Written by CULLEN SCHULTEIS
Chapel Hill High football blew out East Chapel Hill on Friday in their homecoming matchup, 35-7. Facing off against their district rival, the intensity was high for both teams, having to play in front of an overflowing crowd. With the increased stakes of a conference rivalry, the game was heated, as both teams felt pressure to secure the win to aid their record and gain pride over their opponent.
The game was a beatdown by the Tigers from the opening kickoff. The Tigers began by scoring the opening touchdown on a kickoff return made by No. 3 Dominic Miller. After that deflating start, East Chapel Hill had trouble gaining momentum throughout the first quarter, unable to combine a string of positive gains on offense. Chapel Hill collected a string of possessions without a score after their successful opening. On the Tigers sideline, teammates could be heard encouraging one another, practicing snaps, and yelling out plays for their peers on the field. At the five-minute mark in the first quarter Chapel Hill handed off the ball to reliable halfback Christian Brooks-McMillan, who swerved past multiple defenders, taking an open, outside lane to the end zone.
Although the Tigers dominated in the first quarter and led 14-0, the game was not secured yet. The beginning of the game displayed many flags, penalizing Chapel Hill repeatedly. Even after a series of strong plays, Chapel Hill was hindered by these consistent calls. With three quarters remaining, both teams had already shown the extent of what the game means to them, making verbal jabs at one another after tackles, and several close encounters of a scuffle breaking out. After a successful conversion for a first down, a Chapel Hill player was tackled into East’s sideline, causing a skirmish to break out. Chippy plays continued after this mass breakout, but they were much smaller, often between two individuals.
After turnovers committed by both sides for the majority of the second quarter, the Tigers handed the ball off to Brooks-McMillan who found a wide open lane for the touchdown with three minutes left. With time running down in the half, incessant flags resumed on both sides. Coaches, players, and fans were fed up to the point where even the announcer stated in an irritated tone, “a flag is called on the play…again.” In spite of the persistent penalties, the Tiger’s defense continued to stifle the Wildcats, not allowing an opportunity for East Chapel Hill to reach the end zone. The Tigers managed to squeeze in one more touchdown on a pass to receiver Michael Sanders with ten seconds to go in the half, and finished the second quarter up 28-0. East Chapel Hill continued to struggle, especially with their offensive consistency, having practically no chances at scoring, and conceding several turnovers off of downs.
Chapel Hill High football players and coaching staff walk off the field during the third quarter vs. East Chapel Hill High on Friday, Oct. 9. (Photo by Cullen Schulteis.)
Energy began to drop once the second half began. Students slowly emptied the bleachers, because of the landslide they were witnessing. The third quarter started the use of a running clock, allowing time to fly by with little chance of a comeback for the Wildcats. To further the score gap, Chapel Hill scored on a 50-yard running touchdown by Miller. The remainder of the quarter followed turnovers committed by both teams, but being down five touchdowns and less time than they had thought, chances for the Wildcats looked bleak.
Entering the final quarter, the game quickly fizzled out. In hopes of avoiding a shutout, East Chapel Hill persisted in their attempts to score, and threw a touchdown to receiver Josh Freeman with three minutes left in the game. The Tigers went on to run down the clock, finishing the job against their intra-city rival in front of their home crowd.
This matchup has put Chapel Hill at a 2-5 record, as they look to another conference matchup against Hillside High School on Friday, October 16. This loss puts East Chapel Hill at a 1-5 record, and they will play again at Northern Durham High School also on October 16.
Cullen Schulteis is a Chapel Hill High School student, who is contributing writer to Chapelboro. Find this piece, and more of Cullen’s work, on his Substack.
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