Bishop Gorman quarterback Michael Goodwin finished with 453 yards passing and 157 yards rushing with six touchdowns Friday in the Crusaders win over Troup. (Herb Nygren Jr. | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

In Bishop Gorman’s 38-21 victory over Troup on Friday, Michael Goodwin and receiver Connor Hobbs put up some huge, head-turning numbers.

Goodwin, a junior quarterback in his first year under center, threw for 453 yards on 28 of 34 passing, adding another 157 yards rushing on 19 carries. He threw for four scores and a pick and added two rushing touchdowns.

That’s 610 yards and six touchdowns in total.

Hobbs, a senior receiver, hauled in 11 of those receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

The passing and receiving yardage totals both set school records, yet Crusaders coach Coby Gipson was quick to point out that it wasn’t down to the performance of one or two players, but the result of the entire offense — not to mention defense and special teams.

“There’s no individual award in football,” Gipson said. “He had some great play from his receivers, the blocking of his linemen and running backs. Even though Michael’s stats were outstanding, we believe it was a total team performance, and Michael would be the first to say that.”

For the year, Goodwin has 914 yards passing and 308 on the ground. Hobbs has 23 of Goodwin’s 59 completions for 438 yards.

Heading into the bye week before the start of TAPPS D-II District 2, Gorman is averaging 553.3 yards per game.

Gipson said Goodwin’s numbers — and by extension those of the entire offense — are a result of his work during the summer.

“Michael put in a great summer of 7-on-7,” Gipson said. “He worked out three times a day in preparation for the season. He was a great leader in getting people organized (for workouts).

“We believe that hard work pays off and what you saw on Friday night didn’t happen just because he practiced hard during the week or played hard on Friday night.”

The undefeated Crusaders (3-0) next play at Dallas Shelton (0-3) on Sept. 26.

 

COUGARS SUPPORT AZLEWAY AGAIN

For the eighth straight year, Grace Community used its bye week for something bigger than itself.

The Cougars hosted the boys of Azleway Charter School for a friendly scrimmage on Tuesday at Clyde-Perkins Stadium.

Grace coach Mike Maddox said about 40 boys showed up.

“We have our moms and dads pitch in to help get all the work done; we couldn’t do it without them at all,” Maddox said. “It’s just a really neat thing to simulate a Friday night ballgame on a Tuesday afternoon and to put the Azleway boys in our jerseys and to have the national anthem and prayer and run through in the tunnel.

“It really brings a big smile to their face.”

The Cougars (2-1) are coming off a 21-7 win over previously unbeaten Harleton.

The victory was fueled by a strong defense, which helped Grace take a 21-0 lead at halftime.

“I thought our defense really played hard and really helped us out,” Maddox said. “We turned the ball over a couple times early and our defense really kept us in the game early and really allowed us to get back on our feet.

“I feel our team is stronger in all three phases.”

Coming off the win and going into the bye week, Maddox said hosting the Azleway boys was a great way to start preparations for TAPPS D-II District 2 play, which begins Sept. 26 against league newcomer Frisco Legacy Christian.

“You want to do something to improve yourself mentally and spiritually as a team and I think this is a good thing that I think it really helps our kids learn to reach out and be selfless,” Maddox said.

 

ALL SAINTS LEARNS FROM CARLISLE DEFEAT

In its first defeat of the year, All Saints started strong but lost a 13-point lead, eventually falling 23-13 to Carlisle.

But while Trojans coach Mike Hall admits there are things his team could’ve done better, he knows the game was good preparation for their upcoming district slate.

“You want to win them all but sometimes a loss to a good football team makes you better,” Hall said. “We came up short. We played hard, played good defense, we played well enough defensively to win. You have to credit Carlisle for having good defensive schemes and we never could get into a rhythm offensively.”

All Saints went ahead 13-0 on a Matt Brunson TD toss to Logan Bradford and Luke Lee’s 70-yard interception return. But the Trojans could have led by more had they fully taken advantage of three Indians fumbles.

Lee’s pick six was an example of a player following the instruction of his coaches.

“The great thing is he did exactly what the coaches told him to do,” Hall said. “They talked about that play in particular and he played it perfect.

“It really gave us some fire and at that point I really felt like things were going our way early. We just didn’t capitalize on everything and then momentum went over to their side.”

All Saints is off this week before opening TAPPS D-II District 2 play at Carrollton Prince of Peace on Sept. 26. It will be the Trojans’ first district game since 2011.

 

WEATHER LIMITS GUARD

The Bullard Brook Hill game against Alto on Friday had to be canceled due to rain and lightning in the area.

That means the Guard will only play two non-district games before the start of TAPPS D-II District 2. Brook Hill next plays at defending league champion Dallas Christian on Sept. 26.

All four East Texas schools in TAPPS D-II District 2 will be on the road that night.

Brook Hill (1-1) will have two open weeks before facing Dallas Christian. The Guard went 2-1 on the road in league play last year, with the lone loss coming to the aforementioned Chargers.