Stephenville (TX) vs. Kilgore (TX): Live updates, score of Texas UIL 4A Division I title contest originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Two teams that have won state titles this century face off Friday morning for the chance to claim more hardware.
Stephenville and Kilgore square off at AT&T Stadium in the Texas University Interscholastic League 4A Division I championship game.
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In Stephenville’s case, the Yellow Jackets are trying to continue a trend. They have made the state title game for the seventh time in program history, and in the previous six, they have won it all, winning in 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2012 and 2021.
Stephenville enters Friday’s latest title tilt at 15-0 overall. Among the Jackets’ wins was a 28-12 regular-season decision against Ruston (La.), which played in last week’s Louisiana Non-Select Division I title game.
Last week, Stephenville got a field goal in the final seconds to upend defending state champion Celina, 24-21.
This is Kilgore’s second straight trip to the title game, having lost to Celina last season. Kilgore’s first championship game appearance was in 2004, and the Bulldogs claimed the title that season, and they also returned in 2013.
Kilgore dropped its season opener to Carthage – which is playing for the 4A Division II championship later on Friday – but have reeled off 14 straight wins, the latest a 49-0 win against La Vernia in last week’s semifinal round.
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Arlington.
Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.
STEPHENVILLE 0, KILGORE 0 1ST QTR.
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FIRST QUARTER
– Stephenville reaches the Kilgore 25 before the drive stalls. Jackets try a 41-yard field goal, but the kick is short. Bulldogs take over with 1:38 left in the quarter.
– Stephenville converts on a fourth down just past midfield on a short run from Zyler McClendon with more than five minutes to go in the half.
– FUMBLE RECOVERY STEPHENVILLE. Stephenville gets its second takeaway, as the Jackets forced a fumble and recovered it. After a lengthy replay review, the ruling is upheld. Hudson Butchee, who earlier had the interception, forced the fumble, and teammate Cooper Fergeson landed on it near the Stephenville 45.
– Another third-down chance for Stephenville but a pass is overthrown. Jackets go for it on fourth down, but Kilgore linebacker Isaiah Watters brings down quarterback Trot Jordan for a loss. Bulldogs take over at their 41 with 7:25 left in the opening period.
– Stephenville tailback Zyler McClendon picks up a first down on a third-down play. Jackets have the ball near Kilgore’s 35.
– INTERCEPTION STEPHENVILLE. Kilgore makes a first down on its opening drive, but on a third-down play, a pass gets picked off by the Jackets’ Hudson Butchee right at midfield. Stephenville on offense for the first time today.
.@ButcheeHudson with an early takeaway for Stephenville!
The senior LB picks off Kayson Brooks on the game’s first drive at #UILState.https://t.co/wKSaNdPjA2@SvilleYJFB | #TXHSFBpic.twitter.com/FmslEbwm6d
— Dave Campbell’s — TexasFootball.com (@dctf) December 19, 2025
– Toe meets leather and we are under way at AT&T. Kilgore fields the kickoff near its own 20 and brings it out to the 30. But an illegal block penalty moves the ball back to the 20.
PREGAME
– Kilgore has won the toss and has elected to receive. So Stephenville will kick off to start this contest.
– Stephenville is the visiting team and they are wearing navy blue helmets, white jerseys and white pants. Kilgore is the home team and the Ragin’ Red is wearing red helmets, red jerseys and black pants.
Here come the Kilgore Bulldogs pic.twitter.com/B35xvdRwaY
— Brandon Ogden (@BrandonOSports) December 19, 2025
– Live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, undefeated Stephenville takes on 14-1 Kilgore for the UIL 4A Division I state championship.
Stephenville and Kilgore fans are ready to go! 1 hour until kickoff. The lines outside of Jerry’s World #UILState@KennyMatthews@ProfessorDiggs@darren_lauberpic.twitter.com/6UEujrnhdS
— Brian Gosset (@Gosset41) December 19, 2025
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