Chargers claw Panthers to advance to Quarterfinals

In the first-round playoff battle between the Pauls Valley Panthers and the Heritage hall Chargers, The Hall came out on top with a score of 59-20. The Charger offense and defense was booming last game as usual, scoring 59 total points, and the defense was equally tough, holding Pauls Valley to low scoring output from the beginning to the end. The Hall made a true statement in the first round of playoffs to the rest of Class 3A that they're pursuing perfection.

Texas Tech commit Gavin Freeman continued to baffle opposing defenses. On the third play from scrimmage, the senior standout lined up at quarterback, took the snap, and followed blocks 34 yards to the near sideline before tip-toeing into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

On the next Charger drive, William Paque kept the option handoff from 11 yards away and swept around the left end before making a final cutback at the 2 yard line to score a second Charger touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, senior kicker Luke Butler finessed an onside kick on a perfect bounce over a Panther receiver and Zach Fetrow caught the ball in stride to give The Hall great field position at the Pauls Valley 43 yard line. The Chargers struck quickly when Paque found Liam Burton deep over the middle, and the junior receiver bounced to the outside and plowed a Panther to bust into the end zone. Heritage Hall led 21-0 after Butler drilled the point after attempt.

Pauls Valley was stunned, but found a way to respond with a 62-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-7 midway through the first quarter. The Panthers tried to execute and onside kick of their own, but Charger lineman Edward Johnston was there to secure the ball and give the Chargers good field position.

Paque then found Burton again on a screen pass for a big gain into Panther territory. After missing several games out of caution for a nagging injury, junior River Faulkner took a handoff, busted 10 yards up the middle and then cut outside on a mad dash that was only stopped at the one yard line. The bruising tailback powered in for the touchdown on the next play. The Hall held a 28-7 lead, with plenty of time still left in the opening quarter.

As the Charger defense continued to dominate the Panthers, the Heritage Hall offense would tack on touchdown passes from Paque to Fetrow and Freeman, as well as a 38 yard field goal by Butler. At the half, the lead was a decisive 44-7.

Jaxon Carter would score on a 5 yard run in the third quarter, and Barrett Travis added the Chargers' final points on a nifty 33 yard touchdown run to seal a 59-20 win for Heritage Hall.

Such a dominant win in the first round of playoffs shows the rest of Class 3A who the Chargers really are – and what they plan to achieve over these next few playoff games. Heritage Hall moved to 11-0 on the season and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Moving onto the second round against the 6th-ranked Berryhill Chiefs (9-2, 6-1, 2nd in District 3A-4 to Holland Hall) with momentum is crucial to making it to the State Championship this year.

There is no doubt that Coach Bogert has his squad focused on taking it one game at a time, but the Chargers are on a great pace and looking really good. The well-oiled machine is in part due to a dedicated and experienced coaching staff which includes Head Coach Brett Bogert '05, Mark Adams '77, and many more who have playoff experience that will help the Chargers bring another Gold Ball home to the school.

Onward, Chargers!

Co-written by Nick Foster '22 & Luke Steelman '93
Photos by Dawn Freeman

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