There’s some new blood at the 2A Division I level. Not only is the defending state champion Hawley out, but three of the four state semifinalists have never appeared in a state title game.
Here’s what to watch for in both 2A Division I state semifinal games.
2A Division I
Stratford Elks (14-0) vs. Tolar Rattlers (13-1) 5 p.m. Thursday @ Vernon
Stratford may be a familiar name as the Elks defeated Falls City in the state championship just two short years ago. However, that was down in 2A Division II. Now, the Elks are looking to repeat the feat at the next level after destroying Hawley 46-6 last week.
Quarterback Bryce Braden was on that state championship team two years ago, finishing as their second-leading tackler. He’s currently their leader on both sides of the ball. He has thrown for 1,848 yards, rushed for 1,314 yards, and has 47 total touchdowns on the season. Oh, and he still makes his presence felt defensively with 139 total tackles, including 17 for loss.
When it’s not Braden making plays, receiver/linebacker Julio Valdez appears to be second-in-command. He has three times as many receiving yards as anyone else on the team (994 yards and ten touchdowns) and is Stratford’s only other player besides Braden to have more than 100 tackles on the year.
On the other sideline, Tolar is just 48 minutes from its first-ever state title game appearance. Last week, the Rattlers dispatched Marlin in the regional final 42-19.
They’re certainly glad to have Peyton Brown back in the rushing attack after he missed some time due to injury this season. He rushed for 114 yards and tow touchdowns last week. And just like Stratford, the Rattlers have a dual threat quarterback in Isaac Blessing, who leads the team with 1,068 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns this season.
Both of these teams have been destroying their opponents this season. Stratford’s average margin of victory is 35 points, while Tolar’s is 42. With two playmaking quarterbacks, it could come down to a duel between Braden and Blessing to see who moves on to Jerry World.
Timpson Bears (14-0) vs. Ganado Indians (12-2) 7 p.m. Thursday @ The Woodlands
Timpson probably would’ve expected a rematch against Refugio in this game. Instead, Ganado pulled off one of the upsets of the year last week against the Bobcats. That sets up a showdown between two programs hoping for their first-ever state title game appearance.
For the Bears, it’s all about Texas A&M commit quarterback Terry Bussey. The best player in 2A football accounted for all five on Timpson’s touchdowns last week in a 35-23 win over Garrison. After the Bears have come close to breaking through to Arlington the past couple years, they know this is a massive opportunity as Bussey looks to go out on top his senior year.
🚨 THE TERRY BUSSEY SHOW! 🚨
No. 1 Timpson over Garrison to advance!@uiltexas | #TXHSFB | @TimpsonAthletic | @GarrisonBulldog pic.twitter.com/0rw2kWyito
— BallySportsTXHS (@BallySportsTXHS) December 3, 2023
But Ganado won’t be flustered. Not after beating a team as talented as Refugio 41-12. Head coach Josh Ervin had talked earlier in the playoffs about how his team didn’t always get attention at the state level. They certainly are now.
The Indians love to let Bryce Ullman sling the ball around. He has 3,031 passing yards and 45 touchdowns so far on the season. At the skill positions, senior running back Dylan Holt is coming off a big game last week (126 rushing yards and a touchdown), while sophomore Landon Hicks is Ganado’s do-it-all player. Not only does he lead the team in all the receiving categories with 55 catches for 836 yards and ten touchdowns, but he’s also their top tackler.
Refugio has no shortage of speed, but the Indians frustrated them last week and forced three total turnovers. All eyes will be on this game on Thursday to see whether they can repeat that trick against Timpson’s dynamic offense.
