3A

Week Eleven 3A Team of the Week: Millsap Bulldogs

by
Adam Ogburn
November 9

Millsap rallied past Clifton 41-38 to win its first district title since 1999. The Bulldogs are our Week Eleven 3A Team of the Week.

3A Team of the Week: Millsap Bulldogs

Millsap has been playing inspired football in honor of their late head coach Jacob Johnson, who passed away in late October following a three-year battle with leukemia.

On Friday, the Bulldogs faced Clifton with a chance to win their first district title since 1999.

It was only fitting the winning points would be scored by Johnson’s son Braun.

With under a minute to go, Millsap quarterback Madden Gilbert connected with Andre Garcia for a 25-yard touchdown to cut Clifton’s lead to 38-37.

The offense stayed on the field and Braun Johnson rushed in the ensuing two-point conversion to make it 39-38.

A late safety by the Bulldog defense would follow and Millsap would bring home that elusive district title with a 41-38 victory.

”These young men work so hard to do things the right way,” interim head coach William Bass said. “They work and play for each other and for the glory of God. We want to point people to Jesus in everything we do. That includes on the football field. They have embodied our motto of G.R.I.T which stands for Glory to God, Relentlessness, Integrity, and Toughness.”

Millsap defeats Clifton for the district championship, Jacob Johnson’s wife Cassie and daughter Payton deliver the trophy to Braun who makes an emotional speech before celebrations ensue. #txhsfb @Gosset41 @GMsportsmedia1 https://t.co/7O9Rt4J5E6

— Nolan Ruth (@RealNolanRuth) November 7, 2026

Johnson finished with 208 rushing yards and two scores, while Gilbert threw for 161 yards and three scores. Senior tight end Corey Goen had a 20-yard touchdown reception while freshman receiver Sturling Edmunds caught a 40-yard touchdown pass.

Defensively, Goen led the way with 13 tackles while linebackers Bryson Emery and Cash Webb had 12 apiece.

Millsap will now look to grab its first bi-district victory since 2021 when the Bulldogs face Cedar Hill TLC on Thursday in Fort Worth.

But no matter what happens in the postseason, Bass knows Johnson couldn’t have been prouder of his guys.

“The passion and determination that these young men have played with to honor not only our Head Coach, but our friend and brother Coach Jake Johnson is nothing short of something that you would find in a movie script,” Bass said. “The most important thing to Coach Johnson was that these athletes #1: knew Jesus, #2: learn how to be young men in the eye of God, and #3: be there and play for one another. These young men have gone above and beyond with all three of these.”