If there was ever a six-man performance that demanded the national spotlight, Bode Ham delivered it under the brightest lights in Texas.
The Jayton Jaybirds repeated as Class 1A Division II state champions with a staggering 99-54 win over Richland Springs at AT&T Stadium, powered by a historic, record-shattering outing from Ham that will be talked about for years. The junior phenom put together one of the most dominant individual performances in UIL history, rushing for 430 yards and 10 touchdowns on 28 carries, while also throwing three touchdown passes to account for 13 total scores and 548 yards of offense.
From the opening quarter on, Ham was everywhere. Patient behind his blockers, explosive through the crease, and relentless once he hit daylight, he turned routine snaps into highlight runs again and again. Jayton leaned into its star, and Richland Springs simply could not slow the momentum. By halftime, the Jaybirds had surged ahead 53-30, and Ham had already etched his name into the record book.
The second half brought more of the same. Ham reached double-digit touchdowns early in the third quarter, then kept stacking scores as Jayton’s offense rolled past 600 total yards. Even when Richland Springs answered through the air and continued to push the pace, Jayton never lost control. The mercy rule wasn’t triggered until the final minute, a testament to the Coyotes’ fight and refusal to back down on the game’s biggest stage.
Defensively, Ham made his presence felt as well, finishing with eight tackles, three for loss, and a pass breakup, completing a rare championship double as both Offensive and Defensive MVP. Jayton finished the season unbeaten, extended its winning streak to 30 games, and capped a run that now sends the program up to 1A Division I next season.
For Richland Springs, the loss closed a remarkable year and another deep playoff run for one of six-man football’s most storied programs. The Coyotes battled until the final whistle, moved the ball effectively through the air, and showed exactly why they belonged on this stage.
In the end, though, this championship belonged to Jayton — and to Bode Ham, who turned a state final into a once-in-a-generation performance.
Photos from Das Mitchell below
