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James "Nick" Nicholas
Chelsea team captains receiver Nick Sulenski (13), guard Logan Sanders (58 and safety Drew Cheslock (16) during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Chelsea High School. Photo by James Nicholas.
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Oak Mountain running back Jacob Porco (3) is able to truck through the Chelsea defense, falling into the endzone for a touchdown during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
The Chelsea recevier Jaxon Shuttlesworth (17) fights for the pass in double protection by the Oak Mountain defense during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Chelsea receiver Jaxon Shuttlesworth (17) stretches out after a reception and being tackled by Oak Mountain defensive back Kylan Baker (5) during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Chelsea team Captains safety John Leith (13), guard Logan Sanders (58) and receiver Gamble Lester (16) during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Oak Mountain quarter back Will O'Dell (18) makes it into the Chelsea defensive secondary resulting in positive yardage during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
The Chelsea running back Emerson Russell (1) is able to find a wide open gap in the Oak Mountain defense during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Oak Mountain linemen Luke Parmer (72) and Bradley Haizlip (77) double team Chelsea safety Owen Key (5) opening a wide gap for their running back during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Chelsea receiver John Leith (13) with positive yardage after a reception during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Oak Mountain receiver Tristyn Vardaman (4) is able to turn on a dime to find the open gap during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Oak Mountain receiver Sawyer Smith (2) is able to avoid the first Chelsea defender for positive yardage during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
The Chelsea students section during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Oak Mountain quarterback Will O'Dell (18) scambles to the outside trying to keep the play alive during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
The Chelsea students cheer during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Chelsea’s football team awaits the introductions to run onto the field during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Oak Mountain running back Marty Myricks (1) takes the ball right up the A gap during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
The Chelsea running back Emerson Russell (1) holds onto the ball even after being flipped over by Oak Mountain’s defense back Drowdy Hackbarth (17) during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Chelsea players take time for a small prayer before a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Chelsea center Jacob Glidewell (56) waits for the signal to snap the ball during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Oak Mountain team Captains get ready for the coin toss during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by James Nicholas.
The Chelsea receiver Nick Sulenski (13) looks for a pass interfearence flag on the Oak Mountain defender but does not get one, during a game between Chelsea and Oak Mountain High School’s on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Chelsea High School, Chelsea High school Stadium in Chelsea AL. Photo by James Nicholas
CHELSEA – The game opened with the makings of an offensive slugfest, but it was the Chelsea High School football team’s defense and special teams that made the last statement.
The Hornets (2-2, 1-1 in Class 7A, Region 3) closed the first half with a blocked field goal that they returned for a 65-yard touchdown and ended their 21-13 victory over Oak Mountain with an interception to close out the game.
“We spent a lot of time on special teams this week,” said Chelsea head coach Todd Cassity. “On defense, we went a little softer in coverage after the start to not let them run by us. I am proud of our kids for not quitting and working hard all the time.”
Each team opened with quick scores on their opening drives. Chelsea marched down the field with Carter Dotson passing for 60 yards, while Emerson Russell finished the two-minute drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
Oak Mountain followed with an eight-play drive and scored in under four minutes. Jacob Porco punched it in from the 2-yard line to even up the score at 7-7.
The scoring stymied from that point. Both teams would cross midfield on a pair of drives, but neither could advance into the red zone.
The last scoring opportunity came at the close of the half as Oak Mountain (1-3, 0-2 in region) lined up for a 40-yard field goal. Anderson Brooks broke through the line for Chelsea to block the attempt, and Kenny Wesley caught the ball off the bounce and then raced to the end zone. The momentous play gave the Hornets a 14-7 lead at halftime.
The Eagles scored on their opening possession of the second half to close the gap to 14-13. A long drive was nearly derailed by a personal foul that forced a third-and-19. But Will O’Dell floated a pass downfield for freshman Jayden Aparicio for a 41-yard score. The extra point was missed with 5:10 left in the third quarter.
The two sides struggled on offense over the next 10 minutes of game time. Chelsea saw a 50-yard fake punt touchdown pass called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield, while Oak Mountain could only muster 10 yards on two more drives.
The Hornets took over to start the final frame and were immediately aided by a facemask. Russell would carry the ball four straight times to close out the drive, the last running off tackle to the left with such effective blocking in front of him, that he jogged the last 10 yards of his 15-yard score to extend the Chelsea lead to 21-13.
Oak Mountain had a pair of opportunities that were quickly thwarted. The Eagles were 2-for-11 passing following the touchdown pass, with the final pass intercepted by senior Brandon Sims to ice the game.
Russell finished with 152 total yards on 28 touches and the pair of scores.
Dotson completed his first seven passes of the game en route to a 12-of-21 day for 113 passing yards.
O’Dell finished 12-of-28 with a game-high 157 yards passing while adding a team-high 54 rushing yards.
“Offensively, we started off great but I need to watch the film to see what went wrong,” said Oak Mountain head coach Shane McComb. “Getting penalties on first down did not help.”
This was the 12th meeting between the two programs, with Oak Mountain holding a 9-3 advantage now that Chelsea has won the last two contests.
Each team faces stern tests next week. Chelsea travels to four-time defending state champion Thompson, while Oak Mountain welcomes Tuscaloosa County to town.
Check out all of our high school football photos from this week.
