Gorman Earns First District Victory Against Brook Hill

TYLER – Bishop Gorman threw a wrench in the Brook Hill title hopes with a big 51-19 win over the Guard, in a TAPPS Division II, District 2 matchup  at McCallum Stadium on Friday.

The Guard could not find an answer for Crusader quarterback Jake Smith as he led a ‘Senior Night’ celebration, throwing for 458 yards and five touchdowns to keep the Crusaders' playoff hopes alive.

Two plays into the game, a Chris Jones interception set up Gorman at the Brook Hill 24-yard line. Two plays later, Smith found Chase Crumpton in the corner of the end zone for a 8-yard scoring toss.

Brook Hill got going as Conner Carson set the Guard up for a score, recovering a fumble at the Guard 38-yard line. Nine plays later, Khalan Griffin scrambled in from 16 yards. The failed two-point conversion left a 6-6 deadlock.

Crumpton and Smith hooked up again from 38 yards for a score before placekicker Kike Betancourth booted a 21-yard field goal, for a 24-6, lead.

Brook Hill came back to score in two plays after a Griffin run of 44 yards ended at the Crusader eight. Kirk Jean Baptiste ran the final yards for a tally, and a 24-12 scoreboard.

The final Crusaders tally of the half was a TD pass from Smith to Crumpton again for 36-yards, capping off the scoring at 31-12 at intermission.

After the defenses tightened up after the break, Gorman got back on the board with 2:56 left in the third quarter as Isaiah Milton outran the Guard defense from 49 yards out.

Brook Hill got their final tally with 11:10 left in the game, as Kirk Baptiste, rumbled in from 1 yard away, and the Jake Shaffer PAT kick was true, for a 37-19, count.

Gorman put the game away on a Smith-to-Tyler Hobbs 7-yard toss, and a Betancourth PAT upped the count,

Betancourth guaranteed a win after the ensuing kickoff, intercepting a Griffin pass and racing 43-yards to a score and a 51-19, final score.

Gorman won the total yardage battle, 580-248, with the Davis and Betancourth interceptions that resulted in points. Jabari Watkins had 73 yards in nine carries, and the Milton 49-yard jaunt was the majority of the Crusaders 122 yards on the ground.

Griffin ran for 112 yards on 14 carries and the one score, while Jean Baptiste added 101-yards and two touchdowns.

Gorman held the Guard to only two completions for 27 yards through the air.

The Crusaders (5-4; 1-3), will hit the road in search of a first league against cellar-mate, McKinney Christian (2-7; 0-4). Brook Hill (6-3; 2-2), will play host to league-leading, Trinity Christian-Cedar Hill (9-0; 4-0).