Celina has been on quite the run this season as the Bobcats look to capture their ninth state title in school history. The Bobcats defeated 3A Division II state finalist Gunter, 4A Division II state finalist La Vega, 2023 4A Division II state finalist Bellville, and 2023 3A Division I state finalist Franklin in non-district play.
Celina hasn’t looked back after that gauntlet, finishing a perfect 15-0 while scoring at least 31 points in every one of those games.
Kilgore also started its season with a notable victory as it knocked off nine-time state champion Carthage 20-15. The Bulldogs also come into this game with plenty of momentum. After losing to Henderson back on October 4, they rallied together and rattled off nine straight wins by 21 points or more.
Both teams have quite the resumes. Now, they’ll battle on Friday at 3:00 to see who gets to add 2024 Division I State Champion to their list of accolades.
Celina Bobcats (15-0)
Head Coach: Bill Elliot (13th season; 135-37 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 57 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 75-0 vs. Wilmer-Hutchins
Area: W 49-7 vs. Kennedale
Regional Semifinals: W 63-49 vs. Aubrey
Regional Final: W 55-21 vs. Alvarado
State Semifinals: W 43-36 vs. West Plains
Key Players and Storylines
It has been like the 4th of July all year in Celina with the offensive fireworks the Bobcats have put up. In the playoffs alone, they’re averaging 57 points per game.
Celina can do plenty of damage on the ground with two-headed monster at running back in junior Logan Gutierrez (1,508 yards and 21 touchdowns) and senior Harrison Williams (1,418 yards and 17 touchdowns). And they’re not even technically the star of the backfield.
Celina 43, West Plains 36 @ 1:29/4Q
Harrison Williams in the clutch for @RecruitCelinaFB!! He scores on a 22 yd TD run to put Celina back in front, and the 2-pt try is good as well. pic.twitter.com/aaIHTz2u61
— Matt Welch (@MWelchSLM) December 14, 2024
That would be four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley, who can pick defenses apart with his arm (3,063 passing yards and 42 touchdowns) or move when needed (866 rushing yards).
Eathan Rucker (1,370 yards and 16 touchdowns) has been Bentley’s main man all year long. He has five 100+ receiving games. Tight end Wyatt Villarreal (468 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) is another Bobcat who is attracting Division I attention.
Defensively, the Bobcats have plenty of guys who can make things happen in the front seven. Linebackers Luke Biagini (127.5 taclkes, 17 TFLs), Ronnie Foreman (61.5 tackles, 14 TFLs), Cooper Farrow (67 tackles, 15 TFLs), and defensive end Cameron Lucas (65 tackles, 19 TFLs) all have been frequent visitors to opponents’ backfields this season.
Kilgore Bulldogs
Head Coach: Clint Fuller (4th season; 46-10 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 138 miles
2024 Playoff Results
Bi-District W 66-6 vs. Vidor
Area: W 48-14 vs. Needville
Regional Semifinals: W 62-7 vs. Navasota
Regional Final: W 30-6 vs. Chapel Hill
State Semifinals: W 38-13 vs. La Vernia
Key Players and Storylines
Kilgore has been lights out ever since it lost to Henderson back on October 4. The Bulldogs haven’t allowed more than 21 points in a game since. And in six of their nine victories, they’ve given up seven points or less.
So it’ll be that defense that will give the Bulldogs confidence as they go against Celina’s high-powered offense.
Cornerback Jayden Sanders is a Michigan commit who can turn his side of the field into a no-fly zone. Up front, 5’11” and 275 pound defensive lineman Cameron Christian is not easy to move off the ball. He’s joined in the front seven by rangy linebacker Lakeyleon Graves, who also has Division I offers.
Kayson Brooks 30-yard TD pass to LaKeyleon Graves. Kilgore 17, La Vernia 0, 10:16 left in second quarter. @etfinalscore @NETsn_Live @dctf #txhsfbplayoffs pic.twitter.com/YKiGw3vaUd
— Brandon Ogden (@BrandonOSports) December 14, 2024
Graves and Sanders can both get it done offensively too. They both had touchdown catches last week. However, they’re far from the only playmakers. Dual threat quarterback Kayson Brooks has been a record-setter for the Bulldogs. He is currently tied for the all-time passing touchdown leader in Kilgore football history.
Alongside him, running back Isaiah Watters is as tough as they come. He had two rushing touchdowns last week.
Final Thoughts
Both teams come into this one expecting an all-out battle.
“It will take a great effort on our part,” Celina head coach Bill Elliott said. “Kilgore is a very talented team, playing great ball right now. We will have to play at an extremely high level and execute very well.”
It’ll be strength versus strength as Kilgore’s staunch defense goes against Celina’s high-powered offense. Whoever wins that showdown will likely win this game.
