Kirkland Hiawatha hangs on at Christian Liberty
Christian Liberty Academy came up with its best defensive game of the season, but it was not quite enough.
The Chargers were hurt by 5 turnovers in their 14-4 loss to visiting Kirkland-Hiawatha in Northeastern Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon.
"On defense we did a pretty good job," said Chargers coach Jim Calkins, whose team fell to 0-4 in conference and overall play. "We were able to put pressure on their quarterback. This was one of those fun games were you're in the game the whole way."
The Hawks (1-3, 1-3) went up 7-0 when Angel Hernandez (16 carries, 142 yards) wove his way through the defense for a75-yard touchdown run with 3:13 left in the first quarter.
A fumble recovery by Catron Puckett at the Hawks' 40-yard line set up Brad Baxter's 7-yard reception from freshman quarterback Mike Mercado and a 14-0 lead with 9:10 left in the first half.
From that point, the Chargers shut down the Hawks' offense.
Tylor Canoy blocked a Kirkland-Hiawatha punt at the Hawks' 9, and the ball went out of the end zone for a safety, cutting the lead to 14-2 with 2:40 left in the half.
The Chargers' subsequent drive fell 1 yard short at the Kirkland 21 as Christian Liberty gave up the ball downs just before the half.
Four interceptions in the second half by the Hawks kept the Chargers off the board.
Christian Liberty received another safety when Kirkland-Hiawatha punter Mark Mlodzianowski ran out of the end zone, making the score 14-4 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Chargers marched to the Hawks' 9 line late in the game but a fourth interception stopped the drive.
Mike Wood rushed for 66 yards in 9 attempts and also stood out on defense.
"We really wanted to win this one," said Wood. "We did our jobs on defense. We just need to keep building our confidence."
"I thought our defense did a nice job holding them down," said Hawks coach Sean Donnelly.
Early penalties also hurt the Chargers. Three illegal procedures hurt Christian Liberty field position on their first possesion.
"We've got to get our passion and heart going early in the game," said Calkins. "When our offensive blocking shows up, Wood and Dan Glad (8 carries, 55 yards) can pick up the yards."
The Chargers, who host Mooseheart next Saturday, outgained Kirkland 167 to 152.