By Troy Phillips
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
HOUSTON — Most teams can’t get away with fumbling twice on the 1-yard line in a state championship game.
For the fourth time this decade, Stephenville reminded everyone that it is not most teams.
Next season, high school football in Texas will enter its ninth decade. Stephenville, for its offensive ingenuity and record of success since 1989, should be remembered for its part in changing the sport.
By design, Stephenville became the ultimate take-chances team, one that thrived on creatively adapting its offense to any personnel. With Stephenville, high school football was never dull.
The Yellow Jackets ended the ’90s with another title on Saturday, defeating Port Neches-Groves, 28-18, before a hostile gathering at the Astrodome. The Indians were estimated to have 34,000 supporters present to Stephenville’s approximately 5,000 fans.
A normally rabid Stephenville following stayed home to view the team’s fourth state championship on television, which now gives high school football more air time than ever. For this, teams like Stephenville can also be thanked.
The victory, coupled with Sealy’s loss to Commerce in the Class 3A Division II title game, left less doubt as to which Texas team is the all-classification Team of the Decade. To many, the winner by a nose over 5A Converse Judson (three titles), 4A La Marque (three) and Sealy (four), appears to be Stephenville.
Given that Judson and La Marque each appeared in six championship games, the point remains open to debate.
“Definitely, there’s no doubt about it,” Stephenville offensive lineman Jay Doty said. “At least in 4A, four [titles] is more than anybody else. You can’t argue with that.”
Team of the ’90s or not, Stephenville won its titles with varying degrees of flash. Last season, the Yellow Jackets broke state records with quarterback Kelan Luker and receiver Cody Cardwell to win their third championship.
Stephenville was less potent this season, but no less entertaining. Junior quarterback Kendal Briles (3,114 yards passing, 1,331 rushing) and senior tailback Zac Hunter (1,826 rushing, 369 receiving) were one of the state’s more dynamic run-pass-catch combinations.
Hunter, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound dynamo who posted consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, typifies Stephenville’s knack for turning average athletes into all-state candidates.
“That’s what’s great about this program,” Hunter said. “No matter who you are, you’ll more than likely be successful if you do what these coaches say. For me, this was a fun ride.”
Will he or won’t he? The question has followed coach Art Briles after many of his 12 seasons at Stephenville. Again, Briles is expected to hear offers from larger schools, possibly some at the college level.
Speculation has him possibly joining the staff of new Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, but son Kendal’s return in 2000 at quarterback could trump any decision to leave this school year. For now, the coach is keeping quiet.
Also, it’s well-known that Briles’ salary and incentives put him among the state’s five highest-paid high school coaches and athletic directors. Financial considerations will weigh heavily in his decision.
Stephenville enters next season on a 26-game winning streak and has nine returning starters as the foundation for a third consecutive title. The Yellow Jackets are tentatively scheduled to open 2000 against 4A Division I state champion Texas City in the second year of a series of games held at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
No. 5 in 2000?
Stephenville enters next season looking for its fifth state title in eight years. A look at the 2000 Yellow Jackets:
Returning starters: 6 offense, 3 defense
Players to watch: QB Kendal Briles, DT Clayton Harmon, WR T.J. Douglas, OL Sterling Doty and Brian Kegans, DE Scott Lee, LB Justin Monk and K Eben Nelson.
Needs for 2000: Most immediate is at RB. Briles will carry a heavy rushing load, but former reserve David Walker (288 yards) moves into the starting backfield.
Looking good: Starting WRs Douglas, and Jeremy Madkins and backups Cody Avalos and Josh Bashaw return. The group combined for 106 catches and 1,679 yards this season.
Defensively speaking: Harmon (6-6, 280) is the team’s No. 1 college prospect next season. Monk anchors the LBs, and the secondary will be mostly new.
Troy Phillips, (817) 390-7377
tphillips@star-telegram.com
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/doc/1047/1:SPORTS16A/1:SPORTS16A121999.html
