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The Illini West Chargers celebrated their 2023 Homecoming with a decisive 32 – 0 win over the visiting South Fulton Rebels this past Saturday.
The Chargers combined a strong running attack offensively, with a stout defensive effort to completely shut down the Rebels. The win now evens Illini West’s season and conference record at 2 – 2, while dropping the Rebels to the same mark.
The Chargers took the opening kick-off and needed only six plays to find the south end zone with their first touchdown of the day. They marched 57 yards on the ground and culminated the drive with a 9-yard run by junior halfback Nick Johnson. The conversion run failed, but the Chargers were off to a fast start and 6 – 0 lead after barely three minutes of play.
The rest of the half saw the two teams battle it out around midfield with neither team able to capitalize with points. The Rebels had their chances, but a big interception by Charger senior defensive back Lucas Finch turned away one South Fulton drive and huge 4th down tackle for loss by junior defensive end Roan Jackson ended another Rebel opportunity.
The Chargers had chances throughout the half to add to their 6-point advantage but hurt themselves with penalties and poor execution. Finally late in the 1st half they took advantage of a Rebel fumble deep in their own territory by Nick Johnson to finally put points on the board again.
Johnson’s recovery at the Rebel 17-yard line came with under two minutes to play in the half and the Chargers quickly capitalized. Charger junior quarterback Max Kinnamon hit Johnson with a 13-yard pass in the left corner of the north endzone for the Chargers second touchdown of the day. The Chargers conversion attempt was again turned away by the Rebels, but Illini West would take a 12 – 0 lead into the halftime break.
Coming out of the break, the Chargers forced a punt on the Rebels opening possession of the 2nd half and much like the first half, they quickly found the endzone on their initial procession of the second. Senior tailback Ian Bentzinger took a quick handoff up the middle, got good blocking from the interior of the Chargers offensive line, and then raced 48 yards to the score. This time the Chargers added the conversion on a run by Johnson and Illini West then lead 20 – 0.
The Charger defense would continue to hold the Rebel offense at bay throughout the remainder of the 3rd quarter and then the Charger offense got rolling again as the 4th quarter started, set up by a big interception by Charger senior linebacker Jorge Espinoza.
Espinoza’s pick-off set the Charger offense up deep in Rebel territory at the South Fulton 10-yard line. On the very next play Johnson would find the endzone on a nice run over the Illini West left guard and tackle spot. The touchdown run pushed the Charger advantage to 26 – 0, and a failed conversion would keep it that way.
The final Charger touchdown would come only a few minutes later when the teams would exchange fumbles and the Rebels would eventually get pinned near their own goal line. Electing not to punt from their own endzone, the Rebels attempted to pass on 4th down. The resulting incomplete pass left the Chargers with the football at the Rebel 6-yard line.
From there, Ian Bentzinger and the Charger offense would need only one run by the senior to find the Rebel endzone. That would set the game’s final score at 32 – 0 in favor of a very happy Homecoming faithful and their victorious team.
The Charger defense was the story of this day as they kept South Fulton from ever coming close to scoring in this contest. Strong play across the front and active linebacker and secondary play left little hope for the Rebel offensive attack to put together a scoring drive.
Junior defensive end Roan Jackson had a big day with 6 total tackles, including 2 big tackles for loss. Classmate Brady Blanton also had 6 tackles from his outside linebacker spot. Senior safety Bradley Miller posted 5 total tackles, while Nick Johnson, Jorge Espinoza, Ian Bentzinger, Thomas Chandler and Izik Jones were all credited with 4 tackles apiece. Also on the tackle chart with 3 tackles each were Lucas Finch, Shawn Watkins and Nick Huls. Ethan Carlisle, Tre Neiderman and Isaiah Knotts all posted a pair of tackles.
The Charger offense amassed 306 yards on this day, with 254 yards coming on the ground. The offensive line did most of the dirty work for this ground attack in paving the way for the Charger ball carriers to find ample space to operate successfully. The Illini West offensive line is comprised of senior center Nick Huls, senior guard Thomas Chandler, junior guard Shawn Watkins, junior tackle Johnny Ravenscraft, sophomore tackle Izik Jones, senior end Lucas Finch and junior end Stephen Sparks.
The Charger backfield was led by senior Ian Bentzinger’s 138 yards on 15 carries. Junior Nick Johnson added 7 attempts for 47 yards, while sophomore Isaiah Knotts had 8 rushes for 43 yards. Senior Bradly Miller added 2 attempts for 11 yards, Jorge Espinoza carried 3 times for 5 yards and junior quarterback Max Kinnamon picked up 4 yards on 2 attempts.
Kinnamon also passed the ball 8 times, connecting 5 completions for 52 yards. Senior end Lucas Finch had the big gainer for 30 yards, while Johnson had 3 catches for 21 yards.
The Chargers will return to action this Friday night when they host the Lewistown-Cuba-Valley High School co-op squad in a 7:00pm encounter. LVC comes in winless at the midway point of the season and the Chargers will hope to keep it that way.