Waxahachie, TX | Nov. 15, 2025 — On a warm Senior Day afternoon inside historic Lumpkins Stadium, the Nelson University Lions closed out the 2025 campaign with a performance that mirrored their senior class: tough, resilient, and full of pride. Backed by an energized home crowd of over 400 fans, the Lions outlasted Texas College 26–21, delivering one final roar to celebrate a group that has poured years of sweat into the program.

Before kickoff, four Lions were honored for their commitment and leadership: Johnathan Bloom, Zach Fuller, Juan Neaves, and Sam Bowker. In terms of locker room presence this group helped shape the heartbeat of Nelson Football, and Saturday became the perfect stage for one more story.

Every Senior Day finds its hero. On this one, his name was Johnathan Bloom.

With Nelson holding a slim 26–21 lead late in the third quarter and Texas College threatening near the Lions' red zone, Bloom read Broderick Brown's eyes like a veteran watching film he's seen a hundred times. He broke on the route, snatched the interception clean, and tore down the sideline 31 yards the other way, igniting the home crowd and shifting all momentum back to the purple and white. It was the kind of play seniors dream of making on their final day at home, and Bloom delivered it when it mattered most.

The Lions offense found its rhythm early thanks to the steady command of Judah Holtzclaw, who engineered a 12-play, 68-yard march on the game's opening drive. Holtzclaw capped it himself with a determined 3-yard touchdown run to put Nelson up 7–0.

In the second quarter, after a chaotic fumble recovery touchdown from Texas College tied the game, Holtzclaw regrouped his unit. The Lions responded with a balanced scoring stretch with a 29-yard field goal from freshman kicker Cade Whitehead, followed minutes later by one of the highlight plays of the season:

Holtzclaw stepped into the pocket and unleashed a perfect deep ball to Dylan Lamphere, who turned upfield and sprinted 46 yards to the end zone, sending Lumpkins Stadium into a roar.

Whitehead added another field goal before halftime, and the Lions entered the break ahead 20–14.

After Texas College briefly took a 21–20 lead early in the third, Nelson answered with a championship-style response. Holtzclaw hit BJ Clark for a 36-yard strike late in the quarter, setting the Lions up on the doorstep. On the first snap of the fourth, Quinton Jones bulldozed in from four yards out, reclaiming a 26–21 advantage.

From there, it became about toughness and clock management.

The final offensive series perfectly captured the Lions' identity. Clinging to the five-point lead inside the final minutes, Nelson needed a first down to protect the win and their season.

Holtzclaw took the snap, lowered his shoulder, and powered ahead for a crucial first-down run, dragging defenders and keeping the clock rolling. With the stadium on its feet and the seniors urging their guys on, Nelson lined up in victory formation, kneeling out the season with purpose.

Beyond Bloom's interception, the Lions' defense delivered in key moments:

• Jackson Spence and Micah Smith combined for impactful backfield pressure, each grabbing a sack.

• Dalton L'Espera anchored the midfield with eight total tackles.

• Nelson allowed zero fourth-quarter points and held Texas College scoreless in the red zone after halftime.
   

It was a bend-but-don't-break performance that secured the victory.

The 2025 Lions may not have had the season they dreamed of, but on this final afternoon, they 

Final Score: Nelson University 26, Texas College 21

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.