For Happy Valley, there was no doubt that the Warriors left it all on the field.
The Warriors dropped a heartbreaking 14-13 decision to Polk County on Warrior Hill Friday night in the Class 2A playoffs.
With the loss, HV sees the season come to a close with a 7-2 record. Entering the playoffs, the Warriors had won 14-of-15 regular season contests.
Polk County advanced to next week’s second round where they will take on York Institute – who defeated Hampton in the opening round.
After the teams traded punts to open the game, the Warriors moved into scoring position as Lane Parker hit Jamie Esterline for a 43-yard halfback pass. The next pay saw Esterline break free for a 24-yard touchdown run as the Warriors took a 6-0 lead.
Polk County answered on the first play of the second quarter as Cade Brewers scored on a short run to even things up at 6-6.
The defenses came up big the rest of the second half as neither team was able to get anything going offensively.
The game was tied at 6-6 at the break.
Happy Valley’s special teams came up big to open the second half.
Parker recovered a Polk County on the third-quarter opening kickoff that was knocked free by a host of Warriors, and HV saw Gabe McDougald hit Landon Keller on a fake punt to move inside the Polk County 10.
A few plays later, Tyler Berry scored on a short run, and AJ Rangel continued her outstanding season with the extra point to give the Warriors a 14-13 advantage.
The Wildcats answered the bell with a quick drive that saw Polk County cover 53 yards in nine plays that ended when Jesse Holden scored on a short run. Holden added the two-point conversion as PC took a 14-13 lead into the final quarter.
The Warriors continued to battle but were unable to rally in the closing minutes.
McDougald had 11 carries for 57 yards for HV. Esterline added 41 yards on six carries, while Parker and Berry had 33 and 28 yards, respectively.
Holden had 18 carries for 80 yards for the Wildcats, while Dillon Parnell added 77 yards. Brewer tallied 52 yards.
For more photos, click here.
