Byron Nelson football survives late surge by Coppell, advances to face Southlake Carroll
Only one undefeated team could advance in a regional round Texas high school football game at Choctaw Stadium.
Trophy Club Byron Nelson (13-1) narrowly defeated Coppell 52-45 on Saturday in a Texas high school football regional round contest. The Cowboys put together an incredible fourth quarter comeback that ultimately fell short.
“I think Coppell did a good job,” Byron Nelson head coach Travis Pride said. “I think they’re a well coached, good football team. Not to take anything from them – I think we made too many mistakes and had opportunities to close the game out. So we’ve got to make some better decisions.”
Coppell recovered an onside kick with 14 seconds remaining and had a shot to tie the game. Byron nelson defenders batted down the game tying pass in the end zone. In the final 4:47 of play, Coppell scored 21 points to stay within striking distance.
“We knew they weren’t going to give up,” Byron Nelson defensive back Jonathan Kabeya said. “They have very, very talented players on the offensive side of the ball. Seeing them fight like that -- it was impressive. We knew that was going to happen but we still came out with the dub.”
With the win, Byron Nelson advances to play Southlake Carroll in a highly anticipated District 4-6A rematch. On Oct. 27, 2023, the Bobcats conquered the Dragon to win their first district championship in program history.
“It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Pride said. “Obviously, Southlake (Carroll) is a good football team and we feel like we’ve got a good football team. So, it’ll be a good round four matchup.”
The time and place for the matchup is to be determined, according to Pride.
The Byron Nelson Bobcats keep findings ways to make history in 2023. The regional round win against Coppell punched the Bobcats’ ticket to their first quarterfinal in program history.
Pride said the accomplishment means a ton to everyone involved.
“We’re pleased as a program and pleased as a team to get this far,” Pride said. “There’s eight of us left. The big boys are still left.”
Quarterback Tom Von Grote put on a show in the victory, gaining 271 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air on 18 of 30 passing. He also rushed for 100 yards and a score on 15 attempts.
“Me and Tom (Von Grote) have been able to connect on more levels than we ever have,” wide receiver Landon Farco said. “So, I’m very proud. He’s doing great.”
The connection powered Farco to 156 yards and 3 touchdowns on only seven catches. He averaged 22.2 yards per catch in the game.
“He’s a good player,” Pride said of Farco. “He’s a playmaker. He’s very competitive. And, you know, there’s a good trust factor between him and the quarterback.”
A back and forth first half
Byron Nelson started with the ball and embarked on a 12 play drive that ended with a 20 yard field goal. The two teams traded punts, and then Coppell matched Byron Nelson with a field goal of their own, a 29 yarder.
Von Grote carried the Bobcats to the red zone with a 14 yard run and followed it up with a 20 yard touchdown run up the middle. Coppell later embarked on a nine play, 56 yard scoring drive that was culminated by a 5 yard passing touchdown from quarterback Edward Griffin to wide receiver Luca Grosoli.
Byron Nelson responded with an 11 play, 78 yard scorin drive. Von Grote continued to find room to run, rushing for 45 yards in the drive and finishing it with an 8 yard run; he broke a tackle before plowing into the end zone.
Just prior to time expiring in the first half, Griffin’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Jonathan Kabeya, a BYU commit. He prevented the Cowboys from settling for a field goal by taking possession.
Kabeya said he watched a lot of film and knew when the receiver was tight to the line he was going in. Kabeya said he played outside to bait the quarterback into making the throw.
A hard fought second half
Kabeya, on the interception return, hit his head and was taken out of the game. The trainers had him sit out as a precaution.
“We’ve got to take care of kids in this business,” Pride said. “Regardless of the situation. ... Jonathan kabeya is a really, really good football player. When he’s not on the field, it certainly makes a difference.”
In the third quarter, Byron Nelson extedned its lead with a 43 yard breakaway run from Tucker James, who finished with 105 yards, a touchdown and a fumble on 19 carries. Coppell responded with a 74 yard pass from Griffin to Tucker Cusano, who was down at the one, and were then able to punch it in.
Byron Nelson, in the next drive, neared the red zone. They chose to go for it facing 4th-and-1 and Von Grote was intercepted by Seth Carethers.
The Cowboys couldn’t move the chains, though, and punted back to the Bobcats, who went for it again on fourth down. This time, Farco made the reception and fought off contact for a 24 yard touchdown.
Byron Nelson recovered a Coppell fumble but gave it right back to the Cowboys. Weston Polk scooped it up and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown with 6:24 remaining.
Byron Nelson extended its lead with a 15 yard touchdown reception by Pierce Dahlin and recovered a fumble on kickoff and punched it in from the 1 yard line to make the score 45-24 with with 5:29 to go.
Griffin cut the lead with a 28 yard pass to Baron Tipton, who made the catch over the hands of Byron Nelson safety Ashton Williams, who almost had a pick. After a Bobcat punt, Grosoli cut the lead with a 15 yard touchdown reception with 2:15 to go.
The Cowboys couldn’t recover the onside kick and Farco secured a 47 yard TD to give what seemed to be the final blow with the score being 52-38 with 1:10 remaining. Griffin kept making passes and RB Xavier Mosely leaped over the line for a 1 yard score.
Coppell attempted its third onside kick and, this time, they recovered. The Cowboys then made a potential game tying pass to the end zone that was batted down to give Byron Nelson the win.
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