"It's been pretty tough, and (non-district) has been a true challenge," said Graham linebacker Trevor Sparks, who had an interception, a forced fumble and a sack. "Our fire is lit. We know what to do, and we know how to do it."

Steers quarterback Case McCoy also was a heavy contributor in the outcome, throwing for 280 yards and three touchdowns as the offense clicked in the second half. But it was the defense that set the tone and scored the game’s first points.

Josh Elkins' first-quarter interception was returned 50 yards for a touchdown, but the score was nullified because of a holding penalty and the ensuing drive stalled inside the Friars' 5-yard line.
Kensy Parker made sure the Friars' next turnover would be cashed in. After Sparks' big hit on quarterback Jordan Hebert, Parker picked up the bouncing pigskin and scrambled 24 yards for the first score.

It looked like the Steers would head into halftime with a slim 6-0 lead. Facing third-and-18 deep in their own territory, McCoy rolled right and began feeling pressure from the Bishop Lynch rush.

He signaled Casey Cox to cut across the field and hit the wideout in stride. Cox, who finished with four catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns, then outraced the Friars' defense the rest of the way.

"That really got us started," Graham coach Brad McCoy said. "Our first choice (on that play) was an out-and-up. Case motioned him back to the middle of the field because he had a lane, and Cox just did the rest.

"They read each other well, and that's the fun part. Seeing the kids play well together after a couple of years."

After a two-point conversion, the Steers took a 14-0 advantage into the break. For Bishop Lynch (2-3), the second half was a snowball effect.

Jake Holub scored on a 35-yard run on Graham's first possession of the second half, and Cody Stansell collected his second interception minutes later, snuffing out the Friars' best scoring chance in the red zone.

Case McCoy, who completed 16-of-29 passes, finished the game by hitting on his last seven passes. With the Friars intent on stopping Holub (56 rushing yards), the sophomore QB tossed touchdown passes to Cox and John Wright in the second half.

"I'm tremendously happy at this point of the season," said coach McCoy, whose team was 2-4 at this point last season. "We came on strong in the playoffs, and we're building on that this year."

Staff sports writer Zach Duncan can be reached weekdays after 4 p.m. by calling 720-3470 or 1-800-627-1646. Or e-mail him at duncanz(at)timesrecordnews.com.