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Trying to win their first game of the season, the West Hancock Titans marched 59 yards and scored on the opening drive on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Charger Field.
But all they really accomplished was waking up the Chargers, who knocked the Titans out 33-6.
“We responded well,” coach Chip Filler said. “We came out a little flat. It was a nice shot in the arm to have quarterback Colton Schulenberg back.”
Schulenberg suffered what appeared to be a season-ending injury in the Rockridge game on Friday, Sept. 17. Trent DeDecker replaced him. The only problem with that? DeDecker, the team’s leading receiver, couldn’t throw to himself. Getting Schulenberg back solved the problem.
“Trent did a great job (as quarterback), but today he had six or seven catches,” Filler said.
The Chargers want to have DeDecker catching passes on the sidelines, Zach Kahley busting off runs up the middle and on the outside, and Schulenberg directing the show, Filler said.
To come back this early, Schulenberg worked hard with the team trainer, Chad Humphrey of Rock Valley Physical Therapy, Moline, the
coach said.
“He knew we needed him,” Filler said. “They’re all that tough.”
The Chargers did an outstanding job on defense, the coach said. He credited the work assistant coaches Brent Hutton and Bruce Redding did with the boys.
Andy Adams had two plays for the highlight reel, Filler said. On special teams, he returned a punt for a touchdown, and on defense he picked off a pass when West Hancock was in the red zone.
On offense, Adams also had three or four catches, he said.
Saturday’s game was basically the first round of the playoffs for Orion. With a 3-4 record, the Chargers have to win out to have a chance to qualify for a postseason berth.
Orion hosted St. Joseph-Ogden (5-2) at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.
The Chargers travel to Pittsfield (2-5) for a 1 p.m. game with the Saukees on Saturday, Oct. 23. On that day, the varsity game will precede the sophomore game. This will get the varsity score to the Illinois High School Association in time to help determine playoff qualifiers.
Hamilton and Warsaw form the West Hancock co-op. Back in 1939, Orion and Warsaw played in the first six-man football game in Illinois. Orion won.
On Saturday, the Titans surprised the Chargers with a 59-yard, 12-play scoring drive that ended with Maverick McCarty’s 1-yard plunge into the end zone.
The Titans tried to pass for two more points, but Charger Matt Markezich dropped the receiver and the pass fell incomplete.
Orion responded with a scoring drive of its own, an 80-yard march in 13 plays.
Markezich broke off an 11-yard run early in the drive, and Dylan Schultz reeled off 21 yards to move the ball past midfield.
Trying to win their first game of the season, the West Hancock Titans marched 59 yards and scored on the opening drive on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Charger Field.
But all they really accomplished was waking up the Chargers, who knocked the Titans out 33-6.
“We responded well,” coach Chip Filler said. “We came out a little flat. It was a nice shot in the arm to have quarterback Colton Schulenberg back.”
Schulenberg suffered what appeared to be a season-ending injury in the Rockridge game on Friday, Sept. 17. Trent DeDecker replaced him. The only problem with that? DeDecker, the team’s leading receiver, couldn’t throw to himself. Getting Schulenberg back solved the problem.
“Trent did a great job (as quarterback), but today he had six or seven catches,” Filler said.
The Chargers want to have DeDecker catching passes on the sidelines, Zach Kahley busting off runs up the middle and on the outside, and Schulenberg directing the show, Filler said.
To come back this early, Schulenberg worked hard with the team trainer, Chad Humphrey of Rock Valley Physical Therapy, Moline, the
coach said.
“He knew we needed him,” Filler said. “They’re all that tough.”
The Chargers did an outstanding job on defense, the coach said. He credited the work assistant coaches Brent Hutton and Bruce Redding did with the boys.
Andy Adams had two plays for the highlight reel, Filler said. On special teams, he returned a punt for a touchdown, and on defense he picked off a pass when West Hancock was in the red zone.
On offense, Adams also had three or four catches, he said.
Saturday’s game was basically the first round of the playoffs for Orion. With a 3-4 record, the Chargers have to win out to have a chance to qualify for a postseason berth.
Orion hosted St. Joseph-Ogden (5-2) at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.
The Chargers travel to Pittsfield (2-5) for a 1 p.m. game with the Saukees on Saturday, Oct. 23. On that day, the varsity game will precede the sophomore game. This will get the varsity score to the Illinois High School Association in time to help determine playoff qualifiers.
Hamilton and Warsaw form the West Hancock co-op. Back in 1939, Orion and Warsaw played in the first six-man football game in Illinois. Orion won.
On Saturday, the Titans surprised the Chargers with a 59-yard, 12-play scoring drive that ended with Maverick McCarty’s 1-yard plunge into the end zone.
The Titans tried to pass for two more points, but Charger Matt Markezich dropped the receiver and the pass fell incomplete.
Orion responded with a scoring drive of its own, an 80-yard march in 13 plays.
Markezich broke off an 11-yard run early in the drive, and Dylan Schultz reeled off 21 yards to move the ball past midfield.
