Simpson Shreds Prestonwood Christian

BY JEFF SULLIVAN SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

PRESTONWOOD, Texas — Shiloh Christian senior quarterback Matt Simpson threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more in an impressive performance Friday night in Plano, Texas.

After throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown on Shiloh’s first play from scrimmage, Simpson completed his other eight attempts of the opening quarter — including passes of 45, 49 and 59 yards — as Shiloh Christian defeated Prestonwood Christian 45-17.

The first quarter was one for the books, lasting 53 minutes. Shiloh wasn’t exactly eating up the clock with running plays, with the longest of its four scoring drives lasting 92 seconds. The shortest was the first scoring drive, which covered 70 yards and three plays in 54 seconds.

The highlight of that surge downfield was a 59-yard hookup from Simpson to senior Crosby Tuck. While the first 40 yards of that pass came through the air, the remaining 19 saw Tuck break four tackles, at one point dragging a defender 4 yards before shaking him. Moments later, Simpson found senior Patrick Ryan with Shiloh’s first score.

Simpson and Tuck hooked up again later in the quarter, this time for 49 yards. Tuck finished with five catches for 112 yards and drew a pair of pass interference calls.

Bo Scott caught Simpson’s second TD toss, this one from 6 yards out with 3 minutes, 34 seconds remaining. Simpson polished off two other first quarter scoring drives with 1-yard plunges, the first coming with 1: 52 on the clock and the latter with 27. 2 ticks remaining.

Simpson finished 21 of 27 for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for three scores. Other gaudy numbers included senior Austin Tucker hauling in five catches for 131 yards and senior Bo Scott having two fumble recoveries and a touchdown catch in the first quarter.

After the fireworks in the first quarter, the game somewhat stalled, with Shiloh scoring the second quarter’s lone points on a safety and neither team scoring in the fourth. Shiloh added two more touchdowns in the third, with Simpson running another in from close range and then connecting with Tucker from 24 yards.

The defense was led by senior Brandon McBryde and junior Jordan Moore.

Shiloh (1-0 ) racked up an impressive 569 yards of total offense and 34 first downs while holding Prestonwood Christian to 227 and 14, respectively.