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photo by Mary Gallemore
[ArticleMedia]
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
By Mark Gallemore
The Chargers tacked a "W" up in the win column this past week after the win over the Cardinals of John Paul II. The two teams finally got on the field after a weather delay that moved the kickoff time back about 30 minutes. The first half was almost as boring as the weather delay,with neither team scoring or even moving the ball effectively. Part of the lack of offensive production could be attributed to the slight drizzle that kept up through most of the half. The second half was a different story however for the Chargers, coming out and moving the ball right down the field with apparent ease until the Cardinal defense tightened up inside the red zone, forcing a turnover on downs after the failed fourth down attempt by the Chargers. This trend continued for most of the third quarter until Zak Elsenbroek kicked a 21-yardfield goal to put the Chargers on the board. John Paul struck back however, moving the ball methodically down the field using a mixture of run and pass to score their first touchdown of the game, making it 7-3 with most of the fourth quarter left to play. After the ensuing kick return, the Shelton offense did what it does best, run. Fullback Dylan Maxwell and tailback Alyn Jackson took turns toting the rock and successfully drove the ball down the field and into the endzone on a 12-yard run by Jackson, despite struggling while inside the red zone all night. After forcing John Paulto punt on the next drive, the Shelton offense too struggled to make a first down and had to give the ball back to the Cardinal’s with little over five minutes to go. Down 10-7, theCardinals needed a field goal to send the game into overtime or a touchdown towin. John Paul painstakingly moved the ball down the field, converting several third downs and at least one fourth and long. The Cardinals got the ball inside the 5 yard line with under a minute to play but were denied entry into the end zone on a tackle for loss by safety Ryan Martinez. The clock ticked down to under ten seconds before the Cardinals were able to spike the ball in order to give their field goal kicker a chance to send the game into overtime. With the game on the line, Shelton’s defense rose to the challenge, denying John Paul once again with a blocked field goal by Dylan Maxwell. The Shelton players and coaches erupted with excitement, leading to many unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.But the Chargers didn’t care, earning their first win of the season in dramatic fashion. Shelton was lead by its two stellar running backs, Seniors Alyn Jackson who finished with 31carries for 149 yards and a touchdown, and Dylan Maxwell, 8 carries for 61yards. The Chargers plan to use this momentum going into next week where they face the Fort Worth Calvary Christian Crusaders.
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