Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Bryant nips Trinity Christian
Hornets hold off Tigers’ comeback attempt to win 44-40
PREP FOOTBALL
BRYANT 44, TRINITY CHRISTIAN (TEXAS) 40
BRYANT — It was prime time for a comeback, but the Bryant Hornets stopped it short.
Bryant led by 22 points in the first half but had to hold on for a 44-40 victory over the Trinity Christian Tigers from Cedarville, Texas, a team led by senior quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a son of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Deon Sanders, who serves as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Shedeur Sanders, who has committed to play for Florida Atlantic, completed 18 of 25 passes for 324 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Austin Ledbetter’s 1-yard sneak with 8:52 left in the first quarter gave Bryant a 7-0 lead.
Trinity Christian responded three plays later with a 77-yard touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders to Cam’Ron Silmon, and after a missed extra-point attempt, was within 7-6.
Bryant’s lead was 14-6 midway through the first quarter after Ledbetter’s 14-yard touchdown pass to senior Hayden Schroder.
A 44-yard touchdown run by senior running back Tanner Anderson gave Bryant a 21-6 lead with 1:22 left in the first quarter.
Ledbetter’s screen pass to senior running back Xavier Foote turned into a 54-yard touchdown that gave Bryant a 28-6 lead with 7:15 left in the second quarter.
“We relaxed a bit,” Bryant Coach Buck James said, “but they’re a very talented offense. They got a great quarterback, very talented receivers, a big offensive line. You’re not going to hold guys down like that every minute of a game. I think our kids grew up a little bit.”
“Bryant’s players knew where to be,” Trinity Christian Coach Andre Hart said. “They’re fundamentally sound. They did everything well. I can learn from Coach James, and some of the things he did tonight.”
On its next possession, Trinity Christian was within 28-12 after Sander’s 18-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Robert Williams.
Late in the second quarter, Trinity Christian turned a Bryant turnover into an 11-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to senior receiver Jordyn Williams to pull within 28-19.
Trinity Christian scored to start the second half on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Williams to cut Bryant’s lead to 28-25, but Bryant answered with an 80-yard kickoff return by Anderson to start its possession at the Trinity Christian 8.
Three plays later, Ledbetter’s 5-yard pass to sophomore Cory Nichols gave Bryant a 35-26 lead with midway through the third quarter.
After Bryant stopped Trinity Christian on downs at the Trinity 30, it settled for a 22-yard field goal by senior Brock Funk to lead 3826 with 2:28 left in the third quarter.
Williams’ 2-yard touchdown run put Trinity within 38-33 with 10:50 left in the game.
A 23-yard touchdown run by Williams gave Trinity a 40-38 lead on its next possession, but Bryant took the lead for keeps on Ledbetter’s 9-yard keeper with 4:26 left.
“You can’t take nothing away from them,” James said. “They’re going to beat a lot of football teams. They’re good.”