BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
Alex Willingham didn't enter his first career start at quarterback with unrealistic expectations.
He knows the Chancellor High School football team can play defense.
And he knows senior fullback Josh Ernest is as reliable as they come.
Willingham let Ernest and the defense do the work last night in Chancellor's 20-3 season-opening nondistrict win over Orange at Porterfield Park.
Willingham scored on a
"I know I'm not Micah," Willingham said of the reigning Free Lance-Star Player of the Year. "I just wanted to do my part and lead my team to victory."
Cunningham, who has a sprained knee, is expected to return when the Chargers
He wasn't needed last night.
Ernest rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He also had an interception.
"I felt like he took the game over in the second half with his running," Chancellor head coach Bob Oliver said. "He was lowering his shoulder on some of those kids."
Orange led 3-0 at halftime after Amir Waller's 48-yard interception return set up a 29-yard field goal by Hunter Ferguson with two seconds left in the second quarter.
The Hornets (0-1) seemingly had momentum after a Jacob Hunter 15-yard run early in the third quarter.
But Hunter fumbled at Orange's 37 yard-line on the next play, and the Chargers never looked back.
Seven plays later, Willingham scored to give Chancellor a 7-3 lead.
The Hornets converted back-to-back 30-yard pass plays in the fourth quarter and had the ball at Chancellor's 20-yard line.
But the Chargers recorded consecutive sacks and forced an incomplete pass to end the threat.
Ernest added a 5-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive to seal the victory with 4:15 remaining.
The Chargers punctuated the win when sophomore defensive end Quincy Hayes intercepted a pass and raced 58 yards for a touchdown.
Orange hosts Culpeper on Friday.
Chancellor | 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 | -- | 20 |
Orange | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -- | 3 |
Second Quarter
Or--H. Ferguson 29-yard FG.
Third Quarter
Ch--A. Willingham 1-yard run (T. Smirco kick).
Fourth Quarter
Ch--J. Ernest 5-yard run (T. Smirco kick).
Ch--Q. Hayes 58 interception return (kick failed)
TEAMSTATISTICS
Or | Ch |
First downs12 | 9 |
Rushing yardage17-16 | 42-186 |
Passing yardage217 | 12 |
Passes15-36-3 | 2-7-1 |
Punts-Avg.3-87 | 4-127 |
Fumbles-lost4-1 | 4-1 |
Penalties-yards 3-15 | 6-59 |
INDIVIDUALSTATISTICS
Rushing: Chancellor--Josh Ernest 19-133, TD; Darius Dunn 3-22; Austin Lawson 6-21; Alexander Jackson 2-11; Jeff Sawyer 3-5; Robert Spinosa 1-2; Alex Willingham 8-(-8), TD. Orange--Jacob Hunter 6-34; Tyrone Ellis 4-14; Isiah Ferguson 2-(-3); Cameron Hughes 5-(-29).Passing: Chancellor--Alex Willingham 2-7-1 12. Orange--Cameron Hughes 15-36-3 217.
Receiving: Chancellor--Sequan Marshall 1-9; Josh Ernest 1-3. Orange--Amir Waller 6-95; Tyler Seal 4-59; Jamal Hunter 2-46; Alex Galimore 1-10; Tyrone Ellis 1-6; Jacob Hunter 1-1.
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com
CHANCELLOR 20