North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By John Smithson
The North Myrtle Beach Chiefs football team was on the cusp of another region win last Friday night but ended their home season at The Hank with another disappointing loss, this time to the St. James Sharks by a 20-17 score.
The Chiefs won the toss, deferred to the second half and kicked off to the Sharks. The Sharks Elijah Ochoa caught the ball at his four-yard line and evaded the Chiefs special team players as he ran 96 yards for a touchdown, the PAT was good, and the Chiefs were down 7-0 after 18 seconds off the clock.
The Sharks kickoff was fair caught by Jonathan Evans at the Chiefs 38. Will McNeely at quarterback took the snap on first down and sliced through the middle of the Sharks defensive line for a first down at the Chiefs 48. On the next play McNeely took off around the right side and scored the tying touchdown with his 52-yard run. Nico Miller reliably kicked the PAT.
With 10:47 on the clock the game was tied 7-7. Miller kicked off to the Sharks 13 and Ayden Smith returned the ball to the 18-yard line. St. James stayed on the ground for four of the next six plays as they moved the ball to their 33-yard line but the Chiefs knocked the ball away from an intended pass receiver and forced a punt.
The Sharks punt was short and out of bounds at the Chiefs 42, The Chiefs drove the ball to the Sharks 17-yard line, with McNeely running for three first downs in the drive. Mason Walker then lost four yards as he hit a defensive line wall of players. Reo Stevenson got two yards on a pitchout and Walker ‘s pass to the left side was incomplete. On fourth down at the 19 Miller was set to try a field goal. An illegal procedure penalty moved the ball to the Sharks 24. Miller nailed the 41-yard field goal anyway and the Chiefs led 10-7 with 2:38 left in the first quarter.
The Chiefs kickoff was returned to the Sharks 29, but a holding penalty moved the ball back to the 19. A Chiefs personal foul helped the Sharks to the 41-yard line, but three plays later the first quarter ended and after an incomplete pass on the first play of the second quarter the Sharks had to punt. A Sharks personal foul on the punt gave the Chiefs a first down at their 42, but the Chiefs offense and a penalty forced another Miller kick to the St. James 28.
The Sharks went on a 17-play drive, mixing up runs and passes by Alex Sandt to drive to the Chiefs 5-yard line. The Sharks scored on a two-yard run by Hayes Cochrane to take a 14-10 lead. The score remained that way after the Chiefs offense failed to get further than the Sharks 42. The Sharks ran three plays after the Chiefs punt and the end of the first half.
The Chiefs Reo Stevenson took the second half kickoff from his 11 to the 34 yard-line and the Chiefs began a 13-play drive with only one pass play. McNeely and Stevenson shared the running plays as the Chiefs drove to the 10-yard line, but were unable to get a first down on fourth down and 2 and turned the ball over on the 8-yard line, a missed opportunity.
After the Sharks went four and out from there, the Chiefs got the ball back on the Sharks 37. McNeely ran for eight yards and following a Stevenson two-yard gain McNeely ran for 9, 10 and 9 yards, the last run for a touchdown and the Chiefs lead of 17-14.
The Chiefs kicked off with :57 left in the third quarter and St. James began a drive into the fourth quarter. Sandt and the Sharks used six plays and two passes to Zack Zurwaski, one of 45yards and a scoring play of nine yards and a 20-17 St. James lead after the PAT was blocked.
The Chiefs last possession of the game followed. They began play on their 30-yard line after a 20-yard Stevenson kickoff return. McNeely ran for 17 yards and four more yards after that, but penalties and Sharks defense forced a punt from the Chiefs 45-yard line. Their last opportunity.
Miller’s kick went out of bounds at the Sharks 7-yard line, but Jordan Grant ran for 6, 30 and 15 yards advancing the ball to the Chiefs 42. The Chiefs couldn’t stop the Sharks and they eventually ran out the clock at the Chiefs 11-yard line.
McNeely had another great game, rushing for 202 yards on 22 carries and he scored both Chiefs touchdowns. Reo Stevenson carried 7 times for 30 yards. Nico Miller punted well and had a 41-yard field goal. He has a great future ahead as a kicker. Jasaun Bellamy, Jahsan Grace and Bricey Gore led the defense.
The Chiefs travel to Myrtle Beach on Halloween night for their final game of the regular season. The Seahawks are 6-3, 3-1 in the region and are currently second in the region. No easy one there.
