Varsity Football vs St. Stephens
Source/Author: Coach Steve Dudley
September 21, 2017
The Charger varsity football team hosted defending Conference Champions St. Stephens from Bradenton on Saturday in a daytime game at Haskell Field. St. Stephens threatened to score several times early on, but the Chargers defense stepped up in critical moments ending the first quarter in a scoreless tie. Our Chargers scored first on a 32 yard Field Goal by Drew Zolper with 9:58 remaining in the 2nd quarter to make it 3-0 for the Chargers.
St. Stephen's speed & depth was on full display late in the 2nd quarter resulting in 3 quick TD's against a tired Charger defense. The Chargers responsed with a very impressive 10 play offensive drive right before halftime that ended with a Charger TD pass from Drew Zolper to Jake Freedman, only to be called back for an illegal formation call making it 21-3 at the half.
St. Stephen's speed & depth was on full display late in the 2nd quarter resulting in 3 quick TD's against a tired Charger defense. The Chargers responsed with a very impressive 10 play offensive drive right before halftime that ended with a Charger TD pass from Drew Zolper to Jake Freedman, only to be called back for an illegal formation call making it 21-3 at the half.
In the 2nd half St. Stephens showed why they are the defending Conference Champions scoring 3 TD's, and forcing a Shorecrest fumble inside our own 35 yard line. Despite trailing by 39 points late in the game, our Chargers refused to surrender, scoring on a 47 yard TD Pass from Drew to Trevor Bernstein on the last play of the game. Trevor made a circus-like catch to end the game on a high note despite a 42-10 loss.
In the game against powerhouse St. Stephens, the Chargers had some outstanding individual efforts worth mentioning:
- Apollo Kaepernik had an interception to stop a St. Stephens drive inside our own 20 yard line.
- Drew had multiple key tackles on defense, & threw the ball with good accuracy at quarterback (the last play of the game was a 48 yard TD Pass to Trevor.) Drew also kicked a 32 yard Field Goal.
- RJ Ayers had mutiple tough runs on offense & several key tackles on defense.
- Hunter Ramirez had numerous tackles on defense & several key blocks from his Offensive Tackle position.
- Jake Freedman made several big hits on defense despite nursing a separated shoulder.
- Ethan Forsyth made several key blocks on offense & was very solid for the Chargers on defense.
- Ashton Reynolds made several key blocks & played virtually every snap for the Chargers.
This loss brings the Chargers to an 0-1 record, and face a crosstown rival St. Pete Catholic this Friday at Haskell Field. Kickoff is at 7pm.
