Nolan 24, Prestonwood 21 — passing game

Patrick Rich’s injury early in the game affected the passing game to some degree. Coach Joe Prud’homme hinted that Nolan had several plays featuring Rich that weren’t used after the senior was injured and didn’t return.

Even so, the passing game produced its moments. Rich had a 34-yard run on a reverse. Pierce Braden caught a pair of passes, including a 20-yarder on the first drive.

And of course, the 79-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Walden to David Authier.

Walden did a very good job this season, stepping in as a sophomore and  guiding the team to a title. He finished the year 43-of-93 for 578 yards and four touchdowns with six interceptions. And he finished with 465 yards rushing (5.7 average) and 9 touchdowns, showing good decision-making skills on option reads.

How Patrick Rich finished among Nolan receivers in school history:

NOLAN CAREER RECEIVING YARDS

YDS	PLAYER	SEASONS		YDS	PLAYER	SEASONS
2,963	Will Gallagher	2005-07		1,129	Sean Turner	1992-93
1,360	John Pastusek	1999-00		1,121	Thomas Krsak	1997-98
1,230	Ross Gallagher	2008-09		1,061	Amyn Maloney	2009-11
1,168	Patrick Rich	2011-13

NOLAN CAREER RECEPTIONS

NO.	PLAYER	SEASONS		YDS	PLAYER	SEASONS
153	Will Gallagher	2005-07		70	Sean Turner	1992-1993
77	Patrick Rich	2011-13		70	Thomas Krsak	1997-98
76	John Pastusek	1999-2000		62	Drew Gavin	2005-07
69	Amyn Maloney	2009-11

NOLAN CAREER RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS

TDS	PLAYER	SEASONS		TDS	PLAYER	SEASONS
36	Will Gallagher	2005-07		9	Daniel Walker	2009-11
18	John Pastusek	1998-2000		9	Ben Nichols	2003-04
17	Andre Gunter	1995-96		9	Jordan Rihani	2000
14	Amyn Maloney	2009-11		9	Sean Turner	1992-93
13	Ross Gallagher	2008-09		9	Rod Howard	1989-90
13	Drew Gavin	2005-07		9	Clarence Johnson	1967-69
9	Patrick Rich	2011-13

Nolan vs. Liberty Christian

UPDATED Nov. 30, 2013: Nolan holds a 9-7 series lead over Liberty Christian. The first meeting between the schools took place 25 years ago. A look at the games:

Nolan vs. Argyle/Denton Liberty Christian (Nolan leads series, 9-7)

Date	Result	Notable
2013	W 55-20	Luke Alves 206 rushing 4 TDs
2013	W 41-31	Luke Alves 187 rushing, 2 TDs
2012	W 21-0	Nolan limits Liberty to 153 yards offense
2011	W 18-0	David Moser 188 rushing, Nolan 188 penalty yards
2010	W 45-27	Alex Sauza 250 rushing, 3 TDs and Amyn Maloney 114 receiving, 3 TDs
2009	W 35-27	Ross Gallagher’s 97-yard kickoff return in fourth quarter sealed it
2008	W 40-23	Robert Ratliff throws for 265 yards, 4 TDs for Vikings
2007	L 24-21	Nolan can’t hold 21-7 second quarter lead
2006	L 26-20 (OT)	Liberty wins season opener on Joshua Hicks TD run in overtime
2003	L 29-28	Liberty rallies from 21-2 deficit in third quarter
2002	L 12-7	TD pass in fourth quarter gives Liberty the win
1999	L 49-29	Liberty’s David Cole runs for 309 yards, 2 TDs
1998	W 6-2	Nolan ends 13-game losing streak
1997	L 45-10	Liberty 332 yards rushing, Nolan: -17 yards rushing
1989	L 33-0	Nolan limited to 164 yards offense
1988	W 27-15	Calvin Lovett 23-121 2 TDs rushing for Nolan

 

Longest interception returns for TDs

Miles Murray returns an interception 85 yards for a touchdown against TCA-Addison. (Photo by Dick Kirby)

UPDATED through Nov. 30, 2013 Miles Murray’s 85-yard interception return in Nolan’s 43-42 OT win over TCA was the third longest interception return for a touchdown in school history.

Here’s a look at the 10 longest:

95—Dakota Ferguson (vs. TCA-Addison, Nov. 6, 2009)

88—Greg Kidwell (vs. Dal. Bish. Lynch, Nov. 6, 1970)

85—Miles Murray  (vs. TCA-Addison, Oct. 4, 2013)

75—Miles Murray (vs. Argyle Liberty, Nov. 29, 2013)

67—Joe Anderson (vs. Kennedale, Sept. 7, 1990)

67—Steve Farco (vs. Mineral Wells, Sept. 20, 1985)

62—Tyler Baum (vs. Prestonwood, Dec. 4, 2010)

60—Pat Gallagher (vs. FW D-Hill, Sept. 8, 1967)

58—Ross Gallagher (vs. Dal. St. Mark’s, Sept. 5, 2008)

55–Stephen Jolissaint (vs. Houston St. Thomas, Nov. 22, 2013)