Photo by Mike Longo Jr.
Chargers Wide Receiver Ziggy McIntosh has a pass slip through his hands in the second half of the OLSH 34-7 loss to the Rochester Rams Oct. 2.WPIAL FOOTBALL WEEK 5
OLSH 7, ROCHESTER 34
-CLASS A WPIAL-
By Mike Longo Jr.
It's been said and written, "all good things must come to an end." Unfortunately for Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, nothing rang truer in the conference matchup against Rochester where the visiting Rams totally dismantled the Chargers 34-7, dashing hopes of an undefeated season.
Rochester has taken its lumps the last few weeks, having only six starters play against Union because of COVID-19 and injuries, followed by a cancellation against Burgettstown also stemming from virus concerns.
Not only did the Rams blemish the Chargers’ clean record, their romping victory also left a damper on the OLSH homecoming festivities.
Sporting a very young team that boasts both large offensive and defensive lines, Rochester had little problem taking control from the opening kickoff. The Rams scored on their first three possessions, with drives of 51, 46 and 45 yards.
The Chargers played from the backfoot for the first time this season and at intermission were down three scores, 20-0. Things didn’t get any better for the young Chargers during the second half, as Rochester continued to dominate offensively, punishing running backs, receivers and the quarterback at will.
OLSH did manage a few bright spots in an otherwise lackluster performance, finally getting on the scoreboard at the 9:47 mark of the third quarter. Receiver Dereon Greer caught a 52-yard pass from quarterback Neimaih Azeemand to erase the Chargers goose egg on the board. An interception by senior linebacker Gunnar Kieferthat stopped a Rams’ drive in the endzone for a final slice of redemption before the game closed out.
Time will tell if the young Chargers can bounce back or if this loss will prove to be the demise of the season with only weeks to go before the playoffs begin.