SAN ANTONIO – The Steele Knights used a dominant defense and a mix of big plays on offense to beat Katy Cinco Ranch 35-14 at the Alamodome Saturday night to advance to the Class 6A Division II state championship game.
The Knights will play DeSoto next Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
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The Knights defense smothered Cinco Ranch from the start and scored Steele's first touchdown on an interception return in the first quarter.
WATCH Postgame Caden Sterns @lil_STERNS2 on defensive effort as @Football_Steele gets to state title game @SteeleAthletics #Txhsfbplayoffs pic.twitter.com/I5UeuypqcB
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) December 11, 2016
Steele led 7-0 late in the second quarter when the offense exploded for 21 points in the final three minutes of the first half.
Quarterback Xavier Martin hit Onyx Williams for a touchdown pass and running back Brenden Brady scored two touchdowns on the ground to give the Knights a comfortable 28-0 lead at halftime.
WATCH @Thexaviermartin on @Football_Steele journey, excitement of playing in state final. Martin is one of 2017s #ksatelite12 recruits pic.twitter.com/GZ2KW8GpW3
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) December 11, 2016
Steele came out in the second half and after another long completion from Martin, scored on short rushing touchdown.
It was Brady's third touchdown of the night and it put the Knights up 35-0 late in the third quarter. Cinco Ranch scored two touchdowns to make the final score 35-14.
WATCH @joshuacroslen on @Football_Steele reaching state final, fan support, senior class. Croslen is one of 2017s #ksatelite12 recruits pic.twitter.com/xq8itK89QG
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) December 11, 2016
The Knights will now face the unbeaten DeSoto Eagles in the state final. If Steele wins, it would be the program's second state championship.
Kickoff for Steele-DeSoto is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday from AT&T Stadium.
WATCH Brenden Brady @im_doin_work21 postgame as Steele moves onto state final, Brady scored 3TDs in win over Cinco Ranch #Txhsfbplayoffs pic.twitter.com/PGkzieouaE
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) December 11, 2016