Stratford's Klinton Keener (25) scores the clinching touchdown on a 14-yard run in the fourth quarter Saturday against Cayuga in the Class 1A Division II state championship game at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.

ABILENE - Dreams do come true. Just ask some of the Stratford seniors who stood on the sidelines three years ago and watched their teammates walk off the Shotwell Stadium turf with a Class 1A state championship.

On Saturday, seniors Kaleb Horsford and Manuel Chavoya, who watched that 2005 state title game from the sidelines, played an integral part in a 24-13 victory against Cayuga that gave the Elks their third state title of the decade.

''Being a part of this state championship is an awesome feeling,'' said Horsford, whose father is an assistant coach and younger brother Kyle plays on defense.

''Three years ago I was the backup quarterback but didn't get in the game. To come back here and win this time is a feeling that I'll always remember. It's special.''

Stratford head coach Eddie Metcalf had a game plan drawn up that led to a state title.

''We had to play great defense and do enough on offense not to lose the game,'' Metcalf said.

''Cayuga has a great running back in Traylon Shead, and we knew that we couldn't let him beat us by himself. We knew that we weren't going to shut him down, and we didn't. But he didn't beat us and we played good enough on offense to get it done.

''We weren't overwhelming on offense, but that's kind of how we've played all season. We have played well enough, and with enough efficiency, to win games.''

Defense carried the Elks through their playoff run this year, and it was what got them through again against the Wildcats, who came in averaging more than 30 points per game but scored only two TDs and had 168 yards total offense.

Shead carried 20 times for 163 yards, including a 44-yard scoring run. But in the second half, he only gained 47 yards on 11 attempts and didn't have a run of more than eight yards until the final two minutes.

The Elks grabbed a 12-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to an 11-play, 63-yard drive following the opening kickoff. The payoff came on a 7-yard pass from Horsford to Angel Resendes.

On Cayuga's first play from scrimmage, Malcome Kennedy fumbled following a 12-yard gain, and Horsford recovered for the Elks at their 47.

Seven plays later, Klinton Keener sliced over from 2 yards out for a 12-0 lead with 1:53 remaining in the quarter.

After that, Cayuga answered with a pair of TDs. Shead ran 44 yards for one, and quarterback Broc January threw a 26-yard pass to Kennedy on the final play of the half. Cory Perry's conversion kick gave the Wildcats a 13-12 lead at the break.

The second half belonged mainly to the Elks.

After Stratford's defense forced a three-and-out on Cayuga's initial possession, the Elks marched 39 yards in nine plays.

Horsford's 3-yard pass to Chavoya made it 18-13 with 5:04 remaining in the quarter.

Stratford's final TD came with 8:14 remaining when Keener went 14 yards off tackle to cap a four-play, 39-yard drive.

Chavoya rushed for 137 yards on 21 carries as he started in place of Jesse Lopez, who had more than 1,800 yards this season but was injured late in the semifinal game against Albany a week earllier.

''I was nervous starting the game,'' said Chavoya, who was crying tears of joy after the game.

''I just tried to run hard and not make any mistakes. The line blocked well and I was able to make some yards.

''Winning this is almost beyond words. I was on the sideline three years ago when we won and got a ring. I'm going to get another one this year, and I've been able to contribute.''

Cayuga head coach Tommy Allison said his team simply made too many mistakes to beat a team like Stratford.

''We fumbled three times and had two passes intercepted,'' said Allison. ''You can't do that against a team as good as Stratford. We were fortunate to have the lead at halftime. They just outplayed us in the second half. They are an outstanding team.''