Lynn High School Routs Holy Spirit in Regional Matchup
Coach Mark Hastings and Lynn High School traveled over an hour to Tuscaloosa to face off against the Holy Spirit Saints. Lynn didn't mess around, making an early statement against their region foes.
Lynn maintained a balance of run and pass offense to start off the game, as running back Benjamin Kelly gave the Bears an early lead, with a 13-yard touchdown run. Shortly after, Lynn quarterback Matthew Cale Tittle scored a rushing touchdown of his own.
Holy Spirit head coach Bobby Snyder led the Saints into the game, with an 0-4 record, hoping to see a new brand of offense from his team and a good attitude. With their backs against the wall down 14-0, Holy Spirit running back Colby Phillips gave them momentum, running in a 71-yard touchdown from "The Wildcat."
Lynn responded quickly, piecing together an 80-yard drive over three plays. Tittle and Kelly moved the chains on back-to-back plays with big runs, and Tittle finished the drive with a 44-yard touchdown pass to receiver Logan Madison to extend the Bear's lead to 21-7.
To end the first half, Tittle led Lynn to the endzone on two consecutive drives, throwing touchdowns to both tight end Jacob Tidwell and running back Benjamin Kelly. At halftime, Lynn led Holy Spirit 35-7.
"Tittle has been very consistent all year," coach Hastings said. "He's a hard runner, good with the ball in his hand, throwing it and making decisions. Tonight was one of his standard performances."
Tittle and Lynn maintained momentum into the second half, with Tittle connecting with receiver Jase Dodd in the endzone. Tittle ended his night with four passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, five total. Dodd came in to replace Tittle at QB, rushing in for a touchdown of his own. He expanded Lynn's lead to 49-7, with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
There was a large scoring drought for both teams at the end of the third quarter and most of the fourth quarter. On Holy Spirit's last drive, they played their best football, as they had nothing more to lose. Holy Spirit quarterback Kalen Oswalt drove down the field connecting with Phillips out of the backfield, the final catch resulting in a eight-yard touchdown. Despite the loss, coach Snyder was not disappointed with the performance.
"I think the tempo and attitude throughout the whole game was good," coach Snyder said. "We laid down the last couple of weeks and I don't think we laid down today. Scoring late also gives us something to build on heading into an off week."
Lynn (3-1, 3-0) defeated Holy Spirit (0-5, 0-4) by a final score of 49-13, continuing Lynn's perfect record in the region. Holy Spirit travels to face Berry Fayette after the bye week, while Lynn hosts Tarrant at home next Friday.