Katy. Southlake Carroll. Celina. Aledo. These names represent the best of Texas high school football, a quartet of programs with eight state championships. 

With its 60-16 win over Motley County in the 1A Division 2 State Championship on Wednesday, Richland Springs set itself apart. The Coyotes are the first program in Texas high school football history to win nine state championships. 

“You’re not guaranteed every day,” said Richland Springs coach Jerry Burkhurt, who tied Gordon Wood for the most high school titles ever. “This is what we try to instill in our kids’ minds, but you’ve gotta get up and take advantage of the opportunity you have. It’s not me, it’s about these boys. We don’t care about any glory, anything like that.” 

The Coyotes’ win on Saturday was typical of what Richland Springs has been all season. After the second round of the playoffs, though, the program took a noticeable step. In the three games since – including against back-to-back state champion Strawn – the Coyotes held opponents to just 14 points per game. 

“Everyone had to become one,” said quarterback and defensive back Landon Burkhart, son of Jerry Burkhart. “We all became one.” 

Burkhart ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback/defensive lineman Matthew Rigdon added 106 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Richland Springs didn’t need to complete a pass before it beat Motley County by mercy rule. 

“I told everybody everyday that God blesses us so much and we deserve it,” Burkhart said. “It’s about the assistants, the players we’ve had in the past that have bought into hard work. It’s never going to be about me. The greatest satisfaction is to look at these guys’ faces after a state and championship and know that they’ve learned a valuable lesson: if you want to succeed, you have to work at it.”

After winning a ninth state championship on Wednesday afternoon, Burkhart enjoyed seeing that lesson taught again. Don’t let that fool you, though. Richland Springs is more than ready to celebrate bringing its ninth state championship home to San Saba County, as offensive coordinator Shawn Rogers made clear. 

“Where are y’all going? We’ll celebrate anytime, anywhere. We’ll celebrate in a Walmart parking lot.”