An 8-yard touchdown run by George, the game's Offensive Most Valuable Player, capped a decisive 13-play, 79-yard drive at the end of the third quarter. That gave the Cardinals (15-0) a three-touchdown lead in a game between first-time state finalists before 8,435 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
Hempstead quarterback Obie Wilder led Hempstead offensively with 165 yards passing and a touchdown, but he was sacked five times.
The Cardinals took control of the game on quarterback Wes McQueen's 68-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Webb midway through the third quarter. McQueen tossed two touchdowns on 12-of-28 passing for 233 yards, including a 31-yard completion to Brad Bush on third-and-15 to keep the Cardinals big third-quarter drive alive.
The Bobcats (14-1) flirted with comeback early in the fourth quarter. Hempstead finally gained some momentum offensively after going without a first down in the third quarter and finished off a 59-yard drive with a touchdown pass from quarterback Obie Wilder to Trechel Momon.
The ensuing kickoff resulted in a safety, giving the Bobcats a nine-point swing and hope. But they would get no closer.
The Bobcats had one last chance to make a run with 7:05 left in the game as they drove within Melissa's 20-yard line. But on second-and-2, George sacked Wilder, making for long-yardage plays on third and fourth downs.
The Bobcats couldn't convert.
Melissa appeared poised to take a 7-0 lead into halftime on the strength of a 12-play, 79-yard drive capped by McQueen's 17-yard touchdown pass to Landon Wilson.
But Hempstead finally answered when Tribete Smith, the game's Defensive MVP, intercepted a deflected ball and returned it 19 yards for the tying touchdown with 2:07 left in the first half.
