BY MARK WINDHAM/For the Reporter

CHELSEA— Chelsea celebrated its homecoming Sept. 27 in big fashion as the Hornets downed Tarrant, 51-18. The win helped Chelsea improve to 2-3 on the season.

Taylor Martindale got the Hornets off to a good start when he blocked a Wildcat punt to give Chelsea the ball deep in Tarrant territory.  Chelsea only needed three plays to score as quarterback Trent Hagin scored on a keeper from seven yards out.  Martindale added the PAT to give the Hornets an early 7-0 lead.

Chelsea benefitted from a bad Tarrant punt on their next possession to extend their lead.  Hagin connected with Adam Holliday in the front corner of the end zone on a 3 yard pass.  Martindale’s PAT made it 14-0 Hornets.

The Hornet defense held the Wildcats to another three-and-out on their next possession.  The Hornet offense only needed three plays to score.  Austin Washington scored on an impressive 29-yard scamper and Martindale’s third PAT of the night gave Chelsea a 21-0 first quarter lead.

After Tarrant drove 80 yards for a touchdown, Martindale helped the Hornets extend their lead to 24-6 when he connected on a 37-yard field goal.

Chelsea continued its quick-strike scoring as they covered 46 yards in only 3 plays.  Washington scored his second touchdown on the night as he scored on a 22-yard touchdown run.  Martindale’s PAT made it 31-6.

Hagin and Holliday connected for their second touchdowns of the night to help Chelsea extend their lead to 37-6.  Washington’s third touchdown run of the night closed out the scoring in the first half as Chelsea built a 44-6 lead.

The second half saw a lot of younger players for the Hornets.  Freshman quarterback Matthew Marquet scored on a 22-yard run.  Austin Bailey added the PAT to close out the scoring and give Chelsea a 51-18 victory.

Chelsea coach Chris Elmore was happy with his Hornets after the victory.  “We’ve had a little adversity the first half of the season, but the guys have stayed together and had a good week of practice,” Elmore said.  “I’m proud of our seniors being able to get a big win on homecoming.”

Chelsea rolled up 428 yards of offense on the night.  Trent Hagin completed 11-16 passes on the night for 121 yards and touchdowns. Austin Washington led the Hornets ground attack with 61 yards on five carries and three touchdowns. Adam Holliday caught two passes for 9 yards and two touchdowns.  Josh Pugh added two receptions for 53 yards.