Argyle Liberty Christian advances to state championship with rout of Houston St. Thomas

Head Coach Jason Witten stresses the importance of winning all three phases of the game.

His Argyle Liberty Christian Warriors did just that in a 63-0 rout over the Houston St. Thomas Eagles on Saturday , Nov. 30 at Warrior Stadium in a TAPPS Division I state semifinal matchup.

Liberty Christian had built a quick 14-0 first-quarter lead even before its offense had taken a snap. Sophomore Cooper Witten, son of the head coach, returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown on the game’s opening possession.

“I just reacted,” said Cooper Witten. “We had seen that play all week on film, and was ready for it.”

On the ensuing series, the Warriors defense forced a three-and-out, and senior Brady Janusek broke free for a 52-yard punt return TD.

“I had missed a couple of games, and it was great to get back out there,” said Janusek, an Oklahoma baseball pledge as an outfielder. “I got a running start on the punt and was able to take it all the way.”

“That’s what good teams do,” said coach Witten, in his fourth year leading the program. “We came out and made some big plays right away. We wanted a fast start, and we got that.”

Junior quarterback Quinn Murphy, a Baylor commit, then took over as the offense was rolling. Murphy’s 17-yard TD scamper with just over five minutes left in the first period capped a drive that began at the St. Thomas 25 thanks to a Janusek 28-yard punt return.

A Murphy four-yard scoring toss to Quinton Brown -- set up by a Nick Blevins interception at the Liberty Christian 44 -- with nine ticks left in the quarter gave Liberty Christian a commanding 28-0 lead.

Murphy continued the offensive assault in the second stanza, rifling a pair of TD strikes to Cooper Witten, covering 22 and 52 yards, the latter with just 12 seconds left till halftime. The first score to Witten came after a Noah Grier pick at the St. Thomas 22-yard line.

Sandwiched around the two TD passes to Witten, Murphy connected with Brown on a 29-yard scoring aerial that came after the Warriors’ defense held on downs at the Liberty Christian 36.

Liberty Christian held an insurmountable 49-0 lead at intermission.

The second half, played entirely with a continuously running clock, saw Liberty Christian add a pair of fourth-quarter TDs. Janusek hauled in a seven-yard TD from Murphy, and Carter Lind hit Brandon Jarrard with a nine-yard score to round out the scoring.

“We dominated,” said Janusek. “Offense. Defense. Special teams.”

Murphy finished with 223 yards passing (15 of 24 with no interceptions), tossing five TDs, and adding 57 rushing yards on just four carries and another score.

“We are just playing with great confidence,” said Murphy. “Everybody contributed. Can’t wait till next week for the championship game.”

Cooper Witten totaled a game-high 74 yards on his two TD catches, as eight different receivers caught a pass. Brown, a Boise state commit, had the two TD catches and finished with 40 receiving yards on three grabs, while Janusek chipped in with three catches for 45 yards and a TD.

The defense came up with five interceptions -- two by Janusek, and one apiece from Cooper Witten, Nick Blevins and Noah Grier -- while Jett Haire recovered a muffed kickoff in the fourth quarter. The stingy Warriors defense held St. Thomas to 114 yards total offense.

“So proud for our seniors,” said coach Witten. “They are 18-1 on this field. Amazing accomplishment.”

The TAPPS Division I state championship contest is set for Saturday, December 7, at Waco ISD Athletic Complex, with a 7 p.m. slated kickoff. Argyle Liberty Christian (11-1) will be looking to repeat as TAPPS state champions, having claimed the Division II crown a year ago with a 52-10 win over Austin St. Regents.

Argyle Liberty Christian will be seeking its fifth TAPPS football state championship and its first repeat. The Warriors also won titles in 2007, 1996 and 1994, the latter two when the program was Denton Liberty Christian.

This will be Liberty Christian’s 9th title game appearance.

This story was originally published November 30, 2024 at 8:49 PM.