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Reserve quarterback leads Trophy Club Byron to fourth-quarter comeback over Lake Dallas

LAKE DALLAS — Before Friday night, Trophy Club Byron Nelson reserve quarterback Preston Haire had not attempted a pass all season. But against Lake Dallas at Falcon Stadium, Haire played hero in a 24-14 victory.

Down 14-10 in the fourth quarter, Haire, a sophomore, led his team on a 15-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a crucial fourth-down conversion at the 5-yard line. Byron Nelson coach Brian Polk put the game in Haire’s hands instead of opting for a short field goal.

And Haire delivered with a touchdown pass to senior fullback Hayden Sanders that put his team ahead to stay.

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“Give [Haire] and our offense some credit for keeping their poise out there,” Polk said. “But that’s Preston’s personality. He’s got a calm demeanor about himself, and he’s real competitive.”

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Haire entered the game early in the second quarter after starter Esteban Ortega was “banged up a little bit,” Polk said.

Special teams miscues and a costly fumble set Lake Dallas (4-1, 1-1 District 5-4A) back in the first half. A 3-yard punt after its first drive — caused by a strong headwind and bounces back toward the line of scrimmage — led to a 32-yard Byron Nelson (4-1, 1-1) field goal.

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Lake Dallas got inside the Byron Nelson 10-yard line late in the first quarter but fumbled the ball away. Haire scored on a goal-line sneak to put Byron Nelson up 10-0 at halftime.

Lake Dallas continued to make costly mistakes in the second half, missing field goals from 35 and 26 yards. Sophomore quarterback Dagan Haehn was still able to lead an impressive comeback, connecting with sophomore wide receiver Keegan Brewer on two touchdown passes to put his team ahead, 14-10.

But the Lake Dallas offense couldn’t make up for its lack of production in the first half. Lake Dallas had been averaging 43 points a game before settling for two touchdowns Friday. It totaled 255 yards.

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“Our defense was lights out really the entire game,” Polk said. “We gave up a couple scores in the second half, but they were on the field for a long time. We challenged them, and they did a great job for us.”

Byron Nelson running back Courtney Miles scored on a 10-yard touchdown run with 2:18 left to put it away. Lake Dallas wide receiver Josh Jackson, an Iowa pledge, left the game in the first quarter with a right leg injury. He hobbled to the locker room with the help of teammates midway through the second quarter.