Raiders romp to their first title in 18 years
ARLINGTON — Denton Ryan won its first state championship in 18 years and third overall, defeating Cedar Park, 59-14 in Friday’s Class 5A Division I title game at AT&T Stadium.
Ryan senior defensive back Ty Marsh was the game’s Defensive MVP with an interception, blocked extra-point attempt, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. On Marsh’s forced fumble and recovery, he stripped the ball — which popped into his arms — from Cedar Park’s Josh Cameron, who was inching toward the end zone after a catch.
The Raiders’ defense collected two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Ryan’s Garyreon Robinson had the other interception Friday. MarQuice Hill’s 1-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown came from Anthony Hill’s sack of Cedar Park quarterback Ryder Hernandez
in the third quarter.
Averaging 50 points per game coming into Friday, Cedar Park trailed 31-8 at halftime.
Ryan senior quarterback and Memphis commitment Seth Henigan was named the game’s Offensive MVP, completing 14 of 22 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns.
Friday was Cedar Park’s fourth time playing for a state championship. The school won titles in 2012 and 2015. This postseason, the Timberwolves (14-1) eliminated Houston-area teams Foster and Manvel.
Alvin Shadow Creek defeated Ryan, 28-22 in 2019’s 5A-Division I title game. In the final play of that game, Henigan’s pass to Drew Sanders in the end zone narrowly fell incomplete as time expired.