ARLINGTON, TX — The Muenster Hornets and the Shiner Comanches squared off on Wednesday, December 18, for a shot at a 2A Division II State Championship under the lights at AT&T Stadium. After a back-and-forth contest, Muenster overcame a later Shiner lead in the 4th quarter to win the title 36-29 in another Texas High School Football Instant Classic.
FINAL - Muenster 36 Shiner 29
1st Quarter
Muenster kicked an onside kick on the opening kickoff, recovered it, and stole a possession away from Shiner to start the game. The Hornets then proceeded to march down the field to score the contest's first touchdown. Casen Carney punched the ball in from 6 yards out to give Muenster a 7-0 lead early in the 1st quarter.
Shiner did not stay down long. On the Comanches' ensuing drive, Shiner drove straight down the field. Muenster forced a 4th down and long, but Shiner came up with a big play to even the score at 7-7. Jarvis Williams snagged a 29-yard pass from Carson Schuette on 4th and 11 for the score.
The offensive duel continued into the 2nd quarter as Muenster drove closer and closer to another touchdown. Shiner played tough, but the Hornets always seemed to have an answer. Muenster drove inside Shiner's 10-yard line as time expired in the 1st quarter.
2nd Quarter
Inside the 10-yard line at the four, Muenster's Carney scored his second touchdown of the evening. The Hornets retook the lead with 11:55 remaining in the half, 14-7.
A block below the waist penalty seemed like it would doom Shiner's attempt to equalize the score before the Comanches' running back Quincy Jones had other plans. Jones took a pitch to the left side, followed a block, and then broke up the sideline for a 74-yard touchdown. Shiner tied the game 14-14 with 10:10 remaining in the half.
Shiner's defense toughened up as Muenster drove towards another score. The Hornets had to convert a 3rd and long inside Shiner's 35-yard line but failed to do so. Muenster faced another 4th down attempt that Carney converted on a 24-yard completion to Garrett Hess. Carney would score his 3rd touchdown on the next play, and Muenster retook the lead with 4:17 remaining in the 2nd quarter, 21-14.
There was finally a stop in this contest as Muenster's defense forced a quick three-and-out. The Hornets took over with the lead at Shiner's 48-yard line.
Not to be outdone, Shiner's defense came up with a huge stop on the next play. Jarvis Williams picked off Carney and handed the ball back to his offense at Muenster's 47-yard line. Two plays later, Clayton Fric broke through the Hornet's defense for a 44-yard touchdown. Shiner tied the ball game with less than two minutes to play in the half.
Neither team managed to score again before halftime, and both headed to the locker rooms in a deadlock, 21-21.
3rd Quarter
Muenster received the 2nd half kickoff and went to work at the Hornets' 25-yard line. Muenster fans received a heavy dose of Casen Carney on the ground on the Hornets' opening drive in the 2nd half. Carney converted several first downs as Muenster steadily worked their way down the field. The Hornets went on a 13-play, 75-yard march that culminated in a Nolan Peel 4-yard touchdown. Muenster took the lead, 28-21, with 5:44 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
A pass interference was called on Muenster when Shiner faced a 3rd and long pushed the Comanches into Hornets' territory. Several hard runs from the Comanches' running backs pushed Shiner into the red zone with time winding down in the 3rd quarter. Carson Schuette scored on 3rd and goal from the 1-yard line as time expired in the 3rd.
An offside on the extra point convinced Shiner to go for 2-points instead. Schuette scored, and the Comanches took a 29-28 lead entering the 4th quarter.
4th Quarter
Shiner still struggled in the 2nd half to find another stop against Muenster's efficient offense. The Hornets drove past the 50-yard line just under the 10-minute mark in the 4th quarter. However, an official replay review overturned a 1st down catch near the sidelines. Muenster had to reattempt a 3rd and long, and this time, the Hornets were short. Shiner's defense came up big on 4th down and forced the turnover on downs. The Comanches took over at their own 39-yard line.
Muenster stepped up on defense following the turnover on downs. The Hornets forced a punt and took over at Muenster's 24-yard line with 8:26 to play.
Another set of tough runs pushed the Hornets past midfield. Shiner made the Hornets earn everything yard they gained, and with under six minutes to play, Muenster faced a 4th down and nine at the 47-yard line. The Hornets hit a gorgeous punt that was downed at Shiner's 1-yard line with 5:25 left in the 4th quarter.
Muenster forced the three, and out they needed to get the ball back. Even better, Maverick Bayer returned the football to Shiner's 20-yard line. Carney moved the ball inside the 10-yard line before scoring two plays later. The 2-point conversion succeeded, and the Hornets took a 36-29 lead with 40 seconds left in the 4th quarter.
A completed pass put the Comanches at midfield with 19 seconds left. Shiner set up a screen pass, but the running back lost his balance and fell down back at the 45-yard line. Schuette converted on a quarterback scramble to the Hornets' 40-yard line. Shiner attempted a Hail Mary a play later and threw an interception.
Muenster kneeled out the remaining second to win the 2024 2A Division II State Championship 36-29.
Check out the last play of the game below:
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