Chargers expect tough test from Austin Anderson

Boerne Champion will face its toughest test of the year - so far - when they host Austin Anderson Friday at Boerne ISD Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Chargers are 4-0 (2-0) and have averaged 59 points per game in their four victories. In reality, the games have been over by halftime, but Friday’s contest with the Trojans could be a fourth-quarter game, something Champion hasn’t faced this year.

Anderson is also undefeated at 3-0 and won their district opener last week against Lockhart, 49-7, while the Chargers are coming off a 59-3 victory at Kyle Lehman.

Champion coach Blane Ellis said his team is looking forward to the challenge.

“They’re a good team; they went 10-2 last year and are 3-0 right now,” he said. “Their program is on the up. Last year was their first time to be in the playoffs in a long time and first playoff win in 15 years.”

The Trojans beat Friendswood in the 2025 playoffs, 35-34, before losing to Barbers Hill in the second round, 43-30.

“They look a lot like us offensively and defensively, but they’re young on defense because they graduated nine starters from last year’s team,” Ellis said. “They’ve had some close games at halftime this year but won them in the second half because they made good adjustments. It’ll be a good game, they’re well coached and they get after it.”

So far this year, the Trojans beat Buda Johnson (34-6) and Pflugerville (40-30) before defeating Lockhart. They had a bye week on Sept. 11.

Anderson is led by quarterback Covert Darbyshire, who will play in the Ivy League next year at Brown University.

“They have a Division I quarterback and he does a good job back there,” Ellis said. “They have good team speed on the outside.”

Champion and Anderson have never played against each other, but Ellis said they’ve been able to get a good scouting report on the Trojans.

“There’s so much stuff out there on everybody nowadays,” Ellis said. “You can get a good feel for a program. They haven’t changed a lot from last year’s team.”

While his starters haven’t played much in the second half this year, Ellis said they’ve been very efficient on both sides of the ball in the first half. It was more of the same last week against the overmatched Lobos.

“We had 32 first downs to 2 (for Lehman) and had 387 yards rushing compared to 56, that’s the mark of a strong team,” he said. “You can say what you want about our opponents, but a lot has to go right in a game for you to be efficient.”

Ryder Flugence was efficient from the quarterback spot last week and completed 6 of 9 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Easton Hamel led the ground game with 107 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown, while Flugence, Julian Navarette and Caleb Farias had rushing TDs.

Eight different players carried the rock and Flugence was their second leading rusher with 70 yards on 6 totes, while Andrew Medina and Thomas Haupert both ran 7 times.

Will Burgess, Axton White and Zach Lopez all snagged touchdown passes, while Owen Kuhl had two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Roman Flugence led the team in tackles with 6 as 21 different players made a stop on defense in the game.