High School

Ganado beats Stamford in 3 OT in Texas high school football 2A Division I championship game: Live updates recap

Ganado's Bryce Ullman throws winning 2-point conversion, ends game with INT in end zone

Cody Thorn

Quarterback Bryce Ullman of Ganado carries in the Texas 2A Division 1 championship game at AT&T Stadium.
Quarterback Bryce Ullman of Ganado carries in the Texas 2A Division 1 championship game at AT&T Stadium. / Photo by Tommy Hays

ARLINGTON — LaMarquis Lee was not there to hoist the trophy or get a medal, but his Ganado teammates made sure he was part of the celebration of winning the Class 2A Division I title Thursday afternoon.

Bryce Ullman snared an interception in the end zone on the final play of triple overtime to secure a 30-28 win for the Indians over No. 1-ranked Stamford at AT&T Stadium.

Ganado players all rushed toward each other to celebrate winning the school’s first-ever state title. And then, one of the players ran to grab the maroon No. 89 jersey with the last name Lee on it to walk through the handshake line.

The jersey and a helmet, also with No. 89 on it, was in the front row of the team photo after the title presentation.

“This means a lot because we know he would’ve been out there on that field with us had that accident not happened,” said Cain Hayden, who was named the Defensive MVP of the game for Ganado. “We always try to remember him and keep his name alive.”

Lee died on Oct. 29, 2019, in a car accident in Ganado when he was 12 years old on the way home from youth football practice. His youth teammates — many on this high school team — were honorary pallbearers at his funeral. 

He would’ve been a junior on this year’s team. Lee was a passenger in a car driven by his grandmother that was struck by Brian Gunter, who was driving 99 miles per hour and had a blood-alcohol content 1.5 times the legal limit after a blood draw test after the accident — when he refused to take a breathalyzer at the scene. He was sentenced to 250 years in prison for vehicular manslaughter in 2022.

“We always remember him and he was our best friend,” Ullman said. “He would’ve been playing with us here right now, but sadly he’s not. So we honor him and do everything in his name.”

Hayden said that LaMarquis’ mom was among the 7,858 fans in the stands today to watch history made.

Texas high school football state championships: Stamford vs. Ganado
Ganado coaches and players pose for a team champion shot following their victory over Stamford in Texas 2A Division 1 title game at AT&T Stadium. / Photo by Tommy Hays

This contest tied the UIL record for the longest game in championship history with 3 overtimes and became the first to be finished on two-point conversion attempts. In the 2003 Class 4A final, La Marque beat Denton Ryan, 42-35 in 3 OT.

The back-and-forth game featured five lead changes. 

Stamford (15-1) tied the game at 21 on Kaston Vega’s 5-yard touchdown run with 5:56 to go in the fourth. 

The Indians (15-1) had the ball with a chance to win it late and coach Josh Ervin led the clock roll down to 2 seconds before calling a timeout. A 22-yard field goal attempt — from the 4-yard line — was wide left at the buzzer, which sent the game into overtime.

“If we had to make that decision again, it’d been the same decision,” Ervin said. “Unfortunately, for whatever reason, it was not meant to be and it was meant to go to overtime.”

Ullman looked to have scored on an 11-yard run in the first overtime, but video review had him down at the 1-yard line. Logan Bures would get a handoff and score and Ganado went up 28-21.

Stamford made a clutch play to keep the game alive. Facing fourth down, Christian Duran hit Cle’ Whitfield for a 19-yard touchdown to tie the game. The Bulldogs were 5-for-6 on fourth-down attempts in the loss.

In double overtime, neither team scored. 

Luke Bures intercepted a pass in the end zone for Ganado to stop Stamford, while a 41-yard field goal was short for the Indians on their offensive possession.

That sent the game into triple overtime, where the teams started at the 3-yard line with a single 2-point conversion attempt.

Ullman rolled to his right and threw a pass to Austin Pena, who got one foot in bounds in the back of the end zone. That gave Ganado a 30-28 lead.

Stamford had its chance to tie the game.

The Bulldogs ran a reverse and the pass was intercepted in the corner of the end zone by Ullman.

“We had talked about it, don’t let the moment be too big for you,” Ullman said. “Just go out and play.”

Ullman threw for 172 yards and a pair of scores, with Hayden — his cousin — catching six passes for 102 yards. Hayden added 5 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense.  

Logan Bures ran 25 times for 100 yards and a touchdown for Ganado, while adding 69 yards in punt return yardage.  

Stamford quarterback Christian Duran threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Vega ran for 89 yards and scored twice and added a game-high 16 tackles for the Bulldogs.

Stamford Bulldogs (15-0) vs. Ganado Indians (14-1), 11 a.m., Thursday 

Stamford, a program that dates back to 1913, will be playing in its eighth state title in school history on Thursday morning in the Class 2A Division I finals.  

The Bulldogs won titles in 1955, 1956, 1958, 2004, 2012, 2013 and was a runner-up in 2011. They also won the 1959 4A title but later forfeited it.

Stamford punched the ticket to state with a 28-13 win over Hamilton — a win that was not locked up until late in the game. RB Christain Duran scored with 1:32 left to ice the victory.

TEXAS HS FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Ganado has won 11 in a row and has dominated foes in four of the five postseason games — the exception was a close 14-6 win against Refugio in the third round. The Indians dispatched Joaquin, the last No. 4 seed in the playoffs, 35-14 last week. Ganado QB Bryce Ullman ran for a score and threw two scores to Cain Hayden. 

Ganado is in the UIL finals for the first time after losing five previous semifinal games — including last year to eventual state champion Timpson.

Follow along below for live updates from the Class 2A-Division I state finals between Ganado and Stamford, scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, Dec. 19, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Stamford vs. Ganado, Class 2A-Division I state finals live updates

First Quarter Updates

Ganado won the toss and deferred. Stamford will get the ball to start. About to start Day 2 at Jerry's World

TURNOVER! Interception by Cain Hayden and he runs it back to the Stamford 14-yard line. 10:36 left in 1st.

TOUCHDOWN GANADO! Turnover turns into points. Indians strike first. QB Bryce Ullman runs it in from the 6. Joe Rodriguez kicks PAT. Ganado 7, Stamford 0. 9:09 left

Stamford converts a 4th down to keep a drive going on a keeper by Christian Duran

TOUCHDOWN STAMFORD! Duran connects with Bryaden Jimenez who was WIDE OPEN for a 36-yard TD. 2:46 left. Stamford 7, Ganado 7

END OF 1ST QUARTER: Stamford 7, Ganado 7

2ND QUARTER

Ullman scores on a 17-yard run but a penalty negates it with 10:29 to go

Indians are now facing a 3rd-and-27 after a delay of game penalty.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Incomplete pass on 4th down. Stamford gets the ball at the 26-yard line ...once we return from a media/TV timeout. 8:27 to go in 2nd

Logan Bures with a punt return for Ganado down to the 19-yard line. Jimenez makes TD-saving tackle for Stamford. Indians set up in a good spot with 7:08 left

TOUCHDOWN GANADO! Bryce Ullman to Cain Hayden for a 13-yard TD. PAT is good. Ganado back ahead with 5:42 to play. Ganado 14, Stamford 7

Ullman converts a 3rd-and-11 for Ganado with a 17-yard run. Ball at the Stamford 34 now. 1:40 left in 1st half.

Ganado calls a timeout with 1:38 left

TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Ganado goes for it on 4th and 2 and comes up short. 29 seconds left in 2nd

Stamford calls timeout at own 44-yard line with 19 seconds to go

TURNOVER! On the final play of the first half, Cain Hayden intercepts a pass in the end zone. The play is under review.

After video review, Ganado ball with 2 seconds left at the 2-yard line.

HALFTIME: Ganado 14, Stamford 7

Notable stats at the break: Ganado 117 yards of total offense; Stamford with 129

Time of possession— Ganado 12:20; Stamford, 11:40

Third-down attempts; Ganado 5-for-7; Stamford, 1-for-5

Fourth-down attempts: Ganado, 0-for-2; Stamford, 1-for-1

3RD QUARTER

Stamford kicking off. 24 minutes left between a state championship and heartbreak for these two.

TURNOVER! C'nai Whitfield picks off a bubble screen. Stamford CB runs it from the 41-yard line to the 18-yard line. Stamford ball with 11:11 to play

TOUCHDOWN STAMFORD! Kaston Vega with a 1-yard run on 4th down. PAT good. We are tied. Stamford 14, Ganado 14

TOUCHDOWN GANADO! Ullman drops another dime to Hayden in the back of the end zone. Indians are back on top. 3:26 left. PAT Good. Ganado 21, Stamford 14

Another big punt return by Bures. Ganado will take over at the Stamford 33. 1:48 left in 3rd

Timeout Ganado with 10 seconds left in third. Last play was incomplete pass. Indians coaching staff was not happy with an [apparent] late hit. Lots of boos when a replay was shown on the 1 million foot videoboard

END OF 3RD QUARTER: Ganado 21, Stamford 14

4TH QUARTER

MISSED FIELD GOAL! Ganado looks to extend lead but FG kick is wide left. 11:11 to play. Ganado still up 21-14

On 4th and 3, Brayden Jimenez converts a fake punt and runs for a first down. Late hit and unsporstmanlike conduct offset. Bulldogs ball at the 43-yard line

Stamford looked to had converted a 4th-and-13 but official says he was beyond the line of scrimmage.

Another video review coming. 6:55 left

Call overturned. Ball at the 6-yard line after a 41-yard completion was ruled good. Alek Hernandez with the catch from Duran.

TOUCHDOWN STAMFORD! Kaston Vega with a 5-yard TD run with 5:56 left. PAT good. Stamford 21, Ganado 21

Ullman to Hayden gives the Indians a first down at the Stamford 24. 2:11 to play

Timeout with 2 seconds left. Ganado will attempt game-winning field goal

Before Joe Rodriguez can attempt the kick, Stamford calls timeout to ice him. First timeout used by Stamford

FIELD GOAL NO GOOD! Kick is wide left and we are headed to OT

END OF 4th: Stamford 21, Ganado 21

OVERTIME

Coaches are out for the coin toss. Ganado loses it and Stamford chose to defend. Play starting at the 25-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN GANADO! Bryce Ullman scores from 11 yards away.

The scoring play is being reviewed. He might be ruled down at the 1

First and goal from the 1/2-yard line, according to the official. So, still tied 21-21 for now

Ullman with a 1-yard run on a tush-push play. Initially called a touchdown but we are going for another video review. Replay shows a fumble on the play and looks like Luke Bures picks it up and dives into the end zone.

No touchdown after review. Still 21-21

TOUCHDOWN GANADO! Logan Bures with 1-yard TD run. PAT Good. Ganado 28, Stamford 21. Stamford ball coming up at the 25.

4th and 4 coming up for the Bulldogs

Stamford calls a timeout. Ball needs to get to the 15-yard line

TOUCHDOWN STAMFORD! Cle' Whitfield hauls in 19-yard TD from Duran. PAT is good. Stamford 28, Ganado 28

DOUBLE OVERTIME

Stamford to get the ball first

Holding near the goal line will push Stamford back on 3rd down. 3rd and 14 from the 16-yard line

4th and 8 for Stamford and they look to be going for it instead of trying FG from the 11

TURNOVER! INT by Luke Bures in the end zone. He runs it back but officials call it dead. Ganado will have a chance to win it

Ganado facing a 4th and 11. Rodriguez coming out to try his third FG. Before the kick, Stamford calls a timeout

FIELD GOAL NO GOOD! 41 yard attempt was short. More free football

TRIPLE OVERTIME

Stamford to play defense first. Ball at 3-yard line for a 2-point attempt for the Indians.

Ullman to Austin Pena looks good, but probably a review upcoming

SCORE! No review. It's good. Ganado 30, Stamford 28

TURNOVER! Ullman with an INT in the end zone

FINAL: Ganado 30, Stamford 28. First loss of the year for Bulldogs

Attendance was 7,858 for this game

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Cody Thorn
CODY THORN

Cody Thorn is a veteran journalist who covers high school sports across the state of Texas and Missouri. He is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and has covered sports and news since 1999.

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