The Chargers offense was hot on a cold Thursday night in Chapel Hill and took down the Tigers 52-33.
“Big game. Big win against a good team,” senior Jared Worley said.
With the win against Chapel Hill, the Chargers secured a home playoff game. The Chargers also took control of third place in the Big Eight conference with one game left.
“Getting a home playoff game my senior year is very good. We basically have two senior nights now,” senior defensive lineman Elijah Washington said.
The Chargers prove they came to play from the get go as Jared Worley returned an interception for a touchdown on Chapel Hill’s first offensive play to make it 10-0 Northwood. Worley’s pick was the first of five on the night for the Charger defense, which was able to keep Chapel Hill’s high-potent offense relatively quiet for most of the game.
BJ Harrington joined the party later in the first quarter and came up with an interception. The Chargers capitalized as Washington took it in the end zone from five yards. Northwood’s two point conversion made it 18-0, Northwood.
The Tigers woke up on the next series, scoring on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Connor Stough to wide receiver Arkavius Parks. Later Stough connected with wide receiver Albert Nyamayaro to make the score 18-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The Chargers started to pour it on in the second quarter. Quarterback Ti Pinnix scored on a keeper, connected with wide receiver Jalen Smith for a 60-yard score and Nitrel Evans returned a kickoff 80 yards to make it 39-17 at halftime.
The Chargers kept the momentum in the second half as Pinnix kept the ball for a another score. The Tigers responded with a 30-yard touchdown from quarterback, Stough to wide receiver Arkavius Parks. After Michael Queen returned an interception to the Tiger 15-yard line, Kadarus Rone trotted in for a six-yard score. The Tigers scored one last time on a 60-yard pass to make it 52-33 Northwood.
While the Chargers were able to put up many points, they struggled on offense much of the second half. This may come back to haunt the Chargers if they are unable to improve on this.
“We have to be consistent throughout the game,” Smith said. “We can’t have mental breakdowns moving forward.”
The Chargers are now 8-2 overall and 4-2 in conference. The Chargers play Cardinal Gibbons at home next Friday at 7 p.m. for Senior Night.
– By Jacob Sipe