Gunter (TX) defeats Leonard (TX) 45-14: Live updates, score of Texas UIL 3A Division II regional final matchup originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Gunter (Texas) underwent an offseason of change.However, the Tigers are venturing right back into familiar territory – on the precipice of playing for another state championship.Thursday night, Gunter led from start to finish in a decisive 45-14 win against District 7-3A Division II rival Leonard in the University Interscholastic League 3A Division II Region II championship game, played at Melissa’s Kenny Deel Stadium. In the regular season, Gunter handed Leonard a 44-0 defeat on Nov. 6.LIVE STREAM:Watch Gunter vs. Leonard live on the NFHS Network (Sign up today!)It was more of the same in the rematch, as Gunter broke the game open late in the first half with two touchdowns inside the last minute to build a 28-0 lead. The Tigers eventually built a 45-0 advantage early in the fourth quarter.With the win, Gunter (13-1) moves on to play in the 3A Division II semifinals next week against the winner of the Region I championship between Idalou and Wall, which will be played Friday in San Angelo.. Gunter seemed to be in a rebuilding mode going into the season, with the Tigers returning only two offensive and five defensive starters. They were also breaking in a new coach, Jordan Gill, a former Gunter assistant who was promoted over the offseason.But the Tigers have just reloaded so far, with their only loss coming to Celina, the defending 4A DI state champs. Gunter has also turned in a strong postseason, beginning with scoring 84 points in the bi-district round and outscoring its three foes, 173-27, prior to Thursday’s game.The first three TDs Gunter scored on Thursday came courtesy of passes from quarterback Knox Gage to receiver Alex Fenner. With six seconds left until halftime, a 24-yard pick-six TD from David Puga made it 28-0.Gunter tacked on a pair of rushing TDs in the third quarter and a field goal early in the fourth for its 45-point lead.Leonard, also nicknamed the Tigers, finally got on the board with a pair of touchdowns in the closing minutes. With the loss, Leonard ended its season at 9-5, having started the season 4-3 before winning five of its next six games prior to Thursday. In its past two playoff games, Leonard held off Holliday, 41-34, before surviving a 34-28 game against Blue Ridge in the regional semifinals.But on Thursday, Leonard’s run came to an end while Gunter continues its march toward another return trip to Arlington.Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Melissa.Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.GUNTER 45, LEONARD 14 FINALRefresh for latestPOSTGAME- Gunter led from start to finish as the Tigers claimed their 10th consecutive regional championship. Now, they’re two more wins away from a fourth straight state crown.FOURTH QUARTER- TOUCHDOWN LEONARD. Jacoby LaCook connects with Allan Cass for a 32-yard score late in the game. (Gunter 45-14 | 1:52, 4th) Leonard with no quit @LacookJacoby to Allan Cass for the score 🔥 @LeonardFootball 1️⃣4️⃣@gunter_football 4️⃣5️⃣ Final pic.twitter.com/9yAMGEOqIX— Friday Night Glory (@FridayNghtGlory) December 5, 2025- TOUCHDOWN LEONARD. Leonard avoids the shutout with more than six minutes left, as Jacoby LaCook finds the end zone from 2 yards out. (Gunter 45-7 | 6:21, 4th) – FIELD GOAL GUNTER. Against Leonard, a player named Leonard extends Gunter’s advantage. In this case, it’s Jaxson Leonard, who connects on a field goal from 40 yards out. (Gunter, 45-0 | 9:02, 4th) THIRD QUARTER- TOUCHDOWN GUNTER. A bad snap on a Leonard punt attempt eventually sets up another Gunter score, with Benji Rodriguez going in from 2 yards out. (Gunter 42-0 | 1:04, 3rd) Gunter strikes again with a Benji Rodriguez TD run gives the 🐅’s a 42-0 lead in the 3Q@GunterHSTigers@Gunter_ISD@GunterWrestling@Gunter_Texas@GTBandBooster@GT_Softball@GunterVball@GunterTigerFan@gunter_football@KennyMatthews@Gosset41@GMsportsmedia1@RandyE30… pic.twitter.com/4v1YinigPN— Friday Night Glory (@FridayNghtGlory) December 5, 2025- TOUCHDOWN GUNTER. Gunter adds to its lead, as Jay Campiti breaks loose for a 37-yard sprint to the house. (Gunter 35-0 | 9:39, 3rd) HALFTIME- All Gunter so far, and the Tigers have gotten it done with both their offense and defense.Halftime 🏈@LeonardFootball 0️⃣@gunter_football 2️⃣8️⃣ HTThe combo of @KnoxGage2 to @AlexFenner18 for two more td’s & a pick 6 by David Puga before the half gives the 🐅’s a huge lead at Ht 🔥 @KennyMatthews@Gunter_ISD@GunterWrestling@Gunter_Texas@GTBandBooster… pic.twitter.com/cNSxVJ2nxD— Friday Night Glory (@FridayNghtGlory) December 5, 2025SECOND QUARTER- PICK-SIX TOUCHDOWN GUNTER. Gunter has broken this thing wide open, as David Puga picks off a pass, finds running room and takes it in from 24 yards out with just six seconds left in the half. (Gunter, 28-0 | :06, 2nd) – TOUCHDOWN GUNTER. It’s a hat trick for Alex Fenner, who hauls in his third scoring pass on the night, this time catching a 30-yard strike from Knox Gage. (Gunter 21-0 | :59, 2nd) – A sack from Gunter’s Jaxton Waggoner forces a fourth-and-long, and this time, Leonard punts it away near the two-minute warning. – Leonard faces another fourth-down, and once again, goes for it. They get it, and keep possession with less than four minutes to go in the half.- TOUCHDOWN GUNTER. For the second time, Knox Gage and Alex Fenner hook up for a TD, as Fenner catches a 33-yard strike despite being heavily blanketed by a Leonard defender. (Gunter, 14-0 | 6:47, 2nd)  – Gunter QB Knox Gage breaks off a long run and the Tigers are inside Leonard’s 30.- Leonard goes for it on fourth down inside the Gunter 30, but a keeper is stopped a couple of yards short. Gunter holds with 9:05 left in the half. – Leonard gets the first down, and is back into Gunter territory. – Leonard faces a third-and-manageable on its half of the field to start the second. FIRST QUARTER- TOUCHDOWN GUNTER. Gunter gets on the board first after a 23-yard pass to Alex Fenner thrown by Knox Gage. (Gunter, 7-0 | 1:15, 1st) End of the 1Q🏈@LeonardFootball 0️⃣@gunter_football 7️⃣Gunter’s @KnoxGage2 to @AlexFenner18 🔥 @ihss_dfw@ProfessorDiggs@KennyMatthews@RandyE30@RealNolanRuth@Gosset41@GMsportsmedia1@Dtigers6685@Marchen44pic.twitter.com/j6HluflOpc— Friday Night Glory (@FridayNghtGlory) December 5, 2025- Gunter driving and is inside the Leonard 25 with less than two minutes to go in the period. – Leonard goes for it again on fourth down, but a pass toward the goal line falls incomplete. Gunter holds, and takes over at its own 37. – DOUBLE TAKEAWAYS. Leonard fumbled the ball to Gunter in Gunter territory. But one play later, Gunter fumbles it right back to Leonard, which starts near the Gunter 30. – Leonard attempts to go for it again on fourth down near midfield, but is flagged for a false start. But they don’t kick it away and attempt a long pass. It falls incomplete; however, Gunter is flagged for pass interference and Leonard gets a fresh set of downs inside midfield. – Leonard faced with a huge decision early, going for it on fourth-and-short near its 35, but the Tigers get it to keep the chains moving. – Gunter, wearing the home blue uniforms, will kick off to Leonard, wearing white.PREGAME- On a frigid night in Melissa, both teams have now taken the field and we’re about to get under way. – Live from the luxurious Kenny Deel Stadium in Melissa, it will be district foes Gunter and Leonard, this time squaring off for the UIL 3A Division II Region II championship.MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWSVote: Who should be the top individual Texas high school football performer from the regional semifinal round of the playoffs (Nov. 24-30)?Texas high school football UIL playoff updated scores, regional final pairings Houston Cougars TDECU stadium set to host high school football playoffs Voting Results: Jayden Maples named The Sporting News Texas high school football performer from the area round of the playoffs (Nov. 17-23)