In a matchup of undefeated at Mineral Wells, the Bulldogs showed they were the toughest against Hamilton in a Class 2A Division I state semifinal game.
Stamford took a comfortable lead in the third quarter and was able to cruise the rest of the way, rolling to a 28-13 victory to reach next week’s state championship game.
The Bulldogs (15-0) will face Ganado in the state championship game next Thursday at 11 a.m. at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. Ganado (14-1) reached the title game by beating Joaquin 35-14 in the other state semifinal.
Stamford is looking for its first state championship since 2013, when the Bulldogs won the second of two straight state titles and the fifth in school history. Only Ganado stands in the way of a half-dozen.
“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had, and it ranks right up there with the times we went before,” said Stamford coach Wayne Hutchison, who had coached at Lubbock Monterey but returned to Stamford. “This group reminds me so much of the ones who went in (2012 and 2013) with their character and heart. They have all the characteristics our championship teams have had and I can’t say enough about them. They wanted it tonight.”
Although the final score indicates a competitive game, Stamford was in control most of the way. The Bulldogs led 21-0 in the third quarter before Hamilton (14-1) ever got on the board.
“I’m stoked because it’s been 11 years,” said Duran, who ran for 88 yards on 17 carries and also threw a touchdown pass. “For me to be the quarterback is special. We came out playing hard and played some good defense, but it got really close after halftime. We knew we had to work a little harder.”
Stamford’s offense was basic but extremely effective, as the Bulldogs ran the ball 75 percent of the time. They racked up a total of 311 yards rushing.
Kaston Vega led Stamford with 167 yards on 24 carries, including a 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
“This has been our dream ever since we were young,” Vega said. “Just to put it into reality, we’ve been working so hard for it ever since we were seventh graders. For that to be solidified now feels like a job well done.”
Stamford just stayed steady the same way it had in the previous 14 games, all of which ended in victories. Now the Bulldogs need just one more to have a perfect, not to mention, championship season.
“We overcame a lot of momentum swings, and I think that says a lot about our team,” Hutchison said. “I just thought our kids were relentless.”
Hamilton’s Pierce Summers had four catches for 125 yards, including a 70-yard scoring catch from Jaxon Edwards early in the fourth quarter to get on the board. Other than that, though, Stamford gave up no big plays.