Brian Sonnier (6) of Hanson returns a kickoff for a touchdown against Highland Baptist Thursday night in Franklin.

FRANKLIN — When the phrase record-setting is used with Highland Baptist football, it usually means that senior running back Brontre Griffin did something spectacular.

While Griffin did something special Thursday night — his 42-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes left in the game gave HBCS an 8-point lead over Hanson — it was quarterback Myles Liggans and receiver Matt Napier who were setting records in the Bears’ 47-39, District 7-A win over the Tigers.

Liggans completed 12 of 27 passes for 247 yards and six touchdowns, both school records, while Napier caught a five passes for 178 yards and a school-record four TDs as the Bears went to the air to rally from a 19-point fourth quarter deficit by scoring four touchdowns in the final seven minutes for the win.

“We’ve been preaching to the kids to fight every play,” said Highland coach Scottie Williams. “It took us a while to get going but the results show how much we fought.”

Call it “Air Bear.”

“It’s no secret that Tre (Griffin) is one of the best players on the team but when teams load the box, we’re going to have to find ways to win,” said Williams.

Thursday night, that way turned out to be Liggans’ arm and Napier’s foot and catching ability.

Liggans overcame three interceptions, including two in the third quarter, one of which led to a Hanson touchdown. The Tigers jumped out to a 32-20 lead and extended it to 39-20 after a Mason Mendoza two-yard touchdown pass to Lawson St. Blanc that gave Hanson the 19-point lead with 7:10 left in the contest.

Liggans and Napier were just getting warmed up.

First the duo connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass with 6:09 left to cut the lead to 39-26 even after Napier missed to point after touchdown.

After a Hanson fumble, Liggans’ pass to Keelan Preston and Napier’s PAT made the score 39-33 with 4:17 left.

Hanson tried to run out the clock but Highland’s defense forced a HMS punt with 3:37 left. The Bears ensuing drive ended with a 36 yard touchdown pass from Liggans’ to Napier and after Napier’s PAT, HBCS led 40-39 with 2:31 left.

Then came the play of the game. Highland kicked off to Hanson but the Tigers didn’t recover the short kick and Highland fell on the ball.

Three plays later, Griffin broke through the middle and ran through the Hanson defense for a 42-yard score to give the Bears a 47-39 lead with 2:04 left.

In a little over five minutes of game time, Highland scored 27 unanswered points to take the lead.

“We were concerned being down in the fourth quarter but we just kept playing hard and we never gave up,” Napier said. “Scoring that many points in the fourth quarter is very special. It shows that we’re coming together as a team.”

But Hanson wasn’t done just yet.

Behind Mendoza, who finished the night with 19-of-36 for 226 yards and four touchdowns, Hanson drove down to the Highland 6-yard line and faced first-and goal with the chance for a touchdown and 2-point conversion to tie the game and force overtime.

Napier came to the rescue for the Bears, intercepting the Hanson quarterback in the end zone with 58 seconds left on the clock.

“I saw that Mendoza roll out and I rolled out with him and he threw it in the back of the end zone and I jumped up,” said Napier, who finished the night with 29 points counting all the touchdowns and PATs.

After the game, Hanson coach Chris Sanders was disappointed not only with the result but how it happened as well.

“Something like that doesn’t happen without us making some mistakes along the way,” said the HMS coach, whose team fell to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in district, with longtime rival Central Catholic next in Morgan City. “All credit to them.

“They never gave up. They did the things that we preach all the time. They didn’t worry about the scoreboard, they kept playing and when we made mistakes, they capitalized on them.”

Liggans gave credit to his teammates after the win.

“I want to thank my linemen, the defense who came out and fought in the fourth quarter when it mattered most, the coaches and everyone and we move on from here, keep pushing forward from here,” the HBCS quarterback said.

Highland improves to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in district with a trip to Centerville next week.

“This win means a lot for me and the kids,” Williams said. “Just the way we fought through adversity and came back. That’s something that we preached all year and it finally showed.”