Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
When you're given an opportunity to do something great, you better jump at it. Shadow Creek's Randy Masters definitely answered the call in Friday's 28-22 UIL 5A Division I football state championship win against Denton Ryan at Arlington's AT&T Stadium. The play he'll be remembered for was a 37-yard punt return touchdown at the 5:43 mark of the second quarter that followed Riley Nuzzo's nine-yard illegal punt attempt. Shadow Creek ultimately declined Denton Ryan's penalty in favor of the go-ahead 14-8 score and a lead the rest of the game.
"I [saw] that the momentum went away from the other team once the ball started rolling on the ground," Masters said of the play. "I looked and viewed the whole field, so I went [and] scooped it up. We practice all the time on plays. So, I went and got it, and did what I did."
Highlight by VYPE Media's Joshua Koch:
Shadow Creek also scored on a pair of Kyron Drones' rushing touchdowns and a Kelvon Brown scoring scamper, but Masters' special teams play and his team's ensuing extra point were the difference in the Sharks' six-point victory.
Seth Henigan's 26-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Tavion Sanders set up that margin with 1:14 left in the game, and his last second prayerful incompletion gave Denton Ryan a chance on the final play of the game.
But, it wasn't enough, as Alvin ISD broke its two-year losing streak in the UIL 5A Division I state title game. The district suffered Manvel's heartbreaking 53-49 loss against Highland Park in 2017 and Shadow Creek's 27-17 loss against Highland Park in 2018.
"I love all my guys," said Masters. "Coaches, players, staff. Whoever helped us get to this point. We worked so hard from the beginning, day one, so I'm just proud. I couldn't be happier."
With the win, Shadow Creek improves to 31-1 in UIL varsity football competition and Alvin ISD earned its first UIL football state championship.
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