Cowboys legend Jason Witten and Argyle Liberty Christian win TAPPS D2 State Championship
WACO -- Argyle Liberty Christian Head Coach Jason Witten savored the moment as he hoisted the TAPPS Division II state championship plaque.
His team had just finished their first-ever unbeaten season (14-0) with a dominating 52-10 rout over the Austin Regents Knights (12-2) Friday night at Waco ISD Stadium. Lifting the plaque was a dream come true for Witten, who had never been part of a championship team -- in high school, college or NFL -- in his long successful career.
“I have been dreaming for this moment since I was twelve years old, and I’m 41 now,” said Witten, in his third season at the helm of the Warriors football program. “Can’t say enough about this team, the coaches, the fans. Just incredibly proud.”
Witten got to experience the win with his two sons, CJ and Cooper, who are on the football team.
“This experience of coaching with my kids on the team has been life-changing for me,” said Witten. “I can’t describe what it has meant. Creating great memories. To experience this with my kids and family is just amazing.”
Quarterback Cole Welliver tossed three first-half TDs -- two to Brady Janusek and one to Quentin Brown -- and running back Chase Garnett ran for a game-high 188 yards and three TDs (36, 19 and 35 yards) to lead the potent offense. Janusek came up with a 48-yard pass interception for a TD with 7:53 left in the third quarter as well.
Formula for success
Attack offensively and avoid turnovers. Stop the run, pressure the quarterback and create turnovers defensively. Win the special teams battles.
That philosophy is a formula for success for any football team, on any level. It is one stressed by Coach Witten and his staff.
The team listened, winning each game in dominating fashion. Argyle Liberty Christian won its fourth overall TAPPS state championship, and its first since 2007 when it finished 12-1. It also captured state crowns in 1996 and 1994.
Having a great quarterback is crucial to being successful offensively. And the Warriors have that in Welliver, a Flower Mound Marcus transfer and UConn pledge. He leads a prolific offense that has powered the team to win by at least 28 points and average over 50 points per game.
The three aerial TDs gave Welliver 50 on the season and he had just three interceptions, amassing 3,081 yards along the way.
“Can’t describe the feeling,” said Welliver, in winning the state title. “We got into a good rhythm. Offensively, when you have a great running back, great receivers, and a great O-Line, it makes the quarterback’s job so much easier.”
Welliver finished with 163 passing yards, completing 15 of 19. A running clock was instituted midway in the third quarter.
Janusek had a game-high 55 receiving yards on six catches. Austin Regents kicked a successful field goal in the opening drive. It was just the second deficit Argyle Liberty Christian has faced all season.
The Warriors quickly responded, in dominating fashion the rest of the opening half, scoring on all five of its offensive possessions (four TDs and a field goal) to take a commanding 31-3 lead at the break.
A 36-yard Garnett TD burst erased the 3-0 early deficit. Janusek’s one-yard TD catch from Welliver with 1:32 left in the first quarter pushed the lead to 14-3.
The score was set up by a Jett Haire interception at the Regents 48-yard line. After the Liberty Christian defense forced consecutive three and outs, the Warriors took advantage both times with Welliver tossing TD passes of 10 yards to Janusek and 9 yards to Brown in the second period.
Michael Stump added a 25-yard field goal as time expired heading into intermission.
While the Liberty Christian prolific passing game was unleashing its weapons, its ground game was punishing opponents as well. Garnett, a Keller Central transfer, had 1,746 rushing yards on 233 carries and 29 TDs in his breakout season.
Garnett has not fumbled in his entire high school football career.
“I take great pride in protecting the football my entire career,” the breakout backfield standout said during the playoffs. Garnett has begun to draw interest from D1 schools.
“All the hard work, in practice, during the season, watching film, has paid off,” said a jubilant Garnett. “Just amazing. We are state champions.”
Defense wins championships
The stingy Liberty Christian defense posted five shutouts during the season, yielding less than 7 points per game and never allowing more than 19 in any contest.
CJ Witten and Mac Saul each had sacks in the state championship game win. Witten’s nine-yard sack late in the second period, preceded a shanked 10-yard Regents punt, that allowed the Warriors to get in position for Stump’s 25-yard field goal as time expired heading into halftime.
Janusek’s pick six came immediately after Saul had a seven-yard sack.
“I was able to read the quarterback and the route,” said Janusek. “I missed one earlier in the game just like that, and was not gonna let a second one get away.”
A tenacious defense has come up with 26 takeaways -- 14 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries in its dream season.
Argyle Liberty Christian has a +22 turnover margin. While the defense has created 26 takeaways, the offense has protected the football, losing just one fumble and three interceptions the entire season.
“Turnovers are so crucial,” said Coach Witten. “We have had just four all season, three interceptions and one fumble. That is so huge to go through 14 games with those numbers.
A dynasty in the making?
Liberty Christian can already begin to think about a repeat in 2024. With its unparalleled success this season, the Warriors could be just as dominant next year, with this season-ending roster that included only 13 seniors.
“We are going to enjoy this one right now,” said Coach Witten. “We have the program where we want, and want to continue to build on what we have.”
Losing Welliver to graduation will leave a significant void to fill at QB. Otherwise, this team is loaded to go back-to-back.
Offensively, RB Garnett, and the three top WRs (Janusek, Brown, and Hawkins) return and will be seniors to form a dynamic skill set.
Defensively, most starters or major contributors this year were underclassmen. In 2024, CJ Witten, Brady Janusek, Madox Sekyere, Andrew Michaels, and Nick Blevins will be seniors; Jett Haire and Cade Violi will be juniors, while Cooper Witten will be a sophomore.
Michael Stump, Mac Saul, Blake Werner, Murphy Ren and Ryan Cain will leave via graduation this season and their play and leadership will be missed as part of a 13-member senior class. But this program is set for others to carry on the legacy established by the 2023 squad.