By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

A strong effort came up short for the Cornerstone Chargers, as they fell to the South Montgomery County Academy Raiders, 42-20, on Aug. 30.

Cornerstone, which only dressed out 18 players, held the Raiders to a scoreless tie through the first quarter.

The Chargers struck first, when Trevor Howell took a 3-yard run into the end zone to make 6-0 in favor of Cornerstone. The extra point attempt was no good.

The Chargers scored again in the third on a 71-yard Ian Briggs pass to Wesley Brown. The Raiders scored 21 in the third quarter to take a one-score lead going into the fourth.

The Chargers got on the board again when Briggs hit Dylan Brantley for a 19-yard touchdown pass, but it was not enough as the Raiders scored three more times to make the final score 42-20 in favor of SMCA.

Despite the tough loss, CCS head coach Tim Smith said he was proud of the way his young team played.

“(SMCA) had a few more players than us, and that was the biggest thing,” he said. “Our kids are getting better. They fought (hard).”

Briggs led the team passing, going 6-of-13 for 144 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Warren had 96 yards rushing. Dustin Wooley had four tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass break up. Wesley Brown, in his first game at middle linebacker, had seven tackles.

The Chargers will face Southern Academy at home Sept. 6.