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Cornerstone turned in another complete performance as the Chargers posted six turnovers and 56 points to dominate Southern Prep and improve to 5-0. (For the Reporter/Mandy Sanders)

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

COLUMBIANA – The Cornerstone Christian Chargers continued their dominant start to the season with another complete performance on both ends of the field.

Cornerstone defeated the Southern Prep Fighting Rangers 56-8 on Sept. 20 at Cornerstone Christian School, and in the process, got to 5-0 on the season as it passed the halfway point in its schedule.

While the offense put up big numbers once again, the defense was just as important to the commanding win as it secured six turnovers.

Zeke Adams earned two interceptions and forced a fumble, Drake Dunning got a pick and a fumble recovery, Mason Hoehn had an interception and Cohen Hewitt forced a fumble and recovered one as well.

The Chargers got off to a flying start, racing ahead to a 30-0 lead early in the first half and built on it from there.

The offense kept its foot on the gas in the latter part of the second quarter, hitting the end zone on the ground with six minutes left, through the air four minutes later and adding another rushing score in the dying moments of the half.

A 2-point conversion run took the halftime score to 50-0, as the offense took advantage of a shutout performance by the Cornerstone defense in the first half.

With most of their damage done, the Chargers tacked on six more points midway through the third quarter with one last rushing touchdown to make the lead 56-0.

Southern Prep got on the board with seven minutes to go in the fourth thanks to a touchdown run and 2-point conversion, but that late score was all the Rangers could offer as Cornerstone cruised to another win.

Adams was responsible for five of the Chargers’ touchdowns as he went 6-for-10 in the air with 234 yards and three touchdowns and rushed the ball 11 times for 110 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of 2-point conversions.

Noah Schober made the most of his two receptions, scoring touchdowns on both of them for a total of 123 yards. Keaton Keef had three catches for 60 yards, Hatim Woods scored a 42-yard touchdown on his lone reception and Dunning caught one pass for 18 yards.

Three other running backs joined Adams in the end zone with touchdowns. Jackson Moore had 10 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown, Dunning scored a touchdown off five carries and 21 yards and Hewitt was responsible for the other rushing touchdown, going for 20 yards off three carries.

In addition, Jadon Dixon took six carries for 23 yards and Tivet Nolasco had a 2-point conversion run along with six yards off three carries, capping off a 486-yard day for the offense.

Hampton Etheredge led the defense with nine tackles. On top of their six combined turnovers, Adams had eight tackles and a sack, Dunning took five tackles and Hewitt and Hoehn earned four tackles apiece.

Cornerstone will have a bye week on Sept. 27 ahead of its final home game of the regular season, a rivalry battle with the Coosa Valley Rebels on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

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