Sports
Chesapeake Gives Alexander a Loss
By: Brooks Russell
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The Alexander Spartans suffered only one loss last year, it came at the hands of the Chesapeake Panthers. The game was a low scoring affair as the Panthers pulled off a 9-3 win. Alexander responded to this loss by rattling of eight straight wins to finish the regular season, won the TVC Ohio and made an appearance in the state playoffs.
The Spartans had a chance to avenge this loss tonight when they had their rematch with the Panthers on their home field. This year behind center is A.J. Marks, filling the shoes of Mason Chapman, the 2015-2016 Gridiron Glory player of the year. History did repeat itself as the Panthers dominated the Spartans 47-16.
The first half of the game was difficult for the Spartans as they were hurt by big mistakes that led to Panther points. Most notably, an A.J. Marks interception that set up a touchdown for Chesapeake. Marks made up for this mistake by scoring a touchdown of his own. However, this was the only touchdown for the Spartans in the first half as they took a 27-7 deficit into the break.
The second half started poorly for the Spartans as well, as the first play from scrimmage the Panther’s running back took the ball 56 yards down the sideline and into the end zone to extend the Panther’s lead to 34-7.
Alexander put together an impressive drive in response to Chesapeake’s touchdown, pushing the ball into their territory. On a crucial third-and-twelve, Marks fired a pass to the outside that was tipped by multiple players and ended up in the hands of Alexander receiver, Chace Harris, giving the Spartans a first down. Marks finished the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run, his second on the night, to cut into the lead with 6:08 left in the third.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers fumbled the ball and it ended up in the hands of the Spartans. It seemed as if there was a chance for them to get back into the game if they could punch the ball into the end zone. The drive came to a crucial fourth-and-five, Alexander again leaned on Marks to run for the first down, and he converted. Two plays later, on second-and-seven, Marks scrambled out of the pocket and ran downfield. As he was being tackled the ball got stripped from his grasp and Austin Browning of Chesapeake picked it up and returned it 88 yards for another Panther touchdown; ending all the Spartan momentum.
Chesapeake scored once more in the fourth quarter and won the game 47-16. Giving the Panthers their second victory over the Spartans in as many years. Alexander falls to 1-1 on the season and will prepare to play Sciotoville East next Friday night in its first road game of the year.