‘Iron’ Bulldogs roll to final
WACO — Summer Creek is heading to the Class 6A Division II state final for the first time in school history.
The Bulldogs defeated Cibolo Steele 38-14 in a Class 6A Division II state semifinal Saturday afternoon at McLane Stadium.
The Bulldogs have won nine straight games since losing to North Shore 31-21 in a District 21-6A game during the regular season.
Summer Creek (14-1) is the first school in Humble ISD history to reach a state final in football.
“In practice we go against each other and it’s iron vs. iron,” Summer Creek running back Lloyd Avant said. “We play hard and physical. Our coaches told us that we had to play hard for 48 minutes, and we did that. We came out and executed and did what we had to do to win.”
Summer Creek scored on its opening possession as quarterback Blake Thomas connected with Lloyd Avant for a 25-yard screen TD pass as the Bulldogs led Steele 7-0 with 9:24 left in the first quarter.
Thomas added a 19-yard
TD run as Summer Creek led Steele 14-0 after the first quarter.
Avant added a 47-yard TD run as he stiffed armed Steele defender on his way into the end zone as the Bulldogs led Steele 21-0 with 8:04 left in the second quarter.
The Knights got on the scoreboard when quarterback Chad Warner threw a 9-yard TD pass to Jalen Cooper.
Summer Creek kicker Brian Mays Jr. hit a 25-yard field goal as the Bulldogs led 24-7 at halftime.
Avant opened the scoring in the second half with a 25-yard TD run to put Summer Creek ahead 31-7. Thomas added a 45-yard
TD run as the Bulldogs led 38-7 with 7:09 left in the third quarter.
Steele’s Avion Fareaux added a 4-yard TD run with 1:27 left in the game for the Knights’ last points of the season.
Summer Creek’s historic season continues next week at AT&T Stadium.
The Bulldogs (14-1) will take on undefeated DeSoto (14-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday for the Class 6A Division II state final.
DeSoto defeated Southlake Carroll 45-38 in its Class 6A Division II state semifinal.
The Eagles are the defending Class 6A Division II champions.
Avant had 30 carries for 183 carries with two rushing TDs. The Tulsa commit also caught a TD pass for Summer Creek.
Thomas finished the game with nine carries and one touchdown. He threw for 87 yards and one touchdown for the Bulldogs.
“It’s a phenomenal feeling,” Summer Creek coach Kenny Harrison said. “Every kid that grows up playing football in Texas dreams of going to the state championship. This is just a great group of kids, and we did it together.”