Chargers expel Demons in District showdown

In Week 5, the Chargers faced the Perkins-Tyron Demons in a rematch of last year's thrilling Charger victory that came down to the wire. After playing four straight road games to open this year, a much improved team was ready to kick off the home opener. The Hall knew that containing the Demons' quarterback, Austin Mages, would be key and did not take their week five contest with Perkins-Tryon lightly.

The Chargers started off well on both sides of the ball. The first started with some fireworks, when sophomore running back River Faulkner scored on a long run that was called back for a penalty. On the next play, junior sensation Gavin Freeman took a reverse toss 52 yards to the house for the game's first touchdown and a 7-0 Heritage Hall lead. The Demon defense sold out to stop the Hall's run game all night, but was unsuccessful.

Senior Davis Duncan returned to the Chargers lineup after being out the previous week due to an injury and made his presence felt. When K.J. Evans busted through the Demons' line to block a punt, Duncan snagged the deflection out of the air and returned it 33 yards for another Charger touchdown and stretched the lead to 14.

Recognized as a team strength by local media before the season, the Hall's defense was dominant early against the Demons, who failed to find the end zone in the first quarter.

However, the pass-happy Perkins offense broke through in the second quarter. Mages began to find a rhythm and led the Demons on a scoring drive that was capped off by a 3 yard touchdown run. After Gavin Freeman blocked his second extra point kick of the season, the score was 14-6.

On the next drive, the Charger offense entered the Perkins red zone, but failed to convert on 4th down after a fake field goal was intercepted at the 3-yard line. Perkins took over with a chance to even the score on a long drive.

With the Demons pinned deep along their own goal line, the Heritage defense cranked up the pressure. A.J. Sirls, Jr., blitzed Mages, who ran into the arms of Melvin Swindle and the Charger duo dropped him to a knee in the end zone before the talented quarterback could get rid of the ball. The safety put the Chargers up 16-6.

A few plays later, Robert Mbroh dashed up the middle, breaking a pair of tackles en route to a 29 yard touchdown run that extended the home lead to 23-6 going into halftime.

Despite having a solid lead, the Hall knew they needed to come out of the half firing on all cylinders to close out with a win.

To start the third quarter, the Chargers flexed some muscle. The offensive line cleared out the Demons to give senior bruiser Jayden Williams a lane for a 7 yard touchdown run to put the Chargers up 30-13.
Perkins responded to close the third quarter with an 89 yard touchdown pass from Mages to Teegan Shepard to pull back to within 10 points at 30-20.

With the Demons scratching and clawing to stay in the game, the Chargers dialed up the energy and finished with a strong fourth quarter. Sophomore Orie Walker juggled and then caught a short pass from junior quarterback Will Paque that he took 56 yards down the sideline for his first career score and a 37-20 lead.

After the defense held Perkins again, the Charger offensive line stayed strong and the Hall chewed up the clock to finish the quarter.

Heritage Hall leveraged a great team effort to capture a 37-20 victory. Many younger chargers got meaningful playing time and this was a huge win for the Hall over a highly physical and talented Perkins-Tryon team.

Coach Bogert utilized a two-quarterback system that featured Mbroh and Paque. Paque was 4 of 7 passing for 83 yards and a touchdown. Mbroh was 3 of 5 for 47 yards. Williams was the workhouse in the rushing game, carrying 9 times for 34 yards and a score. The fireworks were provided by Freeman, who gained 67 yards total on runs of 15 and 52. The receiving game was led by a duo of Chargers – Freeman and Walker. Gavin caught 4 passes for 77 yards, while Orie gathered 56 yards on his touchdown.

Leading tacklers for the Hall were K.J. Evans (10), Brigham Evans (10), and Duncan (9). The Chargers sacked Mages four times – Brigham Evans got him twice, Faulkner once, and Swindle once on the safety. The Charger defense held the Demons to only FIVE rushing yards.

Bridge Creek canceled their Week 6 game against Heritage Hall due to COVID-19 consideration – and the Chargers couldn't locate an open opponent brave enough to fill that schedule spot. The Chargers will have an unexpected "bye week" and resume play Thursday, October 15 at home against Douglass.

The Hall scored a solid District win over the Demons and goes into this week of practice with a mindset to continue improving, an opportunity to heal some nagging injuries, and renew their pursuit of a Gold Ball.

Written by Quincy LeNorman '21
Edited by Luke Steelman '93
Photos by Dawn Freeman Photography

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