Woodson Is Back With 26-14 Win Over Chantilly
FAIRFAX, VA - Fresh off a disappointing loss a week ago to the high powered offense of R.E. Lee, the Cavaliers of W.T. Woodson looked to take out their frustrations on whichever unlucky opponent happened to come next on the schedule. With a good passing attack lead by Temple University commit Connor Reilly, and a solid ground game resting on the backs of James Johnson and Bertran Ngampa, all signs pointed to a dominating rebound Friday night at home against the Chantilly Chargers.
On the first drive of the game, Reilly lead his team ninety yards down the field, rushing into the end zone from two yards out to put the Cavaliers up early by a score of 7-0. The defense held tough as well.
However, after a failed 4th down conversion, junior quarterback Carson Romine lead his unit down the field, and pushed Mike Farris in from two yards out to even the score.
Then the defenses settled in. Though the Woodson offense would finish with 460 total yards from scrimmage, they were unable to convert on several 4th down attempts. At the start of the 4th quarter, it was evident to those in attendance that whichever team made the first mistake would come out on the losing end of the contest.
With the Chargers at their own 45 and driving, Farris would again find the end zone on a 55 yard TD rush to give Chantilly what seemed to be the go-ahead score. Bertrand Ngampa, however, had other ideas. With Cavaliers on their own 45 yard line, Ngampa broke open his own 55 yarder to the house, and tied the score at 14 apiece.
On the ensuing kickoff, the ever dangerous Kristopher Martin took advantage of a short kick, and raced back to the Woodson 45. The Woodson defense however, would hold strong, and give their offense the ball back with good field position.
With the ball again on the Cavalier 45, James Johnson got into the mix, breaking free on a 55 yard rush of his own, to give Woodson their second lead of the ball game. A missed extra point would keep the score at 20-14, and keep Chantilly's hopes up.
Those hopes would soon be dashed by linebacker James Hogan, who tipped and intercepted Romine's pass, taking it back into the end zone and giving the Cavs a 26-14 lead, which is where the score would stay after a failed two-point conversion.
Chantilly falls to 2-2 on the season, as the Cavaliers sit at 3-1 heading into a match-up with the Westfield Bulldogs. Tune in next week as Aaron Canada and Ken Kincaide bring you all the hard-hitting Charger action live from Chantilly High, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30pm.
PLAYMAKERS OF THE GAME:
Presented By: Playmaker Recruiting Report
Chantilly runningback Mike Farris: Farris earns this honor for the second time this year after posting the only points for the Chargers, finishing the evening with 114 yards on the ground, and two touchdowns.
Chantilly punter Matt Melchiori: The other playmaker of the game would have to be Matt Melchiori. The junior punter not only pinned the Cavaliers deep in their territory on several occasions, but combined for over 400 yards on 10+ punts, including one boot for 60 yards, and two for 50+.
WHAT THIS ALL MEANS:
These are two great teams. Mike Farris continues to dominate opposing defenses, but doesn't seem to be getting much help from anyone else on the Chargers' offensive unit. Junior QB Carson Romine tossed an interception, his eighth of the season, and completed only four of his eighteen passes for 31 yards. With Romine unable to spur the passing game, the running game has had to carry the bulk of the load, which teams are learning of in advance. With Kevin Rudorfer sidelined with a major leg injury, coach Mike Lalli will have to rely on Farris, and young RB's Jimmy Hicks and William Hill to step up their production.
W.T. Woodson:
QB: Connor Reilly - 11-22 111 yards
RB: Bertrand Ngampa - 144 yards, TD
RB: James Johnson - 118 yards, TD
Chantilly:
QB: Carson Romine - 4-18, 31 yards
RB: Mike Farris - 114 yards, 2 TD's
