For the second week in a row, the Friars will go to-to-toe with an undefeated opponent, this time on the road as non-district play comes to an end Friday with a rivalry clash against Nolan Catholic at Doskocil Stadium. The fifth-ranked Friars (3-2) and top-ranked Vikings (5-0) are scheduled to kickoff at 7:00 pm. The game can be streamed live at the following link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=uGYId_C6Ha0.
 
Nolan Overview
The Vikings are strong in every phase of the game, a big reason why they're not only undefeated, but ranked No. 1 in all of TAPPS. Nolan has shown it can blow teams out (wins of 48, 42, and 33 points) and also win the slugfest (27-12 over Celina). The Vikings also pitched a defensive shutout in their most recent outing, a 42-0 rout of Lincoln. Their average margin of victory is 32.4 points. So far, nobody has come closer than 15 points. The Vikings scored a season-high 74 points in their second outing of the season against Life School Waxahachie.
 
Nolan Offense
The Vikings are well-rounded offensively, putting up 45.8 points and more than 350 yards per game. They not only score often, but strike with the big play with regularity, scoring six touchdowns covering 50 yards or more. Junior QB Jimmy Taylor (6-3, 215) is completing 70 percent of his attempts (59-of-84) for 815 yards, 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Highly-touted sophomore Emeka Megwa (6-1, 220) leads the team with 516 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 9.4 yards per carry. Brandon Chatman (5-10, 183) is a huge receiving threat with 23 catches, 331 yards, and 7 touchdowns. Sergio Snider (5-10, 175) has made a huge impact as a freshman, totaling 390 yards and 6 touchdowns combined rushing and receiving.
 
Nolan Defense
A quick glance at the schedule should tell you enough about the Viking defense, surrendering just 13.4 points and 240 yards per game. Nolan has had just one opponent score more than 20 points while three teams have failed to score more than 12. The Vikings are giving up 144 yards on the ground – an eye-opening number for a Friar offense averaging 275 yards per game on the ground. Also, Nolan is giving up less than 100 yards per game through the air (97.2). The Vikings have forced 15 turnovers (10 fumbles, 5 INT) in five games, scoring a defensive touchdown on Jackson Reed's 30-yard INT return. Freshman DL Kaleb James (6-3, 230) was big last week, totaling 7 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
 
Looking Ahead
The Friars will take a much-needed break and have two weeks to prepare for their next contest, the district opener against Parish Episcopal on Oct. 18. Bishop Lynch will celebrate Homecoming against the Panthers with kickoff from Roffino Stadium scheduled for 7:00 pm.
 
Inside the Numbers
• 50 — Points allowed in last week's loss to Cornerstone Christian, the most surrendered by the Friars since 11/13/15. (59 vs St. Pius X)
• 2 — Consecutive wins for the Friars over Nolan, at home in 2018 and in Fort Worth in 2017.
• 79 — Combined points scored vs. Nolan in the last two meetings.
• 27 — Combined points allowed vs. Nolan in the last two meetings.
• 1,070 — Days since the Friars lost to Nolan. (10/28/16)