Grant Bizjack, Leo Almanza lead Byron Nelson to thrilling victory over Lewisville

Quarterback Grant Bizjack connected with Leo Almaza with a 54-yard touchdown pass with 54 seconds left -- on a fourth-and six -- as the Trophy Club Byron Nelson Bobcats (2-0) rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final seven minutes.

Byron Nelson secured a 32-28 victory over the Lewisville Farmers (1-1) in an exciting Class 6A non-district high school football matchup at Northwest ISD Stadium on Thursday.

Trailing 28-18 after Lewisville running back Derrick Martin scored on a 20-yard TD scamper, Byron Nelson did not quit.

An eight-yard TD catch by Almanza -- the second of three aerial scores for the Baylor commit -- with 3:19 remaining narrowed the margin to 28-25. The Bobcats defense forced and three and out and got the ball back with 1:45 left at its own 28. Then facing a fourth-and-six from its own 46, Bizjack double pumped and found a streaking Almanza for the winning touchdown.

A desperation fourth-down pass attempt by Lewisville on its final possession around midfield as time expired was incomplete, and the Byron Nelson players and fans erupted in celebration.

The Bizjack-to-Almanza combo proved to be lethal for the second consecutive week.

“We have great chemistry,” said Bizjack, referring to his connection with Almanza. “We have been great friends off the field since we were kids and hang out. Just an incredibly talented player.”

Almanza echoed the chemistry with his quarterback.

“We are definitely on the same page,” said a jubilant Almanza. “Exciting game. And I and the team definitely have confidence in Grant to get the job done.”

An elated Byron Nelson head coach Travis Pride was really proud of his team.

“Super job of the kids coming back the way they did,” said Pride. “It would have been easy to have gotten frustrated there in the fourth quarter. But our guys did not quit. They are unbelievably resilient.”

The two teams alternated touchdowns in the first half that ended with Byron Nelson facing a 14-12 deficit.

Lewisville sophomore quarterback Tre Williams connected with fellow sophomore Martin on TD passes of 12 and five yards for both Farmers scores in the first half.

Byron Nelson senior running back Tucker James, an Army pledge, capped a 14-play 88-yard march with a two-yard TD run with 4:48 left in the second quarter. However, the PAT was blocked, leaving the Bobcats with a 7-6 deficit.

The Farmers responded on its ensuing series, with Williams second aerial score to Martin with 1:45 left before halftime.

The Bobcats answered right back, thanks to a Lewisville short kickoff that was returned to the Farmers 43. Bizjack hit Parker Almanza with a seven-yard pass, then found a wide open Leo Almanza with a 36-yard TD strike 1:13 before the break. A quarterback keeper by Bizjack on the two-point conversion attempt failed.

Junior Tenel Hill’s one-yard TD plunge capped an 8-play 65-yard drive early in the third quarter, extending the Lewisville lead to 21-12. The drive was highlighted by a 31-yard flea-flicker from Williams to Landon Bogany to the Byron Nelson three-yard line.

James, on a fourth-and-goal, hauled in a four-yard TD pass from Bizjack with 9:48 left in the fourth stanza to narrow the margin to 21-18, setting the stage for the wild finish.

Bizjack finished with 266 passing yards, completing 23 of 31 passes, and four TDs. He also rushed 43 yards on 12 carries.

James tallied yards 49 rushing on 17 attempts and scored a pair of TDs -- one on the ground and one receiving.

Leo Almanza had six catches for 119 yards and three TDs, while Joshua Engstrom and Parker Almanza each snared five passes for 54 and 40 yards, respectively.

Next Week’s showdown

Trophy Club Byron Nelson opens district play at 7 p.m. Friday Friday at 6A No. 2 area-ranked Southlake Carroll, as the two powerhouses meet in an early-season matchup after a pair of clashes a year ago.

The Bobcats shocked Southlake Carroll 34-17 in Week 10 a year ago (first-ever win over the Dragons in eight matchups) during the regular season to capture its initial district title, and snapping a 37-game Southlake district win streak.

The Dragons exacted revenge with a convincing 56-7 triumph in the Region final, handing Byron Nelson its lone defeat after 13 wins, ending the Bobcats best season in program history.

Coach Pride said his team is looking forward to facing the challenge of playing the Dragons.

“Southlake has a great team every year,” Pride said. “Their program is the type program we are trying to build here. It will be a big game. And our guys are looking forward to it. I am sure Southlake Carroll will be ready and so will we. Gotta clean up a few things, but we will be prepared.”