Bellville came up just short in the 4A Division II championship, falling 28-26 to Gilmer Friday. You can see a recap and highlights from the game in the video above form KHOU 11's Zack Tawatari.
Class of 2024 Top Prospects
Bellville: none
Gilmer: Running back Will Henderson (#136 in Texas, according to 247Sports.com), college undecided.
Class of 2025 Top Prospects
Bellville: Defensive lineman D.J. Sanders (#24), college undecided.
Overview
It's been a long time coming for Bellville. The school's last title game appearance came in 1977, when it fell to Wylie, 22-14, at Baylor Stadium. Bellville also lost the 1960 Conference 2A game to Denver City, 26-21, in San Angelo. Both of those Bellville squads entered their state title games undefeated, respectively, as well.
These Brahmas are 15-0 and feature a Top-25 recruit in Sanders, a 6-3, 299-pound lineman being wooed by all the big talent factories in college football.
Bellville is home of Emmanuel Sanders, a Super Bowl-winning wide receiver who played a dozen seasons in the NFL. He also made two Pro Bowls.
Gilmer lost it's first two games and started the season with a middling 3-3 record. It's now trying to capture the school's fourth state title. The Buckeyes scored 79 points in their state semifinal triumph over Glen Rose.
Running back Henderson, being courted by several mid-major football programs, is also a sprinter; He won the 2023 Texas 4A 100-meter state championship as a junior with a time of 10.28.
Gilmer has produced a handful of players who made it to the National Football League, including current Houston Texans reserve cornerback Kris Boyd.