CHURCHILL 43, LEE 7

Quick take: It was a first half of horrors for LEE as four costly turnovers led to a quick Churchill start and a comfortable 43-7 win for the Chargers Friday night at Comalander Stadium.

Highlights: The first half was a nightmare for the LEE offense as they racked up more first downs than the Chargers but four costly interceptions led to 21 points for the Chargers.

Leading the Churchill defense was junior defensive back Casey Elswick, who picked off three Isaiah Carrillo passes. The first two set up Churchill’s offense for quick scores. Elswick returned his first interception to the LEE 29yard line. One play later quarterback Christian Smith took the ball in for a run around the left side. The senior signal caller was nearly tripped but managed to keep his balance and give the Chargers a 7-0 lead.

LEE looked to have some momentum going on its third drive of the game. The drive got kickstarted with a fake punt on fourth and 9. Carrillo found Jeremiah Shelton for a first down to keep the drive alive. But the drive came to a halt at the Chargers’ 15 when Carrillo fumbled.

Elswick picked off Carrillo again. This time at the Chargers’ 46. He raced down LEE’s sideline down to the 6-yard line.

Two plays later Michael Doty found the end zone for Churchill. Both scores were the Chargers’ first two first downs for the game.

On the Volunteers’ next drive, Gavin Castro was the recipient of LEE’s third interception of the first half. Castro picked off Carrillo at midfield and returned the ball for what appeared to be a score, but an illegal block negated the touchdown run. The penalty only delayed the inevitable. The Chargers’ offense marched 41 yards for a score, and Smith capped off the drive with a 1-yard plunge.

Elswick’s third interception of the half came with 17 seconds left. Smith found Castro for a 44-yard pass, but a 41-yard field goal attempt came up short.

Churchill’s Michael Doty took the opening handoff of the second half for 31 yards. A 32-yard run by Caleb Harrison set up the Chargers at the 1-yard line. Smith took the final play of the drive over the goal line to give Churchill a 27-0 lead.

LEE’s offense was able to get on the board on their next possession. Starting at its own 19, the Volunteers rode the running of junior Oscar Castro-Gonzalez, who accounted for 37 yards on the drive. Castro-Gonzalez finished the drive with a 3-yard run through the right side of his offensive line.

The Chargers were able to get on the board again at the start of the fourth quarter when Smith scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the game. This time taking it in from 24 yards out to give Churchill a 34-7 lead.

The Chargers’ final touchdown of the game came with 5:37 remaining. Gavin Castro caught a 32-yard strike fromSmith on a third-and-7 behind the Volunteer’s defense. Churchill’s defense finished off the game with a safety of LEE’s backup quarterback near the end of the fourth quarter.

Game balls: Elswick was the star of the first half for the Chargers. The junior defensive back recorded three interceptions that set up two Churchill touchdowns.

Smith led the way for the offense. The quarterback accounted for 203 total yards of offense and had a hand in five touchdowns (four rushing, one passing). Churchill’s running game had 245 yards on the ground in the game.

LEE was led by Castro-Gonzalez. The junior had 116 yards on the ground with one touchdown.

Up next: LEE hosts Clark 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Churchill plays MacArthur the following day at 7 p.m.. Both games will be played at Comalander Stadium.