Ryan FINALLY gets over hump, wins first state title since 2002

By Thomas Hays

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When Denton Ryan coach Dave Henigan brought Billy Bowman Sr. on as receivers coach five years ago, he joked with Bowman that his eighth grade son could be the missing link in a Class of 2021 that Henigan already had his eye on. 

Five years later, blue-chip wide receiver Billy Bowman Jr. was one of five seniors to score a touchdown in a 59-14 win over Cedar Park to bring Ryan High School its first state championship since 2002. 

“It means a lot,” Henigan said. “We have a great program that’s been right on the cusp. These things are hard to win. To get to this point when you’ve been so close for so long... to get to this point, to this summit, it makes it that much sweeter for me and our kids.” 

This class has been through a lot in its four seasons together. The Raiders lost in the state semifinals their first two years and finally made it to a title game last year. Then, Drew Sanders dropped a pass in the end zone against Shadow Creek to fall just short of an elusive state title. 

“I just remember everything that went through my head after losing that game,” Bowman said. “I just feel like everyone on this team has been locked in.” 

It seems like the state championship game was an opportunity to expel every one of those demons. Cedar Park faced a murderer’s row of top 10 opponents just to make it to the championship game. But right from the start, Ryan’s seniors set the tone. 

Senior running back Keori Hicks rushed for a touchdown in the first quarter. Then after Cedar Park cut the lead to two, senior QB Seth Henigan connected with senior receiver Keagan Cunningham and Bowman over a three-minute span to give Denton Ryan a lead it would never squander. 

The senior QB Henigan – son of the head coach – has received plenty of criticism during his time as a starter, but responded with one of his best games on the biggest stage. Henigan completed 14-of-22 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns and Offensive MVP honors. On Saturday, he will drive to enroll at the University of Memphis.

“When you play quarterback at Denton Ryan, you have high expectations,” Dave Henigan said. “When you do it as a coach’s kid, there’s even more expectations. For him to finish the way he did, it’s awesome. There’s two quarterbacks who have won a state championship in the history of our school: James Battle and Seth Hennigan.” 

Now, several members of Denton Ryan’s senior class will go on to play at the next level. With Ja’Tavion Sanders signing with Texas and Bowman signing with Oklahoma, we’ll soon see Ryan legacy bleeding into the Red River Showdown. 

However, no matter what happens from in their football future, this senior class has accomplished something for their community no one can take away. 

Said Bowman, with a state championship gold medal around his neck: “This medal looks – and feels – so much better than a silver one.”

Looking for a place to stay for the game? Check out Live! by Loews

 

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP HUB

 

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