Edison defeated the Nighthawks 42-14 at Sheue Field to keep their playoff run alive.

Reporter: Jonathan Ortiz @TheRealJonOrtiz

Huntington Beach - The Edison Chargers lost their starting quarterback Parker Awad due to COVID-19 close contact protocol for the opening round of the playoffs Friday night against the Murrieta Valley Nighthawks

The fate of the Edison season was now in the hands of their backup quarterback, Tyler Gioia.

Gioia not only delivered, but went to infinity and beyond.

Edison defeated the Nighthawks 42-14 at Sheue Field to keep their playoff run alive.

Murrieta Valley won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to open up the game. Edison’s Troy Fletcher welcomed that decision with a 65-yard pick-six moments later.
On the ensuing drive, Edison’s Peyton Gregory recovered a fumble at his opponent’s 25 yard line. Leading to a 25-yard touchdown pass from Gioia to Tucker Tripp to give the Chargers a 14-0 lead with 6:31 left in the first quarter.

The Nighthawks would quickly respond with a 1-yard touchdown carry from Asa Chatman to inch Murrieta closer at 14-7 with 3:13 left in the first.

Edison easily regained the 14 point lead after a 13-yard touchdown reception from Ty Bandaruk to put the score at 21-7 to close the quarter.

Murrieta Valley would start off the second quarter with possession, but nothing more.

The Chargers picked up right where they left off.

After a 37-yard reception from Edison’s Mason York and a penalty on the defense, Gioia capped off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Hampton to make it 28-7 in favor of the Chargers heading into halftime.
The Nighthawks successfully recovered an onside kick at the start of the third quarter, but were unable to capitalize.

Gioia cashed in on his fourth touchdown pass of the game after finding an open Troy Fletcher in the end zone. The lead was now 35-7 with 6:34 left in the third and Edison on top.
On the next drive, guess who? Troy Fletcher again.

He tallied his second interception of the night, which led to an eventual 30-yard touchdown reception from Gioia to York. The Chargers were cruising with a 42-7 advantage heading into the fourth.
Gioia played the best game of his high school career, completing 18 of his 22 attempts for 310 yards and five touchdowns. He credited his offensive line for paving the way to the night’s success.
“It all started with our o-line,” Gioia said. “No one really touched me so all glory to them.”

Fletcher would continue his dominant season with five completions for 48 yards and a touchdown, two interceptions including a pick six, and 64 yards on five carries.

Edison (8-3, 4-1) will travel to Inglewood High School and face the Sentinels (10-0, 5-0) on Friday at 7 p.m. for the second round of the playoffs.

----------Quick (unofficial) Stats--------

Passing
Gioia (EHS)  18/22  310 yards 5-TD

Receiving
Hampton (EHS)  4 catches  102 yards  1-TD
York (EHS)  3 catches  94 yards  1-TD
Fletcher (EHS)  5 catches  48 yards  1-TD
Tripp (EHS)  5 catches  46 yards  1-TD
Bandaruk (EHS)  1  catch 13 yards  1-TD

Rushing
Fletcher (EHS)  5 carries  64 yards
Hogue (EHS) 3 carries  8 yards