Chargers Top 5 Moments of the Year - A Look Back
By: Greg Wolfe
The 2016/17 was a breath-taking year of sports for the Chancellor Chargers. Words can barely describe the year of success, joy, and surprise that the athletes created. The future stars of the school started to show their colors in every sport, while the seasoned veterans paved the way for the newcomers with their skill and expertise that accumulated over their years at Chancellor. It all meshed together in a melting pot for one of the most exciting schools to watch year in and year out.
It was hard choosing just four games to put on this list, because there are so many great memories to look back on. Football saw one of their greatest season's in school history go down in the books, while Boys Soccer continued to be the dominating force of northern Virginia that it's been know to be since the school opened. Field Hockey pulled together a wonderful rebuilding year finishing just short of playing for the conference title, while the Volleyball team performed with a striking force all season long. Both basketball teams out performed expectations, and handed in learning seasons that will definitely be built upon in the coming years. Baseball had it's up and downs, learning how to deal with adversity. After softball struggled early, they came back strong in the second half of the season to turn in a great year.
Even the sports I wasn't able to cover as much as I would've liked, turned in spectacular seasons. Cross Country dazzled as usual, while Winter and Spring Track showed dominance in setting school records continuously all year round. Swimming worked together to turn in a season where each swimmer seemed to improve after each meet. I would've loved to cover these sports more, but am unfortunately just one person and tired to get coverage in where I could!
Got all that? Because that's just the beginning. An overview, of sorts. There were five games, five special moments that will live in the hearts of the players and the spectators who witnessed these marvels of games. Without filling anymore space, here are the five best games of the year. (Each team is limited to one moment)
5. Baseball Upsets Top Seed Louisa To Clinch Regional Berth
After a rough ending to the season for the Chancellor Chargers baseball team, a lot of the attention in the area went elsewhere. The Chargers used extra innings to knock of rivals Courtland in the first round of the conference tournament, and would be forced to go to extras again in the second round against the Louisa Lions
The Lions were the tournament's number one seed, were the host site, and the favorites. The Chargers paid attention to none of that on a wet afternoon. The Chargers came together, led by Tyler Fisher on the mound and Will Temple at the plate, to pull off a nine inning win against the tournament favorites. The game was close for its entirety, as no team ever pulled away by more than one run. After a costly error in the final inning that would've given the Chargers the win, most teams would've seen all the wind leave their sails.
Not for the Chargers. CJ Craft came back the next inning shutting down the Lions keeping the game tied. And Temple would follow in the top of the ninth with a double, being scored by Jon Olsberg who slapped a double into left field to give the Chargers the lead. Olsberg was on the mound after catching eight innings, and he didn't even break a sweat while facing the minimum in the final frame to seal the Chargers upset.
The win gave the Chargers a spot in the regional tournament and a chance to upset Eastern View. Though they weren't able to grab the conference championship, they have high hopes going into conference where they will look to surprise some more teams.
(Read our full article of the game here)
The Lions were the tournament's number one seed, were the host site, and the favorites. The Chargers paid attention to none of that on a wet afternoon. The Chargers came together, led by Tyler Fisher on the mound and Will Temple at the plate, to pull off a nine inning win against the tournament favorites. The game was close for its entirety, as no team ever pulled away by more than one run. After a costly error in the final inning that would've given the Chargers the win, most teams would've seen all the wind leave their sails.
Not for the Chargers. CJ Craft came back the next inning shutting down the Lions keeping the game tied. And Temple would follow in the top of the ninth with a double, being scored by Jon Olsberg who slapped a double into left field to give the Chargers the lead. Olsberg was on the mound after catching eight innings, and he didn't even break a sweat while facing the minimum in the final frame to seal the Chargers upset.
The win gave the Chargers a spot in the regional tournament and a chance to upset Eastern View. Though they weren't able to grab the conference championship, they have high hopes going into conference where they will look to surprise some more teams.
(Read our full article of the game here)
4. Senior Night Boys Basketball Thriller, In Greatest Way
Senior Night is always an incredible, and special night for all who watch (the Chargers even went 8-1 this year on Senior Night). But for the Chargers Boys Basketball team, there was some extra excitement added to the night.
For starters, Omair Shah who had missed most of the season after a leg injury in the first week, was on the starting lineup and playing despite a cast still wrapped around his knee. His mobility was limited, but it didn't effect his shooting. Shah was able to sink a clean 3-Pointer in the first quarter of the game, which electrified the crowd for the first time of many that night.
Later in that first quarter George Brown, for those who don't know is built as a lineman for football and doesn't see a lot of time on the court, decided to take a shot from beyond the 3-Point arch as well. And to the crowd's enjoyment, it fell in and sent the gym into a frenzy. The Chargers continued the electric night, and EJ Jenkins joined in on the fun with a resounding slam dunk during the second quarter.
The Chargers would eventually go on to beat the Spotsylvania Knights 57-47 in impressive fashion, putting on one of the most fun games to watch and listen to for the year.
(Read our full article of the game here)
For starters, Omair Shah who had missed most of the season after a leg injury in the first week, was on the starting lineup and playing despite a cast still wrapped around his knee. His mobility was limited, but it didn't effect his shooting. Shah was able to sink a clean 3-Pointer in the first quarter of the game, which electrified the crowd for the first time of many that night.
Later in that first quarter George Brown, for those who don't know is built as a lineman for football and doesn't see a lot of time on the court, decided to take a shot from beyond the 3-Point arch as well. And to the crowd's enjoyment, it fell in and sent the gym into a frenzy. The Chargers continued the electric night, and EJ Jenkins joined in on the fun with a resounding slam dunk during the second quarter.
The Chargers would eventually go on to beat the Spotsylvania Knights 57-47 in impressive fashion, putting on one of the most fun games to watch and listen to for the year.
(Read our full article of the game here)
3. Softball Comeback Charges Team For Rest Of Strong Season
After losing their starting pitcher early in the season to injury, the Chargers had many questions about how their season would go. They knew they had the talent, but early on in the season it was difficult pulling it all together.
The Chargers had already suffered a conference loss in the season, and another one could spell doom for a team searching for energy. The team was down 6-1 after 4 innings of play, the Chargers were in a hole. With a 4 run fifth inning, the Chargers were suddenly right back into things only trailing by a run. The first three batters in the inning got on base, and a train of hits propelled the Chargers. After a scoreless sixth inning, and the Cavaliers tacking on another run in the seventh, the Chargers had one last shot down by two runs in the final frame.
After Kenzie Coates led off the inning with a single, Tessa Dodson and Rachel Arnold would both follow with singles. Sam Tillman was up with two outs and down to her last strike, but she zoned in and slammed a triple into center field that cleared the bases and helped the Chargers walk it off. This was the Chargers first conference win on the year, and it helped them fire up to finish the season winning five more games.
Though the Chargers eventually came up short losing a tight 1-0 game to Louisa, it was an incredible effort against a 1 seed that had been seemingly locked in to win by everyone watching. The Chargers showed fight and heart that all came from a bond that was built in this game, which in some ways may have saved the Chargers season.
(Read our full article of the game here)
The Chargers had already suffered a conference loss in the season, and another one could spell doom for a team searching for energy. The team was down 6-1 after 4 innings of play, the Chargers were in a hole. With a 4 run fifth inning, the Chargers were suddenly right back into things only trailing by a run. The first three batters in the inning got on base, and a train of hits propelled the Chargers. After a scoreless sixth inning, and the Cavaliers tacking on another run in the seventh, the Chargers had one last shot down by two runs in the final frame.
After Kenzie Coates led off the inning with a single, Tessa Dodson and Rachel Arnold would both follow with singles. Sam Tillman was up with two outs and down to her last strike, but she zoned in and slammed a triple into center field that cleared the bases and helped the Chargers walk it off. This was the Chargers first conference win on the year, and it helped them fire up to finish the season winning five more games.
Though the Chargers eventually came up short losing a tight 1-0 game to Louisa, it was an incredible effort against a 1 seed that had been seemingly locked in to win by everyone watching. The Chargers showed fight and heart that all came from a bond that was built in this game, which in some ways may have saved the Chargers season.
(Read our full article of the game here)
2. Boys Soccer Upsets King George In Conference Championship
The regular season for Conference 19 was almost completely dominated by the King George Foxes, who's only loss on the season came to Courtland early on. Going into the Conference Championship game, the Foxes had hopes high on their own turf.
The young Chargers squad, stretched thin due to injuries both before and during the game, had what was called one of their "gutsiest" wins of all time. Angel Sierra-Hernandez had a second half goal that gave the Chargers the lead for almost the rest of the game, until a goal by the Foxes in the final minutes tied things back up forcing overtime. After Diego Garcia's clutch goal, the Chargers were able to seal the championship right before storms blew through pouring rain onto the field.
The Chargers, as a 3 seed in the tournament, felt like they had a lot to prove and knew they could clinch a home regional game and collect another conference trophy. The Foxes were looking for their first ever and had a full crowd to support them, but the Chargers were able to complete the upset and continue the excellence they have shown for years. The rest of the season, is yet to be completely written for the Chargers.
(Read our full article of the game here)
The young Chargers squad, stretched thin due to injuries both before and during the game, had what was called one of their "gutsiest" wins of all time. Angel Sierra-Hernandez had a second half goal that gave the Chargers the lead for almost the rest of the game, until a goal by the Foxes in the final minutes tied things back up forcing overtime. After Diego Garcia's clutch goal, the Chargers were able to seal the championship right before storms blew through pouring rain onto the field.
The Chargers, as a 3 seed in the tournament, felt like they had a lot to prove and knew they could clinch a home regional game and collect another conference trophy. The Foxes were looking for their first ever and had a full crowd to support them, but the Chargers were able to complete the upset and continue the excellence they have shown for years. The rest of the season, is yet to be completely written for the Chargers.
(Read our full article of the game here)
1. Football Upsets 'Ponax At Home For First Time Since 2008
Massaponax High School has seemingly always been the annual power house of Spotsylvania County. When these two teams matched up in Week 2 of the young season, both teams were still trying to figure out what their identity was. The Massaponax Panthers were coming off a strong win against Courtland, while the Chargers had just squeaked out a win against their Route 3 rival Riverbend in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Needless to say, both teams had extra energy packed into this late-summer game.
The Chargers were down early in the game, and there was a sudden worry in the almost-full stadium that it would be a repeat of previous years. Seniors Jason Brown and EJ Jenkins were tired of being beaten the three previous years of their career at Chancellor, and they both broke through for career nights. Brown tossed 6 TD's with 395 passing yard tacked on, fueling a come-from-behind win that snapped a state-best winning streak for the Panthers.
It was the fullest stadium for a high school football game that I, an aspiring writer, had ever seen. It's the game that spurred me into action and started writing for sports for Chancellor. The Chargers never gave up, even with the Panthers in field goal range for a tie they broke that up with an interception pressured by EJ Fields and caught by Lovell Armstead. The entire game was a team-effort, and it was what makes high school football so great. School hadn't even started yet, new coming freshman hadn't even gone to their first class of high school before the Chargers showed what being a Charger is all about. Determination and domination, when nobody else expects it.
This win propelled the Chargers to a 9-3 season, where they went to the second round of the playoffs and boasted offensive records that had never been imagined before that year. It was also a keystone win in the county-sweep, as they'd go on to beat Courtland and Spotsylvania later in the year.
(Read the Free Lance Star's article of the game here)
And that's it for our top 5 moments of the year for Chargers Sports. Thank you to everyone for the incredible year!
And that's it for our top 5 moments of the year for Chargers Sports. Thank you to everyone for the incredible year!
No comments:
Post a Comment