Final Test: Leopards Look to Finish the Job in Round Rock

New Home Leopards are headed to State!

The New Home Leopards are one win away from finishing what they started.

After a dominant playoff run capped by a two-game sweep of Tom Bean in the State Semifinals, the Leopards (32-4-1) return to the 2A State Championship game with a chance to bring home the second state title in program history.

Their opponent: a battle-tested Centerville Tigers squad (33-6), fresh off three straight three-game playoff series wins and an emotional comeback against Schulenburg to punch their ticket to Round Rock.

🔥 How They Got Here

New Home’s Path: The Leopards have steamrolled through the Region I bracket and never looked back, riding a 12-game win streak into the final. They’ve posted four shutouts, scored 10+ runs in four of their first five playoff games, and played error-free defense throughout the postseason. In the State Semifinals against Tom Bean, Graham Stanford and Tucker Cotton each delivered strong starts, while timely hits from Ryder Starkey, Bransen Beckham, Hunter Burrell, and Jair Johnson fueled 5-1 and 5-3 wins.

Centerville’s Path: If resilience had a name, it might be Centerville. After a wild 3-game series win over Shelbyville in the Regional Final that included a 9-8 comeback and a 10-9 thriller, the Tigers followed with another three-game triumph over Schulenburg in the State Semifinals. Behind standout performances from Gunner Bazar and Wyatt Rayburn on the mound, and key bats like Jakey Gray, Wyatt Kelly, and Jacob Brooke, Centerville clawed their way to the title game.

👀 What to Watch For: New Home

Playoff Power Surge: New Home is averaging over 11 runs per game in the postseason, with offensive explosions led by the likes of Ryder Starkey, who went deep three times in a single game, and clutch bats like Beckham, Johnson, and Burrell. They’ve shown the ability to hang crooked numbers in a hurry.

Graham Stanford {Parker Liles for Sideline Sports}

Big-Game Arms with Big-Game Composure: In a one-game title fight, it’s not about how many arms you have, it’s about trusting the right one in the right spot. The Leopards will put the ball in their ace Graham Stanford's hand knowing should the need arise they have multiple arms behind him that can deliver under pressure. The moment won’t be too big for the Leopard pitching staff.

Error-Free Baseball + Veteran Leadership: Through six playoff rounds, New Home has yet to commit a single error. Anchored by experienced leaders like Starkey, Watkins, Burrell, and Cooper Brown, this team plays with the calm, composed presence of a group that’s been here before—because they have.

👀 What to Watch For: Centerville

Never Out of It: Centerville has played in seven one- or two-run games in the postseason—and they’ve won six of them. No deficit feels too big. Their come-from-behind wins over Shelbyville and Schulenburg prove they’ll battle for all seven innings.

Rayburn’s Two-Way Stardom: Wyatt Rayburn has been Centerville’s heart and soul. He’s driven in runs in nearly every round, earned key wins on the mound, and stepped up in high-leverage moments. If Centerville is going to win a title, expect him to be right in the middle of it.

Lineup Depth and Pressure: From Jakey Gray’s on-base machine profile to Wyatt Burleson’s timely knocks, the Tigers apply pressure throughout the order. Add in aggressive baserunning and clutch situational hitting, and this team thrives on chaos.

Leopards pray before taking the field. {Parker Liles for Sideline Sports]

🧠 3 Keys to a New Home Victory

1. Start Fast (Again): The Leopards have made a habit of explosive innings early in games — especially in the Regional Final against New Deal and Game 1 vs Tom Bean. Jumping on Centerville early could take away their small-ball approach and force them into a style of play that favors New Home.

2. Execute the Pitching Plan: Graham Stanford, Tucker Cotton, and Avin Madrid give New Home a rare luxury — three starters who can go deep and win big games. If they stay ahead in counts and limit Centerville’s free passes, the Tigers’ offense won’t have room to rally.

3. Keep the Gloves Hot: New Home hasn’t committed an error all postseason and that matters. In a game that may come down to one or two plays, the Leopards' defensive excellence could be the difference in hoisting the trophy.

No matter how it unfolds, this one is shaping up to be a showdown worthy of the biggest stage in Texas high school baseball. And for New Home — it’s more than just another game. It’s the final step in a journey they’ve been building toward all season.

Let’s play for it all.