Hornets fall to Benjamin Russell

The Chelsea High School football team dropped its home region opener to Benjamin Russell Friday night at Chelsea High School, 27-0, and remains winless for the season. Yet, at times, it was evident the Hornets (0-4, 0-2 Class 6A, Region 3) are close to breaking through, as the defense continually bent, but didn’t break, and kept the game within two scores until the fourth quarter.

“I have to do a better job of getting our guys ready to play; the defense played well again, but we have to score at some point and do a better job on offense, which I take full responsibility for,” Chelsea head coach Chris Elmore said.

The first possession of the game proved to be a microcosm of the entire contest, as the Hornets’ defense quickly forced a three-and-out. The tide abruptly changed, however, as Benjamin Russell (3-0, 2-0) pounced on a muffed punt return and was in business at the Chelsea 22.

Hakeem Stanford picked up a sack and the Hornets defense stood strong, placing the Wildcats in a precarious fourth down situation. Opting to attempt the fourth down conversion instead of a 46-yard field goal, Benjamin Russell quarterback Landon Cotney lofted a 29-yard touchdown pass to put the visitors on top and erase the early momentum.

The turnover bug for the hosts would not dissipate, however, as Chelsea would fumble for the second time in the half on just their second offensive series — at the Wildcats 22-yard line — to nullify a scoring opportunity. Their next offensive possession ended with a 5-yard punt, which Benjamin Russell capitalized on nine plays later via an 8-yard touchdown scamper by Landon Cotney.

The Hornets would commit their third and final fumble of the half late in the second quarter as the offense struggled to find a rhythm.

“You can see when you turn on the film and watch the game that we are close, we just have to find a way to eliminate the mistakes and string together some good plays and gain confidence, which I don’t think we have much of right now and I need to do a better job of preparing our guys,” Elmore added.

Senior defensive back Reid Burleson stopped the visitors opening drive of the second half with an interception with his foot on the goal line, and Chelsea marched down to the Wildcats 16-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.

Following another turnover in the fourth quarter, Benjamin Russell was able to ice the game on a 1-yard scoring plunge to stretch the lead to 20-0, which was set up by a 65-yard rush on the preceding play.

Chelsea finished with more first downs (14) than Benjamin Russell (9).

Freshman running back Collier Blair paced the Chelsea offense with 63 rushing yards, while quarterback Turner Griffin had 122 passing yards. His favorite target was junior wide receiver Reggie Fisher (three receptions, 43 yards). Defensively, Stephen Fant chipped in a sack.

“I know we are off to a slow start, but I think our offense is about to step up and we are confident the defense will keep playing well,” Burleson said.

Chelsea returns to action next week in another home region contest against Pelham.