Chargers Season Comes to a Close Against Colonels

LUNENBURG – The Central Chargers football team hosted Altavista last Friday night in hopes of getting a victory and advancing to the 1A East Finals. The two teams met earlier this year with Altavista getting the victory and after a close game into the third quarter, the Colonels would once again come out on top with a 42-10 win that ends the season for the Chargers.

Central Head Coach Will Thomas spoke to his team following the tough playoff loss and stated, “I am proud of the season we had this year and I love each and everyone of you.”

The game got started with Altavista receiving the opening kick and marching down the field behind the running of QB Jacob Adams. He would score from 15 yards out and put the Colonels on top 7-0.

Central answered back with a long scoring drive of their own. A 15 play drive was capped off when Jackson Dalton found Keenan Anunay on a 35-yard touchdown completion. Ben Atkins drilled the extra point and the Chargers tied the game 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The Colonels offense looked strong on their second drive as well by combining a balanced attack of pass and run. They eventually got in the endzone when Johnathan Montague scored from two yards away to put his team back on top 14-7.

Central once again drove down the field, but several penalties called against the Chargers slowed down and eventually stopped the drive. Altavista got the ball back, but tackles by Daryl Jones, Chris Fowler and Jackson Parsons stopped them and the two teams went to halftime with Altavista leading 14-7.

Central got the ball to start the second half and put together a good drive that got them down near the 25-yard line. On fourth down Ben Atkins drilled a 35-yard field goal that closed the gap and made the score 14-10.

The Colonels offense kept on clicking and put another score on the board that moved the lead to 21-10. The Chargers fumbled the ball at their own 30-yard line on the next possession and Altavista quickly made them pay on a 15 yard run by Montague.  Central couldn’t get anything going offensively on the next series and Altavista added a late touchdown that gave them the 42-10 victory.

Coach Thomas stated, “Altavista is a good football team and I give them credit.” He continued on to note that he was proud of the team and that they had been battling injuries, illness and other things this year, but persevered and put together a good season.

The senior class on the team has been a part of a four-year stretch that has seen Central win 10, 8, 9 and 8 wins as well as making the playoffs all four years.