Shiner is back in the state title game for the first time in three years, but the last time it was in Arlington, it won back-to-back state titles in 2020 and 2021. This time around though, the Comanches aren’t the favorites.
That’s because they’ve got to go against a Muenster team that was ranked first heading into the playoffs. The Hornets have backed that up with five dominant wins. Now, they’ve got their eyes set on earning their second state title in school history.
Here’s what to watch for in the 2A Division II State Title Game on Wednesday night at 7:00.
Muenster Hornets (13-2)
Head Coach: Brady Carney (15th season; 167-36 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 88 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 70-0 vs. Hamlin
Area: W 60-15 vs. Wheeler
Regional Semifinals: W 56-14 vs. Albany
Regional Final: W 54-14 vs. Collinsville
State Semifinals: W 49-26 vs. Gruver
Key Players and Storylines
The Hornets have a true gamebreaker at quarterback in Casen Carney. He’s thrown for 2,990 yards and 34 touchdowns, while also leading the team with 1,446 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. He also takes care of the football with just three interceptions on 217 passing attempts. It’s easy to see why the offense has been so explosive with him leading the way.
In the passing game, 6’2″ tight end Garrett Hess (1,077 yards and ten touchdowns) and Caden Klement (867 yards and 13 touchdowns) have been Carney’s main targets. Expect to hear both of their names called multiple times on Wednesday night.
The rushing game mainly runs through Carney. He had 155 yards on the ground in the state semifinal against Gruver. Alongside him in the backfield, juniors Nolan Peel (939 yards and 17 touchdowns) and Legend Bounds (568 yards and 16 touchdowns) will help shoulder the load.
Defensively, the Hornets can come up with explosive plays too. Simon Johnson had a pick-six last week against Gruver, while Parker Hartman had one in the regional final against Collinsville.
Shiner Comanches (12-3)
Head Coach: Daniel Boedeker (6th seasonl; 70-14 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 280 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 69-6 vs. Woodsboro
Area: W 54-7 vs. Brackett
Regional Semifinals: W 43-23 vs. Granger
Regional Final: W 27-0 vs. Junction
State Semifinals: W 41-33 vs. Bremond
Key Players and Storylines
Bremond gave Shiner everything it wanted in the state semifinals, but the Comanches weathered the storm and eventually punched their ticket back to Jerry World.
Resiliency has been the name of the game for Shiner this year. It started the season 0-3 after facing three 3A opponents. From there, it has rattled off 12-straight wins.
A lot has to do with its run game. The Comanches have rushed for over 3,800 yards this season. They racked up 440 yards on the ground last week alone against Bremond.
Quarterback Carson Schuette had a monster performance 258 yards on 20 carries. Throw in running backs Quincy Jones (1,009 rushing yards) and Caleb Lenhart (686 rushing yards) and Shiner has a three-headed monster in the backfield for defenses to contend with.
Still trying to find out how Shiner’s Carson Schuette scored a TD on this play 🤯🤯
Shiner leads Bremond 27-26 at the half. Winner goes to the 2A DII #UILState Championship game!! #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/LXZ4hPPoKD
— Ben Peck – KCEN/KAGS 🦚🐻👍 (@TheBenPeck) December 13, 2024
Keep an eye on sophomore Clayton Fric too. He had an impact last week with 64 yards on just five carries.
Head coach Daniel Boedeker knows that despite Shiner’s talent, it won’t be easy to move the ball on Muenster. He said the Comanches will need to “stay on their blocks” and not shoot themselves in the foot with penalties or turnovers.
Defensively, Shiner will need to tackle well and try to prevent the big play, a tough test with the athleticism of Carney.
The Comanches do have senior leadership in their front seven with linebacker Kyle Adamek and defensive lineman Jared Werner.
On the backend, they have some ballhawks. Jake Simper has four interceptions this year and is one of Shiner’s leading tacklers along with star freshman safety Tyler Harvey. Those two along with fellow freshman safety Jarvis Williams (five interceptions) will both look to take advantage of any mistakes Carney makes.
Final Thoughts
The backfields may steal the headlines, but both head coaches agreed that this game will be decided in the trenches. In Carney’s eyes, Muenster will need to “control the line of scrimmage and be fundamentally sound and play assignment football.”
For Boedeker, the Comanches simply need to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
With both teams possessing playmaking quarterbacks, this one should be a fun one to close out day one of UIL State.
