Chargers Cage The Cougars 23-14 With Late INT
(Chantilly, VA)--2 years ago the Chantilly Chargers struggled through an 0-10 season; oh how times have changed. Saturday evening the Chargers knocked off the defending state champion Oakton Cougars 23-14 in front of a loud and raucous crowd in Chantilly. Both teams had questions to answer and things to prove coming into the game.
Oakton went to Jonathan Kedrock and Orlando Bryant early but were not very successful thanks in part to a stingy Charger defense. Chantilly went to their horse Antonio Cross while mixing in a few Torrian Pace runs to the outside on the first few drives of the game. Chantilly got the first break and capitalized on a Jonathan Kedrock fumble in the 1st quarter. Charger quarterback Nate Worek then found Austin Decker in the back of the end zone for a 7 yard touchdown completion to take the early 7-0 lead.
The 2nd quarter was full of scoring as the teams combined for 20 points during the period. Oakton struck first on a Stephen Pournaras quarterback sneak behind his big offensive line from 1 yard out to even the game at 7-7. After the Cougars held and forced a Charger punt, Oakton struck quickly. Senior Ervin Garner motioned and took a quick pitch 78 yards untouched for a touchdown to put Oakton on top 14-7. Chantilly marched back down the field on their next possession and quarterback Nate Worek scored on another quarterback sneak from one yard out. Chantilly missed the extra point and the half ended with the Chargers trailing 14-13.
In the second half Chantilly's running game began to wear on the Cougars. Antonio Cross and Torrien Pace helped the Chargers control the time of possession, and late in the 3rd quarter, Chantilly kicked a 26 yard field goal to go up 16-14. The two teams traded possessions until late in the 4th quarter when Chantilly was stopped on 4th down and forced to give the ball back to the Cougars. Oakton's drive and comeback didn't last too long though. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Harris dropped back and threw an ill-advised pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Junior Mike Quigg from 34 yards out. After the extra point, Chantilly took a 23-14 lead with only 2 minutes left in the game. Oakton took the next kickoff back to their own 35 yard line, but did not retain possession long. For the second time in a matter of minutes, Harris was intercepted again by Quigg. The interception sealed the victory for the Chargers and a berth in the Regional Championship game next week.
Chantilly will travel to Westfield to take on the Bulldogs next Saturday afternoon for the Norther Region Division 6 title. In other Northern Region action Stone Bridge will host Edison on Friday afternoon for the Division 5 title. Stay tuned to the TCC Sports Netwok online at gamedaymagazine.com for complete playoff coverage through the state title games in December.
