 yards receiving and three touchdowns. "They're the best I've ever played with. Then it trickles down to our quarterback Tyler Jones, who is a dual threat. We have the most potent offense in the state of Texas, and I truly believe that."

It's hard to argue after Friday's display. The Yellow Jackets finished with 621 yards of offense, averaging more than 11 yards per snap. In fact, it was one minute before halftime before Stephenville faced its first offensive third down. The only two drives in which the Yellow Jackets failed to score were on a Jones interception in the second quarter and on the final drive of the game when Stephenville ran out the clock.

Jones accounted for nine total touchdowns in the game. He finished with 422 yards passing and five touchdowns through the air, and he added 125 yards rushing and four more touchdowns on the ground.

His performance earned the respect of not only his teammates, but also his opponents' head coach.

"It's the quarterback, period," El Campo coach Bob Gillis said. "He's the difference."

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