DALLAS — The Bishop Lynch football team found its spark in the second half Friday night, outscoring Samuell 28-0 after halftime to rally for a 43-24 victory over the Spartans at Roffino Stadium and capture its first win of the season.
"I thought it was a gritty performance from the men and a good overall team win," said Head Coach Brandon Moats. "A lot of guys who normally don't play much stepped up and came through in the second half in a big way. I'm proud of the group and excited to build off this win as we move into district play."
Senior quarterback MJ Haggan Jr. led the way offensively, completing 11 of 22 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown while adding 59 rushing yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
The Friars also received a strong defensive performance from senior defensive back Hayes Bonds and junior linebacker Andrew Love. Bonds recorded nine tackles and recovered a fumble, while Love finished with nine tackles, including five tackles for loss, and also recovered a fumble.
Junior wide receiver Jeremiya Manning continued to emerge as a threat on the outside, leading Bishop Lynch with five receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. Senior All-State receiver Nick Payne also made an impact in limited action, hauling in three passes for 55 yards.
Bishop Lynch finished with 220 rushing yards as a team, led by senior Palmer Montgomery. The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School product rushed for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Senior Nick Dressell also continued his strong play in the backfield, finishing with 63 yards on 13 carries.
The Friars' defense added two interceptions, with Alexander Chaump and Greyson Boothe each coming away with a pick.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Friars opened the scoring with a safety by Owen Simmons, who recorded a sack in the end zone to give Bishop Lynch a 2-0 lead.
- Sophomore kicker Caleb Malouf followed with a 28-yard field goal, extending the lead to 5-0. The score remained that way through the first quarter.
- Samuell answered with a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter to cut the lead to 5-3.
- Malouf connected on his second field goal of the night, this time from 31 yards, to put the Friars ahead 8-3.
- The Spartans then scored 14 consecutive points on back-to-back possessions to take a 17-8 lead.
- Manning hauled in his third touchdown of the season on a 4-yard pass from Haggan Jr., cutting the deficit to 17-15.
- Samuell answered with a kickoff return for a touchdown, taking a 24-15 lead into halftime.
- The Friars came out firing in the second half, with Haggan Jr. scoring on an 11-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 25-22.
- Montgomery gave Bishop Lynch the lead in the fourth quarter, punching in a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 29-24.
- After another defensive stop, Montgomery found the end zone again from 5 yards out, extending the lead to 36-24.
- Haggan Jr. put the game away with his second rushing touchdown of the half, a 5-yard run that pushed the final margin to 43-24.
NEXT UP
Bishop Lynch opens district play Friday night on the road against John Paul II. The Friars will travel to John Paul II's Athletic Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The matchup will be the first between the Friars and Cardinals since 2021, when Bishop Lynch earned a 28-16 victory.
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