Parish claims title in battle against Prestonwood after runner-up finish last year
By: Robert Thomas
Parish Episcopal wasn’t ready to relinquish its reputation as the state’s private-school football powerhouse.
When the Panthers had their string of five consecutive TAPPS Division I championships snapped a year ago, it turns out that was merely a blip on the radar instead of a changing of the guard.
Parish reclaimed the top spot, 363 days later, with a 14-7 triumph over district rival Plano Prestonwood in a surprising defensive struggle on Dec. 5 in Waco.
The Panthers (12-1) came up with several big plays on both sides of the ball during a decisive fourth quarter to secure the win, including two big defensive stops in the last two minutes that proved to be the difference.
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Preston Hollow
“Our defense has done such a great job this season and it’s only fitting that they came through with the game on the line,” Parish head coach Daniel Novakov said. “After losing in last year’s title game, I wanted to win this game so much for our seniors and our guys came through when it mattered most.”
Parish claimed a 38-35 win over Prestonwood during the regular season. However, through three quarters in the rematch, the Panthers held just a 7-0 advantage.
After the Lions tied the score, the Parish offense drove into Prestonwood territory with four minutes to play and faced fourth-and-16 from the Prestonwood 34.
That’s when senior receiver Jaylen Pile stepped up, hauling in a 26-yard strike from freshman quarterback Logan Lucero (141 total yards) to set up first-and-goal from the Prestonwood 6. It was Pile’s only catch of the game.
“Jaylen came up big and came through for us when we had to have a big play,” Novakov said of the Michigan signee. “But that’s something he’s done for us all year long.”
Three plays later, Johnathon Phillips scored his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run to put Parish in front for good.
Prestonwood didn’t go quietly, driving inside the Parish 30 with just under a minute to play. But the Panthers turned away the drive in big fashion, thanks to Kingston Thornton’s leaping interception in the end zone with 44 seconds left.
“When the ball went up, I knew I couldn’t let it get past me,” Thornton said. “I just fought to stay on top of the receiver in the end zone and made sure to hold on to the ball.”
Parish accomplished its mission with 12 consecutive victories to end the season and matched the highest win total in program history.
