The Galveston County Daily News

DICKINSON — As the final seconds ticked off the clock at Sam Vitanza Stadium on Thursday, a sea of Clear Springs students descended upon the football team in celebration. Everyone wanted to be a part of school history.

Springs overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Dickinson 33-21. The win clinched the outright District 24-5A title for the Chargers, making them the first varsity sports program to do so in the school’s three-year existence.

“I told our seniors all week they had a chance to write history,” Springs coach Clint Hartman said.

“No one else that ever passes through the doors at Clear Springs High School will be able to say they were a part of the first district championship in any sport. That is something to be proud of.”

To accomplish the feat though, Springs (8-2 overall, 6-1 district) had to fight off a feisty Gators squad.

Dickinson (6-4, 4-3) scored on consecutive drives in the third quarter to turn a 13-7 deficit into a 21-13 advantage.

Quarterback Clay Honeycutt scored on a 47-yard run, while Corey Thomas added a 4-yard touchdown for the Gators.

Springs cut that lead to two points, when quarterback Phillip Miller hit Dmitri Donald for a 20-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter.

But the Chargers still found themselves trailing 21-19 in the fourth quarter when Dickinson pinned them down at the 4-yard line on a punt.

That’s when Hartman huddled his team up and delivered an inspirational speech.

“He told us this is where champions are made — with a 96-yard touchdown drive to win the game,” Miller said.

“He told us that would break their hearts.”

It took 17 plays and five first downs, but Trevon Randle capped off the impressive drive with a 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal.

Miller hit Randle on the two-point conversion to put Springs up 27-21. It turned out to be the game-winner.

“Early on in the second half when we feel behind, we said let’s keep it in 9’s (Miller’s) hands,” Hartman said.

“Then when it was the fourth quarter, we said let’s put it 9 or 4’s (Randle’s) hands. We knew we could get the win if we put our trust in those kids.”

Dickinson fumbled the ensuing pooch kickoff, giving Springs an opportunity to run some time off the clock. The Chargers did just that, and then Miller threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Deche Milburn to ice the game with 2:34 remaining.

Miller finished the night with 231 yards passing and 48 yards rushing on 25 carries. He was visibly exhausted after the contest.

“Those guys were hitting me hard tonight,” Miller said.

“They came to play. The feeling of winning makes up for how tired I am, though.”

Randle turned out to be the biggest star of the game. He finished with double-digit tackles, two fumble recoveries, two rushing touchdowns and a blocked punt.

The blocked punt led to a Donnie Baggs touchdown in the first quarter.

“(Winning district) has been a goal of ours since May,” Randle said.

“We all came ready to play, because we wanted to make history.”

Dickinson trailed 13-0 in the second quarter, but got on the board before halftime on a 2-yard touchdown run by Thomas.

He finished with 83 yards and two scores. Honeycutt finished with 126 yards passing and 96 rushing.

“I’m real proud of the way our (team) fought hard tonight,” said Dickinson coach Warren Trahan.

“Nobody gave us much of a chance in this game. We gave ourselves a chance in the second half. But they made the big plays late and we didn’t.”

Dickinson must now wait for results tonight to see if it will be going to the playoffs for the third straight season.

The Gators need Ball High to lose at Brazoswood or Clear Creek to lose to Clear Lake.

As for Springs, it will play the winner of tonight’s game between Fort Bend Kempner and Fort Bend Elkins.

It is also on the other side of the bracket of Katy, meaning it wouldn’t have to face the two-time defending state champs until the regional finals.

But the Chargers are thinking bigger than region titles. They want a state championship to go along with their district title.

“We still have some work to do, but I think we can win it,” Miller said.

“With the way our defense is playing, if we can be consistent on offense like we were in the second half tonight, I like our chances.”