When Porters Chapel has ventured deep into the Class A playoffs in recent years, a star has emerged to give the Eagles a big boost.

In 2009, Reed Gordon played a big role on the hill as the go-to pitcher, helping lead the Eagles to a surprising Class A title over Bayou Academy.

Last season, it was the turn of Matthew Warren, whose clutch performances on the mound and at the dish sent the Eagles to the semifinal round.

With the Class A playoffs starting Tuesday at Wayne Academy at 7 p.m., another star has emerged at just the right moment for PCA — sophomore pitcher Richie Bufkin.

Bufkin played a key role in helping the Eagles earn their second straight District 5-A title in a three-game tiebreaker set with University Christian, closing the door in the seventh in Game 2 to even the series and pitching the Eagles to a 9-6 victory in the title clincher.