6A

Bi-District 6A Team of the Week: Elkins Knights

by
Adam Ogburn
November 18

6A Team of the Week: Elkins Knights

No one gave Elkins much of a chance against Shadow Creek this past Thursday. After all, the Knights were a four seed and hadn’t even been in the playoffs since 2020.

However, Shadow Creek quickly learned it was in for a dogfight as the Knights jumped out to a 23-7 lead in the second quarter.

Shadow Creek though is a two-time defending district champion for a reason. The Sharks answered with 21 unanswered points to grab a 28-23 lead early in the fourth quarter.

That proved not to be enough cushion. With under three minutes to go, Knights running back Tyson Craft broke free down the sideline for a 23-yard touchdown run. That score would be the game’s defining moment as Elkins held on for the 31-28 victory after a successful two-point conversion.

Touchdown @ElkinsFootball

😧😧 This game

Tyson Craft with his second score of the game puts the Knights up late in the fourth. Two-point is good

Fort Bend Elkins 31
Shadow Creek 28

4th | 2:28#TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/tkyfgIgLYT

— Cade Draughon (@Cade_Draughon) November 15, 2024

It was the first playoff win for the Knights since 2016.

“There was a lot of adversity in the game but our players [and] coaches never stopped believing we could win or believing in each other,” Elkins head coach Trae Grimes said. “Each phase of our team stepped up when we needed it: defense created turnovers, offense put points on the board when we had to have it, and our special teams units held strong. This win is a testament to the work, preparation, and belief that this team has put in.”

Craft finished with 97 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while quarterback Romin Seymour threw for 99 yards and a touchdown. Saxon Gumabong led the Knights’ aerial attack with 55 receiving yards and their lone touchdown catch.

As Grimes mentioned, the defense also did its part. Benjamin Villareal had the first points of the game with a pick-six and also led the Knights with 12 tackles. Right behind him, linebacker Emari Haymen racked up 11 tackles.

Looking ahead to this week, Elkins has only reached the third round of playoffs twice in school history. It will have a chance to add a third trip this Friday when it faces fellow fourth-place finisher Kingwood in Webster.