Cats Charge Chantilly with Loss 26-23
Win Tally Larger vs Chantilly Chargers
Published November 11 2006
Varsity Wildcats hosted the Chantilly Chargers for the 2006 Sully Bowl at Trussell Stadium. The hometown crowd witnessed the final game for the Class of 2007 as the Wildcats defeated the Chargers with a final score of 26 to 23. This victory allows the Wildcats to notch win number 14 in their unbroken tally of wins over the Chantilly squad.
Before
the contest members of the Class of 2007 were recognized
in the
Fall Senior Night celebration. Senior members of the varsity
squad were introduced along with their parents. Each proud family was sporting
photo-buttons and flowers as they met Principal Mike Campbell and Director
of Student Activities Jimmy Sanabria and then marched up the middle
of the field at Trussell Stadium. The ceremony continued with the introduction
of Fall athletes, cheerleaders, and members of the marching band that will
graduate in just a few, short months. Wildcat fans demonstrated their appreciation
for the Class of 2007 with roaring applause that filled the campus. Click
here to see photos of the Class of 2007 Varsity Seniors!
With the tribute to the Class of 2007 complete, it was time for the Varsity squad to take the field for the final contest of the 2006 season. The Chantilly fans and squad were pumped and ready to dish-out some pay backs after their defeat in the 2005 match-up. The game was a hard fought contest, with nail-biting moments right up to the final minute.
Centreville began the evening with a spark of energy in their first drive. They pushed the ball down the field and into the end zone as Brandon Davis ran the ball to the inside, left corner for the first Wildcat touchdown. Patrick Rosas sent the extra point calmly between the goal posts for a successful extra point. Just 3 minutes and 15 seconds of game time was spent, and the Wildcats take the lead with 7 over the Charger's zero. Chantilly ends a long drive with a punt back to Centreville, and our offense again takes the field. Don't blink! The offense has an extended huddle, then run to position, snap the ball when Brandon Williams bursts up the middle and rockets to another Wildcat touchdown. The extra point is good and the scoreboard blinks 14 to Chantilly's zero. The Chargers take possession of the football and are simply manhandled by the Centreville defense. After a sack and fumble, the Chantilly crew ends their drive with a punt to Centreville. Two Wildcat offensive plays and the first quarter ends with the score Centreville 14, Chantilly zero.
The second quarter was scoreless as each team takes turns punting the ball. The first half of the game ends with the score remaining Centreville 14, Chantilly zero.
The teams return with Chantilly receiving the kick. They orchestrate a drive that burns more than four minutes off the clock and ends in a touchdown for the Charger offense. An accurate extra point erases the Chantilly zero as the score clicks-up to Centreville 14, Chantilly 7. There's nothing like a Chantilly score to fire-up the Wildcat squad. They take possession of the ball and on the third down P.J. Dunegan passes the ball to Richie Staggers who jets more than 80 yards down the field for a Wildcat touchdown. With 7:22 still to play in the third quarter the extra point misses the target and the score is now Centreville 20, Chantilly 7. Quick-like, the Chantilly squad answers with a copycat drive and touchdown of their own, with a successful extra point. Now the score is Centreville 20, Chantilly 14.
Hold onto that seat, cuz the third quarter action ain't over yet! Wildcats maintain a firm grip on the football for a long, long drive with four first-downs the Centreville offense muscles the ball up the middle and into the end zone. An attempt to convert the extra point on the ground is thwarted, cranking the score up to Centreville 26, Chantilly 14. Chargers take possession of the kick, soon ending the third quarter with the score 24 to 14.
The Wildcat defense is pumped and powerful against the Charger offense. But the Chantilly crew finds a way to take advantage of penalty flags and dance around the 'Cat defense and into the end zone. Their extra is good and the score gets tighter at Centreville 26, Chantilly 21. Centreville then goes three and punt, with Chantilly following with another punt.
Very Tricky
This next drive gets interesting. Wildcats have possession of the ball deep in Charger territory. With 2:01 still to play in the game, Centreville sends the punt team onto the field. Scott Behne is in the end zone ready to boot the ball down the field. He takes the snap and simply steps back and out of the end zone for a Chantilly safety. The Charger score ticks-up two points to 23 next to Centreville's 26. This enables Centreville to sail a long kick off from the 20 yard line — making for more challenging field position for their opponents. Now the Wildcat defense has to battle strong, because they don't want the Chargers to score — it's a three-point game! Just a field goal will tie things up (and we had enough of that last week, didn't we?). With 1:50 still to play in the game there is no breathing on the Centreville side of the stadium. As we hold our breath the Charger squad is trying hard, but the combination of snappy Wildcat defense and Chantilly miscues leave them at fourth down and three yards to go. With nail biting on the sidelines the Charger quarterback sends the ball into the air, hitting the hands of this receiver... with an incomplete pass! Ok, you can breath now. With 54-seconds left to play, Wildcats take possession on downs and simply run-out the clock by taking a knee. Centreville finished their 2006 season with a close one and a Sully Bowl victory sporting a final score of 26 to Chantilly's 23.
Many Endings
This was a nice way to end the season for the Class of 2007, and for Coach Skinner. Earlier this week rumors were confirmed that Coach Mike Skinner will end his tenure as the head coach of the Centreville Wildcat football program with this game. Wildcat fans stormed the field to congratulate Coach Skinner and the Varsity football squad. The field was packed with players, coaches, fans and families to wrap-up another season and Coach Skinner's career as a head coach. Stay tuned to WildcatNation.org for more about Coach Skinner early in the week.
Coming Up...
Check back early next week to see photos from the game, the Senior Night celebration, and dig into game statistics — all coming soon!
