Round 3 of Katy-Cedar Hill Texas state final goes to Longhorns, 23-20, in 2014 Class 6A, Division II final

Randy Jennings
Updated

Photo by Kyle Dantzler

Damarkus Lodge and Cedar Hill bested Katy for the state title for the second time in three seasons.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Damarkus Lodge brought Cedar Hill (Texas) back with two second-half touchdown catches, but it was seldom-used sophomore Avery Davis who had the Longhorns dancing in the end.

Davis, a reserve quarterback, weaved his way on a 52-yard run to set up Brooks Ralph's winning 25-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in Cedar Hill's 23-20 victory over Katy (Texas) in the Class 6A Division II state title game before 46,289 Saturday evening at AT&T Stadium.

Photo by Kyle Dantzler

Cedar Hill kicker Brooks Ralph winds up for the
game-winning field goal.

With the score tied and 1:42 on the clock, Cedar Hill started from its 20. Davis on first down rolled right and appeared to be hemmed in by a line of Katy defenders. But he darted through containment and found himself in the open as he angled across the field before being knocked out of bounds by Joshua Blair at the Katy 28.

Davis carried 10 times for 126 yards and completed three passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.

It was the third-straight season for Cedar Hill (14-2), No. 17 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, and No. 21 Katy (14-2) to meet in the title game.

Katy won 35-24 in 2012 and Cedar Hill triumphed 34-24 last year.

For a program without a playoff win until head coach Joey McGuire's arrival, the Longhorns are making up for lost time. The state title is Cedar Hill's third.

"Our goal is to be known as one of the top programs every year,'' said McGuire. "With this win tonight, Cedar Hill put its name up there. It makes me proud.''

Trailing 13-2 at intermission, Cedar Hill drove 68 yards in 11 plays on its first possession of the third quarter. Justin Mcmillan, an LSU pledge, connected with Lodge on a 26-yard touchdown throw, then went to Darris Harper on a 2-point conversion to cut the Tigers' lead to 13-10.

The Katy response, a drive to the Cedar Hill 15, ended in a fumble that Longhorns defensive back D'Aundrey Bradley II recovered.

Lodge, the game's offensive MVP with four catches for 101 yards, did a tap dance to stay inbounds on a 61-yard pass and run for a 17-13 Cedar Hill lead.

The Tigers' Hunter Sury returned the following kickoff 65 yards to set up the second of two touchdown runs for Oklahoma pledge Rodney Anderson (24 carries, 173 yards), allowing Katy to go to the fourth quarter with a 20-17 lead. Anderson broke a 53-yarder in the opening quarter.

The Longhorns grinded out a 39-yard, 11-play possession, leading to Ralph's 44-yard field goal that made it 20-20 with 8:25 remaining.

With the score still tied and 3:44 remaining, Katy moved from its 25 to the Cedar Hill 49, but a holding penalty eventually forced a punt.

The disciplined Katy defense limited USC pledge Aca'cedric Ware and Denvre Daniels to 8 and 11 rushing yards, respectively. Katy junior linebacker Paddy Fisher was voted defensive MVP with seven tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss.

"We could have done better,'' said Katy coach Gary Joseph, "but I don't think our guys have anything to be ashamed of. They fought as hard as they could.'' Photo by Kyle Dantzler

Rodney Anderson, Katy