Schmalz, Gaona help Charleston rally past Paris
Charleston 27, Paris 19
PARIS — Finn Schmalz broke a 64-yard touchdown run and Matteo Gaona kicked the go-ahead field goal as Charleston erased a second-half deficit to defeat Paris 27-19 Friday night.
The Tigers trailed 12-10 late in the third quarter before scoring 17 consecutive points. Paris quarterback Josh Honea scored on the final play from scrimmage, and the ensuing extra point established the eight-point final margin.
Charleston had scoring chances before either team put points on the board. On its opening possession, the Tigers drove inside the Paris 5, but a fumble into the end zone became an Eagles touchback. A later Charleston passing play was erased by an ineligible-receiver penalty. Isaac Hampton then helped stop a third-down run, forcing the Tigers to punt.
Charleston continued winning field position. A partially blocked Paris punt and the return gave the Tigers another short field near the end of a scoreless first quarter. Schmalz broke tackles on a 14-yard direct-snap touchdown run with 9:48 left in the second quarter. Gaona’s kick made it 7-0.
Paris answered after its defense forced another punt. Landon Robberson supplied a productive run, Honea moved the chains on the ground, and Ty Farmer contributed a reception. Honea then rolled right and found Harley Barnhill, who secured the pass between defenders and fought his way into the end zone. The blocked extra point left Charleston ahead 7-6.
The Eagles appeared to recover the ensuing onside kick, but an alignment penalty wiped out the recovery. Charleston secured the second attempt, and the one-point margin held until halftime.
The Tigers used much of the third quarter’s first six minutes on their next possession. Paris made several defensive stops, including a pass breakup by Brock Barnhill, before Gaona’s 31-yard field goal extended the lead to 10-6 with 6:05 remaining.
Farmer’s kickoff return gave Paris good field position. Honea escaped pressure for a first down, later stiff-armed a defender and powered inside the 10. After a Charleston personal foul moved the ball close to the goal line, Honea scored on a short run. Paris’ two-point pass was incomplete, leaving the Eagles ahead 12-10.
Gaona restored Charleston’s lead with another field goal early in the fourth quarter. The Tigers forced a punt, then Schmalz broke through the middle on the next offensive snap for his long touchdown. The kick pushed the lead to 20-12 with 7:20 remaining.
Paris kept its next possession alive with a fourth-down completion to Nick Perry, but Charleston eventually stopped Honea on fourth-and-nine. The Tigers used their ground game to consume time, converted another fourth down and finished with Lukas Burleson’s late touchdown run.
The Eagles continued attacking. A long catch-and-run carried them inside the 10, and Honea hurried the offense into position before scoring as time expired.
Scoring summary
Second quarter, 9:48 — Charleston: Finn Schmalz, 14-yard direct-snap run (Matteo Gaona kick). Charleston 7, Paris 0
Second quarter — Paris: Harley Barnhill, 44-yard pass from Josh Honea (kick blocked). Charleston 7, Paris 6
Third quarter, 6:05 — Charleston: Matteo Gaona, 31-yard field goal. Charleston 10, Paris 6
Third quarter — Paris: Josh Honea, short touchdown run (two-point pass incomplete). Paris 12, Charleston 10
Fourth quarter, 9:10 — Charleston: Matteo Gaona, 30-yard field goal. Charleston 13, Paris 12
Fourth quarter, 7:20 — Charleston: Finn Schmalz, 64-yard run (Matteo Gaona kick). Charleston 20, Paris 12
Fourth quarter — Charleston: Lukas Burleson, 12-yard run (Matteo Gaona kick). Charleston 27, Paris 12
Fourth quarter, 0:00 — Paris: Josh Honea, touchdown run (kick good). Charleston 27, Paris 19
Players who stood out
Finn Schmalz, Charleston — Two rushing touchdowns, including the 64-yard fourth-quarter score. Local reporting credits him with 171 yards on 23 carries
Matteo Gaona, Charleston — Two field goals and three extra points, accounting for nine points; intercepted a second-quarter pass
Josh Honea, Paris — Threw the touchdown to Harley Barnhill and ran for two scores, including the touchdown that briefly gave Paris the lead
Harley Barnhill, Paris — Touchdown reception and a first-half kickoff return to the Paris 46
Ty Farmer, Paris — Productive kickoff return to set up the go-ahead touchdown drive; contributed tackles and receptions