Coming off an impressive win over the John Marshall Bears, Heritage Hall entered their showdown with the Perkins-Tryon Demons with much confidence. On paper the Chargers seemed like the much more talented team, but quickly realized that the undefeated Demons would love nothing more but to notch another win to their resume. Sadly for Perkins, though, they were in for a rude awakening.

As usual, the Chargers quick strike offense took over in a hurry, as tailback Billy Ross Jr bolted 65-yards on the first possession of the game to give the Chargers the lead.

After the Hall's defense forced multiple stops, Ross struck again, this time from the same distance, but courtesy of a Robert Mbroh screen pass. With two Parker Kays converted point after attempts, the Chargers found themselves with a commanding 14-0 lead after one quarter.

The Chargers kept the pressure turned up on the Demons when Mbroh found Carey in the end zone and The Oklahoman's made an impressive catch to put the Chargers up 21-0.

After some back-and-forth, the Demons found themselves in the Heritage red zone with under a minute to play and capitalized when quarterback Austin Mages scrambled and connected with Caden Williams to stop the bleeding and gain some momentum going into halftime. Williams missed the extra point wide right, his first of two missed attempts on the night.

The third quarter was not the best for the Hall, as turnovers plagued the offense. The defense continued to lock down the dangerous Perkins run game, but the offense didn't do itself any favors when the Demons arrived with the pitch an option play and Carey fumbled, leading to a Demons scoop and score. Though the Demons couldn't convert the point after yet again, it still felt as if they would not go away.

The Chargers responded, however, with great poise. Both sides of the ball stepped up to close the game out. Carey made up for his mishap, dashing 62 yards to a touchdown that stretched the Hall's lead to 28-12 heading in the final quarter of play.

Even with the Chargers holding a comfortable lead, the Demons would not quit and were yet again threatening in Charger territory early in the fourth. Looking to trim the led down, Perkins was faced with their final chance, a fourth and long. Perkins drew up a reverse that seemed to trick the Chargers, but senior Preston Nelson flew in from across the field and knocked the Demon ball carrier down just shy of the mark. This play would perhaps be the most important of the night for the Hall, as it took away any hope for the Demons.

The MVP of the night, Ross, put the game away with a 38-yard rushing touchdown a couple of plays later. The defense held for the remainder and Heritage Hall took the clash with Perkins by a score of 35-12.

Mbroh had another great day passing, finishing 7 of 9 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Ross gained 152 yards and two touchdowns rushing on just five carries. Carey gave the Chargers a second 100-yard rusher with 110 of his own and one score on the ground. Ross also lead the team in receiving, with 75 yards and one touchdown. Phillip Smitherman grabbed three catches for 59 yards.

Defensively, Smitherman also lead the team in tackles with 12, followed by Hardy Bowers with 9, and Nelson and Jaden McDaniel with 8 each. McDaniel posted a sack, moving him into a tie for 3rd place in career quarterback takedowns with Jack Ross '17 at 18. Will Dunn, Bowers, and Nelson also recorded sacks in the game.

The Chargers will take on a struggling Bridge Creek team in a  Week 7 Homecoming extravaganza. The Hall hopes to continue its hot streak during another Thursday Night Football broadcast, live on ChargerVision. Onward!

Written by Rives Mitchell '19
Photos by Kirsten Griffin