Ennis celebrates its Texas state title Friday in Arlington.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
In
Ennis (Ennis, Texas) terminology, the play is called "Win It.''
And about a dramatic a win as could be imagined is what the play produced.
Ennis quarterback
Devin Smith lofted a 36-yard touchdown strike to 6-foot-5 receiver
Donta Thompson with 21 seconds remaining to cap a memorable 38-35 victory over
Cedar Park (Texas) in the Class 4A Division II state championship game Friday night in front of 27,214 spectators at AT&T Stadium.
"We send a receiver down each sideline and let the quarterback choose,'' said Ennis head coach Jack Alverez. "I'd pick Donta in that situation, too.''
Thompson secured the catch at the 8-yard line with a couple of defenders nearby, but made a spin and found his way into the end zone.
"Devin had his choice and I'm glad he chose me,'' said Thompson, who finished with seven catches for 99 yards and two scores. "Just a blessing is what this is.''
Smith, who threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns, said his task on the play, once choosing a receiver, is to put the ball on the top shelf where no one but Thompson can get it.
"Oh, man, I was so happy when he got in,'' said Smith. "As long as I live, I'll never forget that play.''
Ennis (14-2), down to one timeout, drove 80 yards in 11 plays and needed only 1:14 for the winning score to secure the school's fifth state title and first since 2004.
On the final drive, Ennis pulled out a hook-and-lateral trick play for a 31-yard gain on third-and-19 with Smith throwing to
Alston Lawrence, who then shuffled the ball to
Taylor Thompson.
Cedar Park (12-4) twice in the second half scored on fourth-and-10 touchdown throws by
Amir Alzer, the last a 21-yarder to
Davis Fiala with 4:48 remaining for a 35-31 Timberwolves lead.
When Cedar Park's
Augustine Tambe recovered an Ennis fumble on the following kickoff, Ennis' chances dimmed. The Lions got a break when Cedar Park missed a 28-yard field goal attempt, leaving the deficit at four points.
The lead changed hands five times in the second half.
Trey Edwards' 30-yard interception return set up Ennis' touchdown in the third quarter that produced a 24-21 lead.
Tre Elliott leaped the final 2 yards on fourth down.
Cedar Park regained the lead at 28-24 with a fourth-down touchdown of its own, a 30-yard slant from Alzer to
Jack Grimm with 4:13 remaining in the third quarter.
It took Ennis' Thompson only 18 seconds to answer with a 71-yard touchdown run on a quick opener over the left side of his line for a 31-28 Lions' lead.
In the first half, Ennis raced to a 17-0 lead on two Smith touchdown passes, a 19-yarder to Donta Thompson and a 60-yarder to
Dee Wilson. Kicker
Brandon Martinek opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal.
Cedar Park rallied in the second quarter behind Alzer. The senior quarterback sped 34 yards for the Timberwolves' initial score and followed it up with a 22-yard scoring pass to Fiala to cut the Ennis lead to 17-14.
A 75-yard touchdown run by
Thomas Hutchings gave Cedar Park a 21-17 lead at intermission. Hutchings rushed for 155 yards and was named the game's offensive MVP.
Ennis'
Trey Edwards, who intercepted three passes and made six tackles, was named defensive MVP.
Trey Edwards of Ennis (24) was named the MVP after pulling in three interceptions.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
