Harrisburg grabs early lead, holds on to defeat Father Tolton

The Harrisburg Bulldogs, despite giving up an onside kick on the opening kickoff, jumped out to an early lead and held on Friday night to defeat Father Tolton 28-16 in Harrisburg.

“Despite having our hands team on the field, we gave up the opening onside kick,” said head coach Steve Hopkins. “We got them stopped then drove 90-yards down the field for the first score, but couldn’t convert the two-point play.”

That first touchdown on a one-yard run by senior signal-caller Tanner Lanes would set the tone for the game and the Bulldogs would never relinquish the lead, closing out the first quarter up 6-0.

Harrisburg would lengthen its lead in the second on a 38-yard pass reception by sophomore Hayven Samuels from Lanes. Making the score 12-0 as again, they would not convert the two-pointer. 

The Crusaders would fight back later in the quarter with a touchdown and conversion, drawing them to within four points of the Bulldogs. That would be the closest the Crusaders would get as they went into the locker room at the half with the score of 12-8.

“We were driving for a third consecutive score, then had a wet football contribute to a bad snap,” said Hopkins. “Then we gave up a big play on defense for them to get the score and the two points just before the half, so we go in leading only 12-8.”

In the third quarter, Lanes would find junior Anthony Alicea for a 32-yard touchdown reception. The conversion made the score 20-8 where it would remain until the fourth quarter when Lanes would score from three yards out to make the score 28-8.

In that third quarter, Senior Jace Carr would stop two Tolton drives with interceptions the first of which would be followed by the Alicea touchdown. On the second, Carr would return the interception 40-yards to set Harrisburg up in Tolton territory. Harrisburg would rely on their running game to drive the rest of the way and cap it off with the Lanes touchdown. 

Tolton tacked on a final touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Harrisburg would hold on for the 28-16 win.

Lanes had four completions on the night in seven attempts. Two of those completions were for touchdowns.

Sophomore Hayven Samuels carried the ball 23 times for 87 yards while senior Gavin Curtis gained 74 yards on 13 carries. Lanes carried the ball eight times for 24 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition to leading the team in rushing on the night, Samuels led the Bulldogs in receiving as he made the most of his one reception by turning it into a 39-yard touchdown grab.

Alicea also turned his one reception into a 34-yard touchdown.

Senior Jace Carr had one catch for 22 yards and junior Austin Darwent added another for eight.

Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by senior Tanner Fike who was in on 11 tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss.

Junior Harley Whitaker pulled down seven Crusader runners. 

Seniors Curtis, Brayton Stephenson, and Carr, along with junior Logan Fritts, had six tackles apiece, while Alicea had five.

Sophomores Hunter Cole, and Gaven Samuels, along with junior Braden Wyatt each had four.

Junior Bryce Rowden had three tackles, while sophomore Eric McIntyre had two and Hayven Samuels had one.

“We felt as if we controlled the game, but they battled to the end,” said Hopkins. “We’re excited to go on to the next round and a great challenge in Fayette.”

Harrisburg will make the trip to Fayette on Friday for a district semifinal game at 7 p.m.