When district rivals clashed in Fort Worth on Friday, the game started with a bang for the Bishop Lynch Friars, but ended with a thud as the Friars fell to 0-4 on the road, falling to Nolan 35-21 at Doskocil Stadium.

The Friars (3-4 overall, 2-2 district) made a huge statement to begin the game, courtesy of Ini Akpabot's 104-yard kickoff return for a score. However, it was Nolan (2-5, 2-2) who got the last word, scoring 28 unanswered points in the second and third quarters for a key district win.

Following Akpabot's TD return, the Vikings answered with an 84-yard scoring drive, capped off by Jacob Walden's four-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Cook. On the Friars' first offensive series, Tristan Smith ran through the Nolan defense for a 50-yard TD to regain the lead. From that point, the Vikings ran the show.

Nolan scored three touchdowns in the second to take a 28-14 lead, and held a 35-14 advantage when the game entered the fourth period.

Walden tied the game at 14-14 with a one-yard run, then the Vikings took the lead for good as Will Muraski returned a fumble 70 yards for a touchdown. Walden scored from a yard out one last time before intermission, before Rory Mitchell strolled 55 yards for a third-quarter touchdown.

Nolan managed a 14-point win despite gaining just 270 total yards, one less than the Friars' 271. Smith threw for just 92 yards and was picked off twice. He led the Friars with 108 yards and two scores on the ground.

Jermaine Mask picked up 71 rushing yards and Drayton Delaney led the team with three catches and 38 yards. Mitchell rushed for a game-high 130 yards to lead the Vikings.

View the complete box score HERE

See photos from the game HERE

— Cliff Gibson, Sports Information Director