Hamilton, Haile Power Bulldogs To First Texas High School Football State Championship

Strong defense and punishing ground game lifts Bulldogs over Rams 21-7

Hamilton quarterback Carson Roberts throws a pass against Joaquin in the Class 2A Division I final on Wednesday. / Cody Thorn

Hamilton and Joaquin meet for the first time in the Class 2A Division I championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Hamilton enters at 14-1, thanks in large part to a defense allowing just 11.1 points per game. The Bulldogs have held four opponents to 10 points or less and pitched two shutouts this season. Joaquin, who is 11-4, is riding high after a second-half comeback vs top-ranked Refugio in last week's semifinal win.

A historic matchup pitting two programs in search of their first-ever UIL state championship.

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What To Know

Both teams enter riding lengthy win streaks, Hamilton has won 10 straight while Joaquin has won six in a row.

Both schools are making their first-ever appearances in a UIL championship game, one year after both lost in the semifinal round. Expect a physical grinder of a game as both teams boast powerful rushing attacks and strong defenses. 

Hamilton pulled away in the second-half of a 29-12 win over Stinnett in last week’s semifinal, while Joaquin knocked off top-ranked Refugio 37-28. 

The Rams outscored Refugio 30-8 in the second-half to reach their first championship game.

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Players To Watch

Hamilton Bulldogs

WR/DB Devin Earnes. sr. — The primary receiver for a balanced Bulldogs offense. Earnes enters with 1,179 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns with an average of 21.4 yards per catch. Defensively, he’s recorded 3 INT’s and 23 pass break-ups in 2025.

RB/LB Hailston Hailey, sr. — The heartbeat of this Hamilton team, Haile, has scored 28 touchdowns while racking up more than 2,400 rushing yards in 2025. Ran for 202 yards and 2 TDs in semifinal win.

LB Easton Harwitz, fr. — The Bulldogs freshman phenom, Marwitz leads the team with 163 tackles and 16 TFL’s. Marwitz is the key to stopping Joaquin’s powerful ground game.

Jaoquin Rams

RB/DB Cooper Bragg, jr. — The engine that makes the Rams offense go. Bragg has proven tough to tackle when he gets in the open field. Offensively, he leads a potent ground game, rushing for 1,824 yards and 18 TDs. Defensively, he’s a heat-seeking missile, racking up 80 tackles.

RB Jacob Gatlin, sr. — Rushed for a career-high 4 TDs in last week’s upset of No.1 Refugio.

QB/MLB Trenton Runnels, sr.--A veteran signal-caller who rarely makes mistakes, Runnels guides a Rams offense that averages 34.06 points a game. Defensively, Runnels is one of the teams top run stoppers, logging 89 tackles from his MLB position

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Pick 'Em Challenge

Tell us who you think will win the game with High School On SI's Pick 'Em Challenge

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Where To Watch

You can watch it for free online through the Victory+ app.

Live Updates

Pre Game Notes

Both schools are vying for their first UIL title in school history. Joaquin is 2-0 at neutral sites in 2025. Hamilton is 3-0.

A matchup worth watching will be Hamilton RB Hailston Haile vs the Joaquin defense. Haile, who was hospitalized this time a year ago after suffering a lacerated kidney has returned with a vengeance this season, rushing for more than 2400 yards and 28 touchdowns

Joaquin's Cooper Bragg carries the ball against Hamilton in the Class 2A Division 1 final on Wednesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. / Cody Thorn

1ST QUARTER

Hamilton won the toss and will defer to 2nd half. Joaquin starts at 35 and quickly picks up first down with two nice runs.

Joaquin converts on two straight third downs to keep drive going on the opening possession

TOUCHDOWN. JOAQUIN. Trenton Runnels goes in from a yard out. PAT Good. JOAQUIN 7 Hamilton 0

Vintage Joaquin football to get things started. 14 plays. 60 yards. 5 first downs. TOP 7 1/2 minute drive

Hamiilton QB Carson Roberts rolls right and fires a strike to WR Pierce Summers for a first down on a 2nd & 11 near midfield

BIG HIT by Runnels on Hailston Hailey to force a 4th & 5 at HAM 36

HAM picks up first down on 4th and 5 as Roberts finds Devin Earnes on a gutsy 4th down call.

TOUCHDOWN. HAMILTON. PAT GOOD 7-7. Roberts to Johnson on a 13 yard score ties things up late in the first

END OF FIRST QTR: JOAQUIN 7 HAMILTON 7

START OF 2ND QTR

Hamilton wide receiver Pierce Summers goes up for a catch while being defended by Joaquin's Jadyn Brown. / Cody Thorn

HAM forces a turnover on downs on JOA 2nd possession

HAM tales over at HAM 38 with 930 left in 2nd

TOUCHDOWN. HAMILTON. Hailston Haile bounces it outside for a 5 yard TD run and a 14-7 lead. 6:27 left in 2nd

JOAQUIN takes over with 6:19 left in first half at its own 23

Rams convert on 4th and short to pick up first down and keep drive alive. 405 left in first half

Rams stopped on 4th & 5 with 0:15 left in first half. HAM has forced TOD on each of last two possessions after giving up long scoring drive to open the game

First half ends with Jacob Gatlin INT Carson Roberts pass.

END OF FIRST HALF. Hamilton 14 Joaquin 7

1ST HALF SUMMARY

After giving up a long scoring drive to start the game, Hamilton settled in forcing turnover on downs on consecutive drives to close out first half. Offensively, Hamilton's balance is causing problems for Joaquin. Hamilton rushed for 144 yatds in the first half. Hailston Haile has been the workhorse for Hamilton, 13 carries. 81 yards. 1 TD. QB Carson Roberts has spread the ball around nicely as four different WRs had catches in first half. For Joaquin, Wilson and Bragg have combined for 93 yards and 18 carries, QB/LB Trenton Runnells has made big plays on both sides of the ball for Joaquin.

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3RD QUARTER

Roberts and Summers hook up on back to back passes covering 61 yards. Hamilton 1st and 10 from HAM 13

TOUCHDOWN. HAMILTON!! Senior RB Hailston Haile scores from a yard out with 9:00 left in 3rd. Hailes has 17 carries for 86 yards and 2 TDs for Hamilton. Kalbus PAT Good. Hamilton 21 Joaquin 7

FUMBLE. Hamilton recovers. 1st and 10, Hamilton ball at own 43

JOAQUIN defense holds. Hamilton punts away. Bulldogs AP star Hailston Hailes pins Joaquin deep with a 37 yard punt. Joanquin takes over at its own 4 with 4:38 left in third

Joaquin on the move as third quarter draws to a close. Rams face a 3rd and 4 from their own 34 when play resumes

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START OF 4TH QUARTER.

Joaquin converts to pick up first down but a fumbled exchange on the handoff to RB Cooper Bragg is recovered by Hamilton with just under 10 minutes remaining. Hamilton goes for the kill shot with a deep pass from QB Carson Roberts. Jacob Gatlin intercepts his second pass of the night. Joaquin regains possession after a wild sequence of plays

Joaquin takes over at its own 35 with 9:06 left in game, Rams trail 21-7

Joaquin showing the fight od a champion. Down 2 touchdowns with a rapidly evaporating clock, the Rams keep plugging away, Win, lose or draw, Joaquin has shown some real grit. You've got to respect their fight

Hamilton D forces a turnover on downs after a 4th down sack of QB Trenton Runnells. Bulldogs take over with less than 3:00 minutes left,

Joaquin takes over with 2:00 remaining down 21-7

For the first time in 111 years, HAMILTON is a state champion. Bulldogs capture 2A DI title with a 21-7 win over Joaquin

FINAL SUMMARY

Hamilton's defense turned in a dominating performance en-route to its first state championship. After falling behind early the Bulldogs steadied the ship, riding a relentless defense and a piunishing ground game to win 21-7. Hailston Haile led the way on the ground for the Bulldogs, rushing for 93 yars and 2 TDs on 22 carries. Senior LB Brett Bauman recorded 18 tackles to lead a Bulldog defense that forced three turnovers and held Joaquin's powerful rushing attack to well under its season averages.