PG Hawks win state championship

Pleasant Grove’s 2017 football season will be remembered as one for the ages. Josh Gibson and the Hawks capped off their undefeated season with a convincing state championship game win over Class 4A juggernaut West OrangeStark at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, 41-21.

Pleasant Grove’s 16-0 season began with Arkansas High at home and ended with the Hawks hoisting the 4A state championship trophy in the Metroplex.

Senior TJ Cole was named Offensive Player of the Game, and teammate Caleb Porchia was selected as the Defensive Player of the Game.

Cole finished the championship game with 81 yards rushing, 107 yards receiving and three total touchdowns. Cole set the record for most rushing yards in a game (234 vs. Spring Hill), rushing yards in a season (1,741), tied the record for rushing touchdowns in one game (four vs. Melissa), rushing touchdowns in a season (25) and points in a season (180).

Porchia led the Hawks defense with nine tackles and 1 1/2 sacks against the Mustangs. He also set the school record for tackles in a season (196).

Sophomore Ben Harmon broke the record for passing touchdowns with four each against Gladewater and Atlanta. Harmon also tied the school record for most passing touchdowns in a season with 27.

Senior Carson Cox set the school record for receiving touchdowns in a season with 13.

File photo by Kevin Sutton The Pleasant Grove Hawks celebrate their win over West Orange-Stark on Dec. 22, 2017, in the UIL Class 4A, Division II state championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. PG won its first state title after a 41-21 win over the Mustangs, who...