The Chargers traveled to hallowed grounds to earn the program’s first regional championship with its 29-14 victory over the storied Sheridan Blackhawks. The ‘Hawks, coached by legendary Indiana coach Bud Wright, truly made the Chargers earn the victory and the capacity crowd got their money’s worth. The Chargers took the ball first but were unable to find the end zone on their first possession and from that first punt, the chess match began. The Chargers were able to hold the Blackhawks from the end zone until the 3:38 mark of the first quarter when Peyton Cross pounded the ball into the end zone. The Chargers would answer back quickly at the 2:20 mark in the first on a 37-yard pass from Carson Parmer to Kaden Muckerheide. A two-point conversion put the Chargers up 8-7. The Chargers would strike next when Carson Parmer pounded the ball into the end zone early in the second quarter. Still, Sheridan would score immediately after that on another long run by Jarod Jones with the score 15-14, which is where the score would remain when the teams went to half. The second half began with more of the same defensive back and forth, and the score remained unchanged in the third quarter. After three grueling rounds of hard-nosed, smash-mouth football, the Chargers would find the end zone on a 265-yard pass from Carson Parmer to Evan Howell. The ‘Hawks came back swinging, but Reid Messer’s interception ended the drive. The Chargers would put the contest out of reach with a 12-yard run by Reid Messer with 1:26 left in the game. The Chargers will now face Indianapolis Lutheran for the 1A semi-state championship this coming Friday at North Decatur.
Submitted by the school’s athletic department.