By JOSH ETHRIDGE/For the Reporter

CHELSEA — In their season opener on Aug. 29, the Chelsea High School Hornets had a hard-fought, emotional win against the Briarwood Christian Lions. They continued their win streak on Sep. 5 with another close win, this time against the Southside High School Panthers, 16-13.

The Panthers offense saw the field first against the Hornets but they only moved backwards, moving the ball minus seven yards on a three and out. Chelsea followed the Southside three play drive with one of their own.

The Panthers got on the board first with three minutes left in the first quarter. The score came on a 10-play, 52-yard drive, which included a fourth down conversion by Southside. After a blocked extra point the Hornets found themselves down 6-0.

Chelsea got on the board next, on an 80-yard drive. Southside committed an encroachment penalty, a late hit penalty and a facemask penalty during the Hornet possession. The penalties set Chelsea up to score on a two-yard run by quarterback Chase Wilson. The extra point gave them a 7-6 lead with just under seven minutes left in the half.

Southside’s troubles continued on the next drive as they snapped the ball into the end zone on a punt. The punter was only able to punt the ball to the Panther seven yard line. Chelsea cashed in on the short field by adding a field goal. The score going into the half was 10-6.

After a sloppy third quarter, for both teams, the Hornets were able to put six more points on the board. Zaylon Reynolds ran the ball in from 14 yards out giving Chelsea a 16-6 lead.

The Panthers were able to fight back on their next possession as they put together a 14-play drive, which ended with a 15-yard fourth down conversion, for a touchdown. The extra point cut the lead to three with five minutes left in the game.

Southside got the ball back one more time but were not able to put points on the board as the Hornets walked away with a 16-13 win.

“We didn’t play well early on, Southside’s got a great team and we got behind,” said Chelsea Head Coach Chris Elmore. “I’m proud of our guys for finding a way to get control of their game and their emotions and take the lead.”

Chelsea will resume action as the travel to Valley High School on Sep. 12.