Sam Houston State Takes Lonestar in Emphatic Fashion

02.27.2024

Sam Houston State put aside their one conference loss of the season to win the Lonestar D1AA Conference over the weekend.

The Bearkats had dropped a close loss to Rice during the regular season and as a result came into the playoff weekend as the #2 seed. That didn't sit right with them.

"Too many errors on our side," said SHSU Head Coach Ramon Serrano of that 29-26 loss to Rice in the fall. "We didn’t stick to our strengths and game plan."

On Day One SHSU defeated a tough St. Edwards team 39-16 while Rice had all they could handle with UT San Antonio, prevailing 19-16.

That set up Sunday's final, and there Sam Houston State controlled the tempo early and unleashed their danger players.

Those would include wing Dag Dowouna, who had also taken up goalkicking duties, and center Jaon Stokley, who has led SHSU through some of their best years.

Dowouna scored within the first minute, converting to make it 7-0. He added a penalty goal a few minutes later, and then Stokley added a try about midway through the first half. With Dowuona's conversion SHSU now led 17-0.

But Rice was finally able to respond, countering on a kick to punch on in. A try from on the opposite wing, this time for Trace Blitz, extended the Sam Houston State lead, but when Rice scored just before halftime we had a ballgame on our hands 22-14.

The second half, however, would be all Bearkats. Their speed and the pace of their game was too much for the Owls and with two tries from Jackson Reach plus tries from Drake Torno, Joe Nervis, Jr., and powerful forward Corinthian Cormier—Dowuona converting three of those—SHSU blew the game apart 53-14.

"This weekend we stuck to the game plan and we overpowered and outpaced Rice in every part of the match," said Serrano.

SHSU now will face Iowa State in the CRAA D1AA East Regional Final, with the winner going to Houston for the final against the West.

Likely we will see Rice in a bowl game on the finals weekend as well.