Champion rolls to

Champion rolls to

5-0

with impressive road win

JEFF B. FLINN Sports Reporter

The Champion Chargers made quick work of Buda Hays Friday, clobbering the Hawks 40-21 on the road to remain undefeated at the midway point of the season.

Going up against the ball- control- oriented Hawks, the Charger defense flexed its muscles while the offense wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.

After Hays punted on the opening drive, Champion quarterback Jordan Ballin found receiver Sawyer Bolli behind the Hawks’ defense for a 78-yard touchdown on Champion’s first play from scrimmage. Nathan Bell’s extra point gave Champion a 7-0 lead with 4:46 left in the first quarter.

Champion’s next two drives ended in a punt and a turnover on downs. But Hays couldn’t find its way into Champion territory and punted to Champion (5-0, 2-0 12-5A Div. I play).

Champion then went on a seven-play, 70-yard scoring drive capped by Ballin’s 39-yard TD run up the middle on a fourth-and-1 play. A muffed extra-point attempt left the score 13-0 with 3:52 until halftime.

A 63-yard kickoff return gave Hays the ball deep in Champion territory at the 29-yard line. But the Charger defense stiffened, Hays was called for two penalties, and the Hawks turned the ball over on downs at the 25.

Champion took the ball with 1:19 left and went right to work. Cole Riha carried for 6 yards, a facemask penalty moved the ball 15 more, and a Ballin run went for 14 yards to the Buda Hays 40.

Ballin then found receiver Campbell Deberry wide open down the left hash for a 40-yard TD with just 20 seconds left before half. Bell’s extra point was good for a 20-0 halftime lead.

While the Champion offense scored two second- quarter TDs, the Charger defense held the Hawks without a first down in the second quarter.

Champion received the ball to start the third quarter and found the end zone on its third play, a 42-yard Ballin option keeper to the left. Bell’s conversion pushed the score to 27-0.

Hays turned the ball over on downs deep in its own territory leading to a Charger field goal, a 35-yard Bell kick for a 30-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

Champion would run the score to 37-0, by virtue of a 4-yard Ballin to Bolli pass for a 37-0 lead before Coach Blane Ellis began removing his starters with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.

Hays finally found its way into the end zone at the 2-minute mark of the third quarter against a Charger defense made up primarily of second-string defenders.

Both teams added fourth-quarter scores, Hays with two TD runs and Champion with a field goal, to produce the 40-21 final.

Champion – off to its first 5-0 start since the 2014 season -- will enjoy a bye week this coming weekend before returning home Oct. 6 to host the Seguin Matadors.