JR High Football Recap – Charleston 40, Paris 8
Just before kickoff on Thursday night at Alumni Field in Charleston, spectators witnessed something that they don’t see very often. Gloomy rain clouds made way for a strong ray of sunshine just long enough to produce a spectacular and rare double rainbow. But once the game kicked off, those in attendance witnessed something they’ve seen many times this season: a dominant Tigers performance.
The game did start off a little rocky. Charleston elected to receive the ball first, but on the first offensive play a Daeton Stewart pass was deflected and resulted in a Paris interception, for only the second interception from Stewart on the season. Paris followed with a 28-yard carry from Noah Valdez to get down to the Charleston 24-yard line.
Unfazed, the Tigers defense waited for their opportunity. Paris would have a hard time handling the snap from the shotgun formation, and after a struggle and a couple of bounces, Charleston linebacker Grant Little scooped up the fumble and returned it all the way to the house for a touchdown giving the Tigers an early 7-0 lead, and never looked back.
“Grant had a hustle play on the scoop and score,” said Charleston junior high head coach Matt Stewart on his eighth grade two-way starter. “The ball was on the ground longer than normal. Grant’s pursuit put him in position and he made the effort play.”
Following a Paris 3-and-out, it wouldn’t take long for Charleston to find the endzone for the second time. Charleston’s Tanner Schilling returned the punt 23 yards, followed by a Daeton Stewart jet sweep pass completion to Jaxson Todd for a 25-yard touchdown. The extra point snap was bobbled and the score was 13-0 Charleston with 4:46 to go in the second quarter.
After forcing another Paris 3-and-out, Charleston would go to the ground on their next possession. Daeton Stewart made an excellent read on a power read-option play, kept the ball himself, and found a hole on the right side for a 45-yard touchdown carry. The 2-point attempt failed to make the score 19-0 with 1:33 left in the first quarter.
The Tigers defense then held Paris to a third consecutive 3-and-out and forced another punt. On the following offensive possession, Stewart would roll out to the right and attempt a pass, but the slippery ball fell out of his hands. He was luckily able to pick it up and make a 2-yard gain out of the play. Charleston would then opt to run behind the big ‘dudes’ up front for the rest of the drive. Little ran for 9 yards, Stewart ran for another 9 yards, and the drive was capped off by a 5-yard Little rush up the middle to make the score 26-0 Charleston.
“On Grant’s rushing touchdown, he didn’t get touched until the second level,” said Stewart on the touchdown carry. “That play was a testament to the ‘dudes’ up front and Grant did his part at the end.”
The rest of the first half would end up being the Tanner Schilling show. On Charleston’s next offensive possession, the freshman wide receiver would have a 14-yard reception followed by a 17-yard touchdown reception to make the score 33-0 with 1:16 left.
Schilling wasn’t done yet.
Paris would be forced to punt on another 3-and-out, this time with 4 seconds left on the clock. That’s all Tanner would need. The ball bounced his direction, he was able to pick it up on the run, and returned the punt 65 yards into the endzone to put the Tigers up 40-0 at halftime.
“The punt return to end the half was greatly appreciated,” said coach Stewart. “The ball bounced in his favor, the wall was forming, and Tanner’s speed got him back in position to execute the return for a score.”
Paris would find the endzone early in fourth quarter with a 29-yard touchdown pass, to put the game at it’s eventual final score of 40-8 Charleston.
Defensively, Charleston was led by Cooper Carruth with 8 tackles and Cash McConnell with 6 tackles. Cam Fox and Bryant Wilson would both add a QB sack.
I asked coach Stewart for his thoughts on his teams 5-0 start, and how they look now compared to preseason.
“We are where we expected to be,” he said. “We have progressed every week as we should, but there’s still work to be done and goals to achieve.”
Charleston will visit Cedarville next Thursday to take on the Pirates with the goal of improving to 6-0.
