Days like this...

Van Morrison sang, "When there's no one complaining, they'll be days like this" and Tuesday was just one of those days. From the opening drive it just seemed like everything the kids did was just, well... right.

Chattooga arrived with a 2-1 record having just lost to traditional powerhouse Model by just 6 points and even outscoring them on offense 8 to 7. It would be Pepperell's greatest test of the young regular season. It would also be our first game played after school during the week, having played our first three outings on Saturdays. There were a number of questions about how the kids would perform given the circumstances they were facing. Those concerns would be quickly dispersed with the opening drive.

A high snap and a quick recovery saw Chance Hopper dart around the end for a big game on a broken play carrying the team deep into Indian territory. A couple of plays later Hopper would make an 'alert' call changing up the offensive play to take advantage of the defense's alignment. The call put big number 7 into motion to clear the way for Payden Newberry's seven-yard carry into the endzone to start the scoring.

A quick three and out for the defense and a short punt by Chattooga set Pepperell up at the 34-yard line to begin their next possession. It would be another short but fruitful one as Chance Hopper broke containment and found nothing but green synthetic grass ahead of him for his first rushing touchdown of the season. Christian Sandoval would tack on the extra point giving Pepperell the 13-0 lead early in the 1st quarter.

One of Chattooga's few highpoints ensued on the following kickoff as a misalignment by Pepperell's special team left an open gap. Number 1 for Chattooga fielded the deep kick by Sandoval found the crease and sprinted the 80-yards to the endzone. A two-point conversion left the score at 13-8.

A solid return set Pepperell up at the 46-yard line to start their next drive. Again, Pepperell would strike quickly on the Hopper's second long touchdown carry of the afternoon, covering all 46-yards in one play. Sandoval added the extra point giving Pepperell a commanding 20-8 lead that they would not relinquish.

Everything worked well, including the special teams, as Dwight 'Tre' Chatman blocked not one but two punts on the day. The first punt block coming early in the first quarter resulted in another Pepperell score as Blayze McCary scooped the ball and scored from Chattooga's 10-yard line. The defense would give up just one score on the day and forced several turnovers including a fumble recovery by Tyler Barkley and an interception by Dawson Towe.

Payden Newberry and Chance Hopper both recorded rushing touchdowns in the second half to stretch out Pepperell's lead. Ryder Hoggencamp, who has developed into a reliable threat for Hopper and the offense, closed out the scoring on a deep route to the back of the endzone. Pepperell closed out the game behind some hard-nosed running by Cole Beard behind great blocking from Aycen Nichols, Nic Kinney, Kohen Treglown, and Mekhyi Hicks.

The final score Pepperell 48-8 over Chattooga. Next up: Model @ Model High School