Hoggard football’s relentless pursuit of another undefeated regular season is officially underway! After a stellar 10-0 run last fall, their first since 2017, the Vikings kept their 2026 slate absolutely perfect Friday, racing past visiting Jack Britt with a commanding 31-6 victory.
Flying Out of the Gate, But Championship Ambitions Are Fierce
You gotta love seeing our guys come out blazing! The Vikings stormed to a ridiculous 28-0 halftime lead. Sophomore Judah Gillespie was an absolute beast, rushing for two touchdowns, and fellow running backs Jason Arciola and Mally Hansley also punched it in. It was an efficient start that quickly turned into an early rout, a fantastic way to kick off the home schedule. Don’t let anyone tell you these guys aren’t thinking big, either. While players and coaches are playing it cool, the talk of another unbeaten regular season and a fourth straight conference title is definitely there. Gillespie summed it up perfectly, saying, “I think we definitely have that championship in us.” You bet they do!
The Second Half Reality Check and a Massive Test Ahead
Now, while that 31-6 final looks incredible on paper, the second half wasn’t quite the same story. The Vikings only put up three points after halftime, and they even gave up their lone touchdown when Jack Britt quarterback Tytan Cook pulled off some magic, escaping what looked like a sure sack to get off a short touchdown pass. Coach Craig Underwood was blunt, and he’s not wrong: “We gotta finish better,” he said. “I think that’s a little test of maturity. I’m confident that our guys are going to get to that, but that’s something we gotta really emphasize.” He knows what’s at stake. Last fall, a spotless regular season led them all the way to the NCHSAA 8A East regional final before a gut-wrenching 14-7 loss to Millbrook at home ended their run. It’s a harsh reminder that perfection in the regular season doesn’t mean a thing once the playoffs hit.
That maturity is going to be tested big time next week. The Vikings are heading to Clayton for Week 3 to face a loaded Comets team in their most daunting nonconference challenge of the season. Coach Underwood knows this is huge: “That is a huge matchup. To make a road trip into a really difficult environment, I just feel like it’s a good opportunity for our guys, and that’s what high school football is about.” This isn’t just another game, folks. This is a chance to prove they’ve got that championship maturity. Let’s get it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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