Stephenville will put its perfect state title game record to the test when it takes on Austin LBJ on Friday morning in the 4A Division I State Title Game.
The Yellowjackets have never lost in their five prior state title game appearances, while the Jaguars are making their first-ever state title game appearance.
Here is what to watch for at AT&T Stadium on Friday at 11:00.
Tale of the Tape
Stephenville Yellowjackets
Head Coach: Sterling Doty: 3rd season (27-11 record)
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 93 miles
2021 Playoff Results:
Bi-District: W 49-21 vs. Fort Worth Dunbar
Area: W 22-10 vs. Paris
Regional Semifinals: W 21-17 vs. Argyle
Regional Final: W 24-21 vs. Melissa
State Semifinals: W 38-35 vs. Wichita Falls Hirschi
Key Players and Storylines
Stephenville is seeking its first state title since 2012 when it blew by El Campo 70-35. The Yellowjacket offense loves to turn to its aerial attack and is led by gunslinger Ryder Lambert (4,011 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, and just six interceptions).
The two biggest beneficiaries of Lambert’s passing ability have been seniors Coy Eakin (1,953 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns) and Reece Elston (1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns). As he continues to rack up the receiving yards, Eakin is starting to catch the attention of Division I schools with offers from Incarnate Word and Tarleton State.
That Lambert to Eakin connection has been one of the most productive in all of Texas high school football. Stephenville head coach Sterling Doty believes Lambert’s deep ball ability and Eakin’s consistent big-play threat combine to give opposing teams headaches.
“Ryder and Coy do have a special bond that comes from hard work on the practice field and being boys off the field,” Doty said. “Both of them would tell you it starts with the offensive line in protection that allows us to push the ball down the field.”
Out of the backfield, expect to see the Yellowjackets balance the workloads of Tate Maruska (962 rushing yards and six touchdowns) and Julian Iribarren (955 rushing yards and eight touchdowns). Both averaged seven yards per carry last week against Hirschi.
On defense, Reese Young has a remarkable 230 total tackles from his linebacker position. Joining him in patrolling the middle of the field is fellow senior Corbin Poston (125 total tackles)
In the trenches, LBJ will have to be weary of defensive end Jack Barkley, who has 10 sacks on the season for the Yellowjackets.
Austin LBJ Jaguars
Head Coach: Jahmal Fenner: 4th season (40-9 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 200 miles
2021 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 54-7 vs. La Vernia
Area: W 72-42 vs. Port Lavaca Calhoun
Regional Semifinals: W 68-24 vs. Boerne
Regional Final: W 45-25 vs. Fredericksburg
State Semifinals: W 38-35 vs. Tyler Chapel Hill
Key Players and Storylines
Down by nine with seven minutes to go in its state semifinal, LBJ proved it had the resiliency needed to be a state-title contender. The Jaguars scored with just nine seconds to go on a pass from Oscar Gordon III to Noah Baker to secure a thrilling 38-35 victory.
That victory was a historic one as LBJ became the first Austin ISD school to reach the state title game since 1973.
Offensively, the Jaguars lean heavily on their run game.
Sedrick Alexander has been the bell cow for the Jaguars this year with 2,202 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on the season.
According to LBJ head coach Jahmal Fenner, Alexander’s impact on the Jaguars cannot be understated.
“Sedrick Alexander is a great football player with a high football I.Q.,” Fenner said. “His role has been instrumental for the success of our offense and team. He is a leader on and off the field. He is athletic, powerful, explosive, and tough. He plays the game with an attitude and makes big plays.”
Gordon, a Texas Southern commit, (1,829 passing yards, 691 rushing yards, and 33 touchdowns) has been a dual threat for LBJ this year and has been boosted by the addition of receiver Trent Leary (1,220 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns), who transferred in from Del Valle before the season began.
Defensively, LBJ is led by a talented duo of linebackers in Houston commit Kaleb Brown and Latreveon McCutchin.
Defensive end Cyronn Miller will be relied upon to get pressure on Lambert after having six solo tackles and a sack last week against Chapel Hill.
Final Thoughts
Expect some offensive fireworks to open proceedings on Friday with both teams averaging over 40 points per game.
Stephenville will rely on its aerial attack led by Ryder Lambert, while LBJ will look to its star running back Sedrick Alexander to help keep the chains moving.
And after each team had its state semifinal decided by just three points, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if this game went down to the wire.
See all Playoff Final Scores Here: live-scores-texas-high-school-football-scoreboard
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