Stephenville's strong second half leads to 42-21 win over Brownwood, extends 22-game winning streak (Photos)

Led by QB Ryan Gafford and RB Tate Maruska, the Yellow Jackets scored 28 second-half points to improve to 6-0

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Led by sophomore quarterback Ryan Gafford and senior running back Tate Maruska, Stephenville separated itself with a huge second-half surge.

Sparked by Gafford and Maruska leading their prolific offense, the Yellow Jackets scored 28 second-half points to pull ahead for a 42-21 win over rival Brownwood on Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

Stephenville improved to 6-0 and completed a perfect run through its non-district slate with the victory, which also extended the Jackets' now 22-game winning streak that stretches back to the start of the 2021 Texas high school football season.

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Maruska scored twice for the Yellow Jackets during the first half beginning on a pair of big plays offensively.

Stephenville's senior running back struck first on a 50-yard touchdown run during the late stages of the first quarter. Maruska found the end zone again on the receiving end of a 75-yard touchdown pass from Gafford that helped make it a 14-14 game entering halftime.

Gafford helped the Yellow Jackets race ahead during a monster third quarter.

The Jackets' QB tossed three second-half touchdown passes, which along with a 1-yard touchdown run by Caden Henderson after a Stephenville interception inside Brownwood's red zone.

Gafford connected with wide receivers on touchdown passes of 55, 33 and 24 yards throughout the second half to give Stephenville a commanding 42-14 edge early during the early stages of the fourth quarter.

Stephenville (6-0) heads into its bye week before kicking off district play in 5-4A DI against Waxahachie Life (2-3) at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville.

Brownwood (4-2), meanwhile, will look to bounce back in its District 2-4A DI opener versus Big Spring (4-2) at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood.

Check out SBLive's exclusive photo gallery from the game:

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PHOTO GALLERY — STEPHENVILLE 42, BROWNWOOD 21

All photos by Brian McLean