The Class of 2023 at Lubbock Christian has come a long way the past four years.

Just ask head coach Chris Softley.

“This group was a handful as freshman; they needed a lot of redirecting and discipline,” Softley said. “Yet, God allowed us this little window to see these seniors turn into great young men.”

Softley mentioned how his players were never late to Monday morning meetings nor did they ever complain about the weather or any other adversity that came their way this season.

Lubbock Christian quarterback Bax Townsend lets a pass fly in the TAPPS 11-man Division IV state title game. He had a game to remember with eight total touchdowns. Credit: TAPPS SmugMug

With that maturity and discipline, the Eagles were able to bring home their first state championship since 2004 as they routed four-time defending state champion Shiner St. Paul 57-20 in the TAPPS 11-man Division IV State Championship game.

“It was special. We were glad to be able to play the best at their best,” Softley said. “I was really proud of how the kids played the game the right way, showed excellence for all four quarters, and put together a really special championship performance.”

As he has all year, senior quarterback Bax Townsend led the way for the Eagles as he threw for 439 yards and six touchdowns while adding another 155 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

In the first half alone, Townsend had 19 and nine yard touchdown runs and completed touchdown passes of 25, 41, and 58 yards to Brady Simmons, Luke Lee, and Joseph Fernihough respectively.

Lubbock Christian’s Bax Townsend 41 yard TD pass to Luke Lee

Eagles get 2 point conversion!

Lubbock Christian leads Shiner St. Paul 22-0 in the 2nd pic.twitter.com/9ct3fgjyku

— Pete Christy (@pchristy11) December 3, 2022

Behind that big performance, the Eagles went into halftime in total control, up 36-8.

In the second half, Townsend added three more touchdown passes to cap a performance for the history books.

Softley said he wouldn’t expect anything less from a quarterback that has exhibited poise and professionalism all year long.

“Big time players make big time plays at the big time,” Softley said. “He’s played great all year and continued to get better. It wasn’t a

Lubbock Christian defensive back Hays Hubik secures an interception for the Eagles in the second half of the TAPPS 11-man Division IV State Title Game. Credit: TAPPS SmugMug

perfect game but that stat line sounds like it’s about as perfect as it can be. And it’s because he didn’t let one mistake turn into [multiple] mistakes.”

And while Townsend and the offense was firing on all cylinders, Softley was also quick to praise his defense which held St. Paul to just 20 points on the afternoon.

“We’re a defensive minded ball club,” Softley said. “To me, that just goes back to the toughness we want to be known for. We’re a little undersized, but our kids play hard. [The defense] to me is as impressive as what we did on the offensive side of the ball.”

In the seven years since Softley took over, the Eagles have had plenty of success, winning five district titles.

Get you a coach that hypes you up like Coach Softley does!@CoachSoftley | @LCEagleFootball | @eaglesportsnet | #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/huVzy5mSKh

— Texas Private School Podcast (@TXPSPodcast) December 3, 2022

And while the 2022 team was the one to finally get over the hump and bring home a state title, Softley said the program’s current success is a testament to the efforts of all the players that have played under him at Lubbock Christian.

“It’s a culmination of a whole lot of people pulling in the same direction,” Softley said. “It’s a byproduct of seven classes that have worked really hard and done things right. The kids you get to do it with and the staff you get to work alongside make it a lot of fun, so we have a lot to be grateful for here.”

2022 Lubbock Christian Team Stats

Offensive Points Per Game: 52.4 points

Points Allowed Per Game: 14.8 points

Passing Leader: Bax Townsend: 2,368 yards and 32 touchdowns

Rushing Leader: Bax Townsend: 1,413 yards and 26 touchdowns

Leading Receiver: Luke Lee: 555 yards and 10 touchdowns

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