Since Clint Fuller was hired in 2021, the Bulldogs have become one of the more consistent teams in East Texas. They made the regional semifinal in 2021 and the regional final each of the last two seasons. Kilgore was coming into this season looking to make that next jump and return to the state championship for the first time since 2013.
The season could not have gotten off to a better start for Kilgore, as they took down nine-time and eventual 4A-DII champion Carthage 20-15 in week one, stamping the Bulldogs as an early contender in 4A. They would then take care of 5A Whitehouse, a playoff team, 27-7 in week two, before heading into a week three matchup with defending 4A-DII state champion, Gilmer. Kilgore would fall to Gilmer 24-22, before taking down an eventual regional semifinal team in Pleasant Grove 37-31 to close out a tough non-district schedule with a 4-1 record.
The Bulldogs opened district play facing off with an upstart Longview Pine Tree team. Kilgore’s defense would shine in a 17-6 win, handing Pine Tree their only regular season loss. The next week, Kilgore would take a stunning loss to Henderson 27-24, but it seemed to wake up the Bulldogs, as they would trounce 2023 state-finalist Tyler Chapel Hill 42-7 the next week. That was followed up by three dominating performances over Lindale, Palestine, and Mabank to end district play.
Kilgore went into the playoffs on a four-game winning streak and as District 9-4A-DI champions. While the Bulldogs had the ability to explode on offense, that mauling defense continued to be the story throughout the playoffs. Kilgore started off their run with wins over Vidor, Needville, and Navasota by a combined score of 176-27.
That would set up a rematch in the regional final with Tyler Chapel Hill. While Kilgore won the first matchup during district play, this was a large hurdle for the Bulldogs, as Chapel Hill had eliminated them in the playoffs the last three years. Kilgore proved that this year was different, as they once again dominated in a 30-6 win, sending the Bulldogs to the state semifinals to take on a surprise La Vernia team.
On a dreary and rainy night in Houston, Kilgore would punch their ticket to AT&T Stadium, as they took down La Vernia 38-13. They were heading to the state championship, looking for their first title since 2004, and standing in their way was 15-0 and eight-time state champion, Celina.
The state title game would not go Kilgore’s way, as Celina ran away with a 55-21 win, but Clint Fuller seems to have rebuilt an East Texas power that is here to stay.
