Heading into Friday night's showdown of two Top 5 teams in their respective Classes, countless storylines swirled around the highly touted squads. How would Davis fare with Noah Goodin starting his first game at QB this season? Would Heritage Hall be ready to defend the complex wishbone offense of the wolves? It did not take long for these questions to be answered, as Heritage Hall asserted its dominance from the opening kickoff.

Heritage Hall and Davis have played many incredible games in the past few seasons, earning these two teams the right to call each other rivals. Rivalries seem to always find a way to make a game that should be a blowout into an exciting affair. Many thought the Wolves might play the role of spoiler Friday night, but the Chargers quieted the speculation early on Friday night, starting the opening quarter off with three straight touchdown runs.

First to strike was running back Billy Ross, Jr., from 66-yards out. Not to be outdone, Morgan Dinwiddie rattled off a 43-yard scamper on fourth and one. Ross finished the quarter the way he started, by finding the end zone on a 15-yard rush. Ross's incredible day continued in the second quarter, as he sprinted 33-yards to the house, giving the Chargers a commanding 28-0 lead.

Then, game took an unexpected turn when the Wolves scored their first touchdown on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Noah Goodin to Jase Ryan on a trick play. The wolves could not convert the extra point, but quickly got the ball back by kicking an onside. Many believed this was the chance the Wolves needed to get back in the game. Instead, the Hall showed poise. On fourth and two, in Charger territory, the Hall's defense stiffened and forced a Davis turnover.

Momentum was back with the Chargers, and they marched down the field and Blake Adams found Preston Taylor on an 8-yard score. Heritage Hall was in total control at the half, leading 35 to 6.

With the game already all-but-decided, the second half was not as memorable. Carson Orton caught the only second-half touchdown, an 8-yard strike from Adams, for the Chargers. The defense continued to play inspired until late in the fourth quarter when Davis back Dane Parker tallied scores from seven and four yards. This capped off a night full of exciting plays, momentum swings, and a stellar performance by the home team.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Chargers sounded the Eddie Bell and walked off Pop Murray Memorial Field victorious, 42-19, and undefeated at 3-0 on the young season.

On offense, Adams was very efficient for the Hall, finishing 11 of 17 passing attempts with 160 yards and two touchdowns. Adams now has 64 career touchdowns, trailing his head coach by just three for 2nd place all-time.

Ross continued his hot streak, rushing for 116 yards and three scores on just seven carries. Preston Taylor was magnificent on both sides of the ball, finishing with four catches for 54 yards and a score on offense, and a crucial interception on defense. Grayson Wilson led the team with 13 tackles. Seth Meacham shut down the Wolves' inside wishbone game with 11 tackles on the night. Phillip Smitherman posted 10 takedowns of his own, including a team-high 5 solo tackles.

While rivalry games are always tricky, Heritage Hall was determined to show the state how good they really are. After three blowout wins to start the season, people need to take notice that these Chargers are out to win it all. Next for the Chargers is a familiar and physical foe in the Clinton Red Tornadoes. Heritage Hall will head west to play Clinton in the Tornado Bowl, which seems to always bring out the best in both squads.

Article by Rives Mitchell '19
Cover Photos by Jake Steelman '19