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Score and Photos of Friday night high school football - Oct. 16
GOODLETTSVILLE - Baylor quarterback Wil Austin only played until halftime Friday night.
His first half, however, proved to be more than Pope John Paul II could handle.
Austin had 101 yards through the air and a pair of touchdowns - one to Tate Prater and another to Gunnar Ricketts - while picking up 136 yards on the ground and a 48-yard touchdown just before halftime as Baylor claimed a 42-21 win over the Knights at Jim Carell Athletic Complex.
Baylor (7-1, 3-1 Division II-AA East/Middle) opened up a 35-0 lead at halftime and never looked back.
"My guys up front (offensive line), they're my guys and they definitely take care of me, and I have nothing but praise for them, and our defense really helps our confidence a lot since we don't have to fret about putting points on the board. We can just go and operate," said Austin, who completed 10 of 12 passes in the first half.
Baylor running backs Kalvin Watson and Ryan Parker both had touchdown runs in the first half to help the Red Raiders stretch their lead.
Pope John Paul II (2-6, 0-5) replied in the second half, with Ben Brooks connecting on 20-of-27 passing and a pair of scores to Pace Dempsey and Neil Adams, but had too much ground to make up.
"Our kids responded in the second half and came together and competed well," Pope John Paul II coach Justin Geisinger said.
Following a Brooks-to-Dempsey touchdown early in the second half, Brendan Harris ripped off a 99- yard kickoff return for another Baylor touchdown.
"I was proud on both sides of the ball tonight," Baylor coach Phillip Massey said, "and our kids really play hard and together, and I think the guys are focusing in on getting better and getting through the process."