Faulkner runs Heritage Hall past Millwood in season opener
The Heritage Hall football team came into the second half of its season opener against Millwood with a different mindset.
The Chargers are a young team up front, with three sophomores starting on the offensive line. Millwood, the opponent, was finding numerous ways to disrupt Heritage Hall’s offense throughout the first half.
So coach Brett Bogert challenged his team, especially the offensive line. He wanted to establish the run in the second half and control the game. It worked.
Junior running back River Faulkner rushed for 147 yards on 21 carries with four touchdowns, three of those coming in the second half, as Class 3A thirdranked Heritage Hall topped 2A No. 8 Millwood 44-18 on Thursday night at Pop Murray Field. Faulkner was a force, running through contact and showing his skills behind a strong second-half performance from the offensive line.
“We picked it up,” Faulkner said. “We got our assignments down. I didn’t do much, it was all the offensive line.”
The Chargers (1-0 overall) didn’t seem like a young team after a slow start. With Faulkner carrying the load on the ground, senior star Gavin Freeman showed his capabilities, too.
He caught four passes for 69 yards and a score, returned the opening kickoff 42 yards, had an interception, which he returned for a touchdown but didn’t count because of a penalty, and blocked a PAT.
Senior quarterback Will Paque was also strong, completing 13 of his 19 passes for 206 yards and the passing score to Freeman.
Defensively, Heritage Hall’s starters didn’t allow Millwood’s offense to score.
The Falcons (0-1) added two scores late, one on a 60-yard pass to junior star Rickey Hunt Jr., who also returned a kickoff 89 yards for a score in the first half.
Although the Chargers started slow, it was a dominant second half that propelled them to a season-opening victory. It’s something Bogert hopes his team can use and grow from.
“Our guys answered the call,” Bogert said. “Our offensive line did an outstanding job in that second half.”