DALLAS — The Bishop Lynch football team put together one of its strongest performances of the season Friday night, taking defending TAPPS Division I state champion Parish Episcopal down to the final minute before falling 20-17 at Roffino Stadium. The Friars had a chance to tie or take the lead late, but a sack and fumble with less than a minute remaining ended the final drive in Parish territory.
Despite the result, Bishop Lynch showed it could battle with one of the district's top teams for all four quarters, setting the tone for the remainder of district play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Parish struck first but failed on its two-point conversion attempt after Alex Finley intercepted a pass on the opening drive. From there, the game quickly turned into a defensive battle. The Friars answered later in the first quarter when Alexander Chaump intercepted a Parish pass, setting up a 19-yard field goal from Caleb Malouf to make it 6-3 after the opening quarter.
The Friars took their first lead of the night with just under nine minutes remaining in the first half. MJ Haggan Jr. powered his way into the end zone from three yards out, giving Bishop Lynch a 10-6 advantage.
The Friar defense continued to hold strong throughout the remainder of the half, keeping Parish to just six points and sending Bishop Lynch into halftime with a 10-6 lead. The six first-half points marked the second-lowest scoring output for the Panthers this season.
Parish regained the lead in the third quarter with the only points of the period, taking a 13-10 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The lead would not last long.
With 10:30 remaining in the game, Nick Payne delivered one of the game's biggest plays, hauling in a pass before breaking loose for a 59-yard touchdown that put the Friars back in front, 17-13. Payne finished the night with eight receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown while adding 36 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Later in the fourth quarter, Parish reclaimed the lead, 20-17, and appeared poised to run out the clock. The Friars needed a stop to get one final opportunity, and once again, Finley delivered. The defensive standout recovered a Parish fumble with less than two minutes remaining, giving the Friar offense one last chance to tie or win the game.
Bishop Lynch converted a crucial fourth down when Haggan found Grayson Waldrop over the middle to move the Friars into Parish territory. After another big gain from Payne, Bishop Lynch had the ball at the Parish 36-yard line with 45 seconds remaining.
As Haggan rolled to his right, he was hit from behind and fumbled, with Parish recovering to end the Friars' final possession. The Panthers were then able to kneel out the remaining time and secure the 20-17 victory.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Nick Payne: 8 receptions, 151 yards, 1 touchdown
Alex Finley: 12 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery
Mason Schopfer: 10 tackles, 1 sack
AROUND TAPPS
- Liberty Christian def. Trinity Christian, 47-7
- Legacy Christian def. Prestonwood, 43-39
- John Paul II had a bye
NEXT UP
The Friars return to John Paul II's Athletic Stadium for the second time this season, this time for district play. The Friars and Cardinals will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.
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