'They play hard and they're just a good group of kids': Second Baptist makes state finals in football

The Houston Second Baptist Eagles football team finally advanced past the third round to secure a berth in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools championship game.

The Eagles edged out Fort Bend Christian 14-13 in the TAPPS Division II semifinals on Nov. 27.

“I’m really excited for these seniors," Second Baptist head coach Terry Pirtle told the Houston Chronicle. “I’m just so proud of our defense. They were amazing again.”

Pirtle heaped further praise on his team after the win.

“They’re well-coached, they play hard and they’re just a good group of kids," Pirtle told the Houston Chronicle. 

The last three third-round appearances were unsuccessful for Second Baptist. A late interception by Karsten Chambers in the second half swung the hard-fought game the Eagles' way. A fumble recovery by Colin Hedges in the last minute of the contest ensured victory for the Eagles. 

It's been 22 years since the last time Second Baptist played for a state crown. The Eagles took a 14-7 lead at halftime and had to hold off a comeback by Fort Bend Christian in the second half, according to a report by the Houston Chronicle. It was only the second loss of the year for Second Baptist and the third consecutive year they have been eliminated in the third round of the state playoffs. 

The only score of the second half was a Fort Bend touchdown pass set up by a blocked punt, but they missed the extra point and failed to tie the game. Second Baptist had missed two chances to score in the first half and build a bigger lead, both failing on a fourth down conversion just outside the red zone and failing on a fake field goal attempt. Second Baptist will next face Dallas Christian in the Eagles first trip to the finals since 1999 when they won the state championship, according to a report by the Houston Chronicle.