Last week the Chargers faced the Stigler Panthers in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs.

Coach Brett Bogert's game plan included plans to cage the Panthers' talented quarterback, Mason Peery, and force him to put the ball in the air.. The Chargers knew the Panthers would come into round two with redemption in mind, but the home team had confidence based on a 2018 quarterfinal win over the returning visitors. 

The Chargers started the game off with a quick 12 yard pass from Jobe to Smithermann to set the tone. 

However, shortly afterward, the Panthers responded with a tough 9 yard run by Peery to tie the game up.

Neither squad was able to put more points on the board before going into halftime. The Chargers knew they needed to amp up their play while sticking to the original gameplan. Fans anxiously awaited the return to action to see who might step up for The Hall. 

Coming out of the locker room, it didn't take long for the Chargers build a solid lead. 

Sophomore standout Gavin Freeman surged into the spotlight. First, he sprinted through a beautiful 35 yard pass from Jobe and tumbled into the end zone for another Charger touchdown. Seconds later, Freeman scooped up a fumble forced by Will Dunn and dashed 38 yards to the house to bring The Jungle to their feet and put the Hall up 19-7 over the Panthers. Then, Jobe found Freeman out of the backfield to complete a two point conversion. Freeman scored 14 points in a span of 95 seconds to break open a tight game and stretch the lead to 21-7. 

Stigler drove the ball deep into Charger territory, but penalties moved them back to midfield and the Charger defense capitalized. The Panthers snapped the ball over their punter's head, then River Faulkner collided with the punter as he tried to recover it, and Davis Duncan picked it up and raced 24 yards to add another Heritage Hall touchdown for a 27-7 lead going into the final quarter. 

With all the momentum on their side, the fourth was a breeze for the Chargers. Jobe scored the Hall's last touchdown of the night on a 9 yard option keeper around the right side. The Panthers almost scored a touchdown, but Gavin Freeman forced a fumble near the goalline and Payton Earnest grabbed the loose ball to halt the Stigler drive. 

Moments later, the Panthers scored on a safety, but it was too little too late, and the Chargers closed out a 34-9 quarterfinal win. 

Jobe led the passing game for the night on 9 of 20 for 133 yards and two scores. Smitherman led the Hall in receiving 6 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Williams led the team in rushing 31 yards on 13 carries. Payton Earnest chipped in 24 yards on the ground. 

The Charger defense really stepped up this week they forced six turnovers and took control of the Panthers. Smitherman and Jobe each picked off a pass, while 4 different Chargers recovered fumbles. Hardy Bowers was a monster, recording 19 tackles on the night. Smitherman, A.J. Sirls, and Connor Keith tallied 9 takedowns apiece. Williams and Omari Smith each sacked Peery once.

The Hall wanted to make a statement to Class 3A early in the playoffs – and they definitely have, but they aren't done yet! The win streak reached 24 games as the Chargers advance to face 2nd-ranked undefeated Lincoln Christian on Friday at 7 p.m. at Cushing High School. The Bulldogs enter the semifinal rematch looking to avenge last year's loss to the Hall, 69-34.  

With one more victory, the Chargers can earn a shot at the program's first ever "threepeat." Rest assured, they'll do #WhateverItTakes. Onward, Chargers!

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