By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Editor

CHELSEA – The Chelsea Hornets demonstrated the value of a determined running game, securing a 24-3 victory in their home opener against the Mobile Christian Leopards on Friday, August 23.

“I felt good about what we did defensively,” Chelsea head coach Todd Cassity said. “On offense, we made some great plays and I thought our running game was really good.”

Chelsea made their intention to dominate the pitch clear from their first possession of the game.

After a quick throw by quarterback Grant Propst, running back Chase Stracener appeared to be caught in the ranks of defenders at the Hornets’ 30-yard line, but miraculously he squeezed past the Leopards’ defense and made an incredible run down the sideline.

From there, Chelsea continued to deliver solid offensive runs and got closer and closer to the end zone before Stracener got the team across the finish line on a 6-yard run and scored the first touchdown of the game.

During the remainder of the first quarter, Mobile Christian managed to respond to the Hornets’ early touchdown by driving the ball back down the field. Junior Carter Lewis completed a 49-yard field goal to put the Leopards on the scoreboard.

In the second quarter, the Hornets continued to show their resolve as they broke through Mobile Christian’s defensive line. Players like Morgan Barnes fought through their opponents, while a 16-yard pass to wide receiver Aiden Hughes gave Chelsea a 1st and goal.

Receiver CJ Durbin continued his efforts with a successful carry and danced towards the end zone before encountering resistance from the defense at the last second, which cut off his goal at the 2-yard line.

Determined to finish what he started, Durbin carried the ball for the Hornets’ final drive, diving over the goal line to score Chelsea’s second touchdown of the night. After a successful kick, the Hornets took a 14-3 lead.

The remainder of the second quarter saw fumbles between the two teams, with Chelsea ultimately gaining the upper hand when defensive lineman Sam Trout recovered the ball as it sped across the floor.

On the following drive, quarterback Miller Bauman threw a dream pass to Hughes, who was all alone on the field and then sailed into the end zone without resistance.

This touchdown gave the Hornets the halftime lead, and they went into the locker room with a 21-3 lead.

The second half of the game saw a battle between Chelsea’s defense and Mobile Christian’s offensive talent, which included running back Anthonio Brown and quarterback Damien Gatson.

“I thought we tackled pretty well,” Cassity said. “(Mobile Christian’s) running back is really good. I thought we caught him on the ground. The quarterback is a good player and we were able to pressure him and he made some bad throws.”

During the second half, the Hornets defense managed to neutralize the Leopards, with the only point of the period being a 40-yard field goal by Luke Miller in the fourth quarter that closed the victory with a score of 24-3.

Although this victory may have ensured a picture-perfect success in the home opener, Cassity already has his sights set on the future.

Cassity said the team plans to take the rest of the season one game at a time. With this win under their belt, the Hornets must turn their focus to their next home game against Wetumpka on Friday, August 30th at 7 p.m.