Bears’ second-half surge sinks Rockets on Senior Night

Sylvan Hills 50, Catholic 22

Sylvan Hills leaned on senior quarterback Tyler Hampton and a relentless two‑back rotation to pull away from Catholic, 50–22, on Senior Night at War Memorial Stadium. After a 15–15 deadlock midway through the second quarter, Hampton uncorked a 75‑yard keeper and added two more short scores as the Bears controlled the third period.

Running backs Isaiah Howell and EJ Duckery pounded between the tackles, with Duckery finishing drives in the first and fourth quarters. Senior receivers Tyler Blakely and LaKobe Brent provided timely targets, including Brent’s red‑zone grab that sent the Bears to halftime ahead 22–15.

Catholic answered behind junior quarterback Phillips Blair, who punched in a first‑quarter keeper and later threaded touchdown throws to junior QB Hunter Markham—one before the break and a second on a quick strike in the third. Senior WR/returner Elliot Lovell jump‑started field position with a long punt return, while senior P Boyd Barnettrepeatedly flipped the field; senior K Linkoln Perez added a PAT. On defense, senior MLB Brock Hatchett, senior DE/LB Aiden Gaiser and senior CB/OLB Mason Emmerling delivered several open‑field stops against the Bears’ hurry‑up.

Sylvan Hills (now 8–2) showed why it sits atop the 6A‑East with balance, speed and physicality at the line of scrimmage. Catholic, which honored 41 seniors before kickoff, matched that intensity for a half and continued to compete until the final horn. With Blair and Markham returning next fall, the Rockets’ backfield foundation appears sturdy heading into the offseason despite Friday’s result. Special teams impressed.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Sylvan Hills – Tyler Hampton TD pass (kick good), SH 7–0.
Catholic – Phillips Blair 1‑yd run (Linkoln Perez kick), 7–7.
Sylvan Hills – EJ Duckery 2‑yd run (2‑pt: Hampton run), SH 15–7.

2nd Quarter
Catholic – Blair to Hunter Markham TD pass (2‑pt: Luke Burdine run), 15–15.
Sylvan Hills – Hampton to LaKobe Brent TD pass (kick good), SH 22–15

3rd Quarter
Sylvan Hills – Hampton 75‑yd run (kick good), SH 29–15.
Sylvan Hills – Hampton 10‑yd run (kick good), SH 36–15.
Catholic – Blair to Markham TD pass (Perez kick), SH 36–22.

4th Quarter
Sylvan Hills – Hampton 1‑yd run (kick good), SH 43–22.
Sylvan Hills – Duckery 24‑yd run (kick good), SH 50–22

Players Who Stood Out

• Tyler Hampton, Sr. QB (SH): 3 rushing TDs including 75‑yard burst, plus a TD pass.

• Isaiah Howell, RB (SH): Chain‑moving night between the tackles.

• EJ Duckery, RB (SH): Two scoring runs that bookended the night.

• Phillips Blair, Jr. QB (Catholic): Two TD passes and a short TD run.

• Hunter Markham, Jr. QB (Catholic): Two touchdown receptions and steady production.