Sebring shut down by Chalker
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SOUTHINGTON -- Going into the year, Sebring coach Anthony Agresta mentioned that the defense was his team's Achilles heel. While improved over years past, the group struggles in space.
Chalker thrived in space on Friday, earning its first win of the season, downing the Trojans 56-12.
"They've got kids that can make plays in space," Agresta said. "A lot of their scores were a lot of (zig-zagging) going on. You've got to make plays in space. I mean, they had some kids back tonight that they haven't had all year. Their record, that's not their football team, but we've got to get better at making plays in space. We got some young guys out there, but my kids fought till the end.
"You're gonna see some changes on the scoreboard before this football season's over."
Chalker moved swiftly down the field on its first possession, with quarterback Tegun Noble finding the Wildcats' first points of the night, running in from 32 yards out.
Noble was hard to bring down, bobbing and weaving all over the field to convert a 1st-and-25 on the ensuing drive, then scoring again on the following play on a 35-yard rush.
Chalker converted both two-point conversions, and the Wildcats had a 16-0 lead before the end of the quarter. Chalker opened the second quarter with another touchdown, this time a 45-yard pass from Noble to Vince DelVecchio on 4th-and-12.
Sebring started its next possession just outside the red zone. It made the most of that opportunity with quarterback Zach Todd connecting with Logan Culp on a 17-yard catch and run.
On the first play of the following possession, however, DelVecchio struck again, racing into the end zone for another Wildcat score. After getting stifled at the goal line three times, Noble found Colton Levensky on a 9-yard pass to score.
Chalker converted the two-point conversion, further extending its lead with 3:33 before halftime.
The Wildcats recovered a fumble on Sebring's following possession, and Noble ran into the end zone once more and gave Chalker a 44-8 advantage at the break.
With a running clock to start the second half, the Wildcats took 10 minutes off on the opening possession of the half. Paxson Matthews started taking snaps under center and drove down the field. He called his own number, running in from 6 yards out.
Sebring responded, with Todd punching it in himself from inside the 2-yard line. Despite the deficit, the Trojan sideline was amped.
"My kids fight," Agresta said. "They fight, but we need that one win. We need that one win in that game that nobody thinks we can win, and then it'll just be a domino effect after that. I believe in my guys. They fight. They work hard. In no way are we pleased with tonight, but I did see some good things in spots.
Chalker knelt the ball down and earned its first win of the season. The Wildcats will cross state lines in Week 5, going up against Kennedy Catholic (Pa.) next Saturday.
Sebring will welcome Plymouth, one of the Northern 8's newest members, to Mahoning County next week.