It’s been a tremendous run of success for Gunter (Texas) of late.
The Tigers are two wins away from going back to Arlington’s AT&T Stadium to play for a fourth straight state championship. After Thursday, it could be one win away from returning to “Jerry World.”
Gunter will take on Leonard in the University Interscholastic League 3A Division II Region II championship game, which takes place Thursday night at Melissa’s Kenny Deel Stadium. Both teams are District 7-3A Division II foes, and Gunter handed Leonard a 44-0 defeat on Nov. 6.
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Gunter seemed to be in a rebuilding mode going into the season, with the Tigers returning only two offensive and five defensive starters. They were also breaking in a new coach, Jordan Gill, a former Gunter assistant who was promoted over the offseason.
But the Tigers have just reloaded so far, going 12-1 with their only loss coming to Celina, the defending 4A DI state champs. Gunter has also turned in a strong postseason, beginning with scoring 84 points in the bi-district round and outscoring its three foes, 173-27.
Leonard, also nicknamed the Tigers, enter Thursday’s regional final at 9-4. They started the season 4-3 before winning five of their next six games.
In its past two playoff games, Leonard held off Holliday, 41-34, before surviving a 34-28 game against Blue Ridge in the regional semifinals.
The Gunter-Leonard winner advances to next week’s 3A DII semifinal round against the winner of the Region I championship between Idalou and Wall, which will play Friday in San Angelo.
Follow AllSportsPeople correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Melissa.
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GUNTER 0, LEONARD 0 1ST QTR.
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PREGAME
- Live from the luxurious Kenny Deel Stadium in Melissa, it will be district foes Gunter and Leonard, this time squaring off for the UIL 3A Division II Region II championship.
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