Day 1 of Texas football state championships: Which teams prevailed at AT&T Stadium?
The Texas high school football state championships at AT&T Stadium are underway. Here are the things to know from day one’s championship games on Wednesday.
Timpson thumps Tolar in Class 2A D1 State Championship
Timpson, in its first appearance in a UIL state title game, cruised past Tolar to win 49-7 and claim the Class 2A D1 State Championship. Timpson head coach Kerry Therwhanger said the players “busted their tails” in preparation and that the community deserves the big championship win, which is the first in the school’s history.
Terry Bussey, a five star prospect committed to Texas A&M, powered the Bears with a historic individual performance in the final game of his high school football career.
First, Bussey completed the longest touchdown pass in the history of UIL State, finding wide receiver Dacorien Johnson on a slant for a 97 yard score. He followed it up with a 93 yard rushing touchdown, swerving several defenders en route to breaking the record for the longest rush in a Class 2A D1 title game.
“He’s got all the tools,” Therwhanger said. “That’s why he is a five star. That’s why so many people are after him. ... You see the athletic abillity and everything out there. But it’s the kid’s character -- his heart and determination -- that people don’t see. That makes him who he is.”
Bussey, who said winning a title is “truly a blessing”, passed for 311 yards and four touchdowns on 12 of 15 passing. The 5-foot-11 quarterback also rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson credited Bussey for inspiring the team to be great.
“He helped push us forward,” Johnson said of Bussey. “He’s just an overall team player.”
Johnson was Bussey’s main target and put together a spectacular stat line, totaling 187 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. The wide receiver said the win feels especially great because it has never been done before in the community.
Bussey credited Johnson for stepping up and performing as a “big factor” for Timpson (16-0) when it mattered most.
“We lost a couple guys,” Bussey said. “Just having him was truly outstanding.”
The Timpson defense stymied a Tolar offense that averaged 47 points heading into the state title game. The Bears held the Rattlers to 7 points and allowed 228 total yards, consistently making the timely play to prevent scores.
Tolar (14-2) won 14 games on its way to the first state championship appearance in program history. Tolar head coach Jeremy Mullins said the Rattlers could’ve done a better job catching the deep ball and added he tips his cap to Timpson and Bussey.
“I think the thing that I’m most proud proud about these guys is that they showed up from July 31 to December 13 and just went to work,” Mullins said. “They were a fun group to coach, great kids, very coachable and I’m very glad I was able to get them to this point.”
Gordon wins Class 1A D1 State Championship
Gordon won its third state title in as many tries, and the first since 1999, as the Longhorns drubbed Westbrook 70-20 in the Class 1A (Six-Man) Division 1 championship in a game halted with 3:45 left in the third quarter due to the mercy rule before 4,688 fans at AT&T Stadium.
“I’ve been doing this long enough to know that when two teams of this caliber get together it’s who can catch the wind the quickest,” said Gordon head coach Mike Reed, a Gordon alum. “The last few weeks, especially starting with the Abbott week, we have caught fire early and have built off that. They’re a very well disciplined football team and explosive themselves, so making those adjustments early and being able to get some stops was huge.”
Gordon (15-0), the top-ranked team in Class 1A D1, was stellar on both sides of the ball. The Longhorns scored touchdowns on all seven of its first-half possessions and got a 65-yard pick-six from Riley Reed to build a 64-20 lead at the half.
No. 4 Westbrook (13-2) kept pace with the Longhorns early, but the Wildcats lost the ball on downs three times in the first half to give Gordon the chance to pull away.
Defensive Most Valuable Player Kaden Crowe, who finished with eight-and-a-half tackles and one for a loss, led the defensive effort for Gordon. The Longhorns had walk off wins in all 15 games this season.
Westbrook opened the second half driving to the Gordon three yard line, but lost the ball on downs there. The teams traded fumbles before Stryker Reed ended the game with a 16-yard run.
“When I was running into the end zone I knew that was the score that would end it, but when I turned around what really made me more excited than the win was all these guys coming after me showing me they were happy,” said Stryker Reed, who also had a 38-yard scoring run as well as a 10-yard TD pass to Brayden Walters. “We were celebrating and they’re probably more happy than I was. I had just got a score, but they were more focused on the win.”
Riley Reed was the offensive MVP for Gordon accounting for 249 total yards and three touchdowns. Riley Reed had five rushes for 100 yards and three scores (14, 3, and 74 yards), three receptions for 41 yards, two kickoff returns for 43 yards and the 65-yard interception return.
Gordon won state in 1996 and 1999 in its only other trips to state. The Longhorns graduate only three seniors. Westbrook was making it’s third consecutive appearance at state. The Wildcats won both times previously.
Benjamin wins Class 1A D2 State Championship
No. 1 ranked Benjamin won a state title in 2022 and continued its dominance in 2023, winning a championship in back-to-back seasons. Benjamin defeated No. 2 ranked Oglesby 82-34 in the Class 1A D2 State Championship before 4,267 at AT&T Stadium, ending the six-man game in a mercy rule with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter.
“Just a great team win for my kids,” Benjamin head coach Nathan Hayes said. “Very unselfish play from the kids. Oglesby is a great football team. They gave up punches, back and forth. Both teams were battling early on.”
Wide receiver Keegan Hayes scored the winning touchdown, taking a pass from Grayson Rigdon 24 yards to the end zone. Hayes was also named the defensive MVP with 14 total tackles.
Rigdon, the offensive MVP, passed for 116 yards and three touchdowns while completing all of seven his pass attempts. Rigdon, a junior, also tallied a 60 yard touchdown reception and rushed for 263 yards and six touchdowns in a versatile, dominant performance.
Rigdon transferred from Strawn, where he won the Class 1A D2 State Championship in his freshman year. He was named offensive MVP in that game and received the same honor in Benjamin’s state title win in 2022. Rigdon, with the 379 yard and 10 touchdown performance against Oglesby, completed the trifecta.
“I just want to thank my linemen for it all,” Rigdon said. “Thank my teammates. Scout team. All of them. And most importantly, my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.”
Hayes said he has never seen a high school athlete put in the amount of work and preparation that Rigdon has. He said his dedication carries over to his teammates, who have been instrumental in helping Rigdon succeed.
“Grayson (Rigdon) is an unbelievable athlete,” Hayes said.
It seemed, with two seconds remaining in the first half, as if Oglesby (13-1) seized the momentum with a rushing touchdown. Those two ticks were enough time, however, for Benjamin (15-0) to add on a 60 yard touchdown from Hayes to Rigdon.
Benjamin, following the state title in 2022, outscored their opponents 1,037-288 in the 2023 season. The Mustangs brought back two starters and were able to complete the perfect season.
“We’ve had a target on our back all year long,” Hayes said. “ ... We embrace that. We embrace the challenge.”
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 2:29 PM.
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