SILLIMAN, La. &045; The presence of a friendly face on the bench gave the Trinity Saints a jolt of inspiration.

Senior Kyle Dunaway, a senior football player who was recently diagnosed with cancer, sat on the bench with the Saints during Wednesday&8217;s 54-48 comeback victory over Bowling Green in the first round of the MPSA District 4-2A Tournament.

&8220;We could feel the energy,&8221; Trinity coach David King said. &8220;It was a great thing having Kyle there, and our kids fed of Kyle being there.&8221;

Bowling Green led by 24-21 at halftime, and the lead grew to as many as six points early in the third quarter.

Trinity then took control and tied the game at 32, before senior Tripp Bryant drained a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer.

The Saints (15-7) led 35-32 and never lost the lead as they made 15 free throws in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory.

Dunaway&8217;s presence was especially poignant, considering the senior will travel to Memphis, Tenn.. today to begin cancer treatments at the world-renowned St. Jude Hospital, King said.

Trinity players wore Dunaway&8217;s football jersey number on sweatbands to honor their friend and teammate.

Bryant led the Saints with 24 points, and Stevan Ridley added 14. Chris Ford also had 12 for Trinity.

Trinity advances to play top-seeded Brookhaven Academy on Friday at 5:20 p.m. in the second round of the tournament.