LITTLE ROCK, AR – The McMurry War Hawks put on a dramatic, unforgettable performance at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, using a massive fourth-quarter surge to defeat Texas Lutheran 27-19 and claim the 2025 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championship. For the War Hawks, the victory was sweet, avenging a regular-season loss to the Bulldogs and ending the season as undisputed champions.
The War Hawks jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter when quarterback Dylan Plake found Tedrick Williams on an 11-yard scoring strike, capping a quick, impactful 4-play, 72-yard drive. However, TLU responded, and two second-quarter field goals gave the Bulldogs a 13-7 lead at the half, which they extended to 19-7 early in the final quarter.
The stage was set for one of the most epic comebacks in McMurry's long football history.
Trailing by 12 points, the War Hawks' offense took the field and launched a championship-defining drive. Quarterback Dylan Plake efficiently marched the team 77 yards in 13 plays. Plake hit Xavier Williams for a crucial 15-yard gain and connected with Jadyn Pruitt three times on the drive, steadily moving the chains. The long drive culminated with Nyles Hullaby punching the ball in from the 1-yard line. Though the two-point conversion failed, the deficit was cut to 19-13, and the momentum had irrevocably shifted.
The very next snap delivered the knockout blow. On the ensuing kickoff, the defense, fired up by the score, quickly forced a turnover. Linebacker Brayden Youree was an absolute menace, recovering a TLU fumble after it was forced loose. The ball bounced free into the hands of defensive back Bryce Neves, who scooped it up in the end zone for the defensive touchdown. With Jax Rodriguez knocking home the PAT, the War Hawks had taken their first lead since the first quarter, 20-19, in a matter of 12 seconds.
The defense continued its domination in the closing minutes. With TLU scrambling to regain the lead, defensive back Dylon Davis stepped up and intercepted a pass, effectively ending a promising drive and turning the ball back over to the War Hawks at midfield.
With the championship on the line, running back Tedrick Williams sealed the victory. Williams took a rush nine yards to the house for his second touchdown of the day, extending the lead to 27-19.
The offense was paced by Plake's 234 yards passing and Thomas Chandler's three catches for a game-high 106 yards, including a massive 61-yard reception in the first half. Running back Drelon Burton also provided key yardage in the fourth quarter when the team needed it most.
Defensively, the championship was secured by clutch playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Brayden Youree led the team with 12 total tackles, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Fellow linebacker Zach Mitchell added 10 tackles and a sack. The defensive line generated pressure all day, with Jackson Harris registering 2.5 tackles for loss and Jackson Preng and Cooper Barnard providing constant heat. Bryce Neves's eight tackles and two fumble recoveries, including a touchdown, which helped deliver the SCAC title.
The War Hawks regained control of the ball following the fifth TLU turnover on a fumble recovered by Neves, and ran out the clock to seal the historic 27-19 championship victory.
