Where Rivalries are Tested
Holy Cross Falls to Dallas First Baptist, 34-7
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Crusader Stadium once again hosted one of the state’s premier private school matchups Friday night, as Holy Cross battled Dallas First Baptist in a game that lived up to its billing as a measuring-stick rivalry. Despite the final score, a 34-7 win for the Saints, the Knights showed plenty of toughness and grit in what has quickly become one of TAPPS’ most respected showdowns.
The Knights leaned on their physical run game early, trading blows in the trenches against one of the top-ranked offenses in the state. Senior running back Taylor Flores paced the attack with 85 yards and a two-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, while quarterback Rocky Orozco added 84 yards on the ground. Together, they helped Holy Cross total 177 rushing yards on the night, a mark that reflected their commitment to staying aggressive and disciplined up front.
Defensively, Holy Cross faced a tough challenge in First Baptist’s balanced offense led by quarterback Dylan Jones, who threw for four touchdowns. But the Knights responded with several key stops throughout the night and continued to play with effort and energy through all four quarters.
The lone Holy Cross score came late in the fourth, when Flores capped off a hard-fought drive with a short touchdown run, punctuating a game that reflected the team’s resilient mentality, one that coach Ernie Flores has described as “any time, any place, anywhere.”
Even in defeat, the matchup reaffirmed why this rivalry has become so meaningful so quickly. What began as a new regional test just two years ago has evolved into a benchmark for championship-caliber competition; a game defined by respect, intensity, and the kind of football that builds programs.
The Knights will look to regroup and carry that same fight into the final stretch of the season, with lessons learned and the same mindset that’s come to define them: no matter the opponent, Holy Cross shows up ready to compete.
