Chantilly opens high school football season with 28-13 win over South County

When South County and Chantilly met to open last season, the tight matchup came down to the final nine seconds before the Stallions claimed victory. This time, however, Chantilly decided matters earlier.

The Chargers, a run-heavy team, threw for two second-half touchdowns Thursday night to avenge last year's loss with a 28-13 win over South County in Chantilly.

It took Chargers only 11 plays to score first on a 46-yard run by junior running back William Hill-Pensamiento, after the Chargers' defense held South County on its first possession.

Six minutes later, after South County slipped up on a low snap to its punter deep in its own territory, the Chargers scored again. This time junior running back Jimmy Hicks ran in from four yards and a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Chargers ran the ball at the Stallions, using four players to amass more than 100 yards rushing in the first half.

But a number of miscues on both sides allowed South County to close the gap by halftime. Both teams committed nearly a dozen penalties in a game that featured six fumbles, only two that were lost.

"Some of the stuff is first-game things that happen. We can clean them up; at least they're improvable things," Chargers Coach Mike Lalli said. "We just gotta take care of the ball a little better. Really, for my first game, this is one of my cleaner first games."

After two first-half rushing touchdowns, the Chargers relied on senior quarterback Carson Romine to pull ahead. His first touchdown came in the third quarter on a play-action pass to tight end Sean Huelskamp.

The final touchdown came with six minutes left, enough to make sure the Stallions couldn't mount another last-minute comeback. Recognizing a cornerback blitz, Romine changed the route and found Caleb Reinhardt streaking down the right sideline for a 36-yard touchdown.

Romine finished 10-for-17 passing for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

"Hats off to them, they played well," South County Coach Pete Bendorf said. "We played like a young team. We were very, very poor on special teams. Special teams-wise we were a mess."

South County, a playoff team last year, now features a younger lineup. The Stallions were led by junior running back Andrew Rector, who rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

The loss spoiled the return of senior defensive back Ronny Vandyke, who missed all of last season after shoulder surgery.

"I'm disappointed - not with our effort, just our execution," Bendorf said.