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Stephenville's Coy Eakin (left) dominated over LBJ as the Austin team lost 38-21 in their first state championship game. (Texas High School Football/Twitter)
For the first time in nearly 50 years, an Austin ISD school successfully made a run for the UIL State Championships as Austin LBJ headed to AT&T Stadium for the UIL 4A Division championship match Friday morning. But their historic bid for the state title came to a disappointing end as a slow start led to a 38-21 loss to Stephenville.
Austin LBJ was looking for a perfect end to an undefeated season as the Jaguars powered into the 2021 state championships with a shining 15-0 record, capped by a hard-fought 38-35 semifinal victory on Saturday. If they had won the title match, it would've been the school's first-ever state championship trophy.
But after a triumphant community sendoff Thursday morning, the runner-ups saw a slow start on the big stage as they gave up multiple turnovers from the starting whistle to go 17-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Things were looking up for LBJ as they took the opening kick and pushed deep into Stephenville territory to start the game. But the Yellowjackets' tyranny over the first quarter came fast as they forced a fumble and gained control of the ball on their own 15-yard line.
LBJ covered the wound and forced the Yellowjackets to a fourth down but saw another fumble at the 6:50 mark in a turnover that led to a triumphant one-handed catch to give Stephenville the first score of the game.
Now down 7-0, the Jaguars fumbled a third time and the ball eventually landed back in Stephenville's Coy Eakin's hands, who scored once more to make it 14-0. Another LBJ fumble led to a field goal for the confident Yellowjackets as they went into the second quarter with a 17-0 lead.
A few minutes into the second quarter, it looked like the Jags would finally get their first touchdown. But a staunch Yellowjacket defense held LBJ's Sedrick Alexander back in a fourth-down play on the one-yard line. Stephenville would score once more on a 43-yard Eakin catch-and-run before LBJ finally found the end zone at the tail end of the half.
The Jags began their comeback run with just over a minute left in the half as a pass from LBJ quarterback Oscar Gordon led to a 33-yard touchdown from Noah Baker. But just as Baker intercepted a Stephenville pass meant for Eakin to kick off the second half, a ball-hungry Eakin played hot potato and punched the ball out of Baker's hands for another Yellowjacket touchdown.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!?!@SvilleYJFB scores on a WACKY play 🤯@JackBox | @uiltexas | #UILState | #UILonBallypic.twitter.com/YvKU634uB6
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) December 17, 2021
Even with a 31-7 deficit, the Jags wouldn't quit, forcing a fourth down and an overturned call to make their second touchdown as Gordon's pass to Alexander found the end zone to double their score.
Another Eakin touchdown further set LBJ back 38-14 to start the fourth quarter, and a last-ditch 30-yard touchdown from Baker gives the game its final score. The Jags fall 38-21 to for a final 15-1 season record.
LBJ's loss came almost totally in the hands of Eakins, who scored four of the team's five touchdowns and boosted the defense with an interception and forced fumble. The Jaguars' Baker took home two receiving touchdowns on 78 yards, while bad option passes from Gordon to Alexander, who took home a touchdown on 117 total yards, accounted for half of the team's four fumbles. Gordon completed 30 of 48 passes with 372 total yards, including three touchdowns and an interception.
Next up for a state bid are Austin-area schools Westlake and Liberty Hill, who will both play for the state championship on Saturday.
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Popular
(Gulfstream)
Elon Musk has placed an order for a new, top-of-the-line private jet: a Gulfstream G700, Austonia has learned. Delivery is expected in early 2023.
Billed as offering “the most spacious cabin in history,” the aircraft seats 19 and soars above the rest of us at up to 51,000 feet. Base price: $78 million.
The Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award for excellence in cabin design this year. (Gulfstream)
According to the Gulfstream website, the G700 can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles without refueling, enough range to fly nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it has its own Wi-Fi system, 20 oval windows measuring 28” x 21”, and two lavatories.
The sweet new ride will replace his current top-of-line private jet: a 2015 Gulfstream G650, the aircraft that has been made somewhat famous by the automated @elonjet Twitter account, which tracks and reports his personal aircraft’s movements using public data.
Landed in Austin, Texas, US. Apx. flt. time 44 Mins. pic.twitter.com/jZ7HI0i4iV
— ElonJet (@ElonJet) June 24, 2022
Musk has repeatedly championed “free speech” as a guiding ethic in his planned purchase of Twitter. Last December, Musk offered the teenager who built the @elonjet tracker $50,000 to shut it down, citing security concerns. It’s still up.
According to the @elonjet account, Musk’s jet last traveled to Austin, where it’s been since June 23. The associated data says that his flight to Austin burned $2,573 worth of aviation fuel and discharged 4 tons of carbon dioxide.
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(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.