A get back that has been years in the making finally happened in Charger Stadium Friday night as the Chargers defeated the Winona Tigers, 35-21. The Chargers knocked off the number one contender in 3A football and overcame their Achilles heel. The last time the Chargers got a win over the Tigers was in 2017 at the Dale.
And Winona, in true fashion, didn’t make it easy or a fair fight.
“It feels very great, I’m very proud of our players and coaches for a great week of work and coming away with a win. The fans were great all night as well. We have played solid at home and hope to be able to keep that going.
After fans saw the smallest of Chargers cheer during the Mini Cheerleader performance, it was time for the Chargers to take center stage in Charger Stadium.
And after the kickoff, KJ Cork went to Jeramiah Miller for a four-yard carry. The Chargers continued to drive as Cork went to Tayshawn King and Savarion Miller, getting to the goal line with Cork on the keeper, making the score 6-0. But, the PAT from Matthew Coleman was no good. The Tigers attempted to answer back but were shut down by the Charger defense.
Back on offense, Cork went to Jeramiah Miller and Caleb Cunningham. A 10-yard carry from Miller took the score 13-0. But Coleman’s PAT was again no good.
This time, the Tigers answered with a drive of their own, making the score 13-7.
But, the Chargers answered again, this time Cork going to Jeramiah Miller and Savarion Miller and on another keeper himself the Chargers went up 19-7. But, Coleman’s PAT was again no good.
The Tigers answered again, making the score 19-14. The Chargers attempted to answer back but were unsuccessful and with the Tigers getting the ball back, they answered again making the score 19-21.
This time the Chargers answered again, with Cork going to Savarion Miller, King, Chancen Mosley, and ending with a 25-yard pass to Caleb Cunningham making the score 25-21. The Chargers then went for a two-point conversion where COrk went to Chevez Sellers making the score 27-21.
Chargers then recovered an onside kick and this time Cork went to Savarion Miller and was on the carry himself to make the score 33-21. With another two-point conversion, this time to Tayshawn King, the Chargers went up 35-21. And this would be the score that ended the game.
In the third and fourth quarters, both the Chargers and the Tigers tried to up the score – the Chargers to extend the lead and the Tigers to try and take the lead. But, it was a defensive battle in the second half.
There were times when the Chargers were in position to score but couldn’t capitalize as both sides were littered with penalties.
Not giving up, the Tigers kept trying but Junior Quaysie Lane came away with a game-ending interception, ending a seven-year drought.
Defensively, the Chargers are playing on all cylinders. “I thought our coaches had a great plan and our players played extremely hard. Very proud of the way our kids kept their composure as well,” Mitchell said.
Offensively, Mitchell said he’s seen alot of good things out of his offense but there’s always room for improvement. Although, the Chargers have consistently played well offensively, they’re still plagued by penalties.
“It’s just been kind of up and down for us on that side of the ball. Doing some really good things but at the same time, a lot that we can get better at,” he said.
But, being able to move pieces in and out is working in the favor of the Chargers, so much so it threw Winona off several times.
“That’s the goal,” Mitchell said.
He said special teams is still something they’re working on but he likes the improvements he’s seeing.
“We just are continuing to work in practice, trying to find ways to get better. Thought our kickoff coverage was strong, which is good to see. We got an onside kick that was huge in the first half as well. Still have to work on our extra points,” he said.
If the two teams stay the course, the Chargers and Tigers both have the possibility of meeting again down the road in the playoffs. But, the Chargers aren’t concerned with a second meetup right now. They’re focused on their next opponent – the Yazoo County Panthers.
This week’s game
This week the Chargers travel to Yazoo County to take on the Yazoo County Panthers. Mitchell said the Panthers are athletic and Yazoo City will be a tough place to play.
“We’ve got to have a great week of prep and continue to try and change our best each week.”
Player of the Week
This week’s player of the week is a defensive player that has been on his game for quite some time, Senior Elmar Gladney. In the game against Winona, Gladney had six solo tackles, two assists for a total of eight tackles, one-yard for total loss, a sack and an interception.
Congratulations Elmar!
