7A/6A-CENTRAL

Defense delivers for Bryant

Little Rock Catholic’s Monroe McKay tries to get past Bryant’s Brenden Young during Friday night’s game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Little Rock Catholic’s Monroe McKay tries to get past Bryant’s Brenden Young during Friday night’s game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Little Rock Catholic had the first significant scoring opportunity of the game, but it turned into momentum for Bryant in the Hornets' 34-7 victory Friday night at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock..

Starting at its 8, Catholic used seven plays to drive to Bryant's 27. Driven back by a penalty to the 36, Sale tossed a long pass intended for senior receiver Cole Moore that was intercepted by junior defensive back Pierce Finney.

Bryant, which had been held to 32 yards on its first three possession, scored touchdowns on its next three.

"It seem like all year the defense has been a big part of our team," Bryant senior quarterback Brandan Warner said. "They've been our momentum. We start the game with our defense."

Led by a 37-yard shovel pass from senior quarterback Brandan Warner to senior running back Kylon Boyle, Bryant drove 80 yards on nine plays and scored on 4-yard pass from Warner sophomore receiver Austin Kelly to take a 6-o lead with 5:10 left in the second quarter.

"We had that big drive going and then a penalty that really hurt us," Catholic Coach John Fogleman said. "Then they made that interception in the end zone, which is still not going to kill you. They still had 80 yards to go, but they just got the momentum and I think we just put our head down."

Catholic was held without a first down on its next possession, and Bryant took over after punt at its 32.

Bryant used nine consecutive runs, including two of 13 yards by Boyle, to drive the distance and scored on a 7-yard blast through the middle by junior running back Savonte Turner for a 13-0 lead with 20 seconds left before halftime.

"I thought we were going to have trouble moving the ball coming in," Bryant Coach Paul Calley said. "I didn't think we would score 34 points."

Bryant took command and a 20-0 lead after Boyle ran 62 yards for a touchdown with fourth play of the second half. Boyle's run started as a simple dive to the left. He seemed stopped but broke free from three defenders, reversed field and outraced Catholic's pursuit for the longest play of the game.

"We depend on [Boyle] to make those kind of big plays," Calley said.

Boyle rushed 14 times for 142 yards.

Warner completed 10 of 12 passes for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Catholic scored on its next possession when Sale found junior receiver Evan Sowell with a 15-yard touchdown pass, but that was it for the Rockets.

Bryant closed out with a 14-yard touchdown run by Warner and 35-yard touchdown pass from Warner to junior receiver Evan Lee.

Sale completed 13 of 21 attempts for 166 yards and 1 touchdown.

Sports on 10/04/2014

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