The Cornerstone Chargers opened their season at home with a 28-21 victory over Sumter.

But this contest was not as close as the score suggests. The Chargers scored on the first play from scrimmage on a 43-yard touchdown run by Avery Alexander.

And the home team led 28-6 in the third quarter.

Sumter scored 15 points in the final three minutes of the contest.

Cornerstone&8217;s Blake Etress scored on a 42-yard TD strike from quarterback Jake Horton. And Alexander accounted for other Charger touchdowns on runs of 42 and 4 yards.

Horton was three of four passing on the night for 67 yards and one touchdown and &8220;played pretty well,&8221; according to head football coach Tim Smith.

In something of an understatement, Smith said Alexander had a big night. He rushed 21 times for 180 yards and three touchdowns.

He also noted to play of Casey Perryman who carried nine times for 48 yards.

Rounding out rushing leaders, Jesse Silvers rushed eight times for 40 yards.

Etress caught one pass for 42 yards and a touchdown; Silvers caught one pass for 14 yards and Perryman caught one pass for 10 yards.

Defensively Kirk Robinson had 12 tackles, 10 solo; Kirk Johnson had 12 tackles, six solo; and Perryman had six tackles, two solo.

Alexander had one sack and Zach Ray forced a fumble.

Robinson and Patrick Shaw also had one fumble recovery each.

Horton missed one point after on the night, but that was made up by an Alexander and Perryman who made 2-point plays to round out the scoring.

Smith said he thought his team made huge strides from their jamboree game.

Following the contest Alexander talked about his offensive line. &8220;My line is the bomb. I can&8217;t help it. I mean they&8217;re good. That&8217;s what I say. Love them to death. I couldn&8217;t do it without them.

&8220;They were blocking good. I give all of the credit to them for real.&8221;

Cornerstone rushed for 284 total yards, passed for 67 yards, sacked their opponents for 10 yards; competed three of fur passes, punted one time for 36 yards and lost two fumbles