This week the Chargers faced the 3A Bridge Creek Bobcats in another road trip district battle. The Hall took control of the game quickly. Coming into the game, the Chargers knew they were a heavy favorite to win. Charger starters Will Dunn and Robert Mbroh came back from injuries to return Coach Bogert's team to full strength. 

To start the first quarter the Chargers took over Robert Mrboh threw a beautiful 70 yard pass to Phillip Smitherman to secure an early touchdown. Baker Burns attempted the extra point, but just missed it wide left.

With an early score on the board, the Charger defense really stepped up and shut down the Bobcats. The Hall kept Bridge Creek inside their own 35 yard line throughout the first quarter. The Chargers continued to cage the 'cats throughout the game with 19 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including a sack by Jayden Williams. 

Jackson Jobe went to the hot receiver, delivering a quick pass to Smitherman, who took it 95 yards to the house to put The Hall up 13-0. The connection broke the school record for longest touchdown pass, previously a 94 yard toss from Jason LeBeouf to Beau Meyer in 1990 against Luther. 

The second was not much different than the first quarter, as the Chargers struck early. Jobe and Smitherman connected on a long pass to set up a Jayden Williams 3-yard touchdown run and stretch the lead to 20-0. 

With 7 minutes left in the half, Phillip Smitherman recovered a Bobcat fumble to put the Chargers back in scoring position. Jobe completed a 21 yard pass to junior wideout Joe Washington to put the Hall up 27-0. 

Bridge Creek tried some trickery, but junior nose tackle Omari Smith blew up a reverse pass attempt with a tackle in the Bobcats' backfield, and then a bad punt snap rolled out of the end zone for a safety to boost the lead by two more.

With the ball back, Jobe dashed out of the pocket and up the right side of the field, trucking a Bridge creek player before putting the ball on the field. Washington, blocking downfield, alertly snatched up the fumble and danced over the goalline for a 36-0 halftime advantage.

Coming out of the locker room, the Chargers continued to demolish Bridge Creek en route to a shutout. Landon Lahoodny intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, but the play was called back on an illegal block. Jobe threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Smitherman and an insurmountable 43-0 lead. 

Bridge Creek blocked Luke Butler's first field goal attempt of the season. Although both of their defensive ends appeared to be extremely offsides, the officials picked up their flags and issued a "no-call."

In the fourth quarter, freshman running back K.J. Evans broke off a long run to get the ball in good field position and fellow freshman River Faulkner punched it in for a score from 5 yards out. Faulkner then went on to pound the ground for a 2-point conversion and a 51-0 lead. On the next Heritage Hall possession, senior Jagger Ables and Evans both got long runs to find the red zone once again. Another freshman, Hunter Boyer ran strong for a 10 yard touchdown . Freshman quarterback Liam Burton added a tough 2-point conversion run to close out a 59-0 Charger victory. 

Jobe led the Chargers in passing, completing 11 of 18 passes for 218 yards with 3 touchdowns. Williams paved the way for a stable of Charger running backs with an early 5 carries for 50 yards and touchdown. Smitherman set another school record with 261 yards on 10 receptions and 3 touchdowns; his 261 yards topped now Assistant Coach Tevin McDaniel's 241 in a 2015 game. Luke Butler stayed perfect on extra points for the season after going 5 of 5.

Smitherman led the Chargers on defense with 9 tackles in the game. Hardy Bowers, Connor Keith, and Will Dunn notched 7 takedowns each. The Charger defense held Bridge Creek to just 29 yards of offense on the night.

In a contest most fans agreed was heavily officiated in Bridge Creek's favor, the Chargers managed to secure an easy win to bring their official season record to 6-0, and 4-0 in District play. 

This week brings a tougher foe for the Chargers, as rival Kingfisher visits The Hall in a 3A District battle on Friday. The Yellowjackets are coming off a 34-13 loss to Perkins-Tryon. The Chargers look to continue their dominant play and swat the Yellowjackets' out of the District title race!!! #WHATEVERITTAKES

Written by Quincy LeNorman '21
Photos by Jalen Johnson '20