Fort Worth Nolan 38, Antonian 24
Quick Take: Antonian receivers Ricky Gonzalez and Raleigh Strode combined for 17 catches and 265 yards in a back-and-forth game that ultimately fell the way of Fort Worth Nolan in a 38-24 decision Saturday afternoon at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.
“It was a gritty performance, just like they’ve been all year long,” Antonian coach Blake Fuschak said. “We faced adversity throughout the season and they continued to answer the bell time in and time out. They did again today, we just ran out of time.”
Highlights: The first score of the game came late in the first quarter when Antonian junior quarterback Jayce Toscano connected with Raleigh Strode, who broke free for a 79-yard touchdown to put the Apaches up 7-0.
Nolan (4-8) answered on the proceeding possession when quarterback Cole Matsuda hit Antonio Hall on a post route, and the 6-1 senior stretched the ball just far enough to breach the goalline for a 24-yard touchdown.
An Antonian interception turned into a Nolan scoring drive early in the second quarter, as sophomore running back Robert Jones punched in a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Vikings their first lead of the game.
Antonian (9-2) leveled the score once again midway through the second quarter on an option pitch to senior running back Topher Stubbs, who sliced his way into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown.
The Vikings capitalized on another Antonian interception late in the second quarter, converting the turnover into three points on a 26-yard field goal to give Nolan a 17-14 lead heading into halftime.
Gabriel Torrez tied the game on Antonian’s opening possession of the second half with a 35-yard field goal, but Nolan responded with a 5-yard touchdown run by Jones to put the Vikings back in front, 24-17.
Late in the third quarter, Antonian tied the score again on a 3-yard read-option keeper by Toscano, who hurdled over a defender to cross the plane for the touchdown to make it 24-24. Nolan senior running back DK Smittick powered into the end zone on a 9-yard touchdown run to regain the lead for the Vikings with nine minutes left in the game.
After forcing a punt on the ensuing Antonian drive, Nolan extended its lead and sealed the win with a 10-yard touchdown run by Smittick with a minute left in the game.
What it means: Antonian put together a strong season and has plenty to build on going into the offseason. While the Apaches will undoubtedly miss star receiver Ricky Gonzalez among other key seniors, Antonian will remain a force in TAPPS District II with Toscano returning at quarterback as well as budding playmakers Raleigh Strode and Zach Lavin.
Quotable: “These seniors were 1-8 as freshmen,” Fuschak said. “They ended up being 9-2 and winning a district championship. What can you say? Just a ton of grit, a ton of fight. And it’s a great group of kids.”
Game balls: Strode totaled six catches for 157 yards and a touchdown, while Gonzalez finished with 11 receptions for 108 yards. Toscana completed 25-38 passes for 297 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Nolan’s offense ran almost exclusively through Smittick and Jones, the former leading the way with 28 carries for 183 yards and two scores and the latter registering 24 carries for 143 yards and another two touchdowns.
Up next: The win advances Nolan to the semifinal round of the TAPPS Division I playoffs, where the Vikings will take on Plano Prestonwood Christian at a time and location to be determined. Antonian’s season has come to a close.