The Chattanooga Christian School Chargers made history Friday night in a 50-26 victory at Silverdale Baptist Academy. The win ensures that CCS will host a football playoff game for the first time.
“I’m really proud of the guys,” Chargers coach Mark Mariakis said. “We’ve told them all year to do something somebody’s never done before, and now they’ve done it.”
To do it, CCS (6-3, 5-1 Division II-AA East) had to overcome the persistence of Silverdale (3-7, 0-6). Seahawks quarterback Wade Jewell came out of the gate slinging the football, completing passes of 19 and 14 yards on the opening drive. The Seahawks capped off that first possession with a 22-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Cameron Bowen.
The home team held the lead very briefly as Chargers running back Jamichael Baxter broke off a 64-yard touchdown run on their first play from scrimmage. Baxter then ran for a 2-point conversion to give CCS an 8-7 lead.
“We have three or four guys who can take it to the house at any moment,” Mariakis said. “For Baxter to get back that score right away was big.”