As has been bandied about in lexicon circles for many years, the popular old saying is “Everything’s bigger in Texas.”

That time-honored adage has perhaps never rung more true than how it applies to the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) state football championships.

For starters, according to the NFHS’ 2013-14 High School Athletics Participation Survey, no state in the nation has more high schools or more players (1,061 and 164,554, respectively) involved with 11-player football.

That huge grassroots institutional and talent feeder system helps fuel the Lone Star State’s legendary football state championships.

And speaking of big, that’s probably a gross understatement when used to describe the venue in which the UIL state football championships are currently held – AT&T Stadium, the Arlington-based home of the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys – as well as the attendance of the state championship games.

Shown above is the 2013 UIL Conference 5A Division I State Championship game played in AT&T Stadium

With a normal seating capacity of 80,000 expandable to 105,000 with standing room, 54,347 fervent fans packed AT&T Stadium for the 2013 UIL 5A Division I State Championship Game in which Allen defeated Pearland, 63-28. To place that attendance figure into perspective, it ranks behind only 12 2013-14 college football bowl games (including the BCS National Championship Game), but ranks ahead of 23 other college bowl games from that same season. In addition, it set an all-time attendance record for a Texas high school football game.

In December 2013, the UIL conducted 10 11-player football state championship games (two divisions apiece in Conference 1A, Conference 2A, Conference 3A, Conference 4A and Conference 5A) and two in six-player (two divisions in Conference 1A Six-Man).

The 2013 championships also marked the first time that all 11-player and six-player championship games were played at the same location (AT&T Stadium), and that the six-player championship games were played indoors. During the previous four years, the two Conference 1A Six-Man football championship games had been played outdoors at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.

Over the years, many outstanding facilities around the state have hosted UIL football state championships. Among those venues are Memorial Stadium in Austin, the Astrodome in Houston, Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Kyle Field in College Station, Texas Stadium in Irving, the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater, Wood Stadium in Brownwood, Pennginton Field in Bedford, Bulldog Stadium in Abilene, the Alamodome in San Antonio, Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches, the Birdville Athletic Complex in North Richland Hills, Waco ISD Stadium, Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Rice Stadium in Houston, Rose Stadium in Tyler, Baylor University in Waco, Round Rock ISD Stadium, Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Ford Stadium SMU in Dallas, and Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield.

The UIL announced in a July 22nd press release that its football state championship games will again be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Texas University Interscholastic League Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt

“Having all football championship games in one location truly makes for an amazing experience for the coaches, athletes and fans, and last year it led to a Texas high school football attendance record,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “We are excited to return to AT&T Stadium and continue to improve on a world-class event in the state of Texas.”

The 2014 football state championship will mark the fifth year all games in all conferences will be played at pre-determined locations. The UIL has determined the site for the Conference 5A football state championship since 2006.

Two high schools – Celina and Southlake Carroll – have both won a state-record eight state championships. Close behind is a four-way tie of seven titles apiece among Abilene, Brownwood, Katy and Plano.

In terms of state championship game appearances, Katy holds that record with 12. Converse Judson and Odessa Permian both have 11 appearances to claim runner-up spots in that particular category.

Among the many standout players who have played for UIL football state titles at AT&T Stadium are three who are listed in the NFHS’ online National High School Sports Record Book.

One such player is 5-foot-11, 207-pound running back Johnathan Gray, who led Aledo High School to three consecutive state titles from 2009 to 2011.

As a sophomore, Gray rushed for 252 yards and four touchdowns to help lead Aledo to the 2009 Conference 4A Division 2 state title with a 35-21 victory over Brenham. The following year, Gray rushed for 323 yards and eight touchdowns as Aledo topped La Marque, 69-34, in the 2010 Conference 4A Division 2 state title game. Gray capped his stellar high school career by rushing for 241 yards in Aledo’s 49-28 win over Manvel in the 2011 Conference 4A Division 1 state title game.

Three standout UIL football players. From left: Johnathan Gray, Cole Hedlund, Travis Quintanilla

At the national level, Gray ranks No. 5 all-time with 10,889 career rushing yards from 2008 to 2011, and his 3,886 rushing yards in 2011 ranks sixth in the single-season category.

Gray’s 189 career rushing touchdowns ranks second all-time, and his single-season rushing touchdown totals of 65 in 2011 and 59 in 2010 rank third and seventh, respectively. In addition, his 3,886 rushing yards in 2011 ranks sixth for single-season rushing yards.

Travis Quintanilla, a 5-10, 180-pound quarterback at Refugio, helped lead the Bobcats to the Conference 2A Division 2 championship game as both a sophomore and a senior, in which they scored 36 points and played Cisco both times.

In 2011, Refugio fell to Cisco, 56-36, but gained a measure of revenge two years later with a 36-35 victory and the UIL state championship.

During Quintanilla’s stellar three-year varsity career, he had 13,335 passing yards (ranks No. 7 all-time nationally) and 178 passing touchdowns (tied for third). In addition, all three of his single-season passing yard totals qualify for the Record Book.

Competing in Conference 3A Division 2, Argyle kicker Cole Hedlund entered his name into the National High School Sports Record Book three times.

The 5-10, 170-pound Hedlund finished his career with a national-record 56 field goals. In addition, he holds the top two spots for single-season field goals, with No. 1 25 as a sophomore in 2011, and No. 2 24 as a senior in 2013.

During Hedlund’s sophomore season, the Eagles fell to Wimberley in the championship game, 21-14. Two years later, Argyle put the finishing touches on an undefeated 16-0 season as it topped Fairfield, 38-33, to claim the 2013 state title.