A Tale of 2 Halves: Chargers Drop Another

Despite running out to a 14-0 lead and looking like there was nothing that could stop the Charger offense, things dried up in the second half. Findlay peeled off the next 17 points, good enough to hand Hillsdale its second straight loss of the season.

Last week at Indianapollis, the Chargers struggled to maintain very few drives, and faced 4th down and 2 early in Findlay's red-zone. Head coach Keith Otterbein rolled the dice and Phil Martin punched it in from 6 yards out to go up 6-0. Matt Mechinger added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Martin would continue a tremendous first half, giving Hillsdale a 13-0 lead with an 8 yard run midway through the second half.

The return of Matt Britton, and outstanding play from the entire defense played a big role in keeping Findlay's tailback Marcus Crawford in-check most of the game. Oiler quarterback Mike Leach was able to crack the Charger defense in the second quarter as he hooked up with George Ashman on a touchdown pass that would bring Findlay within 7.

Martin, who amassed 107 yards rushing in the first half and quarterback Aaron Scholl would get the Chargers close before intermission, but Mechinger could not convert a 24 yarder.

The second half was all Findlay as the Oilers adjusted and the Chargers lost Martin due to an ankle injury after just 8 yards of production. Scholl struggled throughout, ending the game with 3 interceptions and 3 fumbles. He was 11 of 23 passing for 107 yards.

Hillsdale never could find an answer as Leach would throw for another touchdown to tie things at 14 after 3 quarters. A fouth quarter Findlay field goal would prove to be the game winner 17-14.

Hillsdale drops to 0-2 on the year and 0-2 in the GLIAC. Ferris State comes to the 'Dale for a 2:30 PM Homecoming match-up next Saturday.