Princeton sophomore quarterback Ayden Hughes threw for 278 yards and one touchdown pass during Thursday’s game against McKinney Boyd. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media

By David Wolman

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MCKINNEY — For a moment, it appeared the Princeton Panthers were headed for a blowout loss in last Thursday’s football game.

McKinney Boyd built a 16-0 lead just over four minutes into the game on the strength of two explosive plays, but Princeton refused to quit.

The Panthers regrouped and eventually cut their deficit to seven points late in the third quarter. However, that was as close as Princeton would get. Kaiden Washington extended McKinney Boyd’s lead to 13 points with a 24-yard rushing touchdown with 7:55 remaining, and an interception in the end zone ended the Panthers’ comeback hopes in a 22-9 loss at McKinney ISD Stadium.

After a holding penalty moved the Broncos back 10 yards, McKinney Boyd (2-4, 1-2) made up for the lost yardage on the next play — and then some. Quarterback Major Smith threw a pass between two Princeton defenders to Timothy Karsholt. With a step on both defenders, Karsholt turned on the jets for an 81-yard catch-and-run touchdown. The Broncos converted the two-point attempt for an 8-0 lead just 54 seconds into the game.

The big plays continued for McKinney Boyd.

After a quick three-and-out by Princeton’s offense, the Broncos reached into their bag of tricks to set up another touchdown. A double pass covering 63 yards was followed by a 6-yard touchdown run by Smith. McKinney Boyd converted another two-point attempt to take a 16-0 lead with 7:59 remaining in the first quarter.

Quarterback Ayden Hughes connected with Jayden Rogers on a 91-yard touchdown reception with 8:36 remaining before halftime. A false-start penalty on the two-point attempt forced Princeton to try a kick instead, but McKinney Boyd blocked it to preserve a 16-6 lead.

Hughes completed 17 of 28 passes for 278 yards. He had a strong connection with Rogers, who caught seven passes for 196 yards and a touchdown.

Princeton cut the deficit to one possession at 16-9 with 1:16 remaining in the third quarter after Anthony Arnijo connected on a 20-yard field goal.

McKinney Boyd answered when Washington broke through several attempted tackles on his 24-yard touchdown run, extending the Broncos’ lead to 22-9 with 7:55 left in the game.

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