On a rain-soaked field at Kubiak Stadium at Parsley Field, Arizona commit quarterback Grant Gunnell warmed up with his teammates before receiving the Built Ford Tough Texas High School football player of the week award. The award recognizes student-athletes for their accomplishments in the classroom, football field, and in the community. That wasn’t Gunnell’s only accomplishment. He entered tonight’s game tied for second place with Ennis’ Graham Harrell in the UIL Texas all-time touchdown passes (167).
Gunnell threw two touchdowns to senior receiver Trenton Waggoner, to lead St. Plus X to a 17-7 victory over Bishop Dunne in a game filled with division one prospects on Friday night.
The win marked the second time in four seasons St. Plus X has knocked off the Falcons. In last season’s quarterfinals, the Panthers defeated Bishop Dunne, 35-28. The Falcons won the first two contest, 21-18 in the 2016 semi-finals and 38-21 in the 2015 semi-finals.
Gunnell, under constant pressure all evening, scrambled out of the pocket before throwing the deciding touchdown pass to senior receiver Trenton Waggoner in the right corner of the end zone. That broke up a seven-all tie and gave the Panthers a 14-7 lead, after Tony Ziegler’s extra point kick and all it would need to secure the win.
“It was huge to get my receivers the ball and let them make yards after the catch and get some scores in,” Panthers quarterback Grant Gunnell explained.
With 2,212 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season, Gunnell completed 22-of-37 attempts with 205 yards and two touchdowns. Trenton Waggoner snagged seven passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Jaylen “Boobie” Curry had eight catches for 81 yards, and Kaleb Ducros finished with four receptions for 60 yards.
With only two interceptions on the season, Gunnell is 18 touchdowns away from passing Refugio’s Travis Quintanilla (184) in 1983 to hold the Texas record. Also, Gunnell needs 866 yards to close in on the all-time yardage record.
St. Pius X coach Erik DeHaven in his first season as the head coach, served as defensive coordinator in seasons’ past, was not happy with his teams’ effort. He thought they could have done a better job of protecting Gunnell and overall more consistent.
Bishop Dunne’s offense struggled throughout the game. But It’s defense stood tall and played deservedly. Defensive end James Clark, outside linebackers Joel Henderson and Brennon Scott combined for six sacks of Gunnell. Scott finished with 11 tackles on the evening. Additional pressure came from standout junior linebackers, John Emmanuel and Fred Henderson, who played as a man possessed.
The Falcons first five drives netted three total yards. St. Pius X defense took most of the blame. But Bishop Dunne self-destructed at times including dropped passes and penalties. During the drives, the Falcons suffered two fumbles and managed to keep possession of both. But it left a deep hole to dig out of and resulted in punts. Also, quarterback Matthew Yelverton overshot receiver Andrew Armstrong, who was wide open and uncovered streaking down the right sideline.
“We did what we’re supposed to do but we made some mistakes along the way”. says Falcons junior outside linebacker Pearson Hendrix. “We just had a bad day. But we will get back to practice on Monday and get better.”
Despite sitting for a few plays in favor of sophomore quarterback Simeon Evans, Yelverton concluded his night 13/23 with 132 yards through the air and one touchdown. Running back Jaden Hullaby finished with six receptions for 64 yards.
Despite several miscues, the inspiring play of its defense ignited the Falcons offense on its sixth drive which trimmed the lead, 14-7 after an impressive nine-play, 97-yard scoring drive. Yelverton was 7-of-7 on the possession which highlighted talented junior tailback Hulluby as he turned a short screen pass into a momentum-changing 28-yard gallop to midfield.
Yelverton continued to direct the offense downfield where he eventually found 6’4” receiver Andrew Armstrong, who made a leaping touchdown grab with 23 seconds left in the second quarter. That trimmed the score, 14-7 and provided a momentum shift as the Falcons headed to intermission.
With the quality of play, it’s easy to understand why recruiters are hot on the tracks of this field of division one college talent. The game was a glimpse of what the future holds for these young athletes.
The second half would turn into a defensive battle. Defensive lineman Lucas Robertson, linebacker Mason Coleman, defensive lineman Marshall Fox, nose guard Tommie Good and Linebacker Ja’Kouvis Griffin led an impressive Panther’s defense with timely stops. Several were at or behind the line of scrimmage.
The Falcons received the ball as the third quarter opened. Hullaby accounted for the first 14-yards before a false start penalty, and back-to-back questionable spots by the officials halted its drive.
Facing fourth and one at the Panthers 49, it appeared Hullaby penetrated the 48-yard line, what would have been enough for the first down. But it was ruled inches short resulting in a turnover on downs.
It was difficult for Falcons’ secondary to key on one receiver as Gunnell threw the ball to six different receivers including Curry, Ducros, Tate Jernigan, Lane, Jagger Pagano, and Waggoner.
After, both defenses would rise to the occasion. Particularly St. Plus, who held the Falcons scoreless in the second half and managed to tack on three more points after Ziegler nailed a 27-yard field goal with 2:22 left in the fourth quarter.
There was more interest in this unique evening than a typical Friday night game. The historical day marks the first high school football game to be aired live on the ESPN Networks in Texas on a Friday. Other than sloppy field conditions and muggy weather, the setting could have been better.
Here is a list below of college talent you can expect to see playing on Saturdays, highlighted by Bishop Dunne 2019 top-ranked safety, 6’1″ Brian Williams
Bishop Dunne – Andrew Armstrong, Sr. Wr., 6’4″ 210 Lbs, committed to Texas A&M-Commerce
James Clark, Sr., DL, 6’4″, 255 Lbs, has offers from Air Force and Incarnate Word
Fred Henderson, Sr. LB, 5’11” 200 Lbs, offer Carroll College
Jaden Hullaby, Jr. RB, 6’2″ 210 Lbs, has offers from 14 schools
Gabe Matous, Sr., LB, 5’11” 210 Lbs, offer from East Baptist
Brenon Scott, Jr. LB/DL, 6’2″ 230 Lbs, Has offers from UGA, LSU, and Texas A&M
Elljah Yelverton, Jr., TE, 6’5″ 225 Lbs, has offers from UGA, UFL, LSU, and MI
St. Pius X – Grant Gunnell, Sr. QB, 6’7″, 220 Lbs, committed to Arizona
Jalen Curry, WR, 6’3″ 210, No. 20 in the ESPN Top 300. Has offers from Arizona, Auburn, PSU, and Tenn.
Chase Lane, Sr., WR, 6’1″ 175 Lbs, Texas A&M, commit
Trenton Waggoner, WR, 6’1″ 170 Lbs, has an offer from Chattanooga and TSU