by BRUNSWICK, Ohio – For the Division III State Semifinal against Tiffin Columbian, Chardon was the visitor at Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium. Chardon head coach Mitch Hewitt and his squad was not pleased with being treated as the visitors, despite being the top-ranked team in Division III.
“We had motivation this week after feeling slighted for receiving 400 instead of 900 tickets for the game tonight,” said Hewitt. “We have been the top team in Division III all year and to get the locker room and visiting stands, it was more motivation.”
By the end of the night, the visiting sideline and stands didn’t matter. For the first time in 22 years, the Chardon Hilltoppers are headed back to the state championship. The Hilltoppers have a date at Fortress Obetz next Saturday (Nov. 21) for the Division III title.
On Friday (Nov. 13) night, the Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes ran into a tornado – the Chardon Hilltoppers. Chardon left no doubt as they ran to a 47-7 win at Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium.
Behind a huge rushing attack led by James Pettyjohn and a suffocating defense, Chardon punched their ticket to Columbus for a title shot.
In a moment that summed up the night, Pettyjohn busted off a 69-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game. Chardon took the 7-0 lead and never looked back.
Chardon’s defense came up with two takeaways on the first two drives. Kevin Doyle came up with a pick on Columbian’s first drive. After Chardon turned the ball over with an interception, Gavin Silfe scooped up a Columbian fumble as Chardon took over in Tornadoes territory.
Pettyjohn struck again from 35 yards away for his second touchdown of the game. Five minutes into the game, Chardon led 14-0 over the Tornadoes.
Gavin Silfe recovered a Tornadoes fumble. Three plays later, Pettyjohn runs for 6! 35 yard TD as Chardon leads 14-0! 7:05 left in 1st Q. pic.twitter.com/oVZXtkeYTo
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 14, 2020
On a night where Chardon’s defense brought pressure from all ends, Drew Gardner capped a three and out with a sack deep in the Columbian end of the field.
Starting on the edge of the red zone, Chardon used three plays to cash in on a score. Drew Fetchik scored on the keeper from 13 yards out. Chardon’s lead expanded to three scores in the first seven minutes.
Drew Fetchik takes the keeper 13 yards out for a score. Chardon up 21-0 with 4:45 left in first quarter. pic.twitter.com/kRyZPOBmyU
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 14, 2020
Following a punt, the teams exchanged turnovers for the second time in the quarter. Chardon lost a fumble but Cade McDevitt quickly got the ball back on an interception near the end of the first quarter.
Nathan Tager made it 24-0 Hilltoppers as he nailed a 33-yard field goal in the opening minute of quarter #2.
Nathan Tager adds a 33 yard field goal for Chardon. 24-0 lead for the Hilltoppers, 49 seconds into the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/KrHKLQDNKj
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 14, 2020
Tiffin Columbian was plagued with bad field position on kickoffs throughout the first half. After the field goal, Tiffin Columbian was backed up to the four-yard line. Chardon forced an intentional grounding penalty after applying pressure in the end zone. Chardon had all momentum and a 26-0 lead with 10:58 left in the second quarter.
Like a good running squad does, Chardon used a ground-and-pound attack to chew the field and the clock. The Hilltoppers ran 8:12 off the clock with a 16 play, 84-yard drive. Pettyjohn capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run, his third score of the game.
James Pettyjohn scores from 4 yards out. 33-0 Chardon with 2:46 left in half. Hilltoppers just went 16 plays, 84 yards in 8:12. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/YvftugnTSW
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 14, 2020
Chardon’s third turnover of the half led to the only scoring play for the Tornadoes. A fumble, the second one of the night, gave the ball to Tiffin Columbian with 90 seconds on the clock. Brayden Roggow connected with Bryce Roggow on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Hilltoppers held a 33-7 lead at halftime.
Tiffin Columbian turned the ball over on downs on the first second half drive. Chardon capitalized with a score to activate the running clock for the 11th time this season.
Drew Fetchik with the effort! 19 yard keeper and Chardon has set the clock to run. 40-7 Hilltoppers with 6:34 left in 3rd quarter. pic.twitter.com/hZp2osSlfy
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 14, 2020
The Tornadoes faded out and turned the ball on downs with two minutes left in the third quarter. One play later, Pettyjohn notched his fourth touchdown of the night, a 68-yard run through the Tornadoes’ defense.
A scoreless fourth quarter allowed Chardon to bask in the glory of a 47-7 win in the D3 State Semifinal.
For the first time since 1998, Chardon is headed to the state title game. Final: Chardon 47, Tiffin Columbian 7 pic.twitter.com/MnZenOtBnT
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 14, 2020
When Chardon returns to the field for the State Championship, it will be a little different for Hewitt. He was a player on the 1998 team that was a runner-up, now he’s taking his alma mater to the title game, looking for redemption and a second title for the Hill.
“As good as our offense looked on the scoreboard, we turned the ball over three times in the first half, added Hewitt. “That’s not going to get it done next week. Our defense has been really rock solid all season long, super hard to score on.”
Chardon’s offense totaled 466 yards on 66 plays in the contest, including 459 yards on the ground. The rushing game was fueled by Pettyjohn, who had 16 carries for 231 yards and four touchdowns. Fetchik had 14 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns on the ground along with one pass for seven yards.
“He’s a special kid and definitely one to root for. It makes it so much better and easier to see him he has the success he does. He has so much talent and vision. He’s been so steady this year and I think that’s a sign that he has matured,” said Hewitt regarding his running back.
Tiffin Columbian finished with 121 yards total on offense. For the Tornadoes, the rushing game was non-existent as they had -30 yards on 17 attempts. Two quarterbacks totaled for 151 yards. Logan Beaston started the game and completed four of 13 yards and 27 yards (one interception). B. Roggow connected on ten of 29 passes for 124 yards, scoring one touchdown while throwing an interception.
The Division III Championship game will take place on Saturday, November 21st at Fortress Obetz. Chardon (11-0) will play St. Francis DeSales (9-1) at 7:00 PM. St. Francis DeSales was victorious 23-13 over Kettering Alter.
Great Article Tyler!.