Tag: state championship

MUST SEE: Unreal comeback in Alabama 7A State Championship

What’s the best football comeback you’ve ever seen? We promise you this one gives it a run for it’s money…

While scanning Twitter on Wednesday night, I noticed a tweet referencing “Auburn is one stop away from being state champions” and it caught my attention.

Wait, didn’t Alabama and Auburn just play a few days ago?

So I clicked on the profile to find out two high schools I’d never heard of, Auburn and Thompson were playing in the Alabama Class 7A state championship.

Normally I wouldn’t be posting an article about high school football on here unless it had a direct recruiting connection to Notre Dame, but trust me when I say this is worth your time if you’re the least bit a football fan.

Thompson sounds like it was a huge favorite but were met by an Auburn team that played the game of their lives.

Well, for at least 46:30 or so.

Here’s what happened…

Texas commit Maalik Murphy leads team to California state title

Maalik Murphy is a state champion.

The dream season for Texas commit Maalik Murphy has come to a fairytale ending.

The four-star quarterback out of Gardena, California was doubted by many, and even saw his five-star ranking diminish, but he continuously proved the doubters wrong as he lead his team to CIF State Championship over Liberty High School this weekend.

This was his first full varsity season, as last season the California football season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the seasons prior he saw very limited action.

His limited playing time, struggles during the shortened season, and a slow start to this season had many scouts writing him off, but Murphy went on an absolute terror in the playoffs leading Junipero Serra to a section title and an eventual state championship.

Murphy was unable to finish the game due to an injury, but he did have some great plays prior to his exit, one of which didn’t even count.

Along with the super athletic hurdle that is not allowed in the CIF, Murphy also threw a touchdown pass to give his team the lead.

His team was able to hold on to win 21-16, and Murphy will now turn his focus to becoming a Longhorn and trying to be a part of the movement that brings Texas back to relevancy.

Sam Ehlinger Watches His High School Win the State Championship

Last night was the 6A D2 state championship where Austin Westlake took on Denton Guyer. Sam Ehlinger was on the sidelines for the game.

Last night was the 6A Division 2 state championship where Austin Westlake took on Denton Guyer. Taking place at AT&T Stadium, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger was on the sidelines for the game, cheering on his former school.

Getting as far as the state championship game in 2015, Ehlinger was never able to lead the Chaparrals to a championship. He lost to the 2015 game 21-14 in overtime and lost in the quarterfinals his senior season.

The Chaparrals dominated the entire game, winning 24-0. It was only the second state championship in the school’s history, with the first coming in 1994 when Drew Brees was in charge. Ehlinger was there to congratulate his former head coach after the victory. After the game, Todd Dodge announced he would return to Westlake next season, taking his name out of consideration for any other jobs.

Ehlinger’s focus will now turn to the bowl game on New Year’s Eve. The Longhorns will face off against Utah in the Alamo Bowl at 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.

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WATCH: 2020 Texas commit talks after winning state championship game

2020 commit Xavion Alford won the school’s first state championship Friday night. After the game, Alford caught up with a reporter to talk.

2020 four-star Texas commit Xavion Alford and the Shadow Creek Sharks won the school’s first state championship Friday night against Denton Ryan. With a final score of 28-22, the Sharks were able to stop a last-second hail mary attempt to win the game.

After the game, Alford caught up with a reporter to talk about his season and what it meant for him to win a championship.

“It’s unreal,” said Alford. “This season has been real emotional for me. I got hurt first game of the season.”

After falling short in 2018, Shadow Creek was able to win the 5A Divison 1 state championship in 2019. When asked what it meant to be a state champion, Alford said it meant “a lot.”

Here are Alford’s full comments:

Alford signed his national letter of intent with the Longhorns on National Signing Day. Playing safety, he is the sixth highest-rated prospect in the 2020 class for the Longhorns. Alford joins two other secondary players in the class, as Jerrin Thompson is another safety, while Kitan Crawford is listed as a cornerback.

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WATCH: 2021 Texas commit scores touchdown in Texas state championhip

2021 WR Texas commit Ja’Tavion Sanders made a spectacular catch in the 5A state championship game. Sanders has been committed since Sept. 8.

It is state championship weekend for high school teams in the state of Texas. With all the games taking place at AT&T Stadium, big-time players have the opportunity to show off their skills in one of the best football stadiums in the world.

That is exactly what 2021 wide receiver Texas commit Ja’Tavion Sanders did, making a spectacular catch in the 5A Division 1 state championship game. Playing for Denton Ryan, the Raiders faced off against the Shadow Creek Sharks. Down 13 late in the fourth quarter, Sanders caught a touchdown in the corner of the end zone to cut the Shark lead to six.

Shadow Creek went on to win the game 28-22, but Sanders still had a huge season for Denton Ryan. Considered a two-way player, he also played on the defensive line this season. Listed at 6 feet 3.5 inches and weighing in at 220 pounds, Sanders has been committed to Texas since Sept. 8.

After a successful 2020 class, all eyes are turned to the 2021 class. Currently ranked third in the country, only trailing Notre Dame and Ohio State.

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Teddy Bridgewater shares sideline with state title-winning high school team

New Orleans Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater loves high school football, and took time out of his Friday night to catch a state championship game

New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater just loves football, at any level. Whether it’s watching his peers compete in the NFL each week or joining high school athletes on the sidelines of a state championship game, he wants to be there.

So when he heard that the St. James Wildcats were about to kick off the Class AAA state title from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Bridgewater jumped at the opportunity. He biked over from his home in the Warehouse District as he does every week, and quietly made his way through the tunnels beneath the Superdome to grab a first-row seat on the Wildcats’ bench. He picked the right side, because they won in a 51-14 landslide.

But there’s more to Bridgewater’s decision to spend his Friday night cheering on high schoolers and watching a football game. As he wrote later from his official Twitter account, “You gotta let them see you in the flesh. I grew up wanting to be like someone I saw on TV but I never met. Now we are in this influential position aka “on TV,” why not go hard for these youngin’s out here chasing their dreams? I’m here to help you chase that dream in real life.”

You love to see it. Bridgewater is an avid fan of high school sports and the connections he can make with younger athletes, returning often to his old stomping grounds at Miami Northwestern High School. He recently bought dinner for the team, coaches, and support staff after they advanced to their own state championship game (which they won, and for which he promised to deliver something special) and previously cameoed with the school dance team.

He’s a special person, and the Saints are lucky to have him. Hopefully they can work out a long-term contract extension in the offseason, but if not, Bridgewater certainly won’t be leaving with any ill will behind him.

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