Argyle Liberty Christian takes down Fort Worth All Saints in TAPPS D2 State Semifinal

FRISCO -- Quarterback Cole Welliver tossed five touchdown passes as the Argyle Liberty Christian Warriors rolled past Fort Worth All Saints, 45-17, in the TAPPS DII state semifinal Saturday night at The Star.

“This was a great win for our program,” said Liberty Christian Head Coach and Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten. “We hung in there. We knew we had to play tough against a very good football team in All Saints. We bent but we did not break. In the end, just a tremendous win.”

Witten, back in familiar surroundings at The Star, the Cowboys’ practice facillity, was sentimental as he surveyed his old stomping grounds.

“A lot of sweat equity here,” said a smiling Witten. “Great times. But this is all about the players. They deserve the credit.”

Liberty Christian took the opening kickoff and quarterback Cole Welliver methodically directed an 8-play, 70 yard drive that culminated with a 36-yard touchdown toss to Jaylon Hawkins.

On All Saints’ initial offensive series, CJ Witten recovered a fumble, one of two he had on the night, to give the Warriors possession at the All Saints 30-yard line.

“Team effort,” said CJ Witten. “To hold that team to 17 points is a credit to our entire team. We felt we could get some turnovers in the game, and when you win the turnover margin you win the game.”

After the fumble recovery by Witten, on third-and-three from the All Saints 13, Welliver hit Quinton Brown on a completion at the four. Battling to reach the end zone surrounded by All Saints tacklers, the ball popped out of Brown’s hands just outside the goal line and into the arms of Brady Janusek in the end zone for the TD.

This gave Liberty Christian a 14-0 lead midway through the opening quarter. A Michael Stump 35-yard field goal nine seconds into the second quarter extended the Warriors lead to 17-0.

All Saints responded. Junior quarterback Kelden Ryan, a Keller Central transfer and a Virginia Tech commit, engineered an 8-play, 76-yard drive capped by a 35-yard TD to Connor McCurdy to slice the Warriors lead to 17-7.

Ryan took advantage of a missed Liberty Christian field goal on All Saints next series, marching All Saints 80 yards in 10 plays, scoring on an 11-yard TD scamper. A 53-yard Ryan to Dougie Dodard completion keyed the drive that narrowed the margin to 17-14 with 2:52 remaining before the break.

The Warriors quickly responded. Using just two plays and 43 seconds, Welliver hit Brown on a slant in stride who outraced the defenders for a 62-yard TD.

The speedy Brown, a junior, is the school record holder in the 60-meter dash. Last Spring, at the TAPPS state track and field meet in Waco, Brown won the 100-meter competition and finished second in the 200-meter event. That score gave Liberty Christian a 24-14 halftime advantage.

All Saints seemed to have momentum to start the second half, taking the kickoff and moving 81 yards in 11 plays and using 4:23 off the clock, but settled for a 23-yard field goal to cut the Liberty Christian lead to 24-17.

That 3-pointer would be the last score allowed by the Warriors defense, which came up with four fumble recoveries in the game to thwart All Saints’ offense.

And the Liberty Christian offense continued in high gear with Welliver throwing three of his TD passes the rest of the way.

Brown caught his second TD of the night on a 30-yarder with 4:31 left in the third quarter. Midway in the final period, Hawkins grabbled his second TD catch, a 43-yarder from Welliver.

Hawkins used a spin move after the catch along the sideline to get away from a tackle and raced untouched for the score.

“I use that a lot to my advantage,” said Hawkins. “I knew the ball was coming to me, and I just wanted to make a play. This was just a great win for us. And we want one more win next week.”

The final score came on a seven-yard TD pass from Welliver to Janusek on fourth-and goal with 1:19 left.

“We have such great receivers,” said Welliver. “And each one has a uniqueness and strengths. They make it easy.”

Standout Performances

Welliver, a UConn commit, completed 18 of 24 passes for 310 yards and the five TDs.

“Just a great team win,” said Welliver. “We got the early score, then hit a little lull, and then had a strong second half. Can’t wait till next week.”

Brown finished with a game-high 104 receiving yards on five receptions, while Hawkins totaled 72 yards on four catches. Both had a pair of TDs.

Janusek, a junior, had 48 receiving yards on four receptions and one TD. He also added a fumble recovery in the end zone for a TD midway in the second quarter.

Senior Mac Saul caused two of the four fumbles forced by the Liberty Christian defense.

“We knew we had to get after the quarterback,” said Saul. “And as a team, just make the plays.”

For All Saints, Kelden Ryan passed for 189 yards (14 of 19) and rushed for a team-high 79 yards on 22 carries, and accounted for both TDs.

All Saints did rush for 184 yards as a team on 43 carries. It was the first time Liberty Christian had allowed any team to rush for 100 or more yards in a game this season.

One win away

The victory put the Warriors one game away from its first TAPPS state football championship since 2007, and fourth overall.

“We will enjoy this one tonight,” said Witten. “And tomorrow start getting ready for Regents. It will be a challenge for us. And we are looking forward to it.”

Next up, Argyle Liberty Christian (13-0) can make history as it squares off against the Austin Regents Knights (12-1) in the TAPPS DII state championship game Friday night at 7 p.m. CT at Waco ISD Stadium. It would be the first unbeaten season in program history.

Austin Regents only loss was a 51-41 setback to unbeaten TAPPS D1 Houston St. Thomas, the top ranked private school in the state. The team boasts a potent offense and stingy defense, and ousted Houston Second Baptist 34-7 to advance to the title game.

The Austin Regents average close to 50 points per game, and have also registered five shutouts, including four in the last six contests. The Knights are led by sophomore quarterback Quinn Murphy, who is already receiving interest from D1 colleges.

Prior to its state semifinal win, Murphy has thrown for 2,815 yards and 49 TDs with 7 interceptions this season, adding another 222 rushing yards and 5 scores on the ground.

The Knights are three-time TAPPS state champions (2020, 2010, 2006). Regents is state-ranked No. 3 in the AP private school poll, while Liberty Christian is No. 4.

This story was originally published November 25, 2023 at 11:37 PM.