Steele turned a highly anticipated matchup against upstart Judson into a blowout with the Knights taking a 57-6 victory on Friday night at Lehnhoff Stadium.
Senior quarterback DJ Green accounted for three touchdowns - two passing and one rushing - and threw for 233 yards. Junior running back Liam Jones and senior receiver Jamin Harvell each had two scores.
That sends the third-ranked Knights into first place all alone in District 27-6A at 4-0. Steele (5-1-1 overall) stretched its district winning streak to 33 games.
"The kids did a great job," Steele coach David Saenz said. "It didn't take a whole lot to get them motivated to play Judson, a rivalry game, and I'm just excited and happy with the way we played in all three phases."
Steele outgained the Rockets 570-237 in total yardage, including 441-139 in the first half as the Knights built a 36-6 lead at intermission.
"We know some guys there, and it's a rivalry game," Green said. "But, ultimately we came out and executed at a high level, so it was pretty good."
As explosive as the Knights were on offense, it was a big defensive stop late in the first quarter that changed the trajectory of the game.
The Knights held a 14-0 lead thanks to a 56-yard catch by Harvell and a 33-yard run from Green.
Following Green's score, the Rockets drove 50 yards on 12 plays to the Knights' 2-yard line. That's when the Rockets decided to go for a touchdown on fourth down. Junior linebacker Pike Kempe then stopped Kayden Graham for no gain.
The Knights turned that stop into a 22-0 lead with 1:45 left in the first quarter when junior Liam Jones scored on a 51-yard run. Tanner Mudge, the holder, kept the ball and scored for a two-point conversion.
"That was huge," Saenz said of the stop. "Anytime in a game like this where you know they have explosive players and you know they're coming down, and they get momentum back. We kind of took the momentum away a little bit, and then we go down and drive and get a touchdown for a 14-point swing."
The big plays for the Knights continued in the second quarter with an 11-yard run by Jones and a 26-yard reception by Harvell. Those touchdowns were sandwiched around Jay'maree Bowens' 26-yard touchdown reception for Judson.
The Knights scored three touchdowns in the third quarter with two set up by interceptions from Lucas Pelletier and Teylen White.
Steele defeated Judson for the sixth straight time, and the Knights hold a 13-4 advantage in the series.
Judson (2-4) essentially falls into a three-way battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in 27-6A. The Rockets, New Braunfels Canyon and Clemens are 2-2 in district. Pieper and East Central are tied for second behind Steele at 3-1. Pieper downed East Central on Friday, giving the Knights sole possession of first place.
"We still have a long way to go," Green said. "We still have playoffs. We still have to finish our district and get the ultimate goal of a state championship. We just have to stay locked in and execute."
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There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Steele overwhelms Judson to move alone into first place in District 27-6A.