Powell scores three times to lift the Chargers
(Covina) The Charter Oak Chargers staged a fourth quarter rally highlighted by a 45-yard touchdown grab by A.J. Powell to come from behind and knock off the Etiwanda Eagles 27-26 Friday night.
“He (Powell) has the ability to change field position like no one else in this valley can. I’ve been coaching for 43 years and I have never coached or know anyone who can change field position like him” commented Charger Head Coach Lou Farrar after the game.
It was also Powell who got the games first score on a 10-yard pass from Travis Santiago. The score was set up by an interception from Curtis Ortega giving the Chargers excellent field position at the Etiwanda eight yard line.
The rest of the first half belonged to the Eagles who happened to have a Santiago of their own, Angel. The Eagles’ Santiago ran wild and kept the Charter Oak defense off balance most of the first half calling his own number from three yards away to run the score to 13-7.
Angel Santiago also led two more scoring drives in the half that were capped by two 30-yard field goals by Vito Lucente.
Etiwanda’s Santiago was a one man wrecking crew getting it done through the air for 232-yards and a touchdown to go along with 135-yards rushing with a score.
The Eagle’s, who had deferred their option to the second half, came out right away to start the third period with a score. The drive was highlighted by Santiago who scrambled away from pressure and found Michael Sena. Sena turned up field and was gone for 75-yards to paydirt.
Down 26-7 it could have been easy for Coach Ferrar and the Chargers to remain conservative and keep everyone healthy for the beginning of Miramonte League play next week. That’s just not the Charter Oak style.
When Coach Ferrar was asked how the Charges were able to stage such a great comeback, he responded “we teach our kids to play until the final whistle blows. Even though we were down a few starters tonight, we don’t make excuses. We just keep playing.”
Charter Oak cut the score to 26-14 on a five yard run by Adam Muema with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. Muema, slowed by an injury sustained in the last game, carried the ball only 12 times for 51-yards and the score. The Chargers also turned to back-up quarterbacks Kyle Brown and Josiah Thropay to pick up the slack to the injury ridden receiving corp. Both responded. Brown had seven catches for 81-yard and Thropay two for 33. All nine catches between the two were keys to keeping drives alive.
Early in the final frame it appeared that the Chargers would cut the lead to five marching 78-yards down the field only to have the drive come up short. With fourth and goal at the two, Brandon Golden couldn’t get to the corner and Charter Oak gave the ball up on downs.
The Charter Oak defense stepped up in a big way and held Etiwanda to a four and out. The punt was shanked and went out of bounds at the Eagle 14.
The Chargers took full advantage of the field position as Charter Oak’s Santiago found who else, Powell who took it in from 14-yards away.
Trailing by five and the clock ticking away, the Chargers needed to get a stop if they were to have any chance of completing the comeback. And, a stop they did get.
Etiwanda marched down the field after the ensuing kickoff and appeared to be on their way to another score. Charter Oak’s defense held tight and forced the Eagles to set up for a 34-yard field goal. The 34-yard attempt seemed to be well within Lucente range but he hooked it left giving the ball back to the Chargers at their own 20.
Charter Oak finessed their way downfield scratching and clawing for every yard until finally arriving at fourth and ten at the Etiwanda 45.
With time running out, Santiago dropped back to pass and instead of looking just to get a first down, immediately fired the ball deep down the right side hitting Powell in stride. Powell did the rest avoiding a tackler and dove into the endzone for the game winner.
Powell’s stellar night concluded with six catches for 88-yards and three touchdowns, and interception and several how-do-you-do hits on Eagle receivers.
Charter Oak stays at home next week to open up league play against the Bonita Bearcats.
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