Senior quarterback Grant Bizjack leads Byron Nelson football past Justin Northwest
Senior Anthony Sexton ran for a pair of second-quarter touchdowns, and quarterback Grant Bizjack connected with Parker Almanza on a 50-yard TD strike 5:37 left in the game, as the Bobcats enhanced their playoff chances.
Byron Nelson secured a hard-fought 21-7 victory over the Justin Northwest Texans Oct. 25 in a District 4-6A high school football clash at Northwest ISD Stadium.
“We knew this was going to be a tight, close game,” said Byron Nelson Head Coach Travis Pride. “These type games a few key plays here and there make all the difference, and we were able to make enough plays offensively and our defense did a great job.”
After a scoreless opening quarter dominated by defense, both offenses came alive in the second period. Byron Nelson blocked a Justin Northwest punt at the 8:57 mark, and recovered at the Texans 18. The Bobcats quickly took advantage. Sexton’s 18-yard TD scamper on the series’ first snap gave Byron Nelson a 7-0 lead.
The Bobcats regained possession on downs which led to a seven-play 56-yard march that culminated in a Sexton 16-yard scoring jaunt 1:14 before halftime.
Down 14-0, Justin Northwest quickly responded. Senior quarterback Ryder Norton engineered a four-play 68-yard drive in just 47 seconds to get the Texans on the board. Starting at its own 38, Nate Jean ripped off a 27-yard burst.
Norton then caught an 11-yard pass from Kobey Wall on a broken play designed for a Wall pass downfield. Tyler Singer then made a diving grab of a 21-yard aerial from Norton to reach the three-yard line, where Jean carried it in on the next play to slice the Byron Nelson lead to 14-7 at intermission.
The third period was also scoreless, and the Bobcats defense twice made fourth-down stops inside its 10-yard line in the second half.
Just past the midway point in the final stanza, Byron Nelson, facing a third-and-two from midfield, pushed its lead to 21-7 as Bizjack rifled a 50-yard TD strike to Almanza.
“It was a read option on the play,” said Bizjack. “Parker and I were on the same page. I saw him cut over the middle, and their defense was playing tight. Great play call, and that was huge for us.”
Parker Almanza, who finished with 61 receiving yards on three catches, agreed with his quarterback.
“We definitely read the same thing,” said Almanza. “I cut inside and was able to outrun the defense. That gave us a big lift to go up two scores.”
“Our offensive coach, Coach Hughes, gets the credit for that call,” said coach Pride, on the TD pass that came after a timeout. “Great call at the right time.”
Byron Nelson regained possession with 2:24 left in the game and, with a pair of first downs, was able to run out the clock.
Sexton, who finished with a team-high 121 rushing yards on just 11 carries, appreciated the opportunity. Along with Sean Robinson, the duo have split the running back load since standout tailback Tucker James was injured in the third game of the season.
“This was unbelievable,” said Sexton. “I was not expecting this. I was able to take advantage of some good holes. Give credit to the offensive line that did such a great job.”
Pride said he “can’t say enough” about Sexton’s performance.
“He has worked hard,” Pride said. “He is a senior. So proud of him. He did a heckuva job.”
Bobcats senior running back Tucker James, an Army pledge, is still out with a leg injury suffered in the season’s third game. The Bobcats are hoping to have their standout back return for the playoffs.
“We will have to wait and see,” said Coach Pride. “Obviously, that would be a big boost for us.”
Byron Nelson, No. 4 in the Star-Telegram’s current 6A area rankings, won its fourth straight game. Bizjack registered 110 passing yards, hitting on 11 of 16 with no interceptions. Robinson chipped in with 55 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Justin Northwest, No. 6 in the star-Telegram’s current 6A area rankings, was led by workhorse running back Nate Jean, who recorded a game-high 158 rushing yards on 25 attempts.
Trophy Club Byron Nelson (6-2, 4-2) has remaining district games visiting Hurst L.D. Bell on Nov. 1 and will close out the regular season seven days later at home versus Keller Central. Coach Pride says his team can only “focus on what we can control.”
“This was a big win for us, and we will just see how the playoffs unfold,” added Pride. “There are a number of scenarios that just have to be played out.”
The district’s top four teams advance to the UIL playoffs, and based on enrollment, the two largest schools are headed to the 6A Division I post-season while the other pair are slotted in Division II.
Justin Northwest (6-2, 4-2) finishes with a home game against Euless Trinity and then on the road a week later at Keller Timber Creek. Northwest, which moved up to 6A from 5A in realignment this season, is seeking its seventh straight playoff appearance.