Chargers Defense Shuts Down Nottoway in 42-13 Victory

NOTTOWAY – The Central Chargers brought or we should say kept “The Big Game” trophy after beating Nottoway 42-13. The key numbers in the victory were 77, 3 and 4 as the Central defense held Nottoway to just 77 total yards of offense, only 3 first downs and had 4 interceptions.

To their credit, Nottoway played tough defense early on and stopped the Central double-wing attack on the first two possession of the game. The Chargers defense was equal to the task as they forced a three and out and got an interception by Tylik Thomas in the first two Nottoway possessions. The Chargers used the Thomas interception to set up their first score of the game when Malik Foster connected with Keenan Anunay on a 72 yard halfback pass to move the ball down to the Nottoway 12 yard line. Anunay eventually scored from 12 yards out on a sweep. Ben Atkins hit the extra point and the Chargers jumped ahead 7-0.

Central would get another turnover as Thomas intercepted his second pass of the first half and returned it 50 yards to the Nottoway 25. Dashawn Moore followed that up with a 25 yard touchdown run and Atkins hit the extra point to give Central a 14-0 lead.

Thomas picked off his third pass of the half early in the second quarter to stop another Nottoway drive, but Central fumbled on their first play and Nottoway had the ball deep in Charger territory.

Nottoway QB Vaughan Robertson scored on a keeper and cut the Central lead to 14-7. The Chargers were generous on their next possession as well when a fumble was picked up by Nathan Mota and returned for a touchdown. Raymond Alexander blocked the extra point and Central kept their 14-13 lead.

The teams went to halftime with Central still ahead by just one point, but the second half would be a different story.  The Chargers changed formations after getting the second half kick and came out in a pistol look. Malik Foster, Dashawn Moore and Keenan Anunay took turns picking up good yardage down the field. Anunay would score from 5 yards out behind the blocking of Jackson Parsons, Kester Long, Garrett Williams, Jeffrey Goodwin and DaQuan Cleaton to go ahead 21-13.

The Central defense forced a quick three and out with Dion Graham, Raymond Alexander and Chris Fowler making stops. The Chargers showed another look on their next offensive possession as they ran the spread formation and used the running of Foster at the QB position to move the ball down the field and score.

Ben Spencer and Kester Long had a third down stop on the next Cougar possession to force another punt. Foster had his second long pass of the game when he found Anunay for 50 yards. This set up an 11 yard TD run by Foster. Atkins added his fifth extra point and Central led 35-13.

The Chargers got one more score in the fourth quarter when Anunay picked off a Robertson pass and returned it down inside the five yard line. Anunay scored on a 10 yard touchdown run after a CHS penalty and the Atkins kick gave Central the final score win of 42-13.

Malik Foster had a strong game running and passing with 115 yards on 29 carries and 2 touchdowns while also going 2-for-4 passing for 119 yards.

Dashawn Moore had 76 yards on 12 carries, while Keenan Anunay had 32 yards on 5 carries and 3 touchdowns. He also had 119 receiving yards on the night.

Defensively, Central was led in tackles by Chris Fowler with 14, Raymond Alexander with 12, Dion Graham with 11. Ben Spencer added 7 while Jackson Parsons and Kester Long had 5 each.

Tylik Thomas picked off three passes and Keenan Anunay had one interception.

Central Coach Will Thomas said that Nottoway came out and played well defensively early in the game, but he was proud of his team continued to play hard and “wore down the Nottoway defense late in the game.”

He also said that some offensive adjustments helped open up some things in the second half that got the team going.

Central defensive coordinator Wallace Owen said that he was pleased with his defense. He praised the defensive backs for their play and also noted that the pressure from the line and linebackers helped force some of the throws that were picked off as well.

Central (5-1) is off this week before they host Bluestone for its homecoming game Friday, Oct. 14. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. If the Chargers get the win over Bluestone, it will set up “THE REAL BIG GAME” the following Friday against Goochland.