For just over three quarters of play, the Briar Cliff football team stayed within striking distance of an upset win over #21 Dordt. However, the Chargers couldn't capitalize in key moments of the game and fell to the Defenders 13-35 on Memorial Field.
 
"I appreciate how hard our guys fought against a very good opponent," said head coach Shane LaDage. "We had opportunities but didn't consistently capitalize and we let them pull away in the fourth quarter. To take the next step as a program, we need to learn how to take advantage of the opportunities we had today. Hats off to Dordt, we will be ready to take the field at Memorial again next Saturday."
 
The Charger defense bent but didn't break in the first half, holding Dordt to just seven points in six drives. The Defenders started drives on the Chargers' side of the field twice and made their way into BC territory in all six drives. The Chargers turned the Defenders over on downs twice, and Tim McCarthy came away with an interception on a Dordt trick play in the endzone. 
 
After another failed fourth-down conversion by Dordt, Luke Davies found Aaron Okoro for a two-yard touchdown. The touchdown play was set up by a big 34-yard reception by Kobe Johnson earlier in the drive. 
 
Dordt scored 14 straight to take a 21-6 lead heading into the final quarter. The Chargers crept into Dordt territory after a pair of completions from Davies, including a contested catch from Steven Whiting. Rolling out to his right, Davies found an open Okoro who took it 38-yards to the house. The Defenders scored 14 answered points to push the upset bid out of reach.
 
Davies completed 20-of-37 attempts for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson racked up 74 yards on three catches. Okoro hauled in seven receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns. 
 
For the second week in a row, Brayden Pommier-Williams led the Cliff defense with 13 tackles (seven solo) and 1.0 tackles for a loss. Winston Gassant had 11 tackles (eight solo) and Lakey Martin had one sack. 
 
The Chargers fall to 0-2 (0-1 GPAC) and will host Jamestown next Saturday at 1 p.m. on Memorial Field. Read Full Article