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The Illini West Chargers football team is off to a difficult start to their 2024 gridiron campaign after falling short in the season’s opening two contests. The Chargers fell to state-ranked Farmington 33 – 0 in their opener and then suffered a rough game two loss to Elmwood-Brimfield, falling by a margin of 42-12. The Chargers 0-2 start puts them in a difficult spot heading into their week three contest with the visiting Macomb Bombers.
The Farmington game saw the Chargers move the ball well but came up short of the endzone due to turnovers and penalties. The Chargers rushed for 117 yards on 26 carries, with junior running back Ethan Carlisle leading the way with 47 yards on 10 carries. Carlisle actually played most of the game’s 2nd half at quarterback after senior signal caller, Max Kinnamon, suffered an injury.
The rest of the Charger’s rushing total included senior Nick Johnson with 28 yards on 8 carries, junior Isaiah Knotts with 30 yards on 5 attempts, and Kinnamon with 12 yards on 3 carries.
The Charger passing attack saw Kinnamon complete 5 of 7 attempts for 13 yards and Carlisle connect on 2 of 2 passes for 3 yards. The receptions were spread among Johnson, (3 for 10 yards), senior Stephen Sparks (2 for 7 yards), Knotts (1 for 2) and senior Tre Neiderman had a single grab as well.
The Charger defense played well in the first half, but was exposed some in the second half when they had to spend too much time on the field. Leading tacklers for the Chargers were Knotts with 7, Johnson with 6 and senior defensive back Kihle Stronger with 5. Also on the tackle chart were Roan Jackson (4), Sparks (3), Neiderman (3), Jackson VanFleet (2), Jaydyn Combites (2), Shawn Watkins (2), Brady Blanton (2), Evan Sanderson (1) and Izik Jones (1).
Senior Roan Jackson had the lone sack for the Chargers, while Kinnamon and Jackson also intercepted 1 pass apiece to help thwart Farmer drives.
The Elmwood game was definitely a game of two very contrasting halves. The Chargers battled the Trojans evenly in the 1st half as the score only favored Elmwood 14 – 12 at the intermission.
The second half was a different story, however, as Charger injuries combined with Elmwood’s powerful running game put an abrupt end to the Illini West hope of notching their first victory.
The Chargers amassed 216 yards of offense, with almost all of that coming in the games 1st half. Two long touchdown runs of 68 and 43 yards by junior running back Isaiah Knotts gave the Chargers a 13 – 7 lead midway through the 2nd quarter. Unfortunately Knotts was injured on the 2nd run, ending his night with 111 yards on just the two carries.
The Chargers run game also saw Carlisle with 36 yards on 8 carries, Tanner stronger with 1 carry for 7 yards, Grady Blue with 1 carry for 2 yards and Nick Johnson with a tough 4 yards on 8 carries.
The Charger pass game saw Carlisle complete 5 passes on 11 attempts for 56 yards. Tre Neiderman grabbed 4 passes for 46 yards, while Sparks had a single catch for 10 yards.
The Charger defense spent way too much time on the field as the ball control Trojans marched up and down the field. The Charger tackle chart reflects this with senior Shawn Watkins leading the way with 21 tackles. Others on the chart include Sparks (3), Jackson (10), Blanton (4), Johnson (5), Neiderman (4), Knotts (5), Khile Stronger (7), Baxter (9), Izik Jones (6). Carson Purdy, Grady Blue, Isaiah Geissler, Jadyn Combites and Chase Yelton netted 1 tackle apiece.
The Chargers return to action this Friday at home at Fuzz Berges Field. The Chargers will host the visiting Macomb Bombers, who come in undefeated at 2 – 0. The game will kick-off at 7:00pm and it will represent Illini West’s 2024 Homecoming.