The tone was set early on Friday afternoon by the Wilcox Chargers. On just the second play from scrimmage, Chargers linebacker Sebastian Davila sacked the Homestead quarterback for an eight-yard loss.
“Sebastian is my defensive captain and he’s earned it,” commented Chargers Head Coach Anthony Herrera. “He’s one of those guys who knows every position on the field, he knows where everyone is supposed to be and he’s one of our more vocal leaders. He watches film almost as much as I do. A lot of his success comes from his preparation. He takes it really serious. His work ethic puts him in position to make big plays for us.”
While the Chargers offense saw their first drive stall on a turnover on downs, they bounced back quickly on their second drive. A long 30-yard pass completion from quarterback Geremy McCollough to wide receiver Miguel Pallares got the drive started. McCollough followed that up with a couple of nice quarterback runs before Diego Castillo capped the drive off with a short touchdown run from his tailback spot.
After a fourth-and-short stop by the Chargers defense, starting running back Aaron Ah Sing took over the game. Ah Sing carried the ball six times on the next drive for 40-yards, finishing it off with a short touchdown run up the middle. The Chargers also utilized Isaiah Flores on the ground game on the drive, as the Chargers’ two-headed monster dominated on the ground.
“They are pretty nice to have, it’s a luxury to have guys like them,” acknowledged McCollough on Flores and Ah Sing. “They work well with our offensive line. Our offensive line opens up holes and they find them. I don’t think anyone can really tackle them.”
Leading the way in opening up the holes was right tackle Osiris Niko.
“We made a couple of mistakes early, but we just focus on our game and work as a team,” recalled Niko after the victory. “Our second drive was a lot better. Isaiah and Aaron are amazing, I’m glad to have them on our side.”
While Homestead would cut the lead to 14-7 with a long touchdown reception, the Chargers quickly proved that to be a fluke. On their next defensive drive after going up 20-7, Wilcox forced a fumble, returning the ball to the offense. The first play of the ensuing drive saw McCollough and Joey Sanchez connect for a completion over the middle about 10-yards down field. Sanchez would then scamper all the way to the end zone for a 53-yard touchdown. With the score 27-7, the rout was already going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Flores, who also kicks the extra points, started carrying the load offensively. On the Chargers’ first play of the second half, Flores took a handoff 43-yards to the house to increase the lead to 43-7.
“I’ve been kicking my whole life, since I was about seven,” noted Flores on his place kicking duties. “But linebacker is my main position.”
As a left-footed kicker, Flores likes to watch long-time Oakland Raiders left-footed kicker Sebastian Janikowski.
Flores, Ah Sing, McCollough and the rest of the JV Chargers have two more games remaining in their quest to win the league. A rivalry game next week against Santa Clara will proceed what is likely to be a league-deciding game against Palo Alto. The Vikings are also undefeated heading into their final two contests.
