Charter Oak Remains Elite Team In Area With 35-28 Victory

The Charter Oak Chargers were heavy underdogs against a Roosevelt  High School team that are considered a powerhouse in the Inland Valley, but the Chargers managed to outslug their visiting opponents to come away with a 35-28 non-league win.

The Chargers (2-0) intercepted Roosevelt quarterback Brandon Rogers three times in the final quarter and scored two touchdwons thanks to quarterback Travis Santiago who continued his impressive play early in the season with a scoring pass to Aaren Vaughns, who raced 82 yards down the sideline.

Santiago then inflicted damage to the visiting Mustangs (0-1) on the ground, leading a scoring drive which culminated on his 6-yard touchdown run with 5:21 to play. It turned out to be the game winner, even though the Mustangs had one last breath of life, down 35-28.

That was stamped out by a great defensive play as Rogers hauled off a pass from his own 19 yard line which Vaugh read perfectly on defense and picked off with 41.3 seconds left to seal the win.  

After the Mustangs scored the first touchdown on a quarterback keeper by Brandon Rogers, the Chargers answered back on a drive that started at their own 40 yard line and aided by a penalty, positioned themselves for a potential score.

Kurt Scoby scored the first touchdown of the game for Charter Oak, a 5-yard scoring run which evened up the game at 7-7.

The Chargers took a 14-7 lead with a little more than 5 minutes left in the second quarter on junior Aaren Vaughns’ 8-yard touchdown catch, but Roosevelt came right back to tie the game on a long touchdown pass from Rogers to senior wide receiver Brandon Zuiedema

"We may live in the San Gabriel Valley, but now they know who Charter Oak is," coach Lou Farrar told his team after the win. "Your character and scrappiness and heart is what makes you a champion. I am very proud of you."

"I am very happy that they played four quarters," said Farrar. "We view the game as a tactical situation, and if we do things right the score takes care of itself. We just play to eliminate mistakes. My coaching staff makes great adjustments."

Farrar said even though the Mustangs are considered an elite team in the area, the Chargers were not afraid to play them. "We're a pretty scrappy team."

Charter Oak will be on the road next week against Esperanza. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 P.M.