Chargers Hang On For 21-14 Win Over Langley
Chantilly Quarterback Roger Strittmatter Looks Over The Defense In Monday's Game Against Langley. Strittmatter Finished With A Touchdown Pass, But More Importantly The Win....
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Chantilly's Torrian Pace picked up right where he left off in 2007, scoring twice to help the Chargers pull out a 21-14 season opening win.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Langley's Danny Pritchett was one of the best players on the field on Monday night, and despite the fact his team fell short, Pritchett played a heck of a game. Watch out for him the rest of the season.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
CHANTILLY, VA - All eyes were on the Chantilly Chargers Monday evening as they opened their 2008 campaign at home against Langley. After having the game postponed twice due to poor weather and field conditions, the Charger faithful came out in full force to support their team, and when the final gun sounded, they didn't disappoint.
The game didn't exactly start the way the Chargers had hoped it would when Langley recovered a fumble inside Chantilly territory. The Saxons took advantage of the Chantilly miscue and scored to take an early 7-0 lead. Tailback David Helmer punched it in from 5 yards out to put the Saxons up.
The Chargers took the ensuing kickoff and marched down the field deep inside Langley territory, but another fumble kept Chantilly off of the scoreboard. Chantilly would eventually score on a touchdown pass from Roger Strittmatter to wideout Mark Farris to tie the score 7-7.
Chantilly then began to control the line of scrimmage, and the Torrian Pace show got started. Pace scored from 6 yards out to give Chantilly the lead late in the 1st quarter, then added another score in the 3rd quarter from 20 yards out to make the score 21-7.
Langley fought back and on a 4th and goal from the 6 yard line, Pritchett rolled out and hit tight end Chris Sievers in the end zone to cut the lead to 21-14.
Langley had several chances at the end of the game to score, but the Chantilly defense held, and the Chargers sealed the win.
After the game, head coach Mike Lalli said he was pleased with his team's performance, but wanted to improve upon the many mistakes the Chargers made on Monday.
"We played well at times, but we had way too many penalties," Lalli said. "I was proud of our guys, and it is always good to win."
The Chargers improved to 1-0 with the win and Langley dropped to 0-1. Chantilly will face Washington-Lee this Saturday.
Moe's Southwest Grill Player Of The Game:
Torrian Pace - Chantilly Running Back
The Chargers got a strong performance from tailback Torrian Pace. Pace rushed for 2 touchdowns and helped seal the win in the 4th quarter with some tough inside running.
Danny Pritchett - Langley Quarterback
Pritchett is a playmaker and impressed many on Monday with his toughness and ability to come up with the big play. He will be a player to watch the rest of the season.
Hayes' Breakdown:
The Chargers:
Chantilly played well on defense and after the 2nd quarter, began to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Chargers received a strong performance from quarterback Roger Strittmatter, who threw the ball well and managed the offense after two early turnovers. If Strittmatter continues to gain confidence, he could help Chantilly lead the way in the Concorde District.
The Langley Saxons:
Langley's power running game worked well most of the day when they ran behind big lineman Bo Butcher. At 6'3 305lbs, Butcher has the perfect name for plowing through defensive players, and he played strong on Monday. Mark it down, Langley is a playoff team with Pritchett, Helmer, Sievers, and Butcher leading the way. I came away impressed with Coach John Howerton's club and I'm expecting big things from them this season.
The Game Was Over When:
Chantilly began to control the ball with Torrian Pace running the football. Strittmatter was efficient at completing the routine passes and that kept the Saxons from loading the line of scrimmage to stop Pace. Pace's 3rd quarter score proved to be the difference.
The Play Of The Game:
Chantilly Punter Michael Fries saved the day when he alertly picked up a bad punt snap and avoided some Langley defenders to kick the ball to the 45 yard line. Fries was scrambling around from Chantilly's 15 yard line, and his heads up play kept a potential disaster from occurring.
Hit Of The Day:
Linebacker Isaac Sine was all over the field on defense on Monday night, but his second quarter helmet to helmet hit on a Langley running back was by far the best hit of the game. We heard it up in the booth and Grant Paulsen and I both asked for some Tylenol after we saw it.
