ARLINGTON - Stratford found itself in a precarious situation late in the fourth quarter of the Class 2A Division II UIL Football State Championship on Thursday.
The Elks led Falls City by six and were trying to bleed as much of the remaining clock as they could so as not to give the Beavers the ball back with much time left.
Stratford did one better than chewing up some clock.
On fourth-down with 1:30 left to play. Stratford QB Cody Rinne threw a perfect ball to WR Dru Jones for a touchdown to deliver the dagger. Jones ended any hopes Falls City had remaining by intercepting a pass on the next possession to secure a 39-27 victory.
It was Stratford’s earn fourth state title in five appearances, and its first since 2008.
Things weren’t looking good for the Elks in the first half as Falls City produced some big plays. WR Jaxson Pipes mossed a defender in the endzone for a 27-yard score. Then after a Stratford TD, Pipes responded by taking the ensuing kickoff 85 yards to the house.
Falls City was also able force a stand at the goal line early in the second quarter with QB/DL Luke Shaffer playing a big part. Stratford wouldn’t be denied the next time, though, as the Elks were able to get RB Zane Burr on a three-yard scamper outside to paydirt. Stratford did not miss a fourth down conversion the rest of the game.
While Falls City took a 21-13 lead into halftime, the third quarter belonged to the Elks.
Stratford’s offense was potent with offensive MVP Rinne finishing with 282 yards, two touchdowns through the air, and 70 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Burr allowed for a change of pace with 56 yards and two touchdowns. Jones was spectacular in the passing game, hauling in two touchdowns and 205 yards receiving while adding 87 yards on the ground.
Rinne also lead the defense with seven tackles. Burr and DL Luke Braden combined for 12 tackles.
Falls City was valiant in its effort with Shaffer earning defensive MVP honors with 20 tackles (13 solo) solo. He was in the running for MVP on offense as well having thrown for 201 yards and two touchdowns, while bruising his way for 24 yards on the ground and a score. Jendrusch and Pipes kept it moving the air with 179 yards and a touchdown each. They aided Shaffer as they combined to match his tackle total.
Team Names | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |||||
Stratford | 7 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 39 | |||||
Falls City | 14 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 27 | |||||
Stratford | ||||||||||
UNI |
NAME | QBR | COMP | ATT | INT | % | YARDS | TD | LONG | SACKED |
3 | C. RINNE | 260.5 | 14 | 17 | 0 | 82.4 | 282 | 2 | 39 | 0 |
Receiving |
||||||||||
UNI |
NAME | REC | YARDS | AVG | TD | LONG | ||||
2 | D. JONES | 9 | 205 | 22.8 | 2 | 39 | ||||
12 | L. BRADEN | 3 | 47 | 15.7 | 0 | 21 | ||||
11 | M. DURAN | 1 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 21 | ||||
5 | A. IBARRA | 1 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 9 | ||||
Rushing |
||||||||||
UNI |
NAME | ATT | GAINED | NET | AVG | TD | LONG | |||
2 | D. JONES | 14 | 89 | 87 | 6.2 | 0 | 21 | |||
3 | C. RINNE | 21 | 72 | 70 | 3.3 | 1 | 9 | |||
8 | Z. BURR | 15 | 58 | 56 | 3.7 | 2 | 12 | |||
11 | M. DURAN | 4 | 13 | 13 | 3.3 | 1 | 6 | |||
Falls City | ||||||||||
UNI |
NAME | QBR | COMP | ATT | INT | % | YARDS | TD | LONG | SACKED |
17 | L. SHAFFER | 219.1 | 7 | 13 | 1 | 53.8 | 201 | 2 | 52 | 0 |
Receiving |
||||||||||
UNI |
NAME | REC | YARDS | AVG | TD | LONG | ||||
42 | G. JENDRUSCH | 3 | 90 | 30 | 1 | 52 | ||||
3 | J. PIPES | 2 | 79 | 39.5 | 1 | 52 | ||||
34 | C. ARRISOLA | 2 | 32 | 16 | 0 | 20 | ||||
Rushing |
||||||||||
UNI |
NAME | ATT | GAINED | NET | AVG | TD | LONG | |||
17 | L. SHAFFER | 9 | 24 | 14 | 1.6 | 1 | 10 | |||
10 | C. THOMAS | 7 | 14 | 6 | 0.9 | 0 | 4 | |||
42 | G. JENDRUSCH | 6 | 21 | 4 | 0.7 | 0 | 8 | |||
3 | J. PIPES | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||
34 | C. ARRISOLA | 2 | 0 | -1 | -0.5 | 0 | 0 |
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