Stephenville ISD announces Art Briles Stadium in Yellow Jackets’ rout of Brownwood

Stephenville High School football has played at Tarleton Memorial Stadium for generations.

The Yellow Jackets, with a new stadium opening in May, played their final game at the home of the Texans, capturing a 44-0 win over Brownwood in an intense rivalry game known as the Battle of 377 that began in the 1937 season.

“So much great football was played here,” Stephenville head coach Sterling Doty said. “So many great coaches. So many great players played on this field. We’re very, very excited about moving to our own home. Tarleton was a great host. We appreciate their relationship.”

Stephenville cut Brownwood’s all-time series lead to 46-35-2 and won five consecutive Battle of 377 games for the first time in program history. The win clinched the Jackets a share of the district title, and they can win it outright with a week 11 victory.

“It means we have a lot of great kids,” Doty said. “We have a lot of great coaches and we have a great community that is behind us. We’ve known that -- that’s why I came back home in 2019 and its a blessing.”

Stephenville ISD, during the game, announced the Yellow Jackets new home will be called Art Briles Stadium. The field is dedicated to Mike Copeland. Briles and the 1994 Stephenville state championship team were honored during the game.

The intensity of the rivalry was prominent from the start, with both teams trading two punts throughout the first quarter. Both defenses made big plays, keeping the offenses from crossing midfield.

“We’ve been talking about facing adversity,” Stephenville running back Sawyer Wilkerson said of the slow start. “Things are going to happen -- it’s how we respond to it. And we’re a good enough team where we can start off bad and finish well, and that’s what we showed tonight.”

The momentum flipped to Stephenville in the second quarter when defensive back Cutter Stone recovered a fumble, returning it to the 13-yard line. The Yellow Jackets could not capitalize, settling for a successful 33-yard field goal from Cade Whitehead.

Although Stephenville found offensive life, Brownwood still struggled, punting away in a three-and-out. Stephenville, following a pass interference call, found the end zone; running back Zyler McClendon broke free up the middle for a 33-yard score.

“This one is special to our community,” Doty said of the rivalry. “This one is special to the team. But we really just kept it about our process all week.”

The Jacket defense forced another three-and-out, and the offense embarked on a long, 61-yard drive that was capped by a 35-yard field goal from Whitehead prior to the half.

“Defense won the game,” Doty said. “Because we never allowed them to get any sort of momentum in the first half.”

The Jackets suffered a setback late in the second quarter. Four-star Texas Tech commit Tristan Gentry went down with a leg injury and was helped off the field.

“It’s a leg injury. It’s more of a bruise,” Doty said. “Hopefully, he has a good week of getting that thing ready, and he’ll be ready to go next Friday.”

In the third quarter, Stephenville’s scoring barrage began. DB Brighton DeViro forced a fumble., the Jackets took over and quarterback Ryan Gafford found WR Jhett Banuelos over the middle for a 30-yard score.

After a three-and-out, Stephenville added another touchdown. Running back Sawyer Wilkerson rushed right down the sideline, breaking several tackles for a 37-yard score. Defensive back Willis Jackson then gave Stephenville some defensive points, returning an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.

With Brownwood’s offense unable to cut the deficit, Banuelos notched an insurance score on a 28-yard fade route. The Jackets completed the shutout, and Whitehead added his third field goal of the night to end the scoring.

“Cade (Whitehead) has been that way all year long,” Doty said. “He’s been consistent. Great touchbacks. Great on field goals and extra points. It’s the whole unit. From Tanner Smith deep snapping to our holder -- it’s just smooth operating. ... Proud of all three phases.”

Stephenville will hit the road to face Burnett Nov. 8, while Brownwood, on the same day, will host Marble Falls.