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The Illini West Chargers were unable to take advantage of their 2024 Homecoming crowd, falling to the visiting Macomb Bombers 21 – 6 last Friday at Fuzz Berges Field. The Chargers now fall to 0 – 3 in the 2024 season, while the Bombers improve to 3 – 0. The Chargers have faced an early season gauntlet as their three opponents are now a combined 9 – 0.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Bombers used a mix of run and pass to drive 60 yards for the game’s first touchdown and a 7 – 0 lead at the 9:25 mark of the second quarter.
The Chargers responded a couple of possessions later, as they took advantage of a short field to drive 35 yards for a score. The score came on a 12-yard run by Charger junior QB Ethan Carlisle. His TD run was set up by a driving 7-yard reception by senior wide receiver Tre Neiderman to keep the drive alive. The conversion failed to leave IW down 7 – 6 with 1:11 left in the first half.
Unfortunately, the Chargers failed to finish the half and allowed the Bombers to drive the field. Ultimately, Macomb scored their 2nd touchdown with :18 left on the clock to take a 14 – 6 lead into the halftime break.
The second half saw both teams mount drives in a scoreless 3rd quarter before the Bombers took advantage of a long run to set up the only score of the games final two quarters. The successful conversion put Macomb up 21 – 6 early in the final quarter and that is the way the game would ultimately finish.
The Charger defense played better overall in this game than in the first two contests, but still couldn’t get the key step when needed. A pair of first half interceptions by Charger defensive back Tre Neiderman and fellow senior teammate, linebacker Nick Johnson, helped keep the Macomb offense off the scoreboard early.
The Charger tackle chart was topped by senor linebacker Shawn Watkins with 10 total tackles (solo tackles and assisted tackles combined). Junior linebacker Ethan Carlisle and senior linebacker Nick Johnson both finished with 8 total tackles, while senior defensive end Roan Jackson, senior linebacker Justin Baxter and senior defensive back Tre Neiderman finished with 5 stops each.
The rest of the tackle chart saw seniors Brady Blanton, Carter Sanderson and Max Kinnamon with 3 tackles apiece, while fellow seniors Stephen Sparks and Coleman Gilpen with 2 tackles each. Senior defensive tackle Jaydyn Combites chipped in 1 stop.
The Charger offense was led by the legs and arm of junior quarterback Ethan Carlisle. Carlisle not only completed 11 of 23 pass attempts for 66 yards, but also rushed 20 times for 100 yards. The rest of the Charger rush attack bogged down for only 1 yard on 8 carries.
The Charger receivers were led by Neiderman with 5 catches for 31 yards. Sparks had 2 catches for 19 yards and Johnson had 3 receptions for 15 yards. Roan Jackson had a single grab for 1 yard.
The Chargers will return to action this week when they travel to South Fulton for a “get right” game for both teams. Both teams will enter the contest at 0 – 3 and hoping to alter the course of their season with a momentum building first win. Kick-off will be at 7:00pm.