Hawks Defense Stops Texans Passing Game

The Texarkana Pleasant Grove Hawks (15-1) beat the Wimberley Texans (12-4) 35-21 in the Class 4A Division II State Championship game. This was the Hawks second championship in three years. Wimberley falls to 2-1 in title games. The game looked like it might be a high scoring event as it was 14-14 at the end of one quarter. Pleasant Grove controlled the ball and the clock in the second half.

Texarkana Pleasant Grove (2) 1-1

2017 4A Division II - Texarkana Pleasant Grove 41, West Orange-Stark 21 (Story)

2018 4A Division II - Cuero 40, Texarkana Pleasant Grove 28 (story)

Wimberley (2) 2-0

2005 3A Division I - Wimberley 21, Gainesville 7

2011 3A Division II – Wimberley 21, Argyle 14

Pleasant Grove running back KJ Hicks took the opening kickoff and returned it for a touchdown, weaving in and out of tacklers. That gave the Hawks an early 7-0 lead. The Texans had to punt on their first possession and pinned the Hawks deep in their territory. The Hawks faced a 4th and 1 at their own 23 and went for it and their play was stuffed giving the Texans great field position. Wimberley scored on a 14 yard pass to Jaden Parker to tie it up a 7. On the Hawks next possession, the Texans thought they had an interception. After reviewing the play is was called incomplete. One play later, Hawk running back Bruce Garrett ran it in from 54 yards out to take a 14-7. The Texans responded when Moses Wray ran it from 24 yards out to make it 14-14.

The teams went back and forth for most of the quarter. The Hawks got on the board next when Garrett ran it in from 10 yards out to make the score 21-14.

The teams both had good drives to start the second half but both drives were ended by turning it over on downs. The Hawks finally broke through as receiver Antonio Watkins caught a 29 yard pass for the score. The extra point made it 28-14. The Texans had the ball as the quarter ended.

The defenses held tough in the fourth quarter. The Hawks were able to get another score when Garrett ran it in from 29 yards out to make it 35-14. The Texans got a score as receiver Kolby Goforth caught a 25 yard pass to make it 35-21 with 2:00 left. The Hawks recovered the Texans onside kick attempt to seal the victory.

Defensive Player Of The Game : Marcus Burris (Texarkana Pleasant Grove)

Offensive Player Of The Game : Bruce Garrett (Texarkana Pleasant Grove)

Attendance : 18,432

Key Stats :

Total Plays/Yards Texarkana Pleasant Grove 66-437 Wimberley 51-372

Texarkana Pleasant Grove :

Bruce Garrett 25 carries for 254 yards 3 Touchdowns

K.J. Hicks 19 carries 88 yards

Wimberley :

Cooper McCollum 13 of 30 for 215 yards 2 touchdowns

Dalton Blackburn 6.5 tackles