‘So proud’: Argyle Liberty Christian and head coach Jason Witten capture district title

FORT WORTH -- The top two ranked private schools in the Fort Worth area squared off Friday night at McNair Stadium.

The No. 1 and unbeaten Argyle Liberty Christian Warriors continued to prove why it will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs, earning a hard-fought victory over No. 2 Fort Worth All Saints, 42-13, to capture the TAPPS Division II District 1 regular season title.

“So proud of the guys,” said Liberty Christian Head Coach Jason Witten. “They have worked so hard to earn this.”

This one came with a little adversity that the Warriors had not experienced this season, having outscored its opponents 423-42 while posting four shutouts.

“We needed a game like this,” said Coach Witten. “And it was great how we responded.”

Argyle Liberty Christian promptly took the opening kickoff and marched 56 yards in 11 plays, utilizing 5:27 off the clock. Brady Janusek capped the drive with a six-yard touchdown catch from Cole Welliver, leaping above the defender in the back of the right corner of the end zone.

“I was able to time my jump,” said Janusek. “And the pass was perfect placement.”

A 31-yard Welliver to Janusek completion late in the second period led to a Michael Stump 36-yard field goal to push the Warriors advantage to 10-0 with 2:47 remaining before halftime.

But All Saints quickly answered with an 8-play 63-yard drive that culminated in a Kelden Ryan 11-yard TD run with eight seconds left to intermission, snapping a 10-quarter scoreless streak by the Warriors defense.

The PAT attempt was blocked by Warrior sophomore Jett Haire, scooped up by Brady Janusek who broke a tackle and went the distance for a two-point conversion return to give ALC a 12-6 margin at the break.

“Great block by Jett,” said Janusek. “And I got a good bounce and just took off.”

All Saints punted on its offensive possession to start the third quarter, but then recovered a Liberty Christian fumble that resulted in a 25-yard TD pass from Kelden Ryan -- a Keller Central transfer -- to Qumonte Williams, that forged a 13-12 lead, the first time the Warriors had trailed all season.

The All-Saints one-point cushion was brief.

Liberty Christian responded with an 11-play 62 yard drive taking 3:56 off the clock as Michael Stump hauled in a seven-yard TD pass from Welliver on third and goal.

The two-point conversion run attempt failed, leaving Liberty Christian with an 18-13 advantage, one it never relinquished. That score stood for the remainder of the third period.

The fourth period was a dominating performance by Liberty Christian offensively and defensively. They outscored All Saints 24-0 to secure the district title.

It began with a CJ Witten fumble recovery that led to a seven-yard TD strike from Welliver to Quinton Brown on a fourth-and-three. Witten had several sacks, including a 13-yarder in the first quarter, and added three TFLs in addition to his fumble recovery.

“We came out a little slow,” said CJ Witten. “But our team, and our defense, knew we would be tested. We made some halftime adjustments and played better the second half.”

Welliver, a Uconn pledge and Flower Mound Marcus transfer, said it was a “team win.”

“We played well enough offensively,” Welliver said. “Our defense came through bigel time.”

On All Saints next offensive play, Warriors defensive back Cooper Witten, a freshman, picked off a Ryan pass and rambled 16 yards for a TD.

“I was able to be in great position on the route,” said Cooper Witten. “I was not sure I would make the end zone, but I did. My first pick six. Feels great.”

All Saints was forced to punt on its ensuing series, which was partially blocked by Nick Blevins. On the first play from scrimmage, Chase Garnett galloped 49 yards for a TD.

“The offensive line did a great job blocking, and I just found the hole,” said Garnett. “Great team win tonight.”

A Michael Stump 27-yard field goal with 2:41 concluded the scoring, and gave the Warriors the district title.

Garnett finished with a game-high 179 rushing yards on 22 carries in a workhorse performance.

A Keller Central transfer, Garnett has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau in eight straight games, after a 99-yard performance in the season-opener. Having scored at least one rushing TD in every game, Garnett now has 19 scores on the ground. His rushing totals against All Saints pushed his season to 1170 yards.

Welliver recorded an efficient 19 of 24 passing for 156 yards and three TDs with no interceptions. That pushes his season total to 35 TDs with just two interceptions, throwing for 2,150 yards.

Janusek registered a game-leading 72 yards on five catches and one TD. Michael Stump had seven receptions for 50 yards and a score, while adding a pair of field goals.

Up next

Argyle Liberty Christian (9-0, 4-0) looks to finish off its first-ever undefeated -- and 10-win -- regular season when it hosts non-district TAPPS foe Lubbock Trinity Christian next Thursday night at Warrior Stadium, with a 7 p.m. CT scheduled kickoff.

Fort Worth All Saints (6-2, 2-1) concludes its regular season next Friday night with a 7 p.m. CT scheduled game at district rival Fort Worth Christian.

This story was originally published October 28, 2023 at 12:48 AM.