Brook Hill overcame a lengthy weather delay and halftime deficit to overpower visiting Boca Raton (Florida) St. John Paull II and win the Second Annual Tyler Ford-Brook Hill American Warrior Bowl Saturday at Herrington Stadium.

The Guard outscored SJP II 29-6 in the second half to win its season opener 48-27, defend the honor of the Lone Star State and give head coach Scott Ryle a victory in his first game in charge.

Brook Hill’s defense produced four interceptions, two by senior Parker Galbraith, one by senior Logan Fitzgerald, and one which was returned for a touchdown by senior Alec Kitt.

Junior Jermiah McGowen and senior Brooks Parham combined for 224 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns.

The game kicked off two hours after originally scheduled because of lighting delays and heavy rain.

The wait did not seem to faze Brook Hill, which took the ball and needed less than a minute to drive for the game’s first touchdown. Parham did the honors on a 3-yard blast. He followed that up with the two-point conversion to put the Guard in front 8-0.

St. John Paul II cut the lead to two points with a touchdown, but Brook Hill responded in kind with a 16-yard scoring run by McGowen. Parham again ran in the two-point conversion to make it 16-6 with 6:31 remaining in the first quarter.

Brook Hill sophomore kicker Caleb Collins connected on a 23-yard field goal to push the Guard’s advantage to 19-6 with 5:48 remaining in the half.

In that time, SJP II outscored the Guard 15-0 to put Brook Hill behind, 21-19, at halftime.

A Galbraith interception in the third quarter helped Brook Hill took the lead. He returned into SJP II territory. Parham eventually finished it off with another 3-yard TD run. Guard junior quarterback Hood Taylor scored the two-point conversion to give Brook Hill 27-21 lead.

A missed field goal by St. John Paull II enabled Brook Hill to get the ball back and take further control of proceedings. Taylor and Galbraith connected on a 78-yard pass to set the Guard up at the 1-yard line. From there, Taylor took it himself for the touchdown. Caleb Collins PAT gave Brook Hill a 34-20 lead entering the fourth quarter.

St. John Paul II cut the lead to 34-27, but Brook Hill answered right back with Parham’s third and final touchdown of the night.

Kitt provided the icing on the cake for the Guard when he picked off a pass and went the other way for a 60-yard touchdown. Collins PAT made it 48-27.

When the teams shook hands and prayed together afterward, it was well after midnight. It was a memorable evening for all involved.

The Guard now get set for Game 2 on the schedule Friday at Mount Vernon.

GUARD STATS

Total Yards: 342

Passing (118): Hood Taylor 10 for 12 for 118 yards

Rushing (42-229): Jermiah McGowen 22-164, TD; Brooks Parham 9-60, 3 TDs; Carson Ezell 5-19; Jordon McGowen 1-5; Hood Taylor 5-(minus 19), TD

Receiving: Parker Galbraith 5-86; Alec Kitt 2-13; Campbell Fletcher 1-10; Carson Ezell 2-9