Stamford Advances to State Championship with Gritty Win Over Hamilton
The Stamford Bulldogs punched their ticket to the 2A DI UIL Football State Championship after a hard-fought 28-13 victory over previously unbeaten Hamilton in the state semifinals. From the opening drive, Stamford set the tone, using a balanced offensive attack and a stout defense to build an early lead and hold off a determined Hamilton team.
Senior quarterback Christian Duran led the Bulldogs, scoring three total touchdowns, including the game-sealing 9-yard run in the fourth quarter. Stamford’s defense made critical stops, highlighted by senior Cle Whitfield’s game-clinching interception with 12 seconds remaining.
Hamilton mounted a spirited comeback attempt, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 70-yard bomb from Jaxon Edwards to Pierce Summers, but a blocked extra point and a turnover proved costly.
With the win, Stamford improves to 15-0 and advances to its first state final since 2013. The Bulldogs will face the Ganado Indians on Dec. 19 at AT&T Stadium.
Scoring Summary
2A DI State Semifinals
Stamford 28, Hamilton 13
Stamford: 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 — 28
Hamilton: 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 — 13
1st Quarter
- STAM: Christian Duran 13-yard run (Whitfield kick good), 5:47
2nd Quarter
- STAM: Cle Whitfield 7-yard run (Whitfield kick good), 10:41
3rd Quarter
- STAM: Duran 26-yard pass to Whitfield (Whitfield kick good), 5:55
4th Quarter
- HAM: Edwards 70-yard pass to Summers (Ford kick good), 11:20
- HAM: Wood 21-yard run (Ford kick blocked), 3:53
- STAM: Duran 9-yard run (Whitfield kick good), 1:32
Key Statistics
Rushing
- Stamford: Kaston Vega 24-167, Christian Duran 17-88, Cle Whitfield 9-61
- Hamilton: Izaac Wood 18-75, Jaxon Edwards 10-47
Passing
- Stamford: Christian Duran 13-17-0 – 97
- Hamilton: Jaxon Edwards 9-21-2 – 148
Receiving
- Stamford: Cle Whitfield 7-45, Brayden Jimenez 4-44
- Hamilton: Pierce Summers 4-125, Garrett Guinn 4-22
Photos by Pat Carrigan of First Down Photos
