Boerne Champion takes quick lead, outlasts Canyon Lake

CAPTION: Canyon Lake’s Caden Rodriguez turns upfield for some good yardage agains the Boerne Champion Chargers Friday, Sept. 8. The Chargers prevailed, 42-20. Photo by Daniel Clifton

The Boerne Champion Chargers beat the Canyon Lake Hawks 42-20 Sept. 8.

The Chargers jumped out to a 21-0 lead, and try as they might, the Hawks just couldn’t overcome it.

The Hawks (1-2 overall, 0-0 District 13-4A Division I) demonstrated they could move the ball against the Chargers, wracking up 340 total yards with 313 coming on the ground. Senior Caden Rodriguez led the Hawks with 162 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. Senior Justin Abbott and sophomore Cash Ziemba each added a rushing touchdown in the Hawks’ efforts.

Champion (3-0 overall, 0-0 District 12-5A Division II) scored on the opening drive with Cole Riha capping it off with a five-yard rushing touchdown. On the Hawks’ ensuing drive, the Chargers intercepted a pass deep in Canyon Lake territory. Three plays later, Chargers quarterback Charles Brookbank connected with Riha for a touchdown. With 8:28 left in the first quarter Champion was up 14-0.

The Chargers added another score early the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead.

However, the Hawks began moving the ball against the Chargers’ defense. Taking over on its own 25-yard line, Canyon Lake pushed down the field.

Senior quarterback Steven Crowder scrambled for 15 years to pick up a first down and get the ball to about mid field. A few plays later, in a fourth-and-two situation on the Chargers’ 45-yard line, the Hawks went for it.

Crowder found Carter Williams near the Champion sideline for a first down. A Charger personal foul tacked on another 15 yards.

The Hawks worked their way down to the Chargers’ 15-yard line, where at the 6:56 mark in the second quarter, Abbott charged into the end zone. The touchdown made it a 21-7 ball game.

Canyon Lake’s defense forced Champion to punt on the next drive. But on the Hawks’ possession, the Chargers’ Brek Hamilton snatched a Crowder pass and returned it 12 yards for the pick six and a Boerne Champion lead 28-7.

Despite the Chargers’ lead starting the second half, the Hawks appeared poised and confident as the third quarter began. 

The Hawks drove 75 yards in the third quarter before Rodriguez capped it off with a three-yard touchdown run, making it a 28-14 game.

The Chargers, however, added two more touchdowns for a 42-14 lead. Canyon Lake added one more touchdown, a three-yard run by Ziemba, with about 1:45 left in the game. The point after went wide, leaving it a 42-20 game.

The Hawks hit the road Friday, Sept. 15, to take on the San Antonio Veterans Memorial Patriots. It’s a 7 p.m. kickoff at D.L. Rutledge Stadium, 900 S. Seguin Road in Converse. The Patriots (2-1 overall, 0-0 District 13-5A Division 2) are coming off a 46-24 win over San Antonio MacArthur. 

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CAPTION: Canyon Lake quarterback Steven Crowder rolls out as he looks for a receiver during the Hawks’ game against the Boerne Champion Chargers on Friday, Sept. 8. The Hawks lost 42-20 and now get ready to play San Antonio Veterans Memorial on Friday, Sept. 15 at D.L. Rutledge Stadium. It’s a 7 p.m. kick off. Photo by Daniel Clifton