Grandview Stampedes Past Yoakum to State
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Updated: December 15, 2018
photos: Steve Thomas
Zebras knock off Bulldogs for first trip to State Championship game
For the first time in school history, the Grandview Zebras (14-2) are going to state. On Friday night in Pflugerville, the Region 4 champion Zebras punched their ticket to the UIL Class 3A Division 1 Championship Game with a convincing 28-14 victory over the Region 3 champion Yoakum Bulldogs (12-3). For Zebra head coach Brad Davis, the win capped off an already special night which saw his son graduate from college.
The Grandview defense held a normally potent Yoakum run game in check and made several critical stops. The offense, led by quarterback Dean Jentsch, also came up with several big plays throughout the game on the ground and through the air.
To open the game, the Bulldogs gave the Zebras a huge break when the Yoakum return man muffed opening kickoff; and Grandview recovered the ball at the Yoakum five-yard line. Two plays later, running back Elijah Golden scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Yoakum running back Montreal Jones responded immediately with a 75-yard touchdown of his own to tie the game at 7-7.
The Bulldogs’ defense then forced the Zebras to punt, but the offense turned the ball over downs on the next drive deep in Grandview territory. Jentsch then put Grandview back in front 14-7 with an 18-yard touchdown keeper. Shortly before halftime, receiver Cooper Deans made a spectacular grab in the back corner of the end zone to give Grandview a 21-7 lead.
In the third quarter, the Bulldogs squandered two golden opportunities to get back in the game. After forcing Grandview to punt on the first drive of the second half, the Bulldogs drove the ball deep into Grandview territory and appeared poised to score a touchdown. Penalties and miscues forced Yoakum backwards, however; and on fourth down and 20, quarterback Hagen Garvin’s pass fell incomplete.
Despite the setback, the Bulldogs’ defense rallied and forced the Zebras to turn the ball over on downs at their own 38-yard line. Once again, the Bulldogs were unable to take advantage of the good field position and turned the ball over on downs. Following the turnover, Jentsch found the end zone again on a 43-yard keeper to put Grandview up 28-7.
On the ensuing drive, the Grandview defense stopped Yoakum yet again on fourth down. Montreal Jones broke free for a 43-yard touchdown run later in the fourth quarter; but the Grandview defense got yet another fourth down stop on the next Yoakum possession to seal the game.
After the game, Brad Davis had high praise for his team’s performance. He lauded their endurance through a tough non-district schedule and a playoff run that included defending 3A Division 1 champion Rockdale. He praised his defense for their strong performance, especially the crucial stops in the second half. He also commended Dean Jentsch for his efforts and leadership throughout the year.
“He wants to be on the field all the time. He never even gets to take a drink of water except at the half. He’s special,” Davis said.
Further, he added that his team was not done and was still hungry. To earn their first-ever state championship, the Zebras will have to get past the Malakoff Tigers (12-2). The Tigers are also going to state for the first time following a 23-21 win over the Brock Eagles. The game will be on Thursday, December 20, at 7:00pm CST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Zebras and
Tigers have already met once this season in a game that Grandview won 28-7. Yoakum, meanwhile, finishes the season at 12-3.
by Steve Thomas
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