The scoreboard operator better be ready to work during the 3A Division I title game matchup between Brock and Lorena on Thursday afternoon.
Brock possesses the top scoring offense in all of 3A Division I, while Lorena is in a close second.
The Leopards are returning to the state title game for the first time since 1989, while Brock is already making its third appearance despite only having played varsity football for 10 years.
Here is what to watch for on Thursday afternoon.
Tale of the Tape
Lorena Leopards
Head Coach: Ray Biles: 30th season (199-37 record)
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 115 miles
2021 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 53-28 vs. Hitchcock
Area: W 50-6 vs. Woodville
Regional Semifinals: W 62-13 vs. Columbus
Regional Final: W 63-28 vs. Diboll
State Semifinals: W 55-17 vs. Lago Vista
Key Players and Storylines
Lorena will be going in search of its first state title in 1987 on Thursday. And to sweeten the incentive, a win over Brock would also be win number 200 for head coach Ray Biles during his time at Lorena.
Lorena is led by a talented duo at running back in Reed Michna and Rhett Hanson. Hanson (1,295 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns) led the way against Lago Vista in the state semifinals with 199 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Leopards, Michna’s (1,437 rushing yards and 21 touchdown) status for the title game is in question after he had to leave the Lago Vista game due to injury.
“We’re blessed to have two good backs like that,” Lorena head coach Ray Biles said after defeating Lago Vista on Thursday. “Rhett’s a monster. The guy plays so hard. He’s extremely physical and works every day. That’s the kind of kid he is.”
Quarterback Ryne Abel (2,843 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and nine interceptions) has proven to be a reliable presence at quarterback in his first season as the starter. Dynamic sophomore receiver Jadon Porter (1,174 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns) could be a problem for the Brock secondary. He showed off his athleticism by turning a screen pass into a 61-yard touchdown against Lago Vista in the state semifinals.
On the other side of the ball, Joe Gutshall (75 total tackles, 21 TFLs) is a quarterback’s living nightmare. Last week, he came up with a key fourth down sack and interception against Lago Vista.
Behind Gutshall and the defensive line, sophomore Braylon Henry has starred at linebacker for the Leopards with 116 total tackles on the season.
It will be all hands on deck for Lorena defensively as it tries to stop Brock’s high-powered offense.
Brock Eagles
Head Coach: Billy Mathis: 1st season (15-0 record)
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 56 miles
2021 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 40-6 vs. Wall
Area: W 54-8 vs. Amarillo River Road
Regional Semifinals: W 70-25 vs. Jim Ned
Regional Final: W 49-14 vs. Whitesboro
State Semifinals: W 35-28 vs. Mount Vernon
Key Players and Storylines
Brock hasn’t missed a beat under new coach Billy Mathis. And after surviving Mount Vernon in the state semifinals in overtime, the Eagles are now seeking their first state title since 2015.
Although he was held to just 60 yards on 18 carries against Mount Vernon, Kutter Wilson (2,660 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns) has been a huge part of Brock’s offense as its bell cow all season long.
And although Wilson has made play after play this year for the Eagles, Mathis said he is impressed by Wilson’s selflessness and the all-around ability of his team’s star running back.
“He always gives credit to the offensive line, and he never complains when he is called on to block,” Mathis said. “His vision to see the cutbacks and his top-end speed is what has really made him excel this season. He is an “A” honor roll student, was part of our state champion track team, and our state champion golf team. He’s your stereotypical All-American.”
When Wilson isn’t racking up the yards on the ground for Brock, Quarterback Tyler Moody (2,927 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, and just four interceptions) has done a great job of making plays both through the air and on the ground (540 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns) this year for the Eagles.
His favorite receiver Elijah Potts (1,117 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns) had a big game against Mount Vernon with 12 catches for 127 yards. Meanwhile, tight end and Minnesota commit Nathan Jones (777 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns) caught the game winning touchdown against Mount Vernon last week on a rare center-eligible play for the Eagles.
On the other side of the ball, Brock is led by a pair of sophomores at defensive back in Carson Finney and Reid Watkins, who each have five interceptions on the season.
When it comes to the front seven, defensive end Kadyn Matthews (61 tackles, 24.5 TFLs) has been a menace for opposing backfields, while senior linebacker Dillon Mueller (113 total tackles) will be busy trying to slow down the Lorena run game as Brock’s leading tackler.
Final Thoughts
It’s likely going to take plenty of points to win this one on Thursday afternoon with the offensive weapons both teams possess.
Lorena will hope its leading back Michna is able to play as it seeks to bring home its first state title in 34 years and earn win number 200 for head coach Ray Biles.
However, Brock certainly made a statement with its 70-25 win over defending state champion Jim Ned in the regional semifinals. With that in mind, expect this game to go down to the wire as the two most convincing teams in 3A Division I go head-to-head for all the marbles.
See all Playoff Final Scores Here: live-scores-texas-high-school-football-scoreboard
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