Stephenville Claims Seventh State Championship with 10-0 Win

The Stephenville Yellowjackets secured their seventh state championship with a commanding 10-0 victory over the Kilgore Bulldogs in the Class 4A Division I title game on March 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium. This triumph not only capped off an undefeated season for Stephenville, finishing at 16-0, but also marked a significant achievement in the school’s football history.

Stephenville’s defense proved to be the decisive factor, recording four takeaways, which included three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Willis Jackson was a standout player, contributing two of those interceptions. The Yellowjackets managed to shut out a Kilgore team that had not faced such a fate since 2019, demonstrating their defensive prowess throughout the match.

Kilgore concluded the season with a 14-2 record, marking their fourth appearance in a state championship game. The Bulldogs had previously won the title in 2004 and faced defeats in 2013 and 2022. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome Stephenville’s formidable defense.

The first half of the game ended in a surprising 0-0 stalemate, as both teams struggled to break through each other’s defenses. Jackson’s first interception halted one of Kilgore’s promising drives early on, while a sack by Isaiah Watters disrupted Stephenville’s initial possession. The Bulldogs had a chance to score after a fumble recovery by Bi’Syn Williams, but Jackson’s interception in the end zone thwarted that opportunity.

As the second half commenced, Stephenville quickly capitalized on their momentum. Just three plays into the third quarter, Trot Jordan connected with Adan Jerkins for a 40-yard touchdown pass, breaking the scoreless tie. This touchdown marked a shift in the game’s dynamics, as it gave the Yellowjackets a crucial lead.

Kilgore attempted to respond, but a missed 46-yard field goal by Eddie Jimenez further complicated their efforts. Stephenville extended their lead with a 41-yard field goal from Brighton DeVivo, making the score 10-0 with just under nine minutes remaining.

The Bulldogs had two more possessions to make a comeback, but both ended in failure. The first was halted by a sack on fourth down, while Jackson secured his second interception of the night, effectively sealing the victory for Stephenville.

With this win, the Yellowjackets joined the ranks of their championship-winning teams from 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2012, and 2021. As the final whistle blew, the Stephenville players celebrated their hard-fought victory, proudly hoisting the state title trophy for the seventh time in school history.