Chargers outlast the Bears in District Showdown

Riding a three-game win streak, the Heritage Hall Chargers entered historic Taft Stadium on Friday night looking to continue their impressive play. On the opposite sideline stood the undefeated John Marshall Bears, having mauled their opponents at an alarming rate this season.

When Heritage Hall and John Marshall take the field, it is quite often a barn-burner, and this outing was no different.

As the Chargers usually do, they started friday night off firing on all cylinders. Wide receiver, safety and return specialist Phillip Smitherman ran back the opening kickoff for a quick six that set the tone for The Hall.

John Marshall would not back down, however, as improved quarterback Jarod Leviston found his brother Jared Leviston over the middle for a 33 yard touchdown strike. After David Duncan thwarted a two point conversion fade pass, the Bears trailed by a point with just under 8 minutes until halftime.

It was apparent that this ball game would be a fight to the end.

The Chargers answered with a long, grind-it-out drive and found themselves at the Bears' 12 yard line with under 3 minutes until halftime. Robert Mbroh got the ball out to Smitherman on a quick curl, and he was able to slip through a tackle and lunge over the goal line to stretch The Hall's lead to 14-6 at the break. Smitherman accounted for both Charger scores in the first half.

The second half was definitely more high scoring than Defensive Coordinator Mark Adams '78 wanted to see. John Marshall's ground game got hot in the third and fourth, while Heritage displayed a balance attack.

The Bears drew first blood when Leviston on a stop-and-go touchdown pass to cut the lead back to 14-12 after another failed two-point conversion attempt.

Early in the fourth, Coach Bogert employed some interesting strategy when the Chargers lined up for a field goal, and then quickly shifted into a 5-wide formation. Mbroh found a wide open Preston Nelson, and the senior made a fantastic catch above his head for a touchdown over the uncovered middle of the field.

With the Bears trying to mount a comeback, Charger linebacker Connor Keith stayed at home, picked off a Leviston pass, and returned the interception to the 26 yardline.

The Chargers turned to fullback Conner Carey to churn the clock. The senior used his combination of power and speed to finish with 168-yards rushing. On his most impressive run of the night, it looked like Carey would be taken down by a host of Bears, but he would not be denied, running through and over and carrying Bears into the end zone to extend The Hall's lead to 28-12 all but icing the game with just over 2 minutes to play.

John Marshall would score on an 82-yard touchdown pass as time expired, and added the two point conversion, but it would be too little and way too late, as the Chargers escaped with a 27-20 victory.

Mbroh led the Hall in the passing department going an efficient 11 of 15 with 172 yards and two scores. Carey carried the load on the ground yet again, rushing 26 times. Carey also had 2-receptions for 84 yards. Nelson scored his first touchdown of the year, and hauled in four passes. To go along with two touchdowns, Smitherman also led the team in tackles with eleven, followed by Keith with 8 and Will Dunn with 7.

Overall, it was a very impressive performance by the Chargers, as both sides of the ball stepped up at the right times to secure the win and put Heritage Hall in the district driver's seat.

The Chargers face their second undefeated foe as they welcome Perkins-Tryon to Pop Murray Memorial Field in another showdown with district title implications.

Written by Rives Mitchell '19
Photos by Jake Steelman '19

Print Friendly Version