To start the weekend, East Bernard looked like the class of Division III. And they proved that they were.

The Brahmas won all their games leading up to the championship by a combined score of 247-100 and held every opponent in pool play to under 20.

As time was winding down in the title game, East Bernard had the ball and clung to a one-score lead with under two minutes to play. Childress nabbed a timely interception and were in position for a potential game-winning drive. Only one problem, the whistle blew for a four-second call meaning the Brahmas held onto it for the win as time expired and they held on for the 19-14 win.

“It was a big goal of ours to come here and and win it, and we did what we said we were going to do so all the work paid off,” East Bernard senior quarterback Dallas Novicke said. “We’re a running team so coming out here and throwing the ball and beating people throwing the ball is pretty impressive for us and we’re happy about it.”

Normally a Slot-T team, who threw the ball under 80 times in 2020, Wade Bosse’s squad is breaking in eight new starters on offense and five new on defense. Novicke, a four-year starter, thought the championship run helped create a lot of opportunities for players who weren’t used to an abundance of playing time or touching the ball. He finished the championship with with the three touchdown passes.

“Coming out here and showing the coaches they can catch it gives them a better opportunity and gets us more versatile and more people to throw to so keep people can’t keep on one guy,” Novicke said. “We did our job. We gave (the coaches) the confidence now it’s up to them to see what they want to do. We trust them.”

Childress’ run to the title game was one of the more impressive of the day. The Bobcats upset Waskom, 20-7, before beating Daingerfield. The run surprised many over the weekend.

“This showed us that we can go against adversity, against any team being down this far and coming up here,” Childress senior tight end Avery Jalomo said. “That’s been great with this team and then beating Waskom, a team ranked above us, shows us how we can beat anybody.”