Hilltoppers Survive First Baptist Upset Bid, Win 31-24 in OT

Chardon extended its winning streak to 31 games Saturday, taking down First Baptist Academy 31-24 in overtime. After trailing 24-17 and fumbling the ball with 3:10 to go, deep in their own territory, things looked bleak for the Hilltoppers. But, as has been the case during their streak, they found a way to come out on top.

 

First Half

After forcing a punt on the Lions first possession, Chardon drove deep into First Baptist territory until linebacker Rich Mellen picked off Alex Henry. With their second possession, the Lions put together a 69-yard drive, capped by a 34-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Crossan to Olsen Henry. After a blocked extra point, First Baptist took a 6-0 lead.

That lead would hold into the second quarter after both teams traded punts. On their first possession of the second, Alex Henry called his own number three straight plays for 74 yards, finishing it off with a 56-yard touchdown run to go up 7-6. The Hilltopper defense held strong and forced a bad punt, setting the offense up at the Lions 42.

Much like their last series, it was once again the Alex Henry show as the senior scampered in from six yards out, making it 14-6 Chardon. Late in the half, Andrew Bruce picked off Crossan and set the Hilltoppers up at the Lions 27. Unable to really get anything going, senior Joseph Evans knocked in a 48-yard field goal to make it 17-6 Chardon at the break.

Second Half

After forcing a punt to open the half, Lions QB Ethan Crossan was able to dink and dunk his way down the field. On their first redzone play, RB Jaden Booker rumbled in from 14 yards out for the score. First Baptist tried for the two-point conversion, but Chardon held strong, making it 17-12 Hilltoppers.

On the ensuing drive, Chardon drove all the way down inside the five, but the Lions held strong, getting a stop on 4th down and taking over on their own 1-yard line. When facing a defense, the caliber of Chardon, this situation is a nightmare for most teams. First Baptist is not “most teams.” One of the top programs in the state of Florida, the Lions marched down the field and scored when Crossan and Henry hooked up for their second score of the game, this time for 37 yards. They tried and failed again on the two-point conversion but took an 18-17 lead early in the 4th.

Crossan wasn’t done throwing touchdowns, as the sophomore found Jayden Pettit in the back corner of the end zone for a 24-17 lead. Facing a make-or-break drive, Chardon fumbled the ball on a double reverse and gave the Lions the ball at the 32. With only 3:10 to go in the game, First Baptist had a chance to ice the game. Instead, the Hilltoppers forced a punt, giving their offense one last chance to tie it up.

Taking over at their own 20 with just under three minutes, Chardon knew what they had to do. The Hilltoppers orchestrated a 14 play, 80-yard drive finished off when Alex Henry found Caleb Hewitt, who laid out for the four-yard touchdown. Despite there being under three minutes, Chardon was able to stick to their game and run the ball seven times on the drive. With the game tied at 24-24, extra time was needed.

The Hilltoppers would have the ball first in overtime and wasted no time, scoring in just three plays. Heath Fetchik would plow through the line for a one-yard score, his second of the game, giving Chardon a 24-17 lead. On the Lions first play, Trey Liebhardt read the eyes of the quarterback and picked him off, sealing the victory for Chardon. Pandemonium ensued as the team swarmed Liebhardt and Chardon extended its winning streak to 31.

First Baptist

With such a large winning streak, it can be easy to overlook the Hilltoppers’ opponents. First Baptist Academy is no slouch. In fact, they are one of the better programs in the talent rich state of Florida. Olsen Henry is off to Clemson next season and Jaden Booker holds offers from Michigan and Penn State. Even sophomore quarterback Ethan Crossan has an offer from Ole Miss. Chardon, a Division III team, has taken on teams in back-to-back weeks that are loaded with Division I prospects. Both times the Hilltoppers have walked away with the win.

Defense

Against such tough opponents, the Chardon defense has shined, and Alex Kisley is a big reason why. The 6’3, 229-pound senior has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and should have big schools come knocking in no time. With a dominant defense and a well-orchestrated Wing-T offense, the Hilltoppers seem poised for another state title run.

Next week

Things won’t slow down next week, as the Hilltoppers (3-0) head to Painesville to take on a tough Riverside squad. The Beavers (2-1) suffered their first loss of the season in a low-scoring 7-6 game at Mentor. Kickoff is set for 7 pm at Riverside High School Stadium.

Top Performers

 

First Baptist

Ethan Crossan: 10-18 184 yards 3 TD 3 INT

Jaden Booker: 20 carries 86 yards 1 TD

Olsen Henry: 7 catches 134 yards 2 TD

 

Chardon

Alex Henry: 3-11 64 yards 1 TD 1 INT           128 rushing yards 1 TD

Heath Fetchik: 9 carries 36 yards 2 TD         1 INT

Joseph Evans: 48-yard field goal       4/4 XP

 

Scoring Summary

 

1st Quarter

First Baptist 3:06- Ethan Crossan to Olsen Henry, 34 yards (kick blocked)

 

2nd Quarter

Chardon 9:45- Alex Henry, 56-yard run (Evans kick good)

Chardon 6:24- Heath Fetchik, 6-yard run (Evans kick good)

Chardon 0:17- Joseph Evans 48-yard field goal

 

3rd Quarter

First Baptist 5:50- Jaden Booker, 14-yard run (2pt no good)

 

4th Quarter

First Baptist 8:37- Ethan Crossan to Olsen Henry, 37 yards (2pt no good)

First Baptist 3:39- Ethan Crossan to Jayden Pettit, 13 yards (2pt no good)

Chardon 0:17- Alex Henry to Caleb Hewitt, 4 yards (Evans kick good)

 

Overtime

Chardon: Heath Fetchik, 1 yard run (Evans kick good)

 

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	OT	FINAL
First Baptist	6	0	6	12	0	24
Chardon	0	17	0	7	7	31

 

 

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