Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — There was some good news and there was some bad news. And in the end, the bad news grabbed the headlines.

The Chesapeake Panthers had a good defensive effort but couldn’t overcome injuries, fumbles and penalties on offense as they lost 14-0 to the Oak Hill Oaks Friday in the season opener for both teams.

“Defensively, we played well enough to win,” said Panthers’ coach Andy Clark. “Offensively, we did everything we could to stay out of the end zone.”

The Panthers were inside the Oaks’ 20-yard line on six occasions and twice had a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line but failed to score.

A key factor was eight penalties for 60 yards. In fact, the Panthers had a touchdown called back on a penalty.

Chesapeake lost senior offensive lineman Quinton Harris — a returning starter — to a knee injury and was missing running back Nate Smith, who was out due to a thumb injury.

“With all the injuries, we had seven sophomores on the field at one time. But our kids played hard tonight,” said Clark.

Oak Hill got its first touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Garrin Stiltner to Elijah Starr with 8:20 left in the first quarter. The conversion kick failed.

The Oaks didn’t score again until Stiltner ran 6 yards for a touchdown with 1:19 left in the game. Willy Harris ran for the conversion.

The Panthers had 142 total yards with 94 coming on the ground. Chad Meadows carried 16 times for 69 yards.

Harris ran 14 times for 97 yards as the Oaks had 117 yards rushing. Stiltner was 5 of 9 passing for 68 yards.

Chesapeake hosts Wayne, W.Va., next Friday.

Oak Hill 6 0 0 8 = 14

Chesapeake 0 0 0 0 = 0

First Quarter

OH — Elijah Starr 19 pass from Garrin Stiltner (kick failed) 8:20

Fourth Quarter

OH — Garrin Stiltner 6 run (Willy Harris run) 1:19

—————

OH Ch

First downs 9 8

Rushes-yards 25-117 37-94

Passing yards 68 48

Total yards 175 142

Cmp-Att-Int 5-9-0 6-15-2

Fumbles-lost 3-2 4-1

Penalties-yards 2-15 8-60

Punts-average 1-32.0 1-39.0

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Oak Hill: Willy Harris 14-97, Elijah Starr 1-2, Matt Gilliland 8-25, Garrin Stiltner 1-6, team 1-minus 13. Chesapeake: Chad Meadows 16-69, Austin Stone 9-minus 4, Josh Browning 12-29.

PASSING—Oak Hill: Garrin Stiltner 5-9-0 68. Chesapeake: Austin Stone 6-15-2 48.

RECEIVING—Oak Hill: Chase Burdine 3-16, Jordan Fisher 2-33, Elijah Starr 1-19. Chesapeake: Andrew Saunders 5-45, Chad Meadows 1-3.