WACO – Holy Cross junior quarterback Gilbert Alvarado did his best to harness his feelings after his Knights hoisted the TAPPS Division III state runner-up plaque.
Nevertheless, it was clear where his heart was.
“It’s a tough loss for us,” Alvarado said. “We really wished we could be celebrating right now. It’s a tough feeling, and I’m getting into all my emotions right now.”
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The celebrators stood across the field as Dallas Christian pinned a 28-13 victory against the Knights on Saturday afternoon at Waco ISD Stadium. It was the Chargers’ third straight state championship and their 11th overall.
The Knights (10-3) reached the state championship game for the first time since joining TAPPS. Holy Cross had several semifinal runs but hadn’t made the breakthrough until this season.
“Maybe this wasn’t our year, but we’re here,” senior linebacker/running back Jeremiah Vallejo said. “We had been defeated in the state semifinals and it’s tough. We finally tasted what it’s like to get to state.”
Holy Cross hoped to add to their state title collection after winning six straight TCIL crowns from 1992 to 1997 before the league disbanded in 2000.
For an instant, it looked like the Knights had a chance.
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After trailing by two touchdowns for most of the second half, the Knights pulled to within 21-13 with 5:14 in the fourth quarter on Ainzely-James Williams’ 1-yard TD run. Although the Knights missed the extra point, they remained one score behind.
The Chargers spoiled the Knights’ championship hopes on the subsequent possession when Jaden Davis scored on a 7-yard run with 1:40 in the fourth to secure the contest. Dallas Christian took over at the 50 after an unsuccessful onside kick.
The defeat ended a 10-game winning streak after the Knights opened the season with losses against Antonian (47-20) and Holy Cross of New Orleans (45-0).
“We’ve been counted out week after week and we took that to heart,” Vallejo said.
Both teams played to their strengths with Holy Cross’ plodding style and Dallas Christian’s big-play capability.
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Unfortunately, for the Knights, it wasn’t enough.
The Chargers (13-1) logged just 13 plays (compared to Holy Cross’ 40) in the first half, but they made the most of them with huge scoring strikes that negated all of the Knights’ hard work.
The Chargers scored on their first play from scrimmage when Jaden Davis reached the end zone untouched on a 50-yard run.
Dallas Christian went up, 14-0, when quarterback Luke Carney connected with SMU pledge William Nettles for 63 yards at 7:20 mark of the second quarter.
The Chargers built on a 14-7 halftime lead with Carney’s 35-yard scoring toss to Decorias Taylor on the first series of the second half.
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“We knew they had their studs,” Vallejo said. “They balled, and we can’t do anything about that. We did what we could, and we played how we played. I know we fell short, but me and my dogs, we tried our best and did everything we could possibly do to compete with these dudes.”
Carney, a three-star recruit who holds six offers, threw for 267 yards on 16 of 21 passing with two touchdowns. Nettles caught eight passes for 183 yards and one touchdown.
Dallas Christian gained 381 total yards on 36 plays. The Knights ran the ball 44 times for 173 yards and had 330 total yards.
“We knew coming into this game that their offense was explosive, and we had to keep them off the field,” Alvarado said. “We knew we needed to run the ball and just take what they were giving us and snap the ball when the clock was down.”
The Knights returns a majority of their starters, which is a good start for next season.
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“We’ve never been here before, but I don’t think that changes anything for us today,” Alvarado said. “We came out and fought hard. Going forward, this team knows what this feeling is and next year, we’re going to come out with a lot of fight.”
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