Stamford made its presence felt from the very first week of the season when it punted defending 2A Division II state champion Albany 50-6. The Bulldogs have been just about that dominant all year long with an average margin of victory of nearly 37 points.
Across the field, Ganado will be making its state title game debut. The Indians had gotten close with five state semifinal appearances prior to this year. Now, they’re finally over the hump and ready to play for all the marbles.
Here’s what to watch for on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. in the 2A Division I State Title Game.
Stamford Bulldogs (15-0)
Head Coach: Wayne Hutchinson (10th season across two stints; 99-27 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 191 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 45-8 vs. Sonora
Area: W 49-13 vs. Panhandle
Regional Semifinals: W 55-7 vs. Cisco
Regional Final: W 48-26 vs. Post
State Semifinals: W 28-13 vs. Hamilton
Key Players and Storylines
The last time Wayne Hutchinson was head coach at Stamford, the Bulldogs won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
Now, in his second stint, it has taken him just two years to get the Bulldogs back to the biggest stage in Texas.
A lot has to do with the senior leadership the Bulldogs have in their backfield offensively. Running back Kaston Vega is the bell cow who can wear down opposing defenses (1,728 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns). And when he needs a spell, Cle Whitfield has been more than productive this season (831 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns).
A great touchdown run from Kaston Vega tonight (one of three) in Stamford’s 33-6 win over Lubbock Christian!
Video courtesy Henry Vega. pic.twitter.com/kGkxmEGajE— Big Country Blitz (@codycoil) September 14, 2024
Quarterback Christian Duran can either get it done through the air (2,251 passing yards and 21 touchdowns) or on the ground (845 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.)
Out at receiver, the Bulldogs are without the injured Drew Faulks. But Brayden Jimenez (674 receiving yards and five touchdowns) has been a consistent chain-mover, averaging over 20 yards per catch.
On the other side of the ball, Vega is the heart and soul of the defensive unit (217 tackles and 31 TFLs). He’s formed quite the tandem with Mahsyn Alvarado (139 tackles and 18 TFLs) at linebacker.
If Stamford needs penetration up front, it’ll likely come from nose guard Taegen Pimpton (89 tackles, 17 TFLs), while safety Alek Hernandez (110 tackles) will be need to be ready to go against Ganado’s high-powered passing attack.
Ganado Indians (14-1)
Head Coach: Josh Ervin (3rd season; 35-8 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 318 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 75-15 vs. Skidmore-Tynan
Area: W 59-0 vs. Crawford
Regional Semifinals: W 14-6 vs. Refugio
Regional Final: W 41-14 vs. Marlin
State Semifinals: W 35-14 vs. Joaquin
Key Players and Storylines
A year ago, Ganado came up one game short of a trip to Arlington after falling to Timpson in the state semifinals. But after beating Joaquin last week, the Indians will now play for a state title for the first time in school history on Thursday morning.
For much of the year, Ganado has relied on the arm of quarterback Bryce Ullman. He’s thrown for 2,602 and 45 touchdowns this season. They’ll need him to be at his best against a stingy Stamford defense.
But even if he’s not, it’s not game over. Sophomore running back Logan Bures can step up when called upon. Ullman only threw for 120 yards in the win over Joaquin. Bures did the rest with 192 yards on 21 carries.
Dagger for Ganado! 35-8 lead over Joaquin with 4 minutes left #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/cpJjFKlULp
— ZachbrownTV (@ZachbrownTV) December 13, 2024
In the passing game, Ullman is spoiled with options. Austen Pena (797 yards and 10 TDs), Cain Hayden (749 yards and 15 TDs), Landon Bures (653 yards and 7 TDs), and Landon Hicks (604 yards and 11 TDs) all have 34 or more catches this season.
On the other side of the ball, Josh Ervin said the Indians will have to be physical up front and make tackles in space as they look to slow down Vega and company. They’ll lean on Hicks (104 tackles) and Vince Sablatura from their linebacker positions.
Behind them, Logan Bures and Ullman also do their fair share of work at defensive back. They were Ganado’s two leading tacklers in the state semifinal win against Joaquin.
Final Thoughts
This one could be a battle of the senior quarterbacks with the way Ullman and Duran have played this year.
With both teams looking pretty evenly matched statistically and both boasting big wins in the playoffs, it could come down to fine margins like the turnover battle.
Both defenses have had their moments this year. Now, one big play could be the difference in a game that will have plenty of storylines no matter who comes out on top.
