State Recaps: How titles were won, and what's being said around the state

Our weekly Monday Recap (run on -- you guessed it -- Mondays) will take a closer look at all the state titlists from the past weekend and how the teams made it where they did. But until then, here's a brief synopsis from all the games, plus what's being said in each team's local market.

CLASS 5A DIVISION I TITLE
Photo by Diana Porter
This game is what the UIL had in mind when it created predetermined sites for state championships. A crowd of just more than 26,000 saw perhaps the two best teams in the state wage a fierce battle for the DI title. Hightower controlled the first half, taking a 7-0 lead, but Allen's offense and defense played with more fire in the second half, combining to outscore Hightower 21-7 over the final two quarters. The win delivered Allen its first state title and prevented Hightower from winning its first.
Final Score: Allen 21, Hightower 14
Dallas Morning News: Allen wins first state title
Houston Chronicle: Hightower can't hold onCLASS 5A DIVISION II TITLE
Photo by Isaac Sanchez
It was an ugly game with a beautiful result for Katy: state championship #6. Katy essentially controlled Wylie all game, forcing Wylie into mistakes, both physical and mental. Wylie had several turnovers (Katy had none) and it also had a player ejected, though Katy appeared to retaliate soon after and also had a player kicked out of the game. But that wasn't the main story; rather, it was an efficient (if not exciting) defensive and offensive performance by Katy, which showed that despite three regular season losses, it remains one of the best teams in Texas.
Final Score: Katy 17, Wylie 3
Dallas Morning News: Wylie falls to Katy
Houston Chronicle: Katy remains kingsCLASS 4A DIVISION I TITLE
Photo by Stephen McClung
A glorious career ended with a glorious finish; Garrett Gilbert finished his three-year run as starting quarterback at Lake Travis by leading his team to back-to-back state championships. Along the way, Gilbert ran his career passing yards to 12,534 yards, setting a state record by a mere two yards over Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, who set the previous mark in 2003 while at Ennis. Lake Travis, however, proved again it's no one-player team; its defense stifled Longview's speedy offense (though Longview lost a key player early in the game to an injury), limiting Longview QB Aaron Johnson to just 123 yards passing.
Final Score: Lake Travis 48, Longview 23
Longview News-Journal: Longview sees why Gilbert is so highly touted
Austin-American Statesman: Cavs are champs againCLASS 4A DIVISION II TITLE
Photo by Russell Hawkins (HawksPhotos.com)
Though the six-man season ended a week ago, Dayton and Sulphur Springs delivered a performance that would make six-man offenses jealous. The teams combined for 118 points, a state championship game record for 11-man squads. Neither defense could slow the opposing QB; Dayton's Cody Green chalked up 423 yards of offense, but Sulphur Springs' Tyrik Rollison was a little better, racking up 524 total yards of offense. The state title is the first in Sulphur Springs' history.
Final Score: Sulphur Springs 69, Dayton 49
Sulphur Springs News-Telegram: Wildcats win a thriller
Houston Chronicle: Broncos can't quite keep upCLASS 3A DIVISION II TITLE
Photo by Pat Carrigan
Every season, a new superstar seems to emerge in the playoffs. The 2008 season might be remembered for the rise of Carthage RB Dwight Smith, a Carthage native who played his 2007 season in California before transferring back to Carthage for his senior season. Smith's arrival gave Carthage the final piece to a state championship squad. Smith (who teamed perfectly with QB Si'Darius Blackshire) rushed for more than 2,500 yards this season, breaking the school's record, punctuated by nearly 300 yards and 5 TDs in the state championship game.
Final Score: Carthage 49, Celina 37
Dallas Morning News: Celina can't win No. 9
Longview News-Journal: Big second half propels Carthage to titleCLASS 2A DIVISION II TITLE
Photo by Stephen Cook (StephenCook.us)
Cisco had its third chance to win a state title. It came up short again, and because of that, Daingerfield won its fourth state title in program history. While Daingerfield thrived on the big play -- 14 of its plays went for 10 yards or more -- Cisco buried its chances in the first half, losing two fumbles in the red zone, including one at the 3-yard line. That was fitting for a Daingerfield defense that suffocated offenses all season long.
Final Score: Daingerfield 26, Cisco 8
Longview News-Journal: Daingerfield brings home another title
Abilene Reporter-News: Cisco the runner ups once againCLASS 1A DIVISION II TITLE
Photo by Terry Thompson
Four districts had the chance to sweep their respective classifications' state championships, only District 1-1A could deliver, thanks to Stratford's second-half performance. Trailing Cayuga, 13-12, at the half, Stratford bottled up Cayuga's potent offense while scoring the game's final 12 points. Stratford joins Canadian (which won the Division I title) as 2008 1A state champions.
Final Score: Stratford 24, Cayuga 13
Amarillo Globe-News: Defense paves way to third state title
Tyler Morning Telegraph: Cayuga loses steam in second half