Byron Nelson thumps Hurst L.D. Bell, records sixth consecutive victory

Quarterback Parker Almanza passed for 335 yards and two touchdowns while running for another as the Trophy Club Byron Nelson Bobcats rolled past the Hurst L.D. Bell Blue Raiders, 42-3, in a 4-6A matchup Friday at Northwest ISD Stadium.

Winners of six consecutive games, Byron Nelson clinched the district’s second seed while L.D. Bell -- losing its fourth straight after a 5-0 start to the season -- is still battling Keller, Keller Central, and Haslet Eaton for the district’s final post-season berth.

L.D. Bell got a 53-yard field goal from Grady Matcham midway in the opening quarter to take the early lead. But Byron Nelson quickly assumed control on a pair of long TD passes from Almanza.

Sophomore Nolan Hawkins hauled in a 67-yard scoring strike -- Almanza’s longest pass completion this season -- with just 37 seconds left in the first period. After the Bobcat defense forced a three-and-out, Almanza faked a pass to Hawkins, then pivoted with a swing pass to Macavion Hill, who raced 63 yards to stretch the Nelson lead to 14-3.

“That was a great call,” said Almanza. “We knew their defense was keying on Nolan, and getting the ball to Hill in open space with his speed, he can score from anywhere on the field.”

Following a possession exchange, a 30-yard Almanza scamper to the one-yard set up his own one-yard TD run with 5:06 left before halftime.

The stifling Byron Nelson defense, which limited Bell to one first down and 41 yards total offense in the first half, again forced a three-and-out -- its fourth such defensive series in the opening half -- as Almanza engineered an eight-played 53-yard drive capped with a five-yard TD run by defensive lineman George Toia on third-and-goal with 1:14 remaining as the Bobcats held a commanding 28-3 lead heading into the break.

“We practice that play,” said Byron Nelson interim head coach Zach Woodward. “I told him if the situation came up in the game that I felt we could use it, we would. And the timing was right. The big guy just powered his way in the end zone.”

Woodward said Byron Nelson’s defense in the first half was incredible.

“We felt we could neutralize their tendencies, and the guys did a fantastic job of executing on defense.”

Hill added a two-yard third-quarter TD run, and Kooper Kennimer caught a 17-yard TD pass -- on fourth-and-three-- from backup quarterback Davis Hesters with 4:38 left in the game to complete the scoring.

The Almanza-to-Hawkins connection was lethal in the first half, as Almanza had 292 passing yards on 15 of 23, with Hawkins the primary recipient, reeling in 11 of those for 175 yards.

“Those two are amazing,” said Woodward. “They have some tremendous chemistry. Parker is our captain. Our leader. And he just keeps getting better and better as the season goes on.”

Woodward also said Nolan Hawkins is a stud.

“He started as a freshman on defense and led the team in interceptions,” Woodward said. “He has played both ways at times this season. He has really emerged as a go-to guy offensively.”

Almanza, a senior, has gotten more and more comfortable behind center this year after moving from tight end just weeks before the season-opener.

“Things have slowed down for me the more reps and snaps I get at quarterback,” said Almanza, who finished with a season-high 335 yards passing, completing 21 of 34 with no interceptions. “And it is exciting to have a player like Nolan to have on offense. But it is a total team effort. A lot of good players on this team.”

Hawkins, who has really blossomed this season, finished with 13 receptions for 195 yards. He entered this contest with 37 catches for 663 yards and 10 scores.

“We just have a great connection,” said Hawkins of his chemistry with Almanza. “It really started this past Spring when we were just tossing the ball around. And when he became quarterback, I was thrilled. We just have that confidence in each other.”

The Bobcats could be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs, an under-the-radar team that has really taken off as the season has progressed.

“We are not in pursuit of perfection,” said Woodward. “We are in pursuit of excellence.”

Byron Nelson (7-2, 6-1) concludes its regular season with a district matchup versus Keller Central (5-4, 3-4) Friday, Nov. 7th at Keller ISD Stadium.

Hurst L.D. Bell (5-4, 3-4) was led by quarterback Braylon Harris, who completed 15 of 23 passes without an interception for 131 yards. Braelon Solomon was his top target, hauling in five passes for 56 yards.

The Blue Raiders will host Euless Trinity (7-2, 5-2) on Thursday, Nov. 6th, at Pennington Field.

The top three seeds from 4-6A are locked in -- Southlake Carroll, Byron Nelson, Euless Trinity -- regardless of Week 11 outcomes.