VALENCIA – The Hart Hawks came into their latest home football game looking to keep their momentum on the right track after notching a win over Burroughs last week.
They did just that on Friday night, winning a thriller over a tough Paraclete team, 30-26.
It was a difficult first half for Hart’s offense, as Paraclete’s tough defense forced junior quarterback Jacob Paisano into rushed throws and held the Hawks’ normally formidable group to just 10 points.
Down 20-10 heading into halftime, everything turned for Hart after they came out in the second half, as two key forced fumbles provided a much-needed spark to get Hart’s offense in gear.
Said Hart head coach Jake Goossen-Brown about his team’s defensive effort, “The defense played lights out in the second half. Created turnovers, they picked the ball, they did a great job. I was really proud of the defense, it’s a team win to me. Everybody did their job, so it’s exciting.”
Paraclete was driving deep into Hart territory midway through the third quarter and was close to putting the game out of reach.
That was until Hart forced the first of two second-half fumbles, causing it after Paraclete receiver Adrian Jones had what would have been a big gain on a reverse.
Hart recovered the ball at its own 27-yard-line and sophomore running back Matix Frithsmith finished off a quick score for the Hawks with a 9-yard touchdown run – his second of the contest – to cut the deficit to 20-17 with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter.
The swarming Hawks defense forced their second fumble later, and although they couldn’t score off that possession, the seeds were planted for what would be a dramatic finish.
With the ball at its own 12-yard-line with just over eight minutes remaining, Paisano led Hart on a methodical drive to take the lead. He finished it off by finding senior receiver Parker Maxwell wide open for a 27-yard touchdown, giving Hart its first lead of the night and a 24-20 advantage with 4:46 remaining.
Paraclete quickly took the lead back, courtesy of a 91-yard catch and run by receiver Savaughn Gentile from quarterback Joseph Mesa with 4:32 left.
A missed extra point left the door open for the Hawks, however, as they trailed 26-24 after the line drive kick went under the uprights.
Hart would seize its biggest opportunity of the game, as Paisano drove his team 71 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
And poetically, it was the quarterback who finished the job, running it in from 9 yards out to give Hart the victory.
As for the quarterback himself? He kept it simple postgame.
“Coach made the call, we had to execute, and we executed,” Paisano said.
It’s a time of change for Hart following the retirement of longtime head coach Rick Herrington, but first-year head coach Goossen-Brown is excited for his opportunity in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“It’s been amazing to come here. I think we have the best administration I’ve ever dealt with. We have great players, great kids at the school. I mean look at the support from the student section. It’s unbelievable,” Goossen-Brown said.
“Who wouldn’t wanna be in this type of atmosphere.”
And after a comeback win with a screaming student body nearby, this new chapter is off to a quality start for the Hawks.
