On Saturday, Nov. 23, the Chargers faced off against #11 Slippery Rock in the first round of the Division II playoffs. New Haven entered the game with an 8-2 record, while Slippery Rock came in at 9-1. The Chargers won their second consecutive Northeast-10 Championship and hoped to extend their playoff run. In a hard-fought, defensive battle, Slippery Rock emerged victorious, defeating New Haven 14-7 in a game that went down to the wire.
The first quarter of the Division II playoff game between New Haven and Slippery Rock was a defensive struggle. Slippery Rock won the opening toss and deferred, giving New Haven the first possession, which ended in a three-and-out. The Rock then took over at their own 28-yard line and moved the ball efficiently, capped by a four-yard touchdown run from Kylon Wilson to give Slippery Rock a 7-0 lead with less than nine minutes in the quarter.
New Haven responded with a solid return by running back Jalen Smith, but their drive stalled again, resulting in a punt. Slippery Rock’s subsequent drive was slowed by penalties and a sack, and the Chargers got the ball back with just over a minute remaining. New Haven showed some life on the ground, with running back Justin Felder gaining 15 yards to the Slippery Rock 23-yard line, but the drive stalled as the quarter ended. Slippery Rock led 7-0 heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter saw both teams struggle to capitalize on opportunities, with penalties and turnovers disrupting drives. New Haven had a chance to tie the game early, but a 44-yard field goal attempt by kicker Josh Hamel was blocked. Slippery Rock then failed to move the ball on their ensuing possession, and after a fumble recovery by New Haven, the Chargers’ drive stalled due to penalties.
Slippery Rock also had a drive, reaching the New Haven 22-yard line, but Mason Yohn’s 39-yard field goal attempt missed wide right. New Haven responded with a few solid plays, including a 22-yard pass to Josh Zamot, but penalties and an illegal forward pass derailed their drive. Slippery Rock had one more possession before halftime, but their drive ended quickly, and the score remained 7-0 as the teams went to the locker room.
The third quarter saw both teams exchange touchdowns in a back-and-forth battle. Slippery Rock extended its lead early, marching 75 yards in eight plays, capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Long to C. Heckathorn, making it 14-0 with ten minutes remaining. New Haven quickly responded, putting together a 64-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Daelen Menard to wide receiver Mikey Caines, cutting the lead to 14-7 at 6:14. Slippery Rock’s next possession moved the ball to the New Haven 26-yard line, but the Chargers’ defense held strong, forcing a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass on fourth and four.
New Haven seemed poised to tie the game after a 59-yard pass from Menard to wide receiver Logan Schmidt, but Schmidt fumbled at the Rock 1-yard line, and Slippery Rock recovered for a touchback. Slippery Rock then moved the ball to their own 34-yard line as the quarter came to a close, maintaining a 14-7 lead heading into the final frame.
With the final quarter underway, the Chargers were down, and were on defense, looking for some momentum. The Rock were at their own 34-yard line, and were trying to get things going on offense, but they’re drive stalled due to a huge sack by linebacker Devin O’Malley on Brayden Long. After a decent punt, the Chargers started their drive on their own 16-yard line, but ended up going three and out, giving the ball right back to the Rock. After a 47-yard punt, the Rock ended up getting a small drive going, but it ended up stalling out, giving the ball right back to the Chargers.
The Chargers started to get things moving with a solid 15-yard gain through the air to Matt Chandler, as well as another 15-yards on the following play due to a pass interference call, moving the Chargers to the Rocks 46-yard line. The Chargers then drew in another flag moving them up ten more yards to the Rock 36-yard line. But the Chargers then stalled out, and on fourth down Menard’s pass was incomplete, giving the ball back to Slippery Rock. Throughout the remainder of the fourth quarter, both teams traded possessions, and weren’t able to get anything going, which led to the Chargers falling short, and being knocked out of the playoffs as Slippery Rock came out on top 14-7.
The Chargers weren’t able to secure the win and the season has come to a close. They captured their second consecutive NE10 Championship and solidified their position as the powerhouse of the NE10. For more information about the Chargers, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
