LAVACA – Despite a sluggish start, Charleston (6-4, 5-1) would roll on Friday night to a 42-12 victory over rival Lavaca (6-4, 3-3) for the 16th consecutive season. The Tigers held a 7-6 halftime advantage, but would outscore the Golden Arrows 35-6 in the second half to secure the victory.
Lavaca received the opening kickoff but was forced into an early three and out, and would punt to Charleston. The Tigers offense would drive on their first possession, with Burleson connecting on passes to Ryder Julian for 10 yards and Matteo Gaona for 16 yards to give Charleston two early first downs. But on 3rd and 7, Burleson’s pass was intercepted at the Lavaca ten yard line.
Lavaca would gain one first down on their second possession on a Dalton Mullenix QB scramble, but on 3rd and 9 his pass would fall incomplete to force another Golden Arrows punt.
Charleston would take to the ground on their second drive, with Finn Schmalz carrying three times for 6, 4, and 5 yards, with Burleson adding a nine yard run of his own. This set up a 38-yard touchdown pass from Burleson to Gaona to give Charleston a 7-0 lead with 1:50 remaining the first quarter.
Lavaca’s third possession would be one of the best on the night for the Golden Arrows. The drive started with a Tanner Hamilton reverse pass to Dalton Mullenix for a 22-yard gain. On 3rd down and 10, Mullenix would find Dylan Morgan for a 22-yard completion, followed by a 10-yard completion to Kingston Barton. This would set up Lavaca with first and goal at the nine, and the Golden Arrows would punch it in two plays later on a Mullenix 3-yard carry. Lavaca would try for a failed fake field goal, to make the score 7-6 with 10:29 to go in the second quarter.
Charleston would respond to the Lavaca score with a first play 55-yard carry by Finn Schmalz down to the Lavaca 16. However, the drive would stall when a screen pass attempt from Burleson to Schmalz was broken up. Gaona attempted a 29-yard field goal, but it sailed right and the score remained 7-6.
Lavaca would take over at their own 12-yard line with 8:49 remaining in the second quarter. The Tigers defense would have several chances to get the Lavaca offense off of the field, but the Golden Arrows had other plans. Lavaca converted on two consecutive third downs to start the drive, and four players later on fourth down, was aided by a pass interference called on Charleston to give them a new set of downs. However, the second Lavaca fourth down attempt was stuffed to turn the ball over on downs.
Starting with the ball at their own 7-yard line, Charleston wasn’t able to sustain a drive to help out the defense, and had to punt back to Lavaca with 1:20 remaining.
Lavaca would take over with excellent field position at the Charleston 33, and after a Mullenix pass completion and QB carry, saw Lavaca with first and goal at the 10. Needing a stop, the defense would come through, forcing Mullenix into an incomplete pass on fourth down to secure the goal-line stand. Charleston would take a knee and take a 7-6 lead into halftime.
The second half would be all Charleston, but it would get off to a rough start. Finn Schmalz took the first play from scrimmage 68 yards down to the Lavaca 9-yard line, but would fumble on the next play giving the ball right back to the Arrows. The defense would respond with a stop on 4th down and 1, and Charleston would get the ball back at the Lavaca 42.
Charleston would hit its stride on the second drive of the second half, thanks to Finn Schmalz. Schmalz took carries of 11 and 6 yards, to set up a 21-yard touchdown run to put Charleston up 14-6 with 7:36 to go in the second quarter.
The Tigers would build upon this momentum on defense, with freshman Cam Fox forcing a Lavaca fumble, which was recovered by Brayden Bates. Charleston would score again four plays later on a Lukas Burleson 3-yard QB keeper to make the score 21-6.
Charleston was warmed up and the offense was rolling, and they would keep it rolling. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Burleson would take a carry 56 yards down to the Lavaca 3-yard line. Matteo Gaona would take a direct snap on the next play and carry into the endzone to extend the lead to 28-6.
Lavaca would score one last time in the game, a 65-yard pass from Mullenix to Tanner Hamilton to cut the lead to 28-12 after a failed two-point conversion.
Finn Schmalz would score two more times in the fourth quarter on carries of 43 and 20 yards to give Charleston a 42-12 lead. Finn was outstanding with 17 carries for 250 yards, and led the team defensively with 11 tackles.
Charleston also saw a gritty performance from quarterback Lukas Burleson, who finished 6 of 11 passing for 121 yards, and added 140 yards rushing on 14 carries.
Defensively, Gunner Schmalz contributed ten tackles, and Isaac Dodson added seven tackles. Reese Smith had an interception in the fourth quarter, and Brayden Bates had two fumble recoveries.
Charleston will host the 4-seed Cutter Morning Star from the 3A-4 conference in the first round of the playoffs next week at Alumni Field. Lavaca will travel to Quitman for their first round matchup.
All photos by Ronni Tate Young. See more at the Team Press Pass facebook page.
