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Dallas walks it off in OT in win over Bonner

Tagged under: District 12, District 2, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

| November 24, 2023

After losing to D2 4A champ Crestwood last year, Bonner faced a similar fate this year as they fell to current D2 4A champ Dallas.

Bonner has traveled a lot this year, an early trip to the Irish capital Dublin, and a cross-state battle in Delaware, the Friars are no strangers to traveling. They endured a 2-hour 30-minute bus ride to get to Mountaineer Stadium, and the trip home was most likely a quiet one. Bonner has D1 players all over the field, Mylachi Williams, a PSU commit headlines the talented group. Entering the matchup, it was clear that Bonner was faster, bigger, and more athletic but did not have the physicality in the end.

Dallas is a team predicated on running the ball and playing good defense, they did both well today. All night it seemed Dallas was the more physical team as countless short-yardage stops by the Mountaineers defense proved it. After surviving last week against Valley View, Dallas enters this matchup faced with a fast, tall, and athletic Bonner team. Throughout the entire night, they were the underdog, they were not supposed to win this game, but they did, and that is all that matters to the Mountaineer faithful.

With all the stars in this game, Bonner made it known they will stick to what works, running the ball with Mick Johnson.  He ran the opening TD in to give Bonner a 7-0 lead.

Early in the contest, it seemed to be Bonner’s game to lose, but then Brady Zapoticky found Zach Paczewski on a nice pass to even the game up. 7-7 was the score at the half.

Bonner entered the locker room all even, but their play to start the third quarter was the reason they took the lead back. Once again it was Mick Johnson, and once again he broke off a big run for a TD.

 

After a Dallas TD with Dylan Geskey, the game was even at 14-14. Both teams were even as could be. The trend of Bonner taking the lead and then Dallas tying it continued until it was 21-21 in the late 4th quarter. Both teams fidgeted with the ball and weren’t able to get anything going, overtime.

Bonner got the ball first, and scored, 27-21 Friars, all is good, right? An excessive celebration penalty on Bonner made the was gimme XP now a 34-yard attempt. Dallas saw this as their opportunity and was able to capitalize, blocked by the Mountaineers, TD, and XP and they win.

In a game like this, of course, it would come down to the final offensive play. It was Dallas at the 1-yard line, 4th and goal, season on the line. Brady Zapoticky was able to sneak it in. Dallas was an XP away from going to the semifinals, and the kick was good.

A classic football game that ends in a walk-off fashion. Heartbreak vs Joy, Sadness vs Excitement, Anger vs Jubilation, Winning vs Losing.

Bonner’s season is over, but not one to forget. After winning the Catholic League, they came up short by a singular point just 3 wins away from a state title. From Dublin to Dallas, from Ireland to the USA, from August to September, from winning to losing, Bonner goes out valiantly in their final game of 2023.

Dallas couldn’t be more excited, they are 14-0 and 2 wins away from the state title. Unfortunately, they will meet 4A powerhouse Bishop McDevitt in the semifinals, this Dallas team won’t be scared. Like tonight, they will be outmatched in size, speed, and athletic ability, but few teams in 4A play with the heart that Dallas plays with.

 

 

 

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