Tribe Claims District Title

  • Halfback Brady Haas (10) rambles for a big gain in the 31-14 district win over Central Texas Christian. Brady rushed for 120 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Melissa Kutac
    Halfback Brady Haas (10) rambles for a big gain in the 31-14 district win over Central Texas Christian. Brady rushed for 120 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Melissa Kutac

    TEMPLE – Sacred Heart found a way to get things done in its key TAPPS District IV matchup with Temple Central Texas Christian.

    The teams were tied 14-all at the half prior to the Indians scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half in the 31-14 victory Friday night.

    It is the Indians’ first district title since 2018 as they finished the regular season 10-0.

    Back-up quarterback Hudson Kutac, halfback Brady Haas and receiver/ kicker Nic Angerstein had a big night for the Indians, who finished the season undefeated at 10-0 for the first time since 2018.

    Kutac was 7 of 14 passing for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

    00-yard rushing game with 24 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

    Angerstein caught 5 passes for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns and kicked a 44-yard field goal.

    The Indians gathered 309 yards total offense to the Lions’ 239. The ß∞Indians ran 45 plays from scrimmage to TC’s 44. 

    “Overall, just extremely proud of and happy for our football team. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but our kids made the decision as a group that they weren’t going to be denied. They were determined to persevere no matter what situation they found themselves in,” head coach Alex Seydler said. The character and togetherness that this team has displayed throughout this season is extremely unique and special.”

    In what was a big momentum swing in the second half occurred at the onset of the third quarter.

    The Lions had reached Sacred Heart’s 48-yard line prior to linebacker Josh Terry forcing a fumble that was recovered by Lance Barton on the TC 49.

    Haas gained 20 yards to the Lion 29 before the drive stalled at the Lion 27 and Angerstein drilled a 44-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead.

    Also in the third period, Angerstein returned a punt to the Lion 34. On the first play, Haas broke several tackles on the way to a 34-yard touchdown run to up the count to 24-14.

    Kutac kept the Indians’ final scoring drive alive with a 33-yard pass to Angerstein to convert on third down. Haas went under center and scored on a 1-yard run to culminate the drive in the fourth quarter.

    The Indians and Lions traded blows in the second period.

    The Lions scored first on a 23-yard run by halfback Tabor Tyson to cap a 66-yard, 7-play drive.

    After the ensuing kick, Sacred Heart started on its own 29. Kutac hit Angerstein on a seam rout for 41 yards and the score.

    The Lions followed and on a trick play, scored on a 43-yard pass from Tristan Eanes to Evan Allerkamp.

    The Indians answered again with a 65- yard drive, 7-play which ended when Angerstein made a leaping catch in the end zone of a Kutac pass for 17 yards and the score with 30 seconds remaining in the first half to even the score at 14-14.

    Tyson was the game’s leading rusher with 151 yards on 26 carries.

    “After playing to a stalemate in the first half, I really thought our defense was the big key for us in the second half in being able to create the separation we needed,” Seydler said. “We played lights out, generating multiple takeaways and putting our offense in great position to be able to put points on the board.

    “Offensively, we were balanced and did a good job of taking care of the ball throughout the game.”

    RUSHING: Brady Haas 24-120, Hudson Kutac 7-34-0.

    PASSING: Hudson Kutac 7-14-1 156.

    RECEIVING: Nic Angerstein 5-125, Brady Haas 1-20, Clayton Haas 1-11.