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The Chelsea Hornets proved the value of a determined run game and secured a 24-3 victory in their home game opener against the Mobile Christian Leopards on Friday, Aug. 23. (For the Reporter/Cari Dean)

By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – The Chelsea Hornets proved the value of a determined run game and secured a 24-3 victory in their home opener against the Mobile Christian Leopards on Friday, Aug. 23.

“I felt good about what we did on the defensive side,” Chelsea head coach Todd Cassity said. “Offensively, we made a couple of big plays and I thought our running game was really good.”

Chelsea made its intentions known early during the first possession of the game.

After a quick toss to Chase Stracener appeared to get him tangled in defenders around the Hornets’ 30-yard line, he miraculously squeezed his way past the Leopards’ defense to make an incredible run down the sideline.

From there, Chelsea continued to make solid offensive carries to inch closer and closer to the end zone before Stracener brought the team over the finish line after a 6-yard run to score the first touchdown in the game.

For the remainder of the first quarter, Mobile Christian mustered a response to the Hornets’ early touchdown by driving the ball back down the field. Junior Carter Lewis converted a 49-yard field goal to put the Leopards on the scoreboard and trim the deficit to 7-3.

In the second quarter, the Hornets continued to show their determination as they powered through the Mobile Christian defensive line.

Players like Morgan Barnes charged their way through the opponents, while a 16-yard pass from Miller Bauman to wide receiver Aiden Hughes set up first-and-goal.

Receiver CJ Durbin continued the effort with a successful carry as he waltzed toward the end zone before encountering some last-second resistance from the defense, cutting him short at the 2-yard line.

Determined to finish what he started, Durbin carried the ball for the Hornets’ final push as he toppled over the goal line for Chelsea’s second touchdown of the night. After a successful kick, the Hornets held a 14-3 lead.

The two teams traded fumbles shortly after, but Chelsea eventually earned the ball back and waisted no time capitalizing.

In the resulting drive, Bauman threw a gorgeous 49-yard pass to Hughes who stood all alone on the field before sailing into the end zone with no resistance.

That touchdown sealed the halftime lead for the Hornets as they went into the locker room with a 21-3 lead.

The second half of the game saw Chelsea’s defense try to stand tall and hold the lead, primarily focusing on shutting down running back Anthonio Brown and quarterback Damien Gatson.

“I thought we tackled pretty well,” Cassity said. “(Mobile Christian’s) running back is really good. I thought we got him on the ground. The quarterback is a good player and we were able to put some pressure on him to make him make some bad throws.”

Throughout the second half, the Hornets’ defense was up to the challenge and was able to neutralize the Leopards. The lone score of the period came from a 40-yard field goal courtesy of Luke Miller in the fourth quarter to finish 24-3 victory.

While this victory may have made for a picture-perfect home opening victory, Cassity already has his sights set on the future.

Stracener led the offense with 136 yards on the ground, 96 of which came in the first half, while Barnes added 58 more on the ground.

Bauman finished with right around 100 yards passing with Hughes being the top target at 77 yards and a touchdown.

According to Cassity, the team plans to take the season one game at a time. After this victory, the Hornets must shift focus to their next game against Wetumpka at home on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.

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