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The Hoopa Warriors turned in a much improved performance in their second game of the season against Etna on Friday night, but lost a heartbreaker in the dying seconds.

The Lions scored on a kickoff return with just 20 seconds remaining to overturn a late deficit and pull out a 26-20 victory.

It was their second kick off return for a touchdown of the half as their special teams found a way to get the win.

Hoopa head coach Curtis Kane described the loss as a “heartbreaker,” and added that “it shows how even a few mistakes can be costly.”

Despite dropping to 0-2, there were several bright spots for the home team, most notably the play of quarterback Allen Kane and receiver Brandon Romero, each of whom continue to establish themselves as some of the best at the position in the H-DNL.

The junior dual-threat QB completed 12 of 17 passes for 170 yards and a TD and orchestrated an impressive 88-yard drive in the final minutes that gave the home team the lead.

“I’m proud of him running the ball,” head coach and father Curtis Kane said. “He ran downhill with a full head of steam. Throwing the ball he looks great as well … Once we work through the growing pains it’s only up from there.”

Romero, who is enjoying an outstanding start to the new season, also had a big night and finished with six catches for 105 yards and two TDs.

He now has three TDs in two games.

“He was open 90 percent of the night,” his head coach said. “It was just miscommunications up front early on that made it hard to get him the ball. Once we got it figured out he had a great night.”

Romero opened the scoring for the home team on a TD catch from Kane late in the first half and would add a second TD early in the third quarter on a throw from Lyle McKinnon.

The Lions, however, would take the ensuing kickoff to the house to go up 19-12.

The Warriors would respond late in the game after taking over possession with just over two minutes remaining.

Hostler capped the 88-yard drive with his first touchdown run of the season and Allen Kane would then connect with Daniel Peralta for the two-point conversion to put the Warriors up by one (20-19).

However, a second kickoff return for a TD would give the visitors a thrilling victory and break Hoopa hearts.

“To all my boys, I’m proud to be their coach, it’s just what was written in the stars for this night,” Curtis Kane said. “Does it hurt to 0-2? It sure does. Will this the the last you see of us? No!

“We are just going to get better and better each week. I love the underdog story, so let’s go be Dawgs!”

Junior running Kehniwh Offield also had a big night as he continued his impressive start to the new season.

According to his coach, Offield  ran with a purpose for the second straight week.

“Every time he touched the ball he just didn’t stop pumping his legs,” Curtis Kane said. “He’s a strong fast kid that’s showed he belongs in the backfield.”

Senior Ian McConnell led the Warriors in the trenches.

“Praises to the efforts of the D-line, especially Ian McConnell,” the head coach added. “He was in the backfield all night.”

The Warriors will be back in action next weekend when they travel to play South Fork in Miranda on Friday night.