ARLINGTON - A 25-yard heave at the end of regulation fell to the turf the AT&T Stadium turf as Alvin Shadow Creek escaped with a 28-22 win over Denton Ryan in the 5A Division I State Championship.
By all accounts, Shadow Creek (16-0) dominated Denton Ryan with a smothering defensive attack. Halfway through the fourth quarter, Shadow Creek hadn't allowed Denton Ryan (15-1) more than 200 yards of offense.
Still, the game came down to a desperation throw by Ryan quarterback Seth Henigan hitting Drew Sanders right in the hands but fell incomplete. The play was set up as Ryan completed a hook-and-ladder down to the Shadow Creek 40 plus a 15-yard personal foul that moved the ball to the 25.
Denton Ryan was so close... pic.twitter.com/qYttUTPRUG
— Tim England (@tengland_150) December 21, 2019
Shadow Creek held a 21-15 lead midway through the fourth, forcing a turnover on downs on Ryan. Five plays later, Shadow Creek scored to push the lead to 28-15 thanks to a big, 55-yard gain by Kyron Drones, who finished as the games offensive MVP with 320 total yards and two scores.
Ryan scored less than two minutes later to make it a one-score game, missed the onside kick recovery and forced a three-and-out to get the ball back.
Shadow Creek stood tall on the last play and stands tall as the champs of 5A Division I in just the program's second varsity year. It is now 31-1 all-time, having lost in last year's state finals to Highland Park.
