By Duncan Nixon
Coach Mitchell Pace said that when you know you are better than the team you are playing, you must play like it.
In other words, do not play down to your opponents’ level.
That certainly didn’t happen in this game. The Flucos completely dominated the Chargers.
It started slowly for the Flucos. Their first touchdown came with 3:13 remaining in the first quarter. Sophomore Dhani Cook scored a short plunge up the middle, and Matteo Viscardi added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
The second quarter started with the Flucos marching down field. This time the touchdown came on a six-yard run by senior Garrett Jordan with 9:38 left in the half. A two-point conversion made it 15-0.
The Chargers fumbled the kickoff return, the first of several costly Charger turnovers. After an incomplete pass, Jordan shook off a couple of defenders and took it 45 yards for the Flucos third touchdown. Only eighteen seconds had ticked off the clock. The extra point was good, and the Flucos led 22-0.
After a couple of Chancellor first downs, they went for another first down on fourth and seven. A quarterback sack gave the ball back to the Flucos. The Flucos also tried for a first down on fourth down. They were much more successful, as Jordan ripped off another long run for a touchdown. It was his third of the night, and he now had seven touchdowns in two and a half games. A successful conversion made it 30-0, and no one doubted the outcome.
Chancellor started at their own 20-yard line after a kick-off into the end zone. The Flucos recovered a fumble on Chancellor’s 19-yard line. Junior Elijah Harris took it in for the Flucos’ fifth touchdown with less than a minute left in the half. The Flucos led 37-0.
Chancellor finally got on the scoreboard with a touchdown on their first possession of the second half.
The Flucos quickly responded. Senior quarterback Jack Pace passed to senior wideout Brody Shields for a sixth Fluco touchdown and a 44-6 lead.
On the Chargers’ first play, Fluco junior defensive back Caleb Ray made an excellent interception and an even better runback for another Fluco touchdown and a 51-6 score.
The Flucos then recovered a pooch kick-off. With Ray at quarterback, the Flucos promptly ran the ball in for a final Fluco touchdown.
Chancellor added two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter, the second of the two as time expired.
The Flucos are now 3-0 and have a big game coming up after their bye week. On Sept. 25, the Flucos host the always tough Louisa Lions, who won their first two games by only three points each.
On Oct. 2, the Flucos will be at Western Albemarle and then will be home on Oct. 9 to host the Monticello Mustangs in their Homecoming Game.
