History for the Panthers: Paschal football snaps 28-year playoff drought, survives Wyatt

For the first time in over 28 years, Fort Worth Paschal High School football is heading to the UIL playoffs.

Paschal defeated Fort Worth Wyatt 30-28 in a thriller at Clark Stadium on Oct. 24 to clinch a spot out of District 4-5A Division 1. The Chaparral offense made things challenging for the Panthers with consistent second-half scoring, but they matched their effort.

Paschal’s Dylan Williams blocked a 25-yard field goal attempt by Wyatt as time ran out to hold on for the win.

According to UIL records, Paschal last made a playoff appearance in 1995 and lost 42-7 to Fort Worth Arlington Heights in the bi-district round.

Since 2004, Paschal has a record of 39 wins and 158 losses.

During Paschal’s time in Class 6A from 2014 to 2023, the program won seven games. The 2024 UIL realignment moved Paschal back down to Class 5A, which set up the recent success.

The 2024 bi-district round starts on Nov. 14 and Paschal’s opponent is to be determined.

In the first half, Paschal’s offense thrived behind junior quarterback Jashuan Thomas, who returned after suffering an injury in the fourth quarter against Saginaw on Oct. 18. He put Paschal on the board with a 22-yard rushing touchdown.

Wyatt’s offense immediately responded with a 9-yard scoring run by quarterback Jorvorskie Lane Jr., a two-sport superstar. Lane Jr., arguably the best baseball recruit in Dallas-Fort Worth, was committed to Texas A&M but de-committed in August.

Paschal added to its lead with an intense rush from Marquez Dean, who scampered 28 yards and leaped into the end zone while absorbing some contact from the defense. Dean led Paschal with 103 yards rushing on 14 carries.

After an interception from Paschal safety Luke Jowers, kicker Josh Wedemyer made a 30-yard field goal at the start of the second quarter. Neither team scored the rest of the first half.

The Chaparral offense bounced back in the third quarter with a touchdown drive powered by a 26-yard reception from Dale Brown and capped by a 4-yard scramble from Lane, who maneuvered around some pressure.

Following a 36-yard kickoff return by Mike Guerrero, a 47-yard, nine-play touchdown drive from the Panthers, finished by a three-yard rushing score from Thomas, kept Wyatt at bay. Lane and the Chaparrals were relentless in cutting the lead and embarked on another run-heavy scoring drive capped by a three-yard score from Lane.

Despite a hard hit taken by Thomas, the Panthers ensured Wyatt’s defense couldn’t get a timely, much-needed stop. Tight end Luke Tevis rushed nine yards to extend the lead to 30-21 with 8:08 remaining.

Once again, the Wyatt offense refused to roll over. Lane sent a 64-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Walker, who was wide-open, to cut the lead to 30-28 with 6:26 left.

Paschal, however, could not answer or run out the clock as the Panthers lost the ball on downs at the Wyatt 35. With no time outs left, Lane was able to guide the Chaparrals down to the Paschal nine-yard line, where the field goal attempt was blocked as time ran out.

Lane only had two yards passing in the first half but came alive after the break to finish with 161 yards completing 17 of 26. Lane had 137 yards rushing on 15 attempts and caught two passes for 35 yards.

Walker was also a key contributor for Wyatt with 90 receiving yards on seven receptions, all in the second half.

Thomas was 8 of 11 passing for 93 yards and had 86 yards rushing on 13 totes. On Oct. 31., Paschal will face Trimble Tech, and Wyatt will face Fort Worth North Side.