With the whole town watching, Walker Tippie did what everyone knew he would do, dominate. The junior do it everything for Richland Hills ran all over AT&T Stadium leading the Coyotes to their second consecutive 1A Six-Man Division II championship over Balmorhea 96-50.
“It’s and indescribable feeling winning number eight, these kids have worked so hard,” Richland Springs head coach Jerry Burkhart said of winning his eight title as a coach. “One thing that we can’t coach is effort, and they give 100% every day and I’m so proud of them.”
Tippie was named offensive MVP rushing for 420 yards and eight touchdowns to go along with two touchdowns and 62 passing yards through the air.
“I was just the one that got the carries tonight and my teammates made great blocks and just had a good night.” Tippie said.
After a back and forth first half, giving them a ten point lead the Coyotes defense was the difference in the second half, shutting out Balmorhea (13-1) in the third quarter as they extended their lead to 40 points heading into the final frame.
“Vance Jones is a great coach and he threw lots of different looks at us, so we started to figure those out,” Burkheart said of what was behind his team pulling away in the third quarter. “Our kids adjusted well and it helped with this 10-day period so we can have our kids adjust in practice.”
In the first half, Balmorhea was able to keep up with the high flying Coyote offense led by Tippie, but the junior was responsible for all five of Richland Springs (15-0) touchdowns, four on eight carries for 220 yards and one passing on a 50-yard strike to Traven Day. It was just too much for the Bears to keep up with.
“We knew we could score on this team and we just need some stops and once that happened we were able to pull away.” Burkheart said.
For the eight time in school history, Richland Springs walk out of the last game they played calling themselves champions.
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