Gunter (TX) vs. Leonard (TX): Live updates, score of Texas UIL 3A Division II regional final matchup

Gunter (TX) vs. Leonard (TX): 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.

It’s been a tremendous run of success for Gunter (Texas) of late.

The Tigers are two wins away from going back to Arlington’s AT&T Stadium to play for a fourth straight state championship. After Thursday, it could be one win away from returning to “Jerry World.”

Gunter will take on Leonard in the University Interscholastic League 3A Division II Region II championship game, which takes place Thursday night at Melissa’s Kenny Deel Stadium. Both teams are District 7-3A Division II foes, and Gunter handed Leonard a 44-0 defeat on Nov. 6.

LIVE STREAM:Watch Gunter vs. Leonard live on the NFHS Network (Sign up today!)

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, going 12-1 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.

Leonard, also nicknamed the Tigers, enter Thursday’s regional final at 9-4. They started the season 4-3 before winning five of their next six games.

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.

The Gunter-Leonard winner advances to next week’s 3A DII semifinal round against the winner of the Region I championship between Idalou and Wall, which will play Friday in San Angelo.

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 21, LEONARD 0 2ND QTR.

Refresh for latest

SECOND QUARTER

- 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 Waggonner 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) 

- 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 NEWS

Vote: 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)