Missed tackles and turnovers led to the demise of the North Montgomery Chargers Friday night at Hamilton Heights. The Charger mistakes helped the Huskies win 28-12.
Charger Coach Josh Thompson was disappointed with the way the senior-laden Chargers lost the game.
“Mistakes and missed tackles allowed big plays by Hamilton Heights,” Thompson said. “We struggled tackling in the open field and on offense we struggled blocking up front and blocking downfield by our receivers.”
Missed tackles led to two huge scoring plays in the game. Both were passes from senior Huskie quarterback Bodie Deerer.
The first big scoring pass came with 3:08 in the second quarter with the score tied at 6-6. Deerer found junior speedster Tyler Champion who made two defenders miss on his way to a 70 touchdown. The score gave the Huskies the momentum headed into the locker room.
The second big Husky score came with 7:46 in the third quarter when Deerer found senior Jaylen Pugh for a 70 yard strike. Two Charger defenders whiffed on the tackle allowing Pugh to score making the score 21-6.
The Husky defense put pressure on Charger senior quarterback Ross Dyson the entire game. Dyson was tackled for a loss on six plays and was forced to pass with someone in his face all night.
Dyson threw two interceptions and the Chargers lost two fumbles to add to their offensive woes. The Charger quarterback was 7-22 in passing for 148 yards. He did throw two touchdowns.
Despite all the miscues, North Montgomery stayed within striking distance most of the game.
After Hamilton Heights scored on their opening drive. The Chargers answered the bell with a 9-play 78 yard drive of their own. Dyson hit senior wideout Roman Utterback from 24 yards out on a fourth-and-one play. North, as they did on both of their scores, was not successful on their two-point conversion.
North’s last score of the game came with 7:46 left in the game when Dyson connected on junior slot receiver Jayden Thompson on a 31-yard pass making the score 21-12.
The Chargers seemed to have some momentum after the score and held the Huskies to a 3-and-out, however a muffed punt recovery set up Hamilton Heights on the Charger 28-yard line. The Huskies eventually scored when workhouse running back Owen VanHarren scored from two yards out to make the final score 28-12.
VanHarren led all rushers with 124 yards on 24 carries.
Hamilton Heights had 369 total yards and the Chargers totaled 210.
Hamilton Heights (2-0) will entertain Lafayette Central Catholic Friday and the Chargers, who fall to 1-1 on the season, will host county rival Southmont.
Thompson said the told his team to learn from the loss and turn their attention on Southmont beginning Saturday morning’s film session.
“We have to move on to our next game which is Southmont,” Thompson said. “We have to be ready to step up and match South’s physicality. I think our guys have had this game circled on the calendar for awhile now.”
