Tyler Grace Outlasts Rival Tyler Bishop Gorman in 7-3 Defensive Struggle

[By Colby Fleet, Special to ETSN.fm]

TYLER -- Tyler Bishop Gorman came into Friday's game averaging 39.2 points, while Grace averaged 37.7 points per contest. But it was the defensive units that stole the spotlight in a game that had 10 total points.

Grace scored the game’s only touchdown and edged Bishop Gorman 7-3 in TAPPS Division II District 2 action Friday night at Clyde-Perkins Stadium.

Bishop Gorman senior quarterback Tristan Saint came into the game averaging 387.3 total yards of offense per game, but only managed a total of 27 yards — 6 of 11 passing for 52 yards and minus-25 rushing yards on 17 attempts — thanks in large part to stingy defensive-line play led by senior Andrew McCarty, who had two sacks and an additional tackle for loss.

Offense was scarce and hard to produce, as both teams combined for 242 yards. A stunning number considering both teams were expected to put up big numbers.

A scoreless first quarter resulted in a Grace punt and turnover on downs, while Gorman had to punt because of disruptive defensive play.

Gorman managed to move its way to the Cougars 20-yard line on two big runs, a 19-yard burst from Taylor Hurst and the second on a Tristan Saint 12-yard scramble. Three plays later, Martin Guzman connected on a 37-yard field goal that gave Gorman a 3-0 lead with 9:23 remaining in the second quarter.

Grace was unable to convert a first down on its next possession and had to punt from the Crusaders’ 49-yard line and the punt was downed at the 1-yard line.

Saint took two shots deep to his favorite receiver -- 6-foot-4 Connor Hobbs -- but was unable to connect on second and third down. Hobbs along with teammate Collin Parks had accounted for 77 percent of the Crusaders’ receiving yards, but the Cougars limited Hobbs to four receptions for 46 yards and Parks caught one pass for no gain.

Grace took over at the Gorman 36-yard line and went to work. Junior quarterback Chandler Nutt and classmate Zach Tatman took five plays to reach the end zone. Tatman broke free through the right side of the line for 15 yards and outran the Gorman defense for the score and a 7-3 lead with nine seconds until halftime.

Tatman had 19 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Nutt added 29 carries for 62 yards. He also completed 2 of 6 passes for 18 yards.

Grace tried to add to its 7-3 advantage earlier in the third quarter. But an eleven-play, run-heavy dose of Nutt and Tatman came to a hault at the Crusaders’ 13-yard line after a Crusaders’ sack.

Both defenses continued to dominate and once the Crusaders ran out of timeouts, they were unable to get the ball back and could only watch the Cougars run out the clock. The last Grace possession started with 8:23 and they were able to convert four first downs, which closed out a defensive battle.

Bishop Gorman (3-4, 1-3) will host Cedar Hill Trinity Christian next week, while Tyler Grace (6-1, 3-1) travels to Carrollton Prince of Peace.

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Tyler Grace 7, Tyler Bishop Gorman 3

Clyde-Perkins Stadium, Tyler

Bishop Gorman        0    3    0    0    --    3
Grace                      0    7    0    0    --    7
Second Quarter
GOR--FG Martin Guzman 37, 9:23.
GRA- Zach Tatman 15 run (Christian Hooper kick), :09.

                                      GOR              GRA
First Downs                           7                  14
Total Yards                          47                195
Rushes-Yards                 24-(-5)           50-177
Passing Yards                       52                 18
Comp.-Att.-Int.               6-11-0             2-6-0
Punts-Avg.                     5-37.0            4-35.5
Fumbles-Lost                      1-0                1-0
Penalties-Yards                  5-58              5-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Bishop Gorman, Tristan Saint 17-(-25), Taylor Hurst 4-26, Collin Parks 3-(-6). Grace, Chandler Nutt 29-62, Zach Tatman 19-110 (1TD), Johnny Spitzer 2-5.
PASSING--Bishop Gorman, Tristan Saint 6-11-0-52. Grace, Chandler Nutt 2-6-0-18.
RECEIVING--Bishop Gorman, Connor Hobbs 4-46, Josh Riegel 1-6, Collin Parks 1-0. Grace, Call Florence 1-10, Layton Sisemore 1-8.