Gunter defeats Tidehaven: Texas high school football state championship live updates recap

Follow live as Tidehaven faces defending champ Gunter in UIL Class 3A Division II title at 7 p.m.

Gunter and Tidehaven are set to clash in the Texas high school football state championships on Thursday evening. 

The UIL Class 3A Division II state title pits undefeated Gunter (15-0), the defending champs, against a Tidehaven (14-0) team that has not made the stage since 1980. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Central time) at AT&T Stadium.

Overman, Gunter crack Tidehaven's vaunted defense to win Texas high school football title: Buck's Ballpark

It's the sixth of 12 UIL state championships this week at AT&T Stadium from Wednesday through Saturday, three games each day.

Gordon beat Westbrook in 1A Division I and Benjamin beat Oglesby in 1A Division II — both six-man football — to open the week Wednesday and Albany beat Mart to repeat in 2A Division II and Malakoff leads Franklin in the fourth quarter on Thursday.

All games are being televised regionally by Bally Sports Southwest.

Refresh this post for score updates and game developments below. UIL 3A Division II championship score updates and game developments below. 

Look: Gunter defeats Tidehaven for Texas 3A Division 2 state football championship

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FINAL: GUNTER 30, TIDEHAVEN 14

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Gunter running back Brock Boddie carries the ball in the first half of the 3A Division II title game on Thursday at AT&T Stadium.  / Photo by Tommy Hays

FOURTH QUARTER

-- Final: Gunter hands Tidehaven its first loss of the season in a 30-14 championship performance, its second title in as many years. 

-- Walker overman rushes in a yard to give Gunther another TD. (30-14, Gunter | 5:33)

THIRD QUARTER

-- Walker Overman hits Cannon Lemberg for a 68-yard TD reception and Gunther makes it a two-score game. (24-14, Gunter | 2:55)

SECOND QUARTER

-- Joseph Dodds pulls Tidehaven right back. He takes a handoff 61 yards for touchdown on the fifth play in the drive. (17-14, Gunter | 3:17)  

-- Gunter piling on. Brock Boddie punches in another two-yard scoring run and the Tigers have flipped a two-TD momentum swing. (16-7, Gunter | 4:18)

-- Brock Boddie punches in a 2-yard touchdown and Gunter takes the lead. (10-7, Gunter | 6:58)

FIRST QUARTER

-- Preston Tarpley hits a 27-yard field goal to put Gunter on the board. (7-3, Gunter | 0:33)

-- Kale Russell hits Joseph Dodds connect for an 11-yard touchdown reception. Alex Cisneros makes good on the PAT. (7-0, Tidehaven | 4:03)

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PHOTO GALLERY

All photos by Tommy Hays.

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PREGAME READING

-- Tidehaven beat Daingerfield 20-14 in overtime last weekend to reach its first state title since 1980. Senior running back Joseph Dodds' 3-yard TD won it in OT, and that play is up for SBLive's Top Plays of the UIL state semifinals.

-- Gunter beat Canadian 38-17 in the state semifinals thanks in part to a standout night from Walker Overman.

Vote: What was top play in Texas high school football 2023 state semifinals?

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MORE UIL STATE FOOTBALL:

Malakoff leading Franklin in fourth: Live score, updates of Texas high school football championship (12/14/2023)

Albany beats Mart: Live score, updates of Texas high school football state championship (12/14/2023)

Timpson ends remarkable run with 'truly amazing' Texas state football title triumph

Terry Bussey sets 2 records in Texas high school football championship

Benjamin defeats Oglesby: Live Texas high school football championship updates recap

Gordon beats Westbrook: Live score, updates of Texas high school football championship (12/13/2023)

-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx