State title a family tradition for Nolan Catholic players

By Travis L. Brown

Special to the Star-Telegram

Joseph Prud'homme and Nick Boudreaux patrolled the sidelines of Baylor's Floyd Casey Stadium as Fort Worth Nolan Catholic ball boys when the Vikings faced Addison Trinity Christian Academy in the 2005 TAPPS Division I state football title game.

Both elementary school boys witnessed wide receiver Will Gallagher's game-winning catch that ended the double overtime struggle, 28-25.

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Nolan and TCA, again

There pretty much hasn't been a TAPPS Division I title game without Nolan Catholic and Addison Trinity Christian Academy:

Year	Opponents
2011	Nolan 27, Beaumont Kelly 10
2010	Plano Prestnwood 38, Nolan 35
2009	Nolan 21, TCA 20 (OT)
2008	Nolan 28, Dal. Bishop Lynch 0
2007	Hou. St. Pius X 35, Nolan 14
2006	Hou. St. Pius X 35, TCA 14
2005	Nolan 28, TCA 25 (2OT)
2004	Nolan 14, St. Pius 0
2000	TCA 42, Lynch 13
1997	Lynch 20, TCA 13
1996	TCA 19, Hou. 2nd Baptist 17

Prud'homme vividly remembered the team rushing the field to dog pile Gallagher after he triumphantly raised the ball in the air. Boudreaux gave and received celebratory hugs from these older players he idolized at the time.

Little did they both know, six years later they would be on the exact same field together, facing the very same school, but this time to claim a state championship of their own.

Saturday, the TAPPS state finals return to Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco after other stops in Central Texas, pairing Nolan and TCA in the Division I title game for the third time since 2005.

The rematch sends Prud'homme, Nolan's senior quarterback and coach Joe Prud'homme's son, off in a fitting manor -- a chance for Joseph to leave his mark on what has become a TAPPS title-game institution. Growing up around the Nolan program, Prud'homme witnessed the Vikings' run of eight title-game appearances in the past nine years, including 2009 and 05 wins over TCA.

"It's our senior year so we want to be the team that keeps it going and keep on winning state championships," Prud'homme said.

The issue of complacency is forefront of coach Prud'homme's mind, not only because of past title success, but that Nolan has already defeated Trinity Christian this season in district play, 28-7.

"There's that little voice in the back of their mind telling them we've already done that," the elder Prud'homme said. "You've got to fight those things, and they just have to understand it's a brand new game."

Nolan's old school, I-formation running attack was never more important than that first meeting on a windy evening in Addison. Nolan only attempted five passes, completing none, a first for Prud'homme in his quarterbacking career. However, Nolan rushed for 272 yards and had the luxury of five TCA turnovers to help seal the victory.

"It will be a totally different ballgame because TCA has gotten better and we've also gotten better in all aspects," the younger Prud'homme said. "We're both totally new football teams right now."

Looking at the big picture, not much has actually changed for Nolan since 2005. The same offense, same coaches and many of the same last names remain from that title team in 2005.

But for Prud'homme and sophomore tight end Boudreaux, who watched older brother Jon Phillip play in two state championships, Saturday is a chance to make a few memories of their own.

"Ever since then, I've been thinking that I've wanted to win it myself and not just be looking up to my brother winning it," Boudreaux said.

"I've been thinking about it every single night when I go to sleep, dreaming about winning state. That would be a dream come true."

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