The Bobcats scored five touchdowns in the first quarter on their way to a dominating 56-10 victory over the Chargers at Keller ISD Stadium on Thursday in District 4-6A play. The win pushed Byron Nelson, #13 in the Class 6A state rankings, to 5-0 in district and 8-0 overall, and sets up a clash for the district championship in Week 10.
Byron starts the season 8-0 for the second straight season.
Last year’s 8-0 start was a first in program history.
Next week, the Bobcats will face #6 Southlake Carroll, which is also 8-0 and 5-0. Last year’s match-up was also for the 4-6A championship as both teams were 8-0 ad 5-0 as well. Byron scored the first 13 points before Carroll rallied and pulled away for a 38-23 win. Carroll went on to the regional final while Byron reached the third round.
Carroll won 70-28 on Thursday vs Eaton.
QB Tom Von Grote, who leads the DFW metroplex in completion percentage at nearly 78%, threw a TD pass just two plays in to the game when he connected with Ezra Malamura on a 65-yard route. After forcing a Central punt, David Kabongo returned it 53 yards to the 3 and running back Tucker James scored on the ensuing play for a 14-0 lead with 8:44 left in the opening quarter.
Byron recovered an onside kick and James scored 44 yards out just nine seconds later.
Von Grote threw his second TD of the night – a 3-yard slant to Leo Almanza for make it 28-0 midway through the period. After a Central fumble, the Bobcats scored their fifth TD of the first quarter with James’ third scoring run with 90 seconds left on the clock.
One of the few mistakes came early in the second when Central applied pressure on Von Grote on a third and 13 and Austin Martin intercepted a pass for the Chargers. But a quick three and out resulted in their fourth punt. However, the Chargers recovered a fumble before Byron made a fourth down stop to get the ball back at the 5.
On the ensuing play, Von Grote and Almanza connected on a 97-yard TD to go up 42-0 midway through the second. Almanza also plays D and picked off a Central pass and returned it for a touchdown as the Bobcats led 49-0 at halftime.
Central (0-8, 0-5) gained 243 yards on offense and had more first downs than Byron (14-11). Landon Smith threw for 124 and Dylan McAfee had a team-high 55 yards rushing on 16 carries. Smith connected with receiver Masen Caudle for Central’s lone touchdown of the night. Caudle had 53 yards on three catches.
Max Miranda booted a 23-yard field goal to get Central on the board, but on the ensuing kickoff, Byron’s Jonathan Kabeya returned it for a 100-yard touchdown to give the Bobcats a 56-3 lead.
Von Grote dropped his completion percentage, but was still an efficient 8 of 12 for 260 yards and three touchdowns. James had 82 yards and three TDs on seven carries. Grant Bizjack had 61 yards on nine carries.
Malamura and Almanza combined for 229 yards and three TDs on only catches.
