1 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea Head Coach Todd Cassity gets a Gatorade shower after a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
2 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Morgan Barnes (26) scores a touchdown during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
3 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea defensive end Romello Cooper (9) makes a tackle for loss during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
4 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea wide receiver Aiden Hughes (8) runs after a catch during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
5 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracner (3) fights for extra yards during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
6 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) drags a pile of Pelham Panthers for extra yards during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
7 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea's offensive line gets ready for the snap during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
8 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea quarterback Miller Bauman (10) throws a pass during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
9 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea qide reciever Aiden Hughes (8) makes a diving catch during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
10 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) drags a Pelham defender for extra yards during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
11 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) scores the game-winning touchdown with 5 seconds left during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
12 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea offensive lineman Will Pohlmann (71) celebrates a touchdown with a coach during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
13 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) celebrates the game-winning touchdown with a coach during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
14 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea Head Coach Todd Cassity and Pelham Head Coach Mike Vickery shake hands after a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
15 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea players celebrate a win after a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
16 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea Head Coach Todd Cassity address his players after a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
17 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea captains Will Pohlmann (71), Aiden Hughes (8), John Jackson (14), and Gavin Hailstock (50) get ready for the coin toss before a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
18 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
The Chelsea dance team cheers on their team during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
19 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) runs with the ball during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
20 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea quarterback Miller Bauman (10) throws a pass to wide receiver Aiden Hughes (8) during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
21 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea center Adam Brooks (51) gets ready to snap the ball during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
22 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) is picked up by his teammates after scoring a touchdown during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
23 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
The Chelsea student section cheers on their team during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
24 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea Head Coach Todd Cassity confers with one of his coaches during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
25 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea RB Morgan Barnes during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
26 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea quarterback Miller Bauman (10) throws a deep pass during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
27 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea wide receiver Turner Simpson (15) catches a pass during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
28 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) breaks free on his way to the endzone during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
29 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea linebacker Ethan Prickett (4) sacks Pelham's quarterback during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
30 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) looks for a running lane during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
31 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea quarterback Miller Bauman (10) throws a pass during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
32 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea wide receiver Turner Simpson (15) fights for yards after a catch during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
33 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelse wide receiver Cohen Jones (16) turns upfield with the ball during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
34 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea huddles up before a play during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
35 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea defensive end Romello Cooper (9) fights off a block during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
36 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea nose guard Gavin Hailstock (50) looks to get past Pelham offensive lineman Griffin Marshall (69) during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
37 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea runs onto the field before a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
38 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea wide receivers CJ Durbin (7) and Aiden Hughes look for Head Coach Todd Cassity after a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
39 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea cheerleaders cheer on their team during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
40 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea kicker Luke Miller (17) kicks an extra point during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
41 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea running back Chase Stracener (3) runs with the ball during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
42 of 42
Photo by Richard Force
Chelsea defensive end Romello Cooper (9) celebrates a tackle during a game between the Chelsea Hornets and the Pelham Panthers at Ned Bearden Stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
PELHAM – Chase Stracener made the most of an opportunity for a career night on Friday. The junior running back was called upon again and again, totaling a staggering 42 touches, but none were more important than the final one.
The Chelsea High School football team was trailing Pelham 33-28 after a one-handed, 54-yard touchdown catch by the Panthers’ Jacob Gibbs and needed to drive 80 yards in 1:43 to win the game.
The Hornets steady mix of pass and run pushed the ball to the the 3-yard line with under 10 seconds to play. It was time to go back to the hot hand and Stracener scored the game-winning touchdown with only three seconds to play, barreling through multiple tacklers to give Chelsea (3-0, 1-0 Class 6A, Region 3) a 36-33 win.
“Chase is just different,” Hornets head coach Todd Cassity. “He doesn’t go down on the first hit. A lot of that goes to the weight room and that’s why he carries about three or four guys every time.”
Stracener finished with 308 total yards and four touchdowns.
“I knew I was going to have to carry some people,” said Stracener. “I like to make a statement. I felt like I had to keep on making statements throughout the game.”
Chelsea stormed out of the gate as Stracener received nearly every touch of the seven play first drive, racking up 58 yards on 6 carries, capping it off with a 3-yard touchdown run less than four minutes into the game.
Pelham (0-3, 0-1) responded with a pair of drives that resulted in 35-yard field goals by Jake Garner, the latter drive set-up by a Chelsea fumble on a low snap.
The Panthers took their first lead of the game midway through the second quarter. Sophomore quarterback Dylan Smith hit senior running back Kalib Porter in the flat that was sprung for a 79-yard score with a great block from sophomore receiver Marcus Arnold. Porter's speed took care of the rest as he raced down the left sideline to nab a 13-7 lead for Pelham.
The Hornets would retake the lead before the break. Senior signal caller Miller Bauman hit junior Turner Simpson with a dot down the left sideline for a 38-yard gain, then two plays later, Stracener ripped through the interior of the defense and raced into the end zone for a 24-yard score. Chelsea led 14-13 heading into the locker room.
The start of the second half featured a variety of weapons, as Bauman made four completions to three different receivers, and then Morgan Barnes took the final three touches of the drive. The junior running back punched it in from a yard out to extend the Chelsea lead to 21-13.
Pelham scored on its next two drives with Porter finishing an 11-play drive with a one-yard touchdown. Gibbs' other big catch of the night was a 53-yarder on the first play of the Panthers next drive, and Smith punctuated the drive with a 5-yard score to give Pelham a 27-21 lead with 8:16 remaining.
Chelsea answered with a long drive and Stracener scoring again from the 1-yard line, before Pelham would counter with the fantastic catch by Gibbs, in which he had a defender hanging on him, stuck his right-hand out to corral the pass in, and then shuck the defender to sprint away for the score.
“I had four of our starters come over to me (before the final drive) and say ‘we’re going to go score’ and I told them they were right,” added Cassity. “They never had any doubt that it was about to happen.”
Bauman completed 16-for-22 passes including his last four attempts on the final drive, finishing with 127 yards passing.
C.J. Durbin was Chelsea’s top target with 5 receptions for 51 yards receiving.
Gibbs led all players with 120 receiving yards on 4 catches, while his quarterback Smith was 10-for-17 with 276 yards passing.
The Hornets 3-0 start is their first since 2016, a year in which they made the 6A playoffs.
Pelham holds an 11-6 edge in the series following tonight’s loss.
Chelsea will be off next week and will have an extra week of preparation for Calera the following week at home, while Pelham will travel to face that Eagles team.
Click here to sign up for our Under the Lights newsletter and follow us on social media.
Click here to view and purchase photos from this week's games.
