Chambersburg Cardinals reach GDFL title game
By CHRISTINA METHNER For Public Opinion
For longtime Chambersburg Cardinals fans, the 45-8 victory over the previously undefeated Henry County (Ga.) Horsemen at Trojan Stadium on Saturday night might have seemed like dejá vú.
The Cardinals captured the Gridiron Develomental Football League's Xtreme Conference championship and will travel to Atlanta to play for the GDFL title Saturday against the Oklahome Thunder in their quest for back-to-back championships.
Weathered fans will remember Chambersburg's history of minor league football excellence. The team capured nine straight championships from 1977-1985 and won 72 games in a row during that span. Current coach Chad Fauson said that continuing the Cardinal legacy is what his team is striving to do.
"I hope so," he said when asked if fans would be reminded of the Cardinals' former dominance. "Twelve years ago when I started with this organization, it was our intention of getting it back to where we thought it should be. Because of the dedication and hard work of our staff, players, coaches and the community, it's finally paying off."
Chambersburg came out swinging, as Jerell Jones returned the opening kickoff 39 yards and set the Cardinals up for a five-play, 50-yard drive which culminated with a 14-yard pass from Anthony Gardner to a wide-open Ronald Dawkins for the first score of the night.
Stephen Link added to the lead with a 23-yard field goal. Despite giving up a safety to Henry County, the Cardinals led 10-2 at halftime
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thanks to its dominating defense, which allowed just 54 total yards during the first half and collected five Horsemen turnovers.
To open the scoring in the third quarter, Gardner tossed a five-yard pass to Dawkins, who lunged untouched into the end zone.
"That play was designed with a fake block," Dawkins said. "While they thought I was lined up as a blocker, I ran wide open for the score. Our O-line did a great job; they're our core and where it all starts. We wouldn't be able to get the ball out if it wasn't for them. I give them all the praise in the world."
Gardner and Dustin Mowen used elusive footwork to run for scores, and Gardner later connected with Gary Stackfield for a 19-yard TD.
Chambersburg dominated until the end when Louis Corum recovered a fumble and returned it from five yards out to close the evening's scoring.
"Our defense put us in good position to win; they're crazy good," Fauson said. "Dawkins showed his colors tonight and Gardner is just a natural playmaker. We're going down to Atlanta with the intention of winning. It's gonna be a battle."
Dawkins agreed and thinks his team has what it takes to bring home another championship.
"We gotta make sure we execute to the best of our ability," he said. "But if we do that, I don't think there's any team that can beat us."
Chambersburg 45
Henry County 8
Henry County 2 0 6 0 -- 8
Chambersburg 10 0 14 21 -- 45
First Quarter
C -- Ronald Dawkins 14 pass from Anthony Gardner (Stephen Link kick), 13:15
C -- Link 23 field goal, 7:48
H -- Bobby Johnson safety, 5:04
Third Quarter
C -- Dawkins 5 pass from Gardner (Link kick), 11:50
C -- Gardner 11 run (Link kick), 7:24
H -- Greg Patterson 14 pass from Charles McCullum (run failed), 2:33
Fourth Quarter
C -- Gary Stackfield 6 pass from Gardner (Link kick), 12:48
C -- Dustin Mowen 30 run (Link kick), 12:20
C -- Louis Corum 5 fumble recovery (Link kick), 1:06
TEAM STATISTICS
HC Chbg
First downs 11 11
Rushes-yds. 23-27 27-79
Passing yds. 163 115
Total offense 190 194
Passing 18-32-3 12-21-0
Fumbles-lost 4-2 0-0
Punts-avg. 6-41.1 5-43.2
Penalties-yds. 13-93 9-99
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING -- HC, Brandon Shelby 6-23, Antwan Moore 6-10, Tiquintin Morrell 1-2, Dae Spence 3-0, Tonio Beardon 1-(-1), McCullum 6-(-7). Chbg, Keon Lattimore 8-43, Mowen 2-32, Gardner 6-6, Mike Kelley 3-2, Craig Heyward Jr. 6-0, Joshua Finafrock 2-(-4).
PASSING -- HC, McCullum 18-32-163-3. Chbg, Gardner 11-18-68-0, Finafrock 1-3-47-0.
RECEIVING -- HC, Beardon 7-73, Patterson 2-30, Shelby 3-25, Jonathon George 3-23, De'mon Glanton 3-12. Chbg, Garrien Johnson 2-52, Jerell Jones 3-33, Dawkins 2-19, Stackfield 1-6, Ivan Randolph 2-5, Heyward 2-0.
INTERCEPTIONS -- Chbg, Anthony Roberts, James Rockymore, Donald Defrand.
XTREME CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS -Chambersberg Cardinals
IMPACT CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS -Oklahoma Thunder