Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — Andy Clark got just what he expected. His Chesapeake Panthers also got their second win.

Clark was expecting a low-scoring, defensive struggle against the Alexander Spartans and that’s exactly what happened as the Panthers got a 9-3 win on Friday.

“I knew points would be at a premium,” said Clark whose team finished with 177 total yards. “I felt we could stop them, but I didn’t know if we could move the ball.

“They have a pretty good defense, the have good size, good speed and two good linebackers.”

The Panthers (2-0) turned in their own strong defensive effort by limiting the Spartans to 165 total yards. Chesapeake also forced the game’s only two turnovers as they recovered a fumble and Austin Browning came up with a diving interception.

Alexander (1-1) took a 3-0 lead on a 42-yard field goal by Kyle Howard with 2:57 left in the first half.

The Panthers later forced a punt and quickly moved to the Spartans’ 22 when Wesley Stephens booted a 39-yard field goal with four seconds on the clock to tie the game at the half.

After a long weather delay due to lightning, Chesapeake was able to put together the game’s only touchdown drive late in the third quarter.

The Panthers had a first and goal at the 2-yard line but lost a yard on the first play. J.W. Bartrum then ran 3 yards for a touchdown at the 3:54 mark and Chesapeake led 9-3.

The conversion kick failed.

“I was worried going back out after we sat for about two hours. I didn’t know what to expect. I sure they were thinking the same thing. It was an important win for us,” said Clark.

Casey McComas had 57 yards on 19 carries as the Panthers rushed for 144 yards. He was 3-of-8 passing for 33 yards including a 30-yarder to Bartrum.

Maccoy Brown added 39 yards on 10 tries and Bratrum had 34 yards on 10 attempts.

Spartans’ quarterback Connor Kimbrough was 7-of-12 passing for 65 yards and an interception. Mason Chapman ran 10 times for 31 yards.

The Panthers visit backyard rival Symmes Valley next Friday.

Alexander 0 3 0 0 = 3

Chesapeake 0 3 6 0 = 9

Second Quarter

Alx — Kyle Howard 42 field goal 2:57

Ch — Wesley Stephens 39 field goal 0:04

Third Quarter

Ch — J.W. Bartrum 3 run (kick failed) 3:54

——

Alx Ch

First downs 8 10

Rushes-yards 28-100 43-144

Passing yards 65 33

Total yards 165 177

Cmp-Att-Int 7-13-1 3-8-0

Fumbles-lost 1-1 0-0

Penalties-yards 8-65 4-20

Punts-average 4-40.0 5-34.0

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING —Alexander: Joey Barnes 6-33, Taylor Kimbrough 9-8, Mason Chapman 10-31, Lukas Thompson 2-23, Trent Bradbury 1-5; Chesapeake: Casey McComas 19-57, J.W. Bartrum 10-34, Ty Wilcoxon 4-14, Maccoy Brown 10-39.

PASSING — Alexander: Taylor Kimbrough 7-12-1 65, A.J. Marks 0-1-0; Chesapeake: Casey McComas 3-8-0 33.

RECEIVING — Alexander: Trent Bradbury 1-14, Lukas Thompson 3-40, A.J. Marks 2-16, Joey Barnes 1-minus 5; Chesapeake: Austin Browning 1-30, Ty Wilcoxon 1-3, J.W. Bartrum 1-0.