Snapped just after the game ended Friday night, this photo and graphic says it all: Kilgore outlasted La Vernia, 38-18, at Randall Reed Stadium in New Caney, the site of several Bulldogs’ victories since 2015. This one, though, is sending Kilgore back to the UIL State Championships at AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the first time since 2013. Kilgore (13-2), winners of nine straight, will face Celina (15-0) on Friday afternoon, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m., just after Carthage meets La Vega at 11 a.m. in the first game of the day. (Photo by JACOB LUCAS – ETBLITZ.COM)Kilgore quarterback Kayson Brooks (2) would score on this play, a 29-yard touchdown in the first half to put the Bulldogs up 10-0 over La Vernia. (Video by JACOB LUCAS)The Kilgore High School Hi-Steppers had another fantastic performance (above, and below). (Photos by DENNIS JACOBS – ETBLITZ.COM)Kilgore linebacker La’Perrion Graves (11) and defensive lineman Cam Christian (84) wrap up La Vernia running back Sean Garza (24, center), as Ja’Kalen Sheffield (7) runs in for support. (Photo by DENNIS JACOBS – ETBLITZ.COM)Javon “JT” Towns (1) jukes La Vernia’s Aden Hajek. (Photo by DENNIS JACOBS – ETBLITZ.COM)Kilgore defensive back Dre’ Sanders (13, bottom) lays out to bring down La Vernia quarterback Keegan Hajek (1) for a loss. (Photo by DENNIS JACOBS – ETBLITZ.COM)Kilgore’s Ja’Kalen Sheffield (7) gets his seventh interception this year, to match his number, in front of La Vernia’s Peyton Stahl (8). (Photo by DENNIS JACOBS – ETBLITZ.COM)Lakeyleon Graves gets into the end zone for a touchdown. (Photo by DENNIS JACOBS – ETBLITZ.COM)This was the dagger that put it out of reach, a 59-yard pass from Kayson Brooks to a wide-freakin’-open Jayden Sanders (3) for a touchdown. (Photo by DENNIS JACOBS – ETBLITZ.COM)And the gang’s all here, even Christopher “Bubba T” Terry (down front), after Kilgore completed the game and punched its ticket for the 4A-DI state title game. (Photo by DENNIS JACOBS – ETBLITZ.COM)
