WATCH: Gunter Shocks Canadian in the Final Seconds to Advance to the State Championship

Canadian shot off to a hot start in the 1st quarter by scoring two touchdowns. Gunter battled back, scored one of their own, and trailed 14-7 at the beginning of 2nd quarter.

As explosive as the 1st quarter was, both teams locked each other down in the 2nd. Four punts and 4th down stop by Gunter were all the offensive production that either team managed. Thick fog equaled a slick football, and both teams kept their offenses on the ground. As a result, the defenses pinned their ears back and stuffed the run.

The Wildcats had one final opportunity to score before the half but ran out of time. Both teams headed to the Locker room with Canadian still ahead, 14-7.

Defense continued to dominate the game throughout the 3rd Quarter as neither team gained any ground. After exchanging three punts a piece, the Tigers finally broke the deadlock.

Gunter went on a seven-play, 50-yard drive to tie the game. Tigers’ Quarterback Walker Overman heaved a deep pass to Wide Receiver Ivy Hellman 31 yards down the field for a touchdown. The pass initially looked intercepted, but the officials signaled the touchdown after a wrestling match in the end zone. With 20 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, the score sat at 14-14.

Canadian responded to the Tigers’ score with 6:16 remaining in the 4th quarter. Canadian’s Quarterback Camren Cavalier led the Wildcats on a 9-play, 76-yard drive. Runningback Luke Flowers snapped off a 26-yard run to get the Wildcats to midfield. Then, Cavalier hit Wide Receiver Preston Miller deep down the sideline for another 30 yards.

With the ball inside the 5-yard line. Cavalier kept it himself and sprinted to the outside, beating three defenders to the edge and the endzone. Canadian retook the lead but missed the point after, leaving the score 20-14.

With 1:58 remaining in the contest, Gunter faced their end with no timeouts and 75 yards of green grass in front of them. Moments like these make or break Texas High School Football legends. 

The Tigers answered the call. Methodically working their way down the field, the Tigers converted three first downs while getting out of bounds on each play as they edged inside the 10-yard line. Then with 22 seconds left, Walker Overman pump-faked a pass to the outside, then came back over the middle to Ivy Hellman on a slant. Hellman caught the 9-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 20-20. 

On bated breath, the crowd waited in anticipation as Gunter lined up for the extra point. The snap, hold, and kick went off without a hitch, and the ball sailed through the uprights. Gunter took the lead in unbelievable fashion with 17 seconds left.

Canadian had one more final gasp in the closing seconds but failed to cross midfield. The Tigers claimed victory, 21-20.

The Gunter Tigers advance to the 2022 UIL Texas High School Football 3A Div II State Championship in Arlington against the Poth Pirates at Cowboy’s Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m.