Honestly, if you were at the game on December 12, 2025, you know the vibe was just... different. It wasn’t your typical Friday night in Texas. This was the UIL 4A Division I state semifinal, a heavyweight bout between two undefeated giants: the Celina Bobcats and the Stephenville Yellow Jackets. Everyone in North Texas was looking for that final Celina Texas football score, expecting another notch in the win column for the defending state champs.
But football is cruel.
The final tally read Stephenville 24, Celina 21. It was a heartbreaker that ended a 15-game winning streak and sent the Bobcats home just one step shy of a return trip to AT&T Stadium.
The Game That Broke the Streak
You've got to look at the stats to understand how close this really was. Celina didn't get "beat" in the traditional sense; they were edged out in a chess match that came down to the final two seconds. Senior quarterback and Oklahoma signee Bowe Bentley did exactly what he was supposed to do. He threw for 193 yards, notched two touchdowns through the air, and even scrambled for a 25-yard score himself.
But Stephenville’s defense was a wall they hadn't seen all year.
Usually, Celina is dropping 50 or 60 points like it’s nothing. Remember the 77-0 blowout against Pinkston in the Bi-District round? Or the 70-22 shellacking of Eastern Hills? Those scores were the norm. To see them held to 21 points was shocking to the orange-and-white faithful.
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Key Moments from the Semifinal
- The Early Lead: Karter Lorick hauled in a touchdown pass from Bentley in the first quarter, giving Celina a 7-0 lead. It felt like business as usual.
- The See-Saw: The game was tied at 7-7, then 14-14, then 21-21. It was exhausting just watching it.
- The Missed Opportunity: With just over a minute left, Celina had a chance to take the lead, but a 43-yard field goal attempt sailed wide.
- The Dagger: Stephenville didn't waste the gift. They drove down the field, and Brighton DeVivo nailed a 45-yard field goal with only 2 seconds on the clock.
Basically, the dream of back-to-back state titles evaporated in the cold December air.
How Celina Got There: The 2025 Run
Before that loss, the Bobcats were a juggernaut. If you were tracking the Celina Texas football score throughout the 2025 season, it was a weekly masterclass in dominance. They finished the regular season 10-0 and dismantled almost everyone in their path.
The schedule was a gauntlet of "who's who" in 4A ball:
- They handled Bellville 50-28 to open the season.
- They crushed Gunter 43-19 in a battle of neighboring powerhouses.
- They walked through District 7-4A, including a 61-0 shutout of Nevada Community.
The playoff run was even more terrifying—until it wasn't. They put up 52 points on Alvarado in the Regional Final, with Luke Biagini and Evan Koehne taking over the ground game when Bentley had to sit out the second half as a precaution. That 52-27 victory felt like the momentum they needed to go all the way.
The Bowe Bentley Factor
It’s hard to talk about Celina football without talking about Bentley. The kid is a highlight reel. Throughout the 2025 season, he was the engine. In the 2024 championship year, he threw six touchdowns in the final game against Kilgore. Going into the 2025 playoffs, he was averaging nearly four touchdowns a game.
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Losing him to the college ranks after this season is going to be a massive shift for the program. He wasn't just a passer; he was a leader who could bail the team out on a 3rd-and-long with his legs, like that 25-yard TD run against Stephenville.
What Most People Get Wrong About Celina
People think Celina just wins because they have "more talent." Kinda true, but it's deeper than that. The culture there is basically a religion. When you see a Celina Texas football score, you're seeing the result of a system that starts in middle school.
The 2025 team was special because they were defending a title. In 2024, they went 16-0 and won their first state championship since 2007 by beating Kilgore 55-21. Coming into 2025, the target on their backs was the size of a barn door. To go 14-0 before losing by three points in the semis? That's still an elite season by any metric.
2025 Postseason Results at a Glance
- Bi-District: Celina 77, Pinkston 0
- Area: Celina 70, Eastern Hills 22
- Regional Semifinal: Celina 33, Decatur 7
- Regional Final: Celina 52, Alvarado 27
- State Semifinal: Stephenville 24, Celina 21
Looking Toward the 2026 Season
So, where does Celina go from here?
The loss to Stephenville is going to sting all offseason. But the Bobcats return a lot of talent, specifically in the junior class. Evan Koehne, who was a monster in the Alvarado game with over 100 yards rushing and a receiving TD, will be a senior leader.
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The defense, led by guys like Karter Lorick and Jacob Brown, showed they can play with the best, even if the final score didn't go their way this time. They held a Stephenville offense that had been averaging 41+ points to just 24. That’s a silver lining if I’ve ever seen one.
If you’re a fan or a recruiter, here’s what you should actually be watching for:
- The QB Battle: Who steps into Bentley’s shoes? That’s the $64,000 question in Celina right now.
- The Schedule: Expect a heavy non-district schedule again. They don't duck anyone.
- The Hunger: This program doesn't handle "almost" very well. Expect a chip on their shoulder.
To stay updated on the next Celina Texas football score or to check out the 2026 spring ball schedule, your best bet is following the Celina Quarterback Club or checking the official Celina ISD Athletics portal. They usually post schedule updates by late spring. You can also track real-time stats through the MaxPreps app, which is what most of us use when we can't make the drive to the stadium.
The Bobcat legacy is nine state titles deep. Even after a tough loss, the orange-and-white train isn't slowing down anytime soon.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the 2026 Alignment: Keep an eye on the UIL realignment news in February to see if Celina stays in District 7-4A or if the commute gets even longer.
- Watch the Transfers: With a high-profile QB spot open, see if any new talent moves into the district before spring camp starts.
- Follow Live: For the 2026 season, bookmark the NFHS Network or Texan Live to catch the games if you aren't local to North Texas.