Back in September, Denarius McGhee had started only one game at quarterback for Euless Trinity when it traveled to Odessa to play Permian. The second start was ugly, as he threw a pair of interceptions in Trinity's 30-3 loss on national television.

"He was a little shaky," running back Samir Baker said.

But McGhee's teammates were there for him. He said they told him to keep his head up and things would get better.

They have, as Trinity (12-1) has won 11 straight games to advance to the Class 5A Division I Region I final against Arlington Bowie (12-1). McGhee, a junior who played quarterback for the junior varsity last season, now looks poised and confident in the pocket.

"I'm a lot more relaxed," McGhee said. "I just go out and do my job and don't worry about anything bad happening."

It's been mostly good in the playoffs, as McGhee has completed 27 of 46 passes for 546 yards and five touchdowns. He has been intercepted once. Last week, he ran for a 52-yard touchdown against Permian.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Denarius McGhee has directed Euless Trinity, which faces Arlington Bowie on Saturday at Texas Stadium, to 11 straight victories.

That was part of Trinity's 38-14 victory, which avenged its only loss. It was a redemption game for Trinity, and it was a breakout game for McGhee.

Permian fans probably barely recognized McGhee, the shaky starter who completed only five of his 13 passes in the first matchup.

"He couldn't even take a snap then," Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver said.

The coaching staff asked too much of McGhee too soon, Lineweaver said, but they liked his potential. They saw more of that potential the following week, when McGhee bounced back against Waco by completing 10 of 15 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown.

He also didn't throw an interception in that game. He didn't throw another interception for two months, helping Trinity's ball-control offense flourish.

"I've improved a lot, and I'm just trying to get better each game," McGhee said. "The game has really slowed down for me. That's the big thing."

It looked that way Saturday. McGhee scored Trinity's first touchdown when the offensive line opened a huge hole for him on a draw play. About 20 yards from the end zone, McGhee slowed up slightly to let receiver Stetson Smith make a block on the last Permian defender.

That started five consecutive scoring drives that turned a 7-3 deficit into a commanding 35-7 lead late in the fourth quarter. The final two touchdowns came on a 54-yard pass to Tyree Tucker and a 12-yard fade route to Justin Runningdeer.

The fade route is often one of the toughest throws to learn, but McGhee said he works on it every day in practice. He gets more confident each time he practices it, and that's true for all his responsibilities as quarterback.

"It's just been the repetitions," he said. "The more reps you get, the more comfortable you're going to be."

And the more uncomfortable opponents become. McGhee said he knows the Bowie defense, which has allowed only seven points per game in the playoffs, is really good. But just as McGhee doesn't worry about bad things happening, he said he doesn't worry about the opponent.

"We just have to go out there and execute," he said. "If we do our job and go out there and execute and work as hard as we can, then we'll be happy with that."

DENARIUS McGHEE

School, class: Euless Trinity, Jr.

Height, weight: 5-10, 172

Position: Quarterback

He said it: "It's the offensive line. They're doing a great job and giving me time to pass."

Did you know? McGhee and Trinity's leading receiver, Tyree Tucker, have been teammates since seventh grade.

QB REWIND

*Class 5A Division I state champions

Class 5A Division I Region I final: Euless Trinity (12-1) vs. Arlington Bowie (12-1), 4 p.m. Saturday, Texas Stadium (KKGM-AM 1630, KDKR-FM 91.3)