Trinity 13, Judson 10

DCTF's Travis Stewart will be blogging live from the 2007 Class 5A Division I state championship between Euless Trinity (14-1) and Converse Judson (11-4) at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Check in with Travis just before kickoff at 2 p.m. Question or comment? Send Travis an email.

Game Recap(p.m.)On the far sideline, the Haka is in full swing, and the Trinity Trojans are going home state champions. Again.For the second time in three years, Euless defeated Converse Judson in the 5A Division I title game as the defenses took over in the second half to cement Trinity's 13-10 victory. Trojan RB Samir Baker was named the offensive MVP while LB Elikena Fieilo, who made several huge plays in the backfield, took home defensive honors.What started off looking like a surprisingly offensive state final took an abrupt turn in the second half, as no one even managed a score in the final 24 minutes; but someone certainly got close.With less than five minutes left in the game, Judson swung the momentum in its favor by stopping Trinity on a pivotal 4th-and-goal from the three, then watched RB Mitchell Swan carry the offense out to the 14 to give the Rockets some work room.After a short carry on first down, QB Austin Quinney went for it all. He had a man behind the secondary - by several yards - but the ball sailed a few yards long. If it had been on target and caught, it would've been a touchdown.But it wasn't caught, and Trinity's Fieilo made a terrific tackle on Swan in the backfield on third down to force the Converse punt. Trinity needed to kill about four minutes to end the game, and Baker ran it on every snap from there on out - Trinity picked up a pair of first downs, which was enough to put the game away.The first half played out much like the second, except there was, you know, touchdowns. Converse took the ball straight down the field on the opening possession, but the Trinity defense stepped up in the red zone and forced a short field goal. After the two teams traded punts, Baker found a little bit of running room and guided the Trojans down to the goalline, where QB Denarius McGhee snuck in for the touchdown and the 7-3 lead.Judson took that punch, however, and used its own running game to generate first downs and points, and Swan and Chauncey Harris split carries before Swan bulled his way into the endzone for a 10-7 second-quarter lead.It looked like we might go to half at that score, but Trinity was able to get on the board right before half when McGhee made an incredible across-the-body throw to WR Runningdeer, who walked untouched into the endzone. There was 30 seconds left on the clock when Trinity took that 13-10 lead.Turns out that was all the Trojans needed. Except a good Haka.All over: 13-10, Trinity wins!(4:28 p.m.) We're all done here, as Trinity took the knee to run out the clock and seal a 13-10 state championship. Lots of cheers and tears here - give me a few minutes to pull everything I need, and I'll give you a full recap.Getting close ... still 13-10 Trinity(4:22 p.m.) Made a mistake - Converse had two timeouts when Trinity got the ball back, and now they only have one; with 1:02 left, it's not enough, as Trinity just converted a first down to the CJ 25 and there's only 1:02 left on the clock ... they're already lining up to take a knee, and it looks like the Trojans are going to win a championship.Trinity's game to lose(4:18 p.m.) That missed pass could prove costly, as Judson had to punt after Elikena Fielio made his second backfield tackle of the day. Trinity will now take over with great field position - the CJ 46 - with 4:16 left. Crunch time!First down(4:20 p.m.) Samir Baker just converted a big-time first down, taking the ball down to the CJ 34. THe clock shows 2:40 and its running - CJ has all three timeouts left.Stop of the day(4:16 p.m.) Stop of the day - Trinity drove all the way down to the 3-yard line and had a fourth down decision to make. The Trojans went for it, but Denarius McGhee tripped over Baker and fell, giving the ball back to the Rockets. Mitchell Swan just brought the offense out from under the shadow of it's own goal line, and now Judson has a first down at the 14. There's just more than 5 minutes left, and a touchdown here could win the game if the drive eats up the clock.Quinney just missed a wide open man for a touchdown - the pass went a little long, but if it had been caught, it was six.Update(4:11 p.m.) Trinity just called a timeout - Trojan ball at the 10, 8:14 left, Score 13-10 Trinity.Conversion(4:09 p.m.) Trinity just faced a 4th and 2 from the CJ 32 and converted it - looks like we know who's willing to take chances. 1st and 10, 9:05 left in the quarter.No go?(4:02 p.m.) Judson just made a wierd call - facing fourth-and-1 from midfield, the Rockets opted to punt instead of go for it; with that running game, it seems like the better option would've been to line up and hit the defense in the stomach. Instead the punt rolled into the endzone, and Trinity took over at its own 20.Baker took the first play right back out to midfield again on a 26-yard run - that's a decision the CJ staff wish they had back. Trinity driving from the 50 as we head to the fourth quarter and still protecting that 13-10 lead.Judson forces stop(3:57 p.m.) Trinity just lined up for a long field goal from the 26-yard line after a long, Baker-fueled drive, but the holder tried to take it up the gut for the first down and couldn't get it. Judson takes over on downs at its own 26, 3:34 left in the qaurter. MAN this game is moving fast (Trinity still leads 13-10).Baker HAS to get tired eventually; unlike Judson, he has no backup to change pace with and hes toting the ball on every snap. It's a matter of time, unless he's more machine than man.Defenses dominating(3:45 p.m.) Judson went backwards on first down after Tinity LB Elikena Fielio made a tremendous backfield tackle, and Converse couldn't recover. The Rockets punted on a three-and-out, and now Trinity is starting its drive (after a silly blocking penalty on the return) from its 37. 9:22 left in the 3rd.Judson now driving(3:42 p.m.) Judson's defense just made the stop and Trinity punted; Rockets' ball at its own 27. Trinity got cute - the offense tried a play-action pass on first down - and it was incomplete. The run game will win it for you ... stick with it!Judson ball, 10:53 left in the 3rd. I wonder if they'll go with Swan exclusively, or use the mixed-attack again? A touchdown here could set the tone for the second half.Kickoff(3:37 p.m.) Trinity just received the kick and will start the second half from its own 30. Let's see who makes the second-half adjustments ... can Trinity hang on to its slim three-point lead, or will Judson make this one a classic with a second-half comeback?Halftime thoughts(3:26 p.m.) This game has pretty much played out how we thought it would - both running games have been effective, both offensive lines have blocked well and both defenses are working as hard as they can.Judson's running attack looked like it was going to have to rely on Mitchell Swan, who was very effective early whereas backup Chauncey Harris was not, but Harris ran much better in the second quarter when Judson scored its only touchdown. That's a huge boost for the Rockets - when both of those two backs can run the ball effectively, this offense is a grinding, bludgeoning machine. Trinity's defense has been good, but not good enough to stop Swan and Harris from picking up first downs. The big surprise has been QB Austin Quinney, who has made several nice throws to complement the run game. Quinney looked sharp last week against North Shore, and his early success should make Rockets' fans a little more comfortable should Judson have to turn to the passing game in a comeback-situation.Trinity has also impressed - RB Samir Baker is good enough to make the first man miss on every rush, and is a pretty safe bet for 5-6 yards per attempt right now. Judson's defense has been hit or miss - either they're in the backfield or they're on their backs - but looks good enough that they can make the halftime adjustments necessary to win this football game in the second half. QB Denarius McGhee hasn't thrown much, but that TD pass he threw right before the break was big for both the momentum and his own confidence; it was a very difficult throw, and one only a strong athlete can pull off. The coaching staff probably freaked out when he let it go, but it turned out well. The offensive line has been good if you throw out the first drive, and unless Baker is the kind of back that gets tired as the game goes along (uh, not likely) then Trinity should be able to move the ball effeciently in the final 24.Adjustments for Judson: Keep fresh men on the field. Sub early and often, and don't let your DB's get caught staring into the backfield. You have good athletes in the secondary, so you can leave them in single-coverage like you've been doing, but they better be staring at WR's and not OL.Adjustments for Trinity: None. You're winning, and you're winning the way you've been winning all season. If you keep powering the ball into the gut of the defense and let your interior DL stand strong, you've got a trophy coming home in your bus tonight. Don't get cute - smashmouth is your way. The team that "grinds" the best today wins, and I think eventually you will wear down this Converse team.There's about 10 minutes left to halftime, and I'll post right at the second half kickoff.Halftime(3:08 p.m.) Judson ran it with Swan to kill the clock, and we go to halftime with Trinity's newly-acquired 13-10 lead. Give me a few minutes and I'll offer more details.Trinity leads 13-10(3:07 p.m.) Wow, did Denarius McGhee ever just make a big play. Facing a 3rd and 10 from the 17 with less than 30 seconds to go, the Trojans looked to throw it; Judson immediately collapsed the pocket and forced McGhee to his left, but the junior threw across his body to WR Justin Runningdeer who was on a slant to the endzone. He walked in untouched, but the Tojans missed the PAT and now lead 13-10.Judson has received and starts with 28 seconds left from its own 30.Still not in yet(3:03 p.m.) Another Trinity timeout, this time facing a 2-9 from the 16 after the Trojans converted the earlier 3rd-and-1 off of a scramble by Denarius McGhee.Judson's defense looks a little tired- let's see if they can force a stop here before the half. 38 seconds left to go.Timeout Trinity, with a scoring chance ahead(2:59 p.m.) Trinity has looked good moving the ball on this possession, and the OL is really in a groove blocking for Baker, who snapped off a 17-yarder when all the linebackers got pancaked by linemen who moved up into the secondary.Trinity ball at the 31, 3rd and 1. 1:30 left.Judson leads 10-7(2:52 p.m.) Judson just responded in a BIG way - they started the drive with Swan, who ran well; then the Rockets went to Harris, who took them to the redzone; then they went back to Swan for the 2-yard touchdown run.Judson now leads 10-7, and Trinity will get the ball back at its own 22 with 4:37 left in the half. Let's see if they get pass happy or try to let Baker break a big one.Trinity touchdown(2:41 p.m.) Trinity's Samir Baker is as shifty a runner as they come, and he just led the Trojans to the game's first touchdown and a 7-3 Trinity lead. Baker continually cut up through the middle and made defenders miss with his little shoulder fake ... the center/guard blocking combination was really moving on that posession.Judson has received the kick and starts its third possession from its 27 yard line, 9:25 left in the quarter. I'd be very surprised if they didn't use Swan instead of Harris on this posession.Now Judson has to punt(2:35 p.m.) Judson couldn't do much on its second drive, and Trinity's defense looked much better handling RB Chauncey Harris than Swan. Judson punted, and Trinity got a fantastic return out to the Rockets' 27. I bet the offensive front five plays much better on this posession.Score still 3-0, 11:52 left in the half.Judson drives again(2:31 p.m.) The early part of the war is won by Judson, who is able to force a Trinity punt. The Trojans got 23 yards of out RB Samir Baker on his first two carries, but he got bottled up by the linebackers on the next few snaps and Trinity had to punt.Judson is driving from its own 17 with just more than a minute left in the quarter.Judson kicks its way to 3-0 lead(2:25 p.m.) Judson just capped an 18-play drive that took more than 8 minutes off the clock with a 21-yard field goal. RB Mitchell Swan looked very good running the ball, and the wide receivers did a great job blocking down, but Trinity stiffened up in the red zone, especially along the defensive line, where NT Robert Griffin made a big tackle on Swan to stop a possible cutback into the endzone.Trinity has just received the kickoff and will start its drive from its own 30. 3:53 left in the first quarter. Let's see if the offensive line comes out strong against Judson's defense.Judson driving(2:16 p.m.) Judson is in the midst of a great drive, leaning heavily on Mitchell Swan. 1st down and 10 from the 30, 7:50 left in the 1st.First drive(2:11 p.m.) Judson will be starting its own drive from its 33. Let's see hwo the run game looks.A few minutes away(2:09 p.m.) Trinity and Judson are both on the field, Judson in the vibrant red tops and gunmetal pants and Trinity in the all whites. The Haka was as good as advertised, and now takes the top spot for best tradition that I've seen in person - that wasverycool, and when they were done, the Trinity fans were as loud as Judson's has been all day (with 2/3 numbers!)Judson will receive and will be moving left to right across your dial. Let's get started!30 minutes away(1:37 p.m.) Both teams are on the field warming up, and during a trip down to the field to scope out the atmosphere, I ran smack into Trinity's offensive line coming out of the tunnel.Are you kidding me?Those kids are huge, and I'm beginning to wonder if it's at all possible that we've been understating the front five's importance over the past week.Converse looks really intense, even in warm ups, and the fans are really bumpin'. When the band came on the field - an incredible display out of one of the wide tunnels, the whole drumline spanning the entrance while playing a crisp and lively cadance with the brass right behind it - that whole side of the stadium went nuts.Trinity doesn't even have 2/3 of its fan base here yet (I hear the traffic is insane), and already this place is very intense. I'll post again closer to halftime.Thoughts and such(1:01 p.m.) I know we've dissected this game to death already, but here's a few quick thoughts and observations that I've picked up through research and loud pressbox conversations over the past hour.It looks like this battle is going to be between the Trinity offensive line and Converse's defense. Trinity's line is justmassive, and the pressure to stop the run is going to sit squarely on Judson's front seven. I think they can do it, but those linemen and linebackers are going to have to get off their blocks quickly to make the difference today.Most people I've heard chatting seem to be favoring Trinity, but this doesn't have the feeling of foregone conclusion. You'd find plenty of people in this pressbox who'll say they think Euless will win, but no one who'd put more than 10 dollars on it.Small groups are filing onto the field to start warming up; I know it's early, and I know we're right next door to their school, but Judson's crowd got here early and in great numbers - Trinity has some work to do on the far sideline. I also just heard that there was a traffic accident on the freeway that shut down almost all traffic coming to the game, and that Trinity's players didn't get here until 12:30. Let's hope that doesn't cause any problems.Kickoff is an hour away ... stay tuned.Just checking in(11:11 a.m.) Just offering a hearty good morning to all of our readers today - I just sat down in the press box and thought I'd check in before I get some other things done.The stadium is perfect right now; there's no one on the field, there's no music playing, the lights are on and the whole Alamodome is draped in that deafening pregrame silence. In less than three hours this place is going to be just crazy, but right now it feels almost surreal.I love the football finals.I'll blog a little closer to kickoff when the teams come out to start warming up. By the way, make sure to check in on DCTF editor Jake Shaw's blog at the Lake Travis/Highland Park 4A final. That's going to be a great one.