Brahmas Stampede Into State Championship Game

By Chris Doelle
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: December 11, 2023

Bellville over Wimberley 2023 by Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Bellville withstands furious Wimberley rally to advance to state finals

For the first time in 46 years, the Bellville Brahmas are going to state. On Friday night at the Pfield, the Brahmas defeated the Wimberley Texans 35-33 in dramatic fashion to reach the UIL 4A D2 Championship game. The Brahmas had to fend off a late Texan rally in the fourth quarter led by quarterback Cody Stoever to secure the victory.

Throughout the season, the Brahmas had trampled their opponents. At 14-0, the Brahmas were scoring an average of 53 points while only allowing an average of six. Against Wimberley, however, the Brahmas more than met their match. Also entering the game at 14-0, the Texans had been scoring an average of 50 points per game while only allowing an average of 11 points. The game played out like the heavyweight fight it was with both teams trading haymakers. Anytime the Brahmas got a lead, the Texans battled right back.

In the first half, the Brahmas punched the Texans in the mouth with their physical style of play; but the Texans refused to go down. On the opening drive, Bellville defensive end DJ Sanders literally ripped the ball from Wimberley running back Chase Carson’s hands and ran the ball back 32 yards for a touchdown. Stoever tied the game on the next drive with a five-yard touchdown keeper. Early in the second quarter, Bellville quarterback Zach Leuschner put the Brahmas back in front with a one-yard keeper. Undeterred, Stoever once again tied the game for the Texans on a one-yard run. Running back DD Murray retook the lead for Bellville going into the half on the next drive with a 28-yard run.

On the opening drive of the second half, Bellville running back Corrian Hood broke free for a 69-yard touchdown run to double Bellville’s advantage. Wimberley was poised to respond on the ensuing drive reaching all the way to the Bellville six-yard line, but DD Murray intercepted Stoever’s pass in the end zone. After the Texans’ defense forced a punt on Bellville’s next drive, Stoever found the end zone again with a three-yard run.

Early in the fourth quarter, DD Murray scored his second touchdown of the night on a one-yard run and put Bellville ahead 35-21. On the ensuing drive, things briefly got worse for the Texans. After driving into Bellville territory, a bad snap resulting in a sack set the Texans back 14 yards. As they had done throughout the night, however, the Texans rallied. On the next play, Stoever connected with receiver Nolan Waida for a 45-yard pass. Three plays later, Stoever punched the ball into the end zone from two yards out. In a fateful turn of events, however, the Texans missed the extra point.

With 5:17 left in the game, Stoever and the Texan offense got back to work for one last rally. Stoever moved the ball methodically on the ground and through the air. One of the key plays included Stoever scrambling to convert on fourth down deep in Bellville territory. With 43 seconds remaining in the game, Stoever scored on a one-yard run and brought the Texans to within two points. On the two-point conversion, however, Stoever’s knee was ruled to be down short of the goal line. The Brahmas were then able to recover the ensuing onside kick and knelt out the clock.

After the game, Bellville Head Coach Grady Rowe praised his players for their physicality and their character in withstanding the late Wimberley rally. He said that his players knew the game was going to be a challenge and praised the team for rising to the occasion. Rowe also said that the Texans’ offensive line was the best they had faced all season and had high praise for Cody Stoever. The Brahmas will play the Gilmer Buckeyes for the 4A D2 State Championship next Friday at 3:00pm CST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Wimberley, meanwhile, finishes the season at 14-1. After the game, Head Coach Doug Warren praised his team for their character and resilience. Warren had especially high praise for Stoever and also seniors such as receiver Noah Birdsong.

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Bellville