Big Playoff Performances for Father Ryan’s Byrd, O’Connell

Father Ryan cruised to a 35-7 TSSAA first-round football playoff victory over Hendersonville’s Pope John Paul II on Friday night.

Jackson Byrd each scored three touchdowns, and Seamus O’Connell two, for the Fighting Irish (5-6).

Father Ryan travels to Christian Brothers (10-0), which had a bye, next week.

O’Connell’s last score came with 9:25 left, essentially putting the game away for good.

O’Connell scored a rushing touchdown in the second half to extend his team’s lead to 21-7.

Pope John Paul II led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, but Father Ryan’s Jackson Byrd scored a rushing touchdown 30 seconds into the second quarter.

Byrd added another short touchdown run with 6:30 left before half, as the Fighting Irish maintained a 14-7 lead at the break.