At the start, Austin Regents briefly held a 3-0 lead against Liberty Christian in the TAPPS Division II State championship game, but it marked their only moment in the lead. Liberty Christian, led by Jason Witten, clinched their first state title since 2007 with a commanding 52-10 victory over Regents.
The momentum swiftly shifted when Chase Garnett dashed for a 36-yard touchdown run, propelling Liberty to a 7-3 advantage in the first quarter. Jett Haire’s interception for the Warriors set the stage for Cole Welliver’s 1-yard pass to Brady Janusek, extending Liberty’s lead to 14-3.
Building on their dominance, Welliver found Janusek again, this time for a 10-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 21-3. A subsequent connection between Welliver and Quinton Brown resulted in a 9-yard touchdown pass, further solidifying Liberty Christian’s control at 28-3.
At halftime, Michael Stump’s 25-yard field goal extended Liberty’s lead to 31-3. The third quarter saw Janusek shine defensively, returning an interception 50 yards for another touchdown.
Garnett continued to drive Liberty’s dominance, scoring on a 19-yard run, catapulting the lead to 45-3. Regents managed their first touchdown of the night, closing the gap to 45-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final stretch, with 5:10 remaining, Garnett’s 35-yard run secured Liberty Christian’s decisive 52-10 victory. Garnett’s exceptional performance included 187 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Janusek contributed significantly with two touchdown receptions and a pick-six.
The Warriors, boasting a flawless 14-0 record, emerged triumphant as the TAPPS Division II champions.
