BROCK — For two consecutive years, the Brock Eagles and coach Billy Mathis have reached the doorstep of a Class 3A DI state championship, only to be turned away — falling 35-18 to Lorena in 2021 and 17-14 to Franklin last year. 

The Eagles, however, might be in an even better position to take their first state championship since 2015 with seven starters returning on both sides of the ball among 24 lettermen and additional reinforcements from a 9-1 JV team.