Celina Leaves No Doubt in Win over Kilgore
-
Updated: December 20, 2024
Class 4A Division I State Championship Game
Celina Dominates Kilgore in 55-21 State Championship Victory
Arlington, Texas – The Celina Bobcats cemented their dominance in Texas high school football, defeating the Kilgore Bulldogs 55-21 in the 2024 state championship game at AT&T Stadium on Friday. With explosive plays on both offense and defense, Celina capped an undefeated 16-0 season in resounding fashion.
First Quarter Fireworks
Celina opened the scoring early with a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bowe Bentley to Ethan Rucker, setting the tone for the Bobcats' aerial attack. Kilgore responded with a methodical 13-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Watters. But Celina struck back quickly as Bentley found Rucker again, this time for a 60-yard bomb, giving the Bobcats a 13-7 lead.
Momentum Shift in the Second Quarter
Kilgore briefly took the lead in the second quarter when quarterback Kayson Brooks connected with Javon Towns for a 20-yard touchdown. However, Celina responded with two field goals from kicker Braden Johnson and a late 50-yard touchdown pass from Bentley to Colton Rodriguez, swinging the momentum firmly in their favor. Celina led 27-14 at halftime.
Third Quarter Explosion
The Bobcats dominated the third quarter, scoring 28 unanswered points. Rodriguez hauled in another deep touchdown from Bentley, followed by a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown by Luke Biagini. Harrison Williams added a rushing score, and Bentley capped the scoring spree with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt Villarreal.
Fourth Quarter Wrap-Up
Kilgore managed to add a late touchdown in the fourth quarter—a 21-yard pass from Brooks to La'Keyleon Graves—but the damage had been done. The Bobcats' defense held strong, forcing turnovers and controlling the clock.
By the Numbers
- Bowe Bentley (Celina): 9/14 passing, 265 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs
- Ethan Rucker (Celina): 3 receptions, 95 yards, 2 TDs
- Colton Rodriguez (Celina): 5 receptions, 149 yards, 2 TDs
- Harrison Williams (Celina): 13 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD
- Kayson Brooks (Kilgore): 13/26 passing, 120 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
- Isaiah Watters (Kilgore): 12 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD
Celina finished with 456 total yards to Kilgore's 269, showcasing a balanced attack with 191 rushing yards and 265 passing yards. The Bobcats' defense was relentless, forcing two interceptions and holding Kilgore to just 4.7 yards per play.
Drive Summary
- Key Drives (Celina):
- A 76-yard, 4-play drive in the third quarter, culminating in a 63-yard touchdown to Rodriguez.
- A 2-play, 29-yard drive punctuated by Villarreal's touchdown catch.
- Key Drives (Kilgore):
- A grinding 13-play, 75-yard drive in the first quarter.
Final Thoughts
The victory solidifies Celina's reputation as one of Texas's football powerhouses. "Our team executed flawlessly," said Bentley post-game. "This win reflects the hard work and dedication of every player and coach."
For Kilgore, the loss marked the end of a strong 13-3 season. Despite their efforts, the Bulldogs couldn’t overcome Celina's high-powered offense and opportunistic defense.
Offensive MVP: Bowe Bentley (Celina)
Defensive MVP: Luke Biagini (Celina)
Related Posts
