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DeSales’ Colts are headed for the Class 2-A state semifinals in football, but it took a quick turn of events early in the third quarter before they could register a 34-0 victory over host Christian Academy Friday night.

The Colts scored three touchdowns in the first 6:05 of the third quarter to jump to a stunning 20-0 lead with Dylan Byrd scoring all three times on one-yard runs. That gave DeSales (12-1) the momentum to avenge a 27-24 loss to CAL (10-2) on Oct. 18.

DeSales, ranked No. 15 among state powers by The Courier-Journal, capitalized after a five-yard punt against the wind by CAL, a fumble by CAL on the ensuing kickoff and a 42-yard punt return to the CAL one-yard line by Connor Shipley for those three crucial TDs.

“At halftime we were winning the statistics,’’ DeSales coach Harold Davis said. “We held them to 47 yards and we had 164. We did a great job of moving the ball. We just weren’t finishing.’’

Asked if he had ever scored three times in such a short period, Byrd said, “No, not ever. We just didn’t get the job done in the first half. We needed a little push.’’

DeSales hits the road next week to play Murray – a 27-14 winner over Caldwell County -- in a semifinal game with the victor moving on to Bowling Green for the 2-A championship game the first weekend in December. DeSales lost to Caldwell County 43-31 in last year’s semifinal.

“We got there last year, but lost,’’ Byrd said. “Hopefully, the ending will be different this time.’’

DeSales reached the finals in 2009 before losing to Fort Campbell 29-9.

The Colts got their first big break when CAL punter Nate Smith had a kick travel a mere five yards, giving DeSales the ball at the CAL 25. It still took the Colts eight plays to score with Byrd crossing the goal line on fourth and one with 7:47 left in the third period.

“I thought I crossed the line on second down, but I guess I didn’t.’’ said Byrd, who gained 116 yards on 30 carries. That gives him 1,720 yards rushing on the season, along with 34 touchdowns and 204 points.

Chad Lewellyn of CAL fumbled the ensuing kickoff and DeSales’ Colton Elkins recovered at the one. Byrd scored on the next play, making it 13-0 with 7:34 left in the third period.

CAL failed to move the ball and punted to Shipley at the 45. Shipley ran 42 yards to the one where Byrd took it in with 5:55 left in that quarter.

“Once they got behind they had to throw the ball,’’ Davis said. “We were staying back and reading the quarterback. Our defensive backs did a good job.’’

Shipley intercepted a pass by CAL junior quarterback Tanner Young and returned it 30 yards for a score and a 27-0 lead. CAL’s regular quarterback, Nathan Christmas, didn’t play because of a bruised knee.

Roush, a three-year starter at QB for DeSales, also played some safety and picked off a Centurion pass and dashed 43 yards to the end zone to complete the scoring with 8:44 left in the game.

“Luckily, we had them against the wind on that bad punt,’’ Roush said. “Then we got a couple more turnovers and that gave us the momentum.’’

Byrd gained 76 yards rushing on 16 carries in the first half.

“He ran hard and didn’t try to do too much,’’ Roush said about Byrd. “He just did as much as he could.’’

CAL only had one scoring chance. That came later in the third quarter when Lewellyn intercepted a Roush pass and ran 15 yards to Colt 27. On the next play, Shipley intercepted a CAL pass on the three-yard line and ran 42 yards to midfield.

DeSales 0 0 27 7 - 34
Christian Academy 0 0 0 0 - 0

DeSales—Dylan Byrd 1 run (Cameron Brothers kick); DeSales—Byrd 1 run (kick failed); DeSales—Byrd 1 run (Brothers kick); DeSales—Matt Bouchard 30 pass interception (Brothers kick); DeSales—Nathan Roush 43 pass interception (Brothers kick).

DeSales CAL
Total yards 154 143
First downs 10 8
Rushes-yds. 51-140 23-18
Comp-Att-Int 1-6-1 12-29-3
Passing yards 6 125
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yds. 6-65 3-22
Punts-avg. 3-31.0 5-41.0

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2...ademy-34-0