ARLINGTON:  The Varsity Football team took the field on Friday for a meeting with Nolan Catholic in the TAPPS Regional Playoffs, set on the big stage at the Texas Rangers former home stadium Globe Life Park.  JPII and Nolan were scheduled to play back in October, but both teams mutually scratched the game for COVID reasons.  The Cardinals previously defeated the Vikings for the first time in program history during the same round of last year's playoff run, outgunning their rivals from Ft. Worth 49-15.  

JPII started off strong, punching in their first possession to open the scoring just four minutes into the game.  Senior workhorse RB Grant Robinson capped off the 10-play drive with a 15-yard cutback run to put the Cards ahead early.  Robinson would finish with 99 yards on 28 carries, the first game this season he'd been held under the rushing century mark.  Credit the Viking defense and coaching, as the Cards would struggle to move the ball the rest of the game.  The only other touchdown scored on the day for JPII came on the final play of the game as junior QB Gabe Warren connected with senior WR Myles Parker (4 rec, 95 yds, 1 TD) on a 70-yard seam to beat the Nolan secondary.  JPII found some success on their third drive, but stalled just outside the redzone and called on junior placekicker Jackson Mata to send a 31-yard field goal from the left hash through the uprights to make it 10-0.  

The Cardinal defense stymied the Vikings through much of the first half, holding them to to just one first down and seven yards of total offense in first half.  It was truly a tale of two halves, as Nolan was able to make adjustments at the break that led to 27 second-half points, as the Cards were shut out until the last play of the game.  

Head Coach George Teague spoke to the team after the game, thanking the seniors and delivering a message to the returning players.  "Don't forget these feelings you've got right now.  The good, the bad, use all of it as motivation during the offseason and next year."

"I'm extremely proud of this group," Teague said.  "These guys have experienced an overwhelming amount of adversity this season and should be congratulated for making it this far.  Despite coming up short in terms of our end of year goals, we were still able to complete the season and stay healthy throughout the year.  This has been a trying year for all of us but I wouldn't want to go to battle with any other group."

The Cardinals are now done and finish the year at 3-4 overall, while Nolan Catholic advances to the TAPPS State Semi-Finals where the Vikings will face All Saints Episcopal at Arlington's Globe Life Park.