WELLINGTON — At some point, the bubble on The Classical Academy’s winning streak had to burst. 

Wellington made sure that pop was loud and clear. The Classical Academy lost 29-7 in the 2A semifinals Saturday to end its 24-game winning streak against the school TCA defeated in 2024 to win its first football championship. 

“In football, 50 percent of the schools lose every week,” TCA coach Justin Rich said. “To be able to go on the run that we went on, we’ve been beyond blessed. Whether we win the championship or lose, I feel blessed. I’m blessed by my maker to be able to spend time with this team.” 

The Classical Academy (11-1) earned a 42-36 victory in last year’s 2A championship game and demolished 11 teams in its path during the title defense. But Wellington sought revenge after the state title game. 

“We were pretty unhappy with how that fumble call went last year, but we feel we can finally put that and (last year’s) title game behind us,” Wellington quarterback Tanner Gray said. “We felt this was redemption and we dominated out of the gate. There was no doubt in my mind that we would win this game.” 

The Classical Academy’s contest at Wellington Middle-High School was its first road game since Oct. 10 and the Titans’ first defeat since Nov. 11, 2023, which came in the quarterfinals to Delta. 

Wellington (12-0) unleashed fury contained from its 2024 loss to TCA in its first two drives behind Gray’s rushing talents.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback, who’s committed to University of Nevada to play defensive end next year, carried the ball for 9 and 5 yards to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead in the first. 

Jackson Schipfer cut the lead to 14-7 with a 14-yard run to the end zone with 11:01 left in the second. However, the usually potent Titan offense, which averages just under 37 points per game, stagnated after Schipfer’s score.

“That was their defense,” Rich said. “I think Wellington is the best team in the state and they have been the entire year. …We made some uncharacteristic plays. We’ve been so lucky not dropping balls and that got us. (Wellington’s) speed and the way they run is hard to replicate. We played good defense after the first quarter.” 

After Schipfer’s rushing touchdown, the Titans forced a third down, pinned the Eagles at their 20 and looked for consecutive Eagle three-and-out drives. 

But Gray scrambled, escaped a sack and floated a pass to Kasen Brown, who nearly dropped it, but hauled it in for the reception and escaped the Titans’ defense for an 80-yard score to build a 22-7 lead after the two-point conversion. Wellington followed in the third with a 20-yard rushing touchdown to seal the game. 

“We gave up a 50-50 ball in the second and then lost contain in the third,” Rich said. “You can’t make mistakes against a team like Wellington. You wish you could take some mistakes back, but that’s football. I love this team and these kids and what they’ve been able to do. 

“Our senior class is the biggest group of knuckleheads and I’m going to miss them. I’ll miss being able to see them and do life with them.”