After more than a century of football, Hamilton finally has its moment.
The Bulldogs delivered a composed, physical, and relentless performance at AT&T Stadium, defeating Joaquin 21-7 to claim the Class 2A Division I state championship, the first football title in school history. In a game that demanded toughness from the opening snap, Hamilton leaned into its identity and never let go.
Joaquin struck first, grinding through a long opening drive that ate up more than seven minutes and ended with a short touchdown run. It was classic Rams football and a reminder that this game would be earned the hard way. Hamilton answered late in the first quarter when quarterback Carson Roberts connected with Colter Johnson in the end zone, settling the Bulldogs and setting the tone for what followed.
From there, Hamilton’s defense took control. The Bulldogs forced a turnover on downs on back-to-back Joaquin possessions, flipping momentum and field position. That pressure paid off midway through the second quarter when Hailston Haile punched in a five-yard touchdown, giving Hamilton a 14-7 lead it would never surrender. Joaquin threatened just before halftime, but another fourth-down stop kept the Bulldogs firmly in charge.
Hamilton wasted no time after the break. A crisp opening drive in the third quarter ended with Haile’s second short touchdown, stretching the lead to 21-7 and putting Joaquin in a chase mode it rarely found success in all season. From that point forward, the Bulldogs’ defense slammed the door.
Senior linebacker Brett Bauman led a swarming unit that forced three turnovers, repeatedly stuffed Joaquin on fourth down, and kept one of the state’s most productive rushing attacks well below its usual output. Every Ram push was met with resistance, every big moment answered by blue jerseys flying to the football.
Haile finished with 93 rushing yards and two touchdowns, running with patience and authority in the biggest game of the year. When the final whistle sounded, Hamilton players poured onto the field, having etched their names into program history.
One year after falling short in the semifinals, the Bulldogs completed the climb. For the first time in 111 years, Hamilton is a Texas state champion.
Photos from Das Mitchell below
