Happy Valley falls to Wildcats in playoff opener
Published 6:26 pm Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Happy Valley’s Jamie Esterline (5) bursts through the Polk County front line and heads to the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown run with 4:05 left in the first quarter.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent A 40-plus-yard catch by Happy Valley’s Jamie Esterline (5) sets up his 24-yard touchdown run on the next play midway through the first quarter.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent The Warriors' defense shuts down an early run by Polk County’s Dillon Parnell (27) on third-and-short midway through the first quarter.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Happy Valley’s Artee Bahn (11) deflects a third-and-long pass intended for Polk County’s Matthew Maxwell (12) midway through the second quarter.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Happy Valley’s Matthew Murray (25) and a host of Warriors stop Polk County’s Dillon Parnell (27) on a third-and-goal play at the two-yard line on the final play of the first quarter.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Mason Davis (3) and Mason Matthews (42) of Happy Valley bring down Polk County’s Nathan Lawson (42) for a two-yard loss on a jet sweep midway through the second quarter.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Happy Valley’s Gabe McDougald (6), under pressure from Polk County’s Luke Cross (53), releases a 40-yard pass caught by Ron Paul Parker (12), but the play is nullified due to pass interference on Parker.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Happy Valley’s Ron Paul Parker (12) makes a 40-yard reception, but it is called back after an offensive pass interference penalty against Polk County’s Matthew Maxwell (12).
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Polk County’s Cade Brewer (10) scores on a one-yard quarterback sneak on the opening play of the second quarter.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Happy Valley’s Lane Parker (1) returns the opening kickoff 30 yards, giving the Warriors excellent field position for their first drive against Polk County.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Happy Valley offensive lineman Carlos Lopez (54) looks for a downfield block for Lane Parker (1) late in the second quarter.
Larry N. Souders/Star Correspondent Happy Valley’s Jamie Esterline (5) is forced out of bounds by Polk County’s Logan Baxter (35) after picking up a first down on a toss sweep early in the second quarter.
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Star Correspondent
In the first round of the TSSAA 2A playoffs at Warrior Hill on Friday night, the Happy Valley Warriors fell to Polk County in a narrow 14-13 loss. The defeat ends a season that saw Happy Valley finish with a 7-2 record.
“We probably had more penalties in this game than any game this season,” Warriors head coach Jason Jarrett said. “We got to the fourth quarter with a chance to win, and Polk is a sound, physical team with good coaching. We have a lot of respect for them.”
Several long gains were negated by holding penalties that stymied drives and kept the game close. On their second drive, the Warriors used some trickery as Gabe McDougald handed the ball to Lane Parker on an end-around. Parker then fired downfield to Jamie Esterline for a 43-yard gain to Polk’s 24-yard line. On the next play, Esterline scored on a 24-yard run. A penalty on the point-after attempt forced a two-point try, which failed, leaving HV with a 6-0 lead.
Polk answered with a nine-play, 57-yard drive capped by a one-yard plunge by quarterback Cade Brewer on fourth-and-goal. The PAT failed, tying the score at 6-6.
“We fought tooth and nail in this game, and I am so proud of the six seniors on this team,” Jarrett said. “This team has been a blessing to coach. There is a genuine love here, and we have a great relationship with these players.”
The score remained tied until the third quarter, when HV broke through with another trick play. On fourth-and-nine from the 42-yard line, the Warriors lined up to punt, but McDougald, one of the up-backs, took the snap and completed a 35-yard pass to Landon Keller at the Polk eight-yard line. Fullback Tyler Berry scored on a six-yard run, and A.J. Rangel’s extra point made it 13-6.
Polk responded with an 11-play drive, capped by a one-yard run from fullback Jesse Holden, who also converted the two-point try to give Polk a 14-13 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
McDougald led HV with 57 rushing yards on 11 carries, while Esterline added 43 yards on five attempts. For Polk, Dillon Parnell rushed for 81 yards, with Holden adding 68 yards.
Polk County 14, Happy Valley 13
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
HV – Esterline 24 run (pass failed), 4:03
Second Quarter
P – Brewer 1 run (kick failed), 11:56
Third Quarter
HV – Berry 6 run (Rangel kick), 7:44
P – Holden 1 run (Holden run), 2:44
