Under the Friday night lights, Hart came up with a statement win, defeating Heritage Christian 49-34 to build momentum ahead of next week’s Foothill League opener.

Hart (2-2) was originally scheduled to face Bishop Montgomery, but after that program canceled its season, the Hawks scrambled to find a replacement. Heritage Christian (3-1) stepped in on short notice, but Hart didn’t miss a beat.

Quarterback Jacob Paisano led the charge, throwing four touchdown passes and adding a 51-yard rushing touchdown to close out the third quarter.

“It makes my job easy back there knowing all four or five of my guys can line up and win,” said Paisano. “It just makes my life so much easier knowing I can rely on them.”

Paisano’s top target on the night was Michael Toner, who hauled in three touchdown receptions — including a 4-yard score on the opening drive to give Hart an early 7-0 lead.

Jacob Paisano finds Michael Toner for a 4-yard touchdown pass, giving the Hawks an early 7-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/uWwlVgxebu

— KHTS Sports (@KHTSSports) September 13, 2025

Head Coach Jake Goossen-Brown praised the effort, noting the team’s offensive depth. “Toner had a big game,” he said. “It’s funny because each week we’ve had a different guy step up.”

From there, the matchup turned into a shootout.

On Heritage Christian’s first possession, Donovan Booker snagged a 31-yard touchdown pass, but a missed PAT kept Hart in front, 7-6. Hart’s Matix Frithsmith responded by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

Later in the half, Paisano found Josh Rogozik on an 11-yard strike, putting Hart up 21-13. The back-and-forth continued, with Booker catching another touchdown — his second of the game — on a 4th-and-8 play with just 17 seconds left in the half, cutting Hart’s lead to 28-19.

Heritage Christian kept the pressure on to start the third quarter, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown and converting the two-point attempt to narrow the gap to 28-27.

But Hart answered immediately. Toner brought in his third touchdown on a 15-yard reception, restoring the Hawks’ lead to 35-27.

Hart responds immediately as Turner hauls in a 15-yard touchdown — his third of the night.

Hart 35, Heritage Christian 27 pic.twitter.com/NNHIz0UWJ7

— KHTS Sports (@KHTSSports) September 13, 2025

On the next Heritage Christian possession, Hart grabbed an interception on third down, then capitalized with a 25-yard rushing touchdown from Frithsmith, his second score of the night.

Hart swings the momentum with an interception on third down and the following play scores on a 25-yard rush via Frithsmit.

Hart 42, Heritage Christian 27 pic.twitter.com/vt1zJgEiZh

— KHTS Sports (@KHTSSports) September 13, 2025

Paisano then capped off the quarter with a 51-yard run, extending Hart’s lead to 49-27 as the third quarter expired.

The final quarter was relatively quiet. Heritage Christian quarterback Ari Sykes scored the game’s final touchdown with two minutes remaining, bringing the score to the eventual final of 49-34.

Despite the win, Hart had several big plays called back due to penalties — most of them holding calls.

“We probably had close to 100 yards taken away on one drive alone,” said Goossen-Brown. “We have to be disciplined. Disciplined teams win football games.”

He emphasized that improvement will come by focusing on fundamentals like blocking technique, proper alignments, and tackling.

Hart will need a cleaner performance next week as they host undefeated Saugus in their Foothill League opener on Friday, September 19.

“League — that’s when it matters,” said Paisano. “You have to be top three to make the playoffs, and that’s our goal every year — to win league and make the playoffs.”

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