ARLINGTON, TX — The 2023 Texas High School Football State Championships Day Two wrapped up with an exciting matchup between the defending 3A Division II State Champion Gunter Tigers and the Tidehaven Tigers.
As a reminder, Gunter defeated Canadian in the state semifinal round to advance to the state championship. The Wall Hawks fell to Canadian in the Regional Final Round the week prior.
The game remained close throughout the contest until Gunter took the lead midway through the 2nd quarter. The Tigers would never give it back and even shut out Tidehaven in the 2nd half. Gunter claimed the 3A Division II State Championship and second title in a row, 30-14.
1st Quarter
Tidehaven received the opening kickoff, but neither Tidehaven nor Gunter did anything on offense on the first two possessions. Tidehaven broke the stalemate on its second possession. Fueled by a monster 43-yard run by RB Joseph Dodds, the Tigers pushed Gunter back to the 3-yard line. Gunter stepped up to force a 3rd and goal from the 11-yard line, but a fade route from Kale Russell to Dodds gave Tidehaven a 7-0 lead with 4:03 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Gunter refused to fall out of the game early and put up points on the board on its second possession as well. The Tigers didn't have much luck running the football but succeeded in the passing game. Gunter pushed the ball inside the 20-yard line before Tidehaven's defense stiffened up and shut Gunter down. Still, Gunter kicked a 27-yard field goal and trailed by four points at the end of the 1st quarter, 7-3.
After Gunter's defense forced Tidehaven to punt, Gunter would score again. Tidehaven allowed an explosive play for the first time on the evening. QB Walker Overman dropped back to pass but could not find an open receiver. He tucked the ball, weaved to the outside, and almost sprinted to the house. He went out of bounds at the 12-yard line to set up a touchdown run from Brock Boddie. Gunter took the lead with 6:58 remaining in the half, 10-7.
The 2nd quarter continued to be all Gunter as the defense forced Tidehaven to punt. On the punt return, Parker Harris set Gunter up with excellent field position at Tidehaven's 21-yard line. Gunter's offense picked up where it left off on the previous drive and punched the ball into the end zone again on a diving touchdown from Brock Boddie. Gunter led 17-7 with 4:18 remaining in the half.
With Tidehaven in danger of letting this game run away from them, the Tigers needed a response. Once again, RB Joseph Dodds answered. After the Tigers drove the ball to Tide Haven's 39-yard line, they ran an outside run with Dodds. Dodds followed his blockers and then found a seam down the sideline. No one could keep up with the young man and he scored a 61-yard touchdown to bring Tidehaven with three points at the half, 17-14.
3rd Quarter
Both defenses came to play in the 2nd half as Gunter and Tidehaven punted on the first four possessions in the 3rd quarter. Gunter finally broke through with 2:55 remaining in the 3rd quarter. After Tidehaven punted the ball away, Gunter's Walker Overman hit Cannon Lemberg over the middle for what looked like a short gain. The elusive wide receiver weaved in and out of the defense to end up on the opposite sideline. At that point, it was a foot race to the house, and Lemberg was up to the task. 68-yards later, Gunter increased its advantage to ten points, 24-14.
4th Quarter
Gunter attempted a 40-yard field goal at the beginning of the 4th quarter but missed wide right. Tidehaven's ensuing possession saw a potential touchdown slip through a wide-open receiver's fingers on third down. The Tigers went for it on 4th down but did not complete the deep ball attempt. Gunter took over in Tidehaven territory.
Gunter would score another touchdown, this time on a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Overman. Gunter missed the extra point, which kept Tidehaven within two scores, but there was 5:33 left in the 4th quarter. If Tidehaven was to mount a comeback, it had to be soon.
Gunter's defense held fast, and Tidehaven never managed to threaten again. The Gunter Tigers complete a perfect 16-0 season in 2023 and win back-to-back state championships.
After the game San Angelo LIVE!'s Ryan Chadwick caught up with wide receiver Cannon Lemberg to talk about his thoughts on his and his team's performance on Thursday night. Check out the full interview below:
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