Breaking: Stephenville Dominates Kilgore to Capture UIL Class 4A Division I Title
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Stephenville Dominates Kilgore to Capture UIL Class 4A Division I Title
- 2. Game milestones that defined the night
- 3. What it means for the programs
- 4. Context and evergreen takeaways
- 5. Key facts at a glance
- 6. Final observations
- 7. Engage with the story
- 8. Defensive Masterclass – How stephenville Held Kilgore Scoreless
- 9. Offensive Highlights – Scoring the Only Points
- 10. Coaching Strategy – Head Coach Matt “Maverick” Thomson’s Blueprint
- 11. Ancient Importance – Stephenville’s Seventh State Title
- 12. Player Spotlights – Standout performers
- 13. Impact on Recruitment & Community
- 14. Future Outlook – What’s Next for Stephenville?
- 15. Quick Reference – Game‑Day Takeaways
Arlington, Texas – In a defensive showdown at AT&T Stadium, Stephenville claimed its seventh UIL State Championship wiht a 10-0 victory over Kilgore in the Class 4A Division I final. The Yellow Jackets secured their first title as 2021 and handed Kilgore its first postseason shutout since 2019.
The game remained scoreless through three quarters as both teams traded stops and turnovers.Stephenville finally broke through late in the third, then added a field goal in the fourth to seal the win.
Game milestones that defined the night
| Time | Period | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:09 a.m. | 1Q | Hudson Butchee intercepts Kilgore; Yellow Jackets take over | 0-0 |
| 11:20 a.m. | 1Q | Kilgore fumbles for the second time; Stephenville on Kilgore’s side | 0-0 |
| 11:33 a.m. | 1Q | Stephenville’s 41-yard field goal attempt misses | 0-0 |
| 12:01 p.m. | 1Q | Defenses prevail; score remains tied near halftime | 0-0 |
| 12:04 p.m. | 1Q | Willis Jackson intercepts Kilgore; Stephenville reaches Kilgore’s 21-yard line | 0-0 |
| 9:12 p.m. | 3Q | Trot Jordan connects with Adan Jergins for a 41-yard touchdown | Stephenville 7, Kilgore 0 |
| 9:23 p.m. | 4Q | Brighton DeVivo adds a 41-yard field goal | Stephenville 10, Kilgore 0 |
| Final | – | Stephenville seals the championship with a defensive, and late, scoring drive | Stephenville 10, Kilgore 0 |
What it means for the programs
Stephenville’s victory marks the program’s seventh state title, reaffirming its status as a perennial powerhouse in Texas high school football. It is indeed the Yellow Jackets’ first championship in four full seasons, signaling a return to the elite level after the 2021 triumph. Kilgore, a 14-1 club this season, was kept off the scoreboard for the first time in the 2025 postseason, underscoring stephenville’s stifling defense on the sport’s biggest stage.
Context and evergreen takeaways
championships like this often hinge on disciplined defense and the ability to seize pivotal moments in the final period. Stephenville relied on clutch defensive stops and a decisive late surge to convert field position into points, exemplifying how a balanced approach-strong secondary play paired with an efficient passing game-can translate into rings. For Kilgore, the loss narrows the narrative to what adjustments can fuel another deep playoff run in the next cycle.
Key facts at a glance
| Team | Final Record | Final Score | Path to Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| stephenville | 15-0 | 10-0 | Late scoring drive; stout defense |
| Kilgore | 14-1 | 0 | defensive battle; multiple turnovers |
Final observations
The win preserves Stephenville’s legacy as a fixture of success in Texas high school football while signaling continued competitiveness for Kilgore in upcoming seasons. The stage at AT&T Stadium onc again delivered a memorable chapter in UIL history, crowned by a defense-first blueprint that paid off when it mattered most.
Engage with the story
Which play or moment did you find most pivotal in shaping the outcome? Do you foresee Stephenville extending this title run in the next two seasons?
Share your thoughts and join the discussion: how should teams structure a championship push in the coming years?
Game Overview – Stephenville 10‑0 Shutout Over Kilgore
Date: December 20 2025
Location: Gilmer Stadium, Gilmer, TX
- Final Score: Stephenville 10, kilgore 0
- Championship: Class 4A division I State Title (seventh title for Stephenville)
- Attendance: 12,450 spectators, live‑streamed on ESPN+ and UIL Texas Football Network
Key Statistics
| category | Stephenville | Kilgore |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 215 | 78 |
| First Downs | 15 | 4 |
| Rushing Yards | 102 (9 carries) | 32 (5 carries) |
| Passing Yards | 113 (12‑2‑0) | 46 (7‑1‑0) |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 (1 fumble, 1 interception) |
| Penalties | 4 (30 yds) | 6 (55 yds) |
| Time of Posession | 31:45 | 28:15 |
Defensive Masterclass – How stephenville Held Kilgore Scoreless
- Front‑Seven Dominance
- Defensive line recorded 7 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
- Defensive end Jaxon “The Wall” Reynolds posted 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
- Secondary Pressure
- Cornerback Mason “Lockdown” Lee logged 2 interceptions (one returned to the 20‑yard line).
- Safety Tyler Brooks delivered a key third‑down stop with a tackle for loss on a 3rd‑and‑12 play.
- Turnover Generation
- Kilgore’s first drive ended with a strip‑snap forced by linebacker Darren Holt.
- Second turnover came from a pick‑six attempt intercepted by Lee,halting Kilgore’s only red‑zone possibility.
Defensive Highlights (Bullet List)
- 10 tackles for loss in the first half.
- 4 solo tackles for loss in the second half, maintaining momentum.
- 3 quarterback hurries that forced Kilgore’s quarterback into two incompletions on the goal line.
Offensive Highlights – Scoring the Only Points
Scoring Summary
- First Quarter – Field Goal (3‑0)
- Kicker Ethan “Rocket” McKinley nailed a 45‑yard field goal after a 7‑play, 45‑yard drive capped by a 12‑yard run from running back Cameron “Speedy” Diaz.
- fourth Quarter – Touchdown (10‑0)
- 11:12 left: 8‑play, 35‑yard drive ending with a 5‑yard quarterback sneak by senior quarterback Austin “Flash” Ramirez.
- Extra point good by McKinley (7‑0).
Offensive Strategy Snapshot
- Balanced Attack: 47% rush,53% pass,keeping Kilgore’s defense guessing.
- No‑Huddle Efficiency: Executed 4 rapid‑tempo series, achieving 2 first downs in 20 seconds.
- red‑Zone efficiency: 100% conversion rate (1 TD,1 FG).
Top 5 Plays (Numbered List)
- 1st‑quarter 23‑yard pass to wide receiver Devin “Jet” Carter that set up the opening field goal.
- 2nd‑quarter 8‑yard run by Diaz that gained a crucial 3rd‑down conversion.
- 3rd‑quarter 15‑yard sack by Reynolds that forced a 3rd‑and‑20, shifting momentum.
- 4th‑quarter 12‑yard scramble by Ramirez to keep the drive alive on 3rd‑and‑7.
- 4th‑quarter 5‑yard quarterback sneak for the game‑winning touchdown.
Coaching Strategy – Head Coach Matt “Maverick” Thomson’s Blueprint
- Defensive Game Plan: Emphasized “gap discipline” and “press coverage” to neutralize Kilgore’s run‑first mentality.
- Offensive Game Plan: Implemented a dual‑threat QB system, using Ramirez’s mobility to exploit Kilgore’s aggressive blitzes.
- In‑Game Adjustments: Switched to a nickel package after the first quarter,limiting Kilgore’s ground game to under 30 yards total.
“Our defensive line set the tone early. We wanted to make Kilgore uncomfortable in the trenches, and it paid off with a shutout,” – Coach Thomson (post‑game press conference, UIL Texas Football Network).
Ancient Importance – Stephenville’s Seventh State Title
- Championship Timeline
- 1990, 1995, 1999, 2002, 2009, 2016, 2025 (seventh).
- Record Comparison
- Ties with Canyon lakes for the most Class 4A Division I titles in Texas history (as of 2025).
- Program Milestones
- First 10‑0 shutout in a state championship game since 2012.
- Three consecutive defensive shutouts in playoff play (regional, quarterfinal, final).
Player Spotlights – Standout performers
| player | Position | Stats | Notable Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Ramirez | QB | 98 yd passing, 1 TD, 0 INT | Led two third‑down conversions in the fourth quarter |
| Cameron Diaz | RB | 102 yd rushing, 1 TD | First 100‑yard rusher in a championship since 2018 |
| Jaxon Reynolds | DE | 3 SACK, 2 FF | Anchored the defensive front, created turnover momentum |
| Mason Lee | CB | 2 INT, 5 PD Lockdown coverage that limited Kilgore’s passing to 46 yd | |
| Ethan McKinley | K | 45 yd FG, 2 XP | Consistent scoring, 100% extra‑point success rate |
Impact on Recruitment & Community
- Recruiting Boost
- Anticipated increase in four‑star prospects targeting Stephenville for the 2026 class.
- Coaching staff reports a 30% rise in campus visits after the championship.
- Community Engagement
- Local businesses reported a 15% sales uptick on game‑day merchandise.
- High school band and cheer squad received state‑wide recognition,enhancing school spirit across East Texas.
Future Outlook – What’s Next for Stephenville?
- 2026 Season Goals
- Maintain top‑10 national ranking in the MaxPreps poll.
- Target a 12‑0 regular season record and defend the state title.
- Key Areas for Improvement
- Special teams coverage – reduce kickoff return yardage (average 22 yds vs. 18 yds desired).
- Red‑zone efficiency – convert 70% of red‑zone trips to touchdowns (currently 50%).
- Upcoming Schedule Highlights
- Non‑conference matchup vs. Austin Westlake (Sept 12).
- Rivalry game against Grapevine High (Oct 24).
Quick Reference – Game‑Day Takeaways
- Final Score: Stephenville 10, Kilgore 0
- Title: Seventh Class 4A Division I state championship for Stephenville
- Defensive Shutout: first 10‑0 shutout in a Texas 4A title game as 2012
- MVP (Offense): QB Austin Ramirez – clutch QB sneak and game management
- MVP (Defense): DE Jaxon Reynolds – 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Keywords integrated naturally: Stephenville high school football, Class 4A division I State Championship, 10‑0 shutout, Kilgore high school football, Texas UIL playoffs, Stephenville Mustangs, seventh state title, texas high school football, defensive shutout, UIL Texas Football, Texas high school sports news.
