Get out your boxing gloves for this one as two 14-0 teams meet in the 1A Division I State Title Game. Gordon has been the favorite to be back at AT&T Stadium in this game ever since it 45’d Westbrook for a state title a year ago.
Wednesday may be Whiteface’s first-ever state title game appearance, but its coach has been here before. Clint Linman led McLean to the title game back in 2018 and 2019.
On Wednesday at 2:00, it’ll be time to find out whether he can take the Antelopes to the mountain top or whether Gordon will go back-to-back.
Whiteface Antelopes (14-0)
Head Coach: Clint Linman
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 373 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 85-60 vs. Rankin
Area: W 66-16 vs. Booker
Regional Final: W 82-36 vs. Borden County
State Semifinal: W 74-54 vs. Water Valley
Key Players and Storylines
Can an unstoppable force move an immovable offense? That might be the question of the day on Wednesday as Whiteface’s electric offense goes up against Gordon’s stingy defense.
Linman said his Antelopes have to come ready to match scores with Gordon for all 40 minutes.
If they’re to do that, Ethan Kauffman has to have a big game. He’s been the conductor of the Whiteface offense all season with 3,069 rushing yards and 65 touchdowns. If it’s not Kauffman, it’ll likely be Jeremiah Rendon who has pitched in with 1,201 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Whiteface doesn’t throw it a ton with how prolific they’ve been on the ground. Isaak Solis has racked up 455 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, while Rendon has 18 completions, ten of which have gone for touchdowns.
When it comes to that aerial attack, linemen Cesar Chavez (253 yards and seven touchdowns) and Auscar Gandara (120 yards and six touchdowns) have both proven to be reliable targets this season.
Defensively, Whiteface will need to come ready to deal with Gordon’s team speed. It’ll lean on its same two stars on that side of the ball too.
Kauffman has 81 tackles on the season, while Rendon has 75. Most importantly, Rendon has eight interceptions from his linebacker position. An interception on Wednesday could be big as the Antelopes will look for anything that can flip the momentum against the Longhorns.
Gordon Longhorns (14-0)
Head Coach: Mike Reed
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 82 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 56-8 vs. May
Area: W 48-0 vs. Menard
Regional Final: W 56-6 vs. Jonesboro
State Semifinals: W 77-36 vs. Abbott
Key Players and Storylines
Expect to hear the name Reed a lot on Wednesday. Running back Ry Reed is coming off a six-touchdown performance in the state semifinals against Abbott.
Alongside him, fellow back Stryker Reed is just as dangerous. The two combined for six total touchdowns in the state title game victory last year.
When Gordon does throw, Stryker can let it rip as can junior quarterback Noah Kostiha.
The Longhorns also have weapons outside the backfield. Both receiver Brayden Walters and lineman Asher Salinas had big touchdown catches in the state semifinal victory over Abbott.
Defensively, Kaden Crowe can set the tone up front at defensive end. He was last year’s state title game Defensive MVP. The Reeds are never far from a game-changing play defensively either. Riley had a big interception return in last year’s victory over Westbrook.
Final Thoughts
Abbott’s 36 points in the state semifinal were the most Gordon had given up all season. When you combine that defense with the Longhorns’ explosive offense, it is a tall task for any team.
Whiteface knows that. Linman said his guys cannot turn the ball over or “lose possessions due to the kick game.”
If the Antelopes want to walk out on Wednesday with their first state title, it will take a nearly flawless performance against a Gordon team that has looked unbeatable all year long.
