If there's one thing we've learned over the last decade, it's "when in Clinton, expect chaos."

In a series distinguished by close calls, comebacks, and "instant classics," the 2023 edition didn't disappoint. After the Tornadoes demolished a 37-game home win streak at Pop Murray Memorial Stadium last season, the revenge-seeking Chargers rolled into Clinton like Oklahoma storm-chasers hitting the road in March.

On the first play from scrimmage, senior signal caller Andy Bass dropped back and lofted a pass over the middle of the field that dropped perfectly into the hands of Jordyn Harris' before the speedy receiver busted through two arm tackles to race 74 yards for a statement score.

The home team didn't take kindly to being punched in the mouth, and went on a long drive to even the score after a short touchdown run by elusive runner Kyn'tavion Hill.

After the Tornadoes wrecked two rushing attempts, Bass took to the air again and found sophomore wide out Jerrod Williams over the middle. Williams hauled in the 40 yard reception, which was capped off by a Clinton penalty that put the Chargers into their foe's territory. Facing a third down again, Bass fired a laser than Cal Welker leaped to snag to give the Chargers a tough first down near the red zone. A couple of plays later, Bass powered in the first of a pair of rushing touchdowns, this one behind a physical block by fullback Hillman Browne. The Hall led 14-7 midway through the first quarter.

After Carter Counts made a tackle in the backfield on a patented Clinton sweep, Tornadoes quarterback Cooper Sulley was picked off on the sidelines by Jordyn Harris. The Chargers struck quickly as Bass rolled to his right and found a wide open Carter Knowles behind the defense for one-play touchdown drive and a 21-7 lead.

With Clinton threatening to score again, Welker capitalized on a bad snap as he raced in and slid to cover the ball.

Quicker than a lightning flash, Bass broke through a huge whole in the line, side-stepped a defender, and raced 64 yards to his second rushing touchdown to extend the Charger lead to 28-7 as the first quarter drew to a close.

Before time could run out though, Clinton running back Zaedon Collins struck back, weaving through traffic at the line and sprinting 58 yards to the end zone to close the gap to 14 points.

When the Chargers took the field to start the second quarter, they did so with backup quarterback Walker Nelson behind center. Bass remained on the sideline with an apparent injury as he watched The Hall's momentum fizzle like a lifting storm. Nelson completed a pass to Harris, but it fell short of a first down and the Chargers were forced to punt.

Looking to take control, Clinton ran a toss play for the energized Collins, but the pitch was behind him and Welker fell on the loose ball for his second fumble recovery of the game.

The Charger offense turned to it's power-back Barrett Travis, who churned up the turf on back-to-back runs to flirt with the red zone. The Tornadoes halted the drive with a sack of Nelson and Travis was unable to convert on a direct snap run. Carter Counts pinned the Clinton offense deep, finessing a punt inside the 5 yard line.

The Tornadoes pounded the ball repeatedly into the Charger defense, stringing together six runs of 4 or more yards. Hill broke through on a 25 yard run to advance the ball to The Hall's 30 yard line. More bruising runs by Collins and Sulley penetrated the red zone, and the 95-yard drive was capped off by a 5 yard touchdown run by Collins to make it 28-21.

On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced in front of and away from Jerrod Williams and the Tornadoes pounced on it at the 17 yard line. Three power runs later, Clinton took advantage of a winded Charger defense and knotted it up at 28 on another touchdown run by Hill.

With time dwindling down, Nelson took the field once again to lead the Charger offense. The senior slinger completed a pass in the flat to Welker who gained some yardage before making a B-line for the sideline to stop the clock. On the final play of the half, Nelson scrambled to buy time for a Hail Mary heave, but was wrapped up and pulled down by the Tornado blitz before he could release the ball. After an electrifying first half, the teams were all even heading into the locker room.

As the Chargers walked down the ramp into the Tornado Bowl to start the second half, a familiar face led the way energetically. Bass appeared to be ready to return to action after exceptional treatment by the training staff of Mallery Gannaway during the break.

With Clinton grinding their way on the ground, the Charger defense came up big when defensive end Jack Harris recovered a fumble near the Clinton 40 yard line. Bass connected over the middle with Smith, and a penalty on the Tornadoes moved the ball even deeper into Clinton territory. On the next play, Bass was flushed out of the pocket and sprinted away from the pursuit before throwing back across his body to Smith, who secured a touchdown reception despite being hit hard in the end zone. The Chargers led 35-28 and seemed to have a renewed energy.

However, the Tornadoes had an answer. Hill took a toss, made a quick cutback, and bolted up the field en route to a 70-yard touchdown run. Under heavy pressure, the extra point attempt missed wide left and Clinton trailed 35-34.

The Charger offense was forced into a three and out after penalties derailed their next drive. All the running seemed to be catching up with Clinton, though, as their running backs began to battle cramps. With Hill and Collins trading carries, the Tornadoes powered down the field. Hill finally rampaged 32 yards, leveling multiple Chargers to recapture the lead. Jordyn Harris and Cal Welker teamed up to stop the two-point conversion toss and the home team held only a 6-point advantage.

With the third quarter nearing a close, the Chargers began to battle cramping issues too. On a huge third down, Bass found Welker on the sideline for a 20-yard connection and a first down. On the next play, Smith got open on a post pattern on an inside slant from the slot and Bass hit him in stride for a 35 yard touchdown to seize a one point edge. Head coach Brett Bogert decided to try for two, and Bass tossed an easy pass in the back of the end zone to a wide open Carter Knowles to make it 43-40.

Clinton's kick returner bobbled and booted a deep Carter Counts kickoff and was tackled inside his own five yard line to end the third quarter. Desparate for some breathing room, the Tornadoes turned to trickery as Hill connected with his tight end on a halfback pass from the end zone that was good for a first down. But Zavier Freeman made a big tackle for loss and the Charger defense forced Clinton to punt.

On the first play of the new drive, Bass avoided a blitz and found Travis on a wheel route. The running back caught the ball, juked a defender, and raced to a 64 yard touchdown to extend the Charger lead to 50-40 with barely more than half the fourth quarter remaining.

The Tornadoes were able to run the ball effectively and overcome penalties to get back into the red zone, but the Charger defense stiffened up and forced a field goal. With time dwindling, Clinton attempted an onside kick, but Boston Fuller recovered and the Chargers ran out the clock to secure a hard-earned 50-43 victory.

Bass filled up the stat column on the night. He was an efficient 15 of 20 passing for 365 yards and 5 touchdowns, with just one interception. Bass also led the rushing attack with 109 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 4 carries.

Bass found multiple targets on the night as he spread the ball around to a variety of Charger receivers. Jordyn Harris led in yardage with 95 yards on.3 catches. Smith hauled in 4 passes for 59 yards and two scores. Travis and Knowles were also recipients of touchdown passes from Bass, while Welker and Davis made clutch first down catches.

Defensively, there were multiple standouts for The Hall. Jordyn Harris had 7 tackles to go with the interception. Charlie Ghaniabadi came to life in the second half and finished with 7 tackles, including one for loss. Jack Harris registered 7 tackles, while Graham Murphy and Bladen Vogel finished with 6 each. Welker registered 5 tackles to go with his 2 fumble recoveries.

Up next for the Chargers is a trip to historic Taft Stadium to face John Marshall. While the Bears are clearly not the superior team on paper, they do have some talented athletes and have a history of playing well against the Chargers in their home stadium. It's a game against a worthy 4A opponent that The Hall can't overlook with District play looming on the horizon. The game will be broadcast on ChargerVision at hhchargers.tv, with pregame starting at 6:40pm.

Onward, Chargers!