LIVE: Falls City Beavers Take on the Stratford Elks for the State Title

ARLINGTON, TX — The Falls City Beavers and the Stratford Elks battled it out Thursday for the 2aD2 Texas High School Football Championship.

1st Quarter: 

12:00 Stratford receives the opening kickoff. 6 play drive ends in a punt after failing to convert on 3rd and 7. 

9:41 Falls City took over at their own 14-yard-line. The 8 play, 86-yard drive, ended with a Touchdown. QB Luke Shaffer threw a 29-yard TD pass to Jaxson Pipes. 7-0. Falls City

4:58 Following the Touchdown, Stratford started their drive at the 25-yard line. This drive went past the fifty yard line and looked like it would end early thanks to a third and five stop. The Elks went for it on fourth down and picked up not only 5 but instead 33 yards thanks to a pass by Cody Rinne to Dru Jones. This put them at the 5 yard line. Two plays later Zane Burr walked in for a 3 yard touchdown. 7-7. Tie Ball Game.

2:01 On the next kickoff, Pipes returned the kick 86 yards for a touchdown. 14-7. Falls City.

1:49 Following a touchback the Elks started at their 25-yard line. A close call on the first set of chains almost forced another punt but the Elks were able to pick up a big third and long. This pass would set up another one on the following play getting the ball past midfield. This ended the first quarter 14-7. Falls City.

2nd Quarter:

12:00 Startford started the second quarter with the ball on the 40-yard line. After moving the chains once again, the Elks were faced with another third and long at the 24-yard line. They weren't able to get the entire length and needed three yards. On fourth down, Jones carried the ball past the first down marker, nearly scoring, and stepped out of bounds at the 4-yard line. The Beavers defense held strong and forced a fourth and goal from the 2-yard line. The following play Stratford attempted a read option. QB Rinne reached out but was a foot short. The play was reviewed and confirmed. Turnover on downs. 14-7. Falls City.

7:50 Following the massive defensive stop, Falls city started at their own one-yard line. The drive ended with a three and out after Shaffer was sacked by the Beaver's Anthony Gonzales on third down.

5:19 The Beaver's punt went 52 yards and was returned by Jones for 11 yards. The Elks took over at Falls City's 46-yard line. Rinnie and Jones hooked up on another big pass, for 24 yards, that put the Elks on the 10 yard line. The Beavers defense did not let up and forced another fourth and goal. This time though, Burr was able to dive in for the 3 yard touchdown. Extra Point No Good. 14-13. Falls City.

2:16 After a short squib quick the Beavers took over on the 41-yard line. It looked as if the Beavers would have an early three and out but instead a passing interference call on third and long got them the first down. On the next set of chains, the Elks forced another third and long. During the play, Shaffer threw out of a sack to a check down receiver, Grant Jendrusch, who got the first down. 14-13. Falls City.

:31 Falls City Timeout (1). 2 & 10 from the Elks 31-yard line. Falls City has the Football. 14-13. Falls City.

:31 Following the timeout, Shaffer find Jendrusch again for a 26-yard catch. 14-13. Falls City.

:20 Falls City Timeout (2). 1 & Goal from the Elks 4-yard line. Falls City has the Football. 14-13. Falls City.

:20 After the second timeout, a pass play was called but Shaffer kept it himself. He was able to get all the way to the 1-yard line. 14-13. Falls City.

:11 Falls City Timeout (3). 2 & Goal from the Elks 1-yard line. Falls City has the Football. 14-13 Falls City.

:11 Shaffer finished the drive with a one yard quarterback sneak. 21-13. Falls City.

:06 Kickoff was squib kicked by the Beavers. Falls City took over at the 40-yard line. One play later the half ended. 21-13 Falls City. 

HALFTIME 21-13 Falls City.

3rd Quarter

12:00 Since Stratford started with the ball they had to kickoff to start the second half. The Elks decided an onside which through off the Beavers receiving team. The Elks were able to recover the ball and start at the Falls City 45-yard line. The driver continued with dink and dunk plays. The drive ended with a five-yard run by Mauricio Duran. The missed the 2-point conversion. 21-19 Falls City.

8:35 Falls City started with the ball on their own 41-yard line. They were able to pick up one first down but had to punt on the following set of chains. The punt went was downed at the Elks 6-yard line. 21-19 Falls City. 

5:44 On the first set of downs, the Beavers forced a long third down. Despite the bad field position, Rinne found Jones for a 39 yard catch. This took them near mid field. During the drive a catch was made to set up first down in opponents territory. This catch was overturned which brought up third and long. The following play, Rinne found Luke Braden for an 11-yard catch. One play later, Rinne found Jones for what looked like a 32-yard touchdown. Official review would call him down at the one-yard line. One play later, Rinne ran a quarterback sneak to give the Elks the first lead of the ball game. Falls City went for two and it was successful via a pass from Rinne to Jones. 27-21. Stratford.

2:25 Falls City starts with a fair catch of a squib kick at the Beaver's 38-yard line. On the first set of chains, the Elks forced a third and long. Shaffer was able to find Braden for an 11-yard catch. 

4th Quarter

12:00 Falls City continues their drive to start the fourth quarter. They started the fourth quarter with a 2nd & 13 from their own 48 yard line. The very first play of the fourth quarter, Shaffer found Jendrusch for a 52 yard touchdown. The Elks blocked the extra point which tied the game. 27-27. Tie Ball Game.

11:48 Following a touchback, the Elks began the drive with a first down run by Jones. On the next set of chains, the Elks were faced with 4th & 1. They got this plus more with a big run by Jones. This run put the Elks in the red zone. The drive ended with Rinne finding Jones for a 14-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed. 33-27. Falls City.

6:36 Pipes took the kickoff to the 25 yard line. This is where the Beavers started their drive. First play of the drive Shaffer took a huge hit for a loss. The next play he was able to find Cody Arrisola for a 20 yard first down. The Elks forced a third down on the following set of downs. During the play, Jendrusch fumbled the football. The Elks recovered and took over on the Beaver's 32-yard line. 33-27. Stratford.

3:34 After the turnover the Beaver's knew that this could be their last chance. They were able to take the Elks down to third and one. The Elks got it and all looked lost until a yellow flag went in the air. The Elks were called for illegal formation. This led to a 4th and 10. On the fourth down play, Rinne found Jones for a 32 yard touchdown. The pass was deflected by Beaver defenders prior to Jones' catch. Two point no good. 39-27. Stratford.

1:24 The Beavers attempted a long pass but was intercepted by Elk's Jones. 33-27 Stratford.

1:06 game is kneeled out. 33-27. Stratford.

GAME OVER 33-27. The Stratford Elks are the state champions!

Defensive MVP - Cody Rinne 20 TOT, 13 Solo, 

Offensive MVP - Luke Shaffer 14-17, 282 Yds, 2 TD, 21 Rush, 72 Rush Yds, 1 TD,

Other Notable Players - Dru Jones 9 Rec, 205 Yds Rec, 2 TD Rec, 13 Rush, 68 Rush Yds, and 1 INT. Zane Burr 15 Rush, 58 Yds, and 2 TD.

For more Texas High School State Championship Scores click the link here.