Texas
Celina vs. Kilgore: Live score, updates from Texas high school football 4A Division I championship game
Celina will have a chance to move into a tie for third for all-time UIL football champions in the Class 4A Division I game this afternoon. Celina has won eight state titles and currently sit in third place overall among UIL teams — trailing Aledo (12) and Carthage (10) Katy (9).
Carthage won state title No. 10 earlier in the day to move into second place.
Celina had to rally late to keep the undefeated season and title hopes alive last week, beating Amarillo West Plains, 43-36. RB Harrison Williams scored on a 22-yard run with 1:34 left to account for the final points. It marked the first time in the postseason that Celina hadn’t led at halftime.
Bobcats QB Bowe Bentley, who recently picked up offers from Duke and Cal, ran for 154 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
TEXAS HS FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
Kilgore has won nine in a row heading into the finals. This will be the Bulldogs’ third finals game with a win in 2OT against Dallas Lincoln in 2004 and a loss to Carthage in 2013.
Isaiah Watters ran for two scores and Michigan signee Jayden Sanders also scored for Kilgore in the 31-7 win over La Vernia.
Follow along below for live updates from the Class 4A-Division I state finals between Kilgore and Celina, scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 20, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Pregame updates
Kilgore wins the toss and defers. Celina to get the ball first.
First Quarter Updates
TOUCHDOWN CELINA! Bowe Bentley connects with Ethan Rucker for a 34-yard TD. 10:52 left in the first. Celina 7, Kilgore 0
Bowe Bentley dots up Ethan Rucker for a touchdown! Celina drives right down the field on the opening drive of the game. Bobcats lead Kilgore 7-0 barely a minute into the game. @celina_football @bowebentley @EthanRucker0 #UILState pic.twitter.com/Dcdz4NOi4B
— DFW Inside High School Sports (@ihss_dfw) December 20, 2024
TOUCHDOWN KILGORE! Isaiah Watters with a 12-yard TD run for the Bulldogs. Eddie Jimenez with PAT. Kilgore 7, Celina 7. Big plays on the drive from the legs of QB Kayson Brooks, who has 23 yards on 3 carries
Touchdown Kilgore!
Isaiah Watters is into the end zone and we’re tied at 7 here in Arlington! #UILState #txhsfb @usatodayhss pic.twitter.com/WSauUMBAfP — Randall Sweet (@RandallSweet5) December 20, 2024
TOUCHDOWN CELINA! Bentley to Rucker again — this time for 61 yards. 5:10 on the clock. PAT blocked but haven’t seen a replay to see who got it. Celina 13, Kilgore 7
Kilgore gets a 26-yard play to move to the 29-yard line of Celina. An 11-yard run by Jacory Walton Omarion and then a 15-yard late hit.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: Celina 13, Kilgore 7
Second Quarter Updates
TOUCHDOWN KILGORE! On the first play of the 2nd quarter, Brooks hits Javon Towns for a 20-yard TD on a bubble screen. The senior WR does the work by catching the ball behind the line of scrimmage and outrunning the defense. PAT is good. Kilgore has the lead for the first time today. Kilgore 14, Celina 13
FIELD GOAL CELINA! The Bobcats regain the lead. Senior Braden Johnson boots a 35-yard field goal. Celina 16, Kilgore 14
Media/TV timeout 7:53 left.
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