There will be quite the contrast in state title game experience on Thursday afternoon. Gunter has made AT&T Stadium its winter home in recent years with seven trips to the state title game in the last nine seasons.
On the other sideline, Woodville is making its state title game debut. The Eagles though have peaked at the right time and will believe they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the Tigers.
Here’s what to watch for on Thursday at 3:00 in the 3A Division II State Title Game.
Gunter Tigers (13-2)
Head Coach: Jake Fieszel (18th season; 223-31 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 63 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 48-0 vs. Cedar Hill TLC
Area: W 45-14 vs. City View
Regional Semifinal: W 44-14 vs. Jacksboro
Regional Final: W 33-17 vs. Holliday
State Semifinal: W 42-32 vs. Wall
Key Players and Storylines
Gunter will be looking for its third-straight state title on Thursday afternoon.
The Tigers are certainly battle tested. They suffered two early season losses to 5A Anna and 4A Division I state finalist Celina. Then last week, they trailed Wall 32-17 before rattling off 25 unanswered points.
On Thursday, Gunter’s fanbase will be wearing all black to AT&T Stadium. It’s fitting for how dominant its “Black Flag” defense has been this season. They have a number of enforcers in the front seven from defensive ends Hayden Farrell and Luke Bullard to linebacker Major Thornhill, who was last season’s Defensive MVP in the state title game.
Offensively, the Tigers are just as physical up front which bodes well for the depth they have at running back. Brock Boddie is a slippery back with plenty of speed. He had 121 yards in the state semifinal win over Wall. He’ll be spelled by Jay Campiti, who had the go-ahead score last week, and Farrell.
Gunter 39, Wall 32.
6:35 left in regulation!
Jay Campiti gives Gunter the lead!#TXHSFB | @GameOnSportsNet | @gunter_football pic.twitter.com/4thG8aWBu5
— Matthew Alan Brice (@MatthewOnTheMic) December 14, 2024
Preston Tarpley has stepped into the starting quarterback position this year, and he’s got numerous speedy receivers to work with in seniors Dylan Tokarz, Easton Overman, and Mitchell Gage, who had 81 receiving yards last week.
The Tigers also are strong on special teams. Tarpley is a high-level kicking prospect too. Overman took the opening kick back against Jacksboro in the regional final, so the Tigers could use the return game to their advantage too.
Woodville Eagles (13-2)
Head Coach: Ty Robinson (9th season; 79-27 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 248 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 49-12 vs. Arp
Area: W 48-21 vs. Grand Saline
Regional Semifinal: W 42-12 vs. De Kalb
Regional Final: W 40-7 vs. Daingerfield
State Semifinals: W 28-21 vs. Tidehaven
Key Players and Storylines
Ty Robinson turned Woodville into a consistent winner. In eight of his nine years at the helm, the Eagles have won at least seven games.
However, they had never made it over the hurdle of the area round. Until this year.
This Eagle squad has shattered the glass ceiling making it to the third round, fourth round, fifth round, and now state title game for the first time in school history.
Woodville’s heading to its first state championship game in program history!
Eagles beat Tidehaven, 28-21. Here’s the moment @CoachRob4Realz was handed the trophy. #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/zUmjFoCO3m
— BmtEnterprise Sports (@Beaumont_Sports) December 13, 2024
Powerful running back Tayvion Hunter is a big reason why. After five touchdowns in the regional final against Daingerfield, he followed it up with two touchdowns in the win over Tidehaven. It’s a run that prompted Robinson to tell the Beaumont Enterprise that Hunter is “the best 3A player in the state.”
The Eagles also have a playmaker at quarterback in Luke Babin. The sophomore had the go-ahead 23-yard touchdown pass to running back Dustin Barlow in the waning minutes against Tidehaven last week. Babin has impressed those looking at the next level, picking up five offers from Division I in-state colleges.
Defensively, safety Caleb Johnson had the game-winning interception last week, his fourth on the year. He can also come up and make plays with 60 tackles on the season. The Eagles will also need linebacker Jacob Hyder to follow up his state semifinal performance where had 22 total tackles as they look to slow down Gunter’s rushing attack.
Final Thoughts
Woodville has the firepower to cause Gunter some problems. The question will be whether the Eagles can keep the ball moving for all four quarters against the Tigers or whether Gunter’s defense will take over as it has all year.
No matter who ends up with the upper-hand, school history will be made. On Thursday night, either Woodville will walk out with its first state title or Gunter will have a three-peat for the first time in school history.
