Chelsea drops region opener, shows improvement

By Chris Megginson | For the Reporter

WETUMPKA – Chelsea dropped its Class 6A, Region 3 opener Friday at Wetumpka, 44-22, to fall to 0-3 on the season.

The Hornets fell behind early, 14-0, but pulled within a touchdown, 14-7, on a 31-yard pass from Alec Little to Lando Nichols in the first quarter.

Wetumpka (3-0) scored 21 straight points in the second quarter to pull away from the Hornets. JD Martin scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, three total in the first half for Wetumpka, to extend the Indians’ lead to 28-7. A Tyquan Rawls 32-yard pick-six made it 35-7 with 4:11 remaining in the first half.

The Hornets scored their second touchdown with 2:14 to play in the first half on a 10-yard run by Kendrick Simpson. Collier Blair punched in the 2-point conversion.

“I thought we played better at times on offense. We still couldn’t get out of our own way at times,” said Chelsea Coach Chris Elmore. “We had moments where we played well on defense but they have a really good team and made some big plays in key spots.”

Martin, who rushed for 61 yards, scored his fourth touchdown run in the third quarter and Wetumpka added a 34-yard field goal to lead 44-15. Lionel James scored the Hornets’ final points with a 23-yard touchdown run from Maurice Marsh with 3:25 to play in the game.

Blair led the Hornets’ offense with 53 yards rushing on 15 carries, followed by Marsh’s 42 yards rushing and Simpson’s 21 yards.

Reid Burleson led the Hornets’ defense with six solo tackles.

Chelsea (0-3, 0-1 Region 3) will host Benjamin Russell on Sept. 15.