Welcome to Overbrook Chargers Football : Game Summaries : 2003

Chargers Shocked

A lack of urgency has finally caught up to the defending Del-Val champs as they fell in the semi-finals to an inspired Conshohocken Steelers team 10 - 7 Sunday at Papa. Playing as if the Steelers were just going to lay down, the Chargers offense played arguably their worst game of the season. Missed blocks, poor play calling and a lack of execution spelled doomed from the very first play of the game.

On the first play after the opening kick-off, Charger QB P.J. McCray had his dump pass tipped at the line and intercepted on the Chargers 8-yard line. Refusing to yield the defense held and forced a field goal. Surely the first series would provide a wake up call to the offense, but no dice as they went 3 and out and gave the Steelers excellent field position. This time the Steelers took advantage and marched 38-yards to pay dirt to take a 10 - 0 lead after just 7 minutes into the 1st quarter.

From that point on, the Chargers offense played as if they had never played together before today. The offensive line and running backs failed to pick up blitzes and when they did, McCray failed to connect with his weapons of Foxworth, Johnson and Couch. The running game was non-existent as the Steelers defense played the like to 1986 Bears. The offense failed to sustain any drive and if not for a great defensive effort this would have turned into a rout.

Going into half time down 10-0 and facing the chance of losing their title on their own field, the Chargers need to make some much needed adjustments if they were going to advance back to the championship game.

The Chargers defense bent a few times, but failed to break holding the Steelers on their own side of the field the entire second half but got no support for the offense. Heading into the 4th quarter it was now or never for the defending champs.

Forcing the Steelers to punt deep inside the own 10 - yard line, WR Shawn Foxworth returned the kick deep into Steelers territory. After a holding penalty and a sack the Chargers faced a 4th and long, needing to score they went for and connected on a first down to Foxworth who also drew a pass interference call. The Chargers season was still on. Two plays later RB Paul Northern scored from 8-yards to make the score 10-7 with less than 3 and half minutes to play. After a huge kick-off by K Greg Cox stuck the Steelers inside their own 15, the defense held strong again forcing a 3 and out, with 2:35 left in the game. Could the Chargers keep their season alive?

After a great return by Northern gave the Chargers the ball in Steelers territory, the stage was set for a come back. However it was not meant to be as Northern was stripped of the ball on a failed reverse. It seemed the entire Steelers defense was involved in the tackle and they stood him up and forced the ball loose. It was questionable if his forward progress was stopped before the ball came out, but the call stood, Steelers ball. Again it was up to the defense to get the ball back with the season hanging in the balance. After using their last two time-outs, the defense failed to stop a key 3rd down conversion and the Steelers had the win and a spot in next week's championship game.

The Chargers who lacked that killer instinct all season failed to put away a team they should have had no problem beating. Although beating the Steelers 3 straight times, the Chargers needed to bring their A games to defeat this veteran team in this situation. The scored clearly indicates that, if the team plays like they should no team can beat them. The Steelers played as hard as they could and only managed to hang on to a 3 - point victory. Not taking any credit away from the Steelers for a well played game, but the Chargers lack of focus and execution especially on offense gave them the game. The talent mismatch was clearly to the Chargers advantage but that doesn't matter when you don't work.

All in all it was a good season with the Chargers going 7-1 in the regular season and making the semi-finals for the 4th year in a row. Over the last 4 seasons the Chargers have a regular season record of 26-8 and a playoff record of 5-3 with one Championship.

Please come out and support the Del-Val 2003 Championship Game next Sunday, site TBD with the Conshohocken Steelers vs. Northwest Giants, in a rematch of the 2001 title game.

Stay tuned to this site for upcoming events and Chargers team news. Any players interested in playing in the 2004 for season, contact us at the information listed in the mission section of the website.

Thanks for all of your support and we'll be back next year to re-claim our title!

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History Staff Schedule Roster Sponsors Contact Us	Chargers Shocked A lack of urgency has finally caught up to the defending Del-Val champs as they fell in the semi-finals to an inspired Conshohocken Steelers team 10 - 7 Sunday at Papa. Playing as if the Steelers were just going to lay down, the Chargers offense played arguably their worst game of the season. Missed blocks, poor play calling and a lack of execution spelled doomed from the very first play of the game. On the first play after the opening kick-off, Charger QB P.J. McCray had his dump pass tipped at the line and intercepted on the Chargers 8-yard line. Refusing to yield the defense held and forced a field goal. Surely the first series would provide a wake up call to the offense, but no dice as they went 3 and out and gave the Steelers excellent field position. This time the Steelers took advantage and marched 38-yards to pay dirt to take a 10 - 0 lead after just 7 minutes into the 1st quarter. From that point on, the Chargers offense played as if they had never played together before today. The offensive line and running backs failed to pick up blitzes and when they did, McCray failed to connect with his weapons of Foxworth, Johnson and Couch. The running game was non-existent as the Steelers defense played the like to 1986 Bears. The offense failed to sustain any drive and if not for a great defensive effort this would have turned into a rout. Going into half time down 10-0 and facing the chance of losing their title on their own field, the Chargers need to make some much needed adjustments if they were going to advance back to the championship game. The Chargers defense bent a few times, but failed to break holding the Steelers on their own side of the field the entire second half but got no support for the offense. Heading into the 4th quarter it was now or never for the defending champs. Forcing the Steelers to punt deep inside the own 10 - yard line, WR Shawn Foxworth returned the kick deep into Steelers territory. After a holding penalty and a sack the Chargers faced a 4th and long, needing to score they went for and connected on a first down to Foxworth who also drew a pass interference call. The Chargers season was still on. Two plays later RB Paul Northern scored from 8-yards to make the score 10-7 with less than 3 and half minutes to play. After a huge kick-off by K Greg Cox stuck the Steelers inside their own 15, the defense held strong again forcing a 3 and out, with 2:35 left in the game. Could the Chargers keep their season alive? After a great return by Northern gave the Chargers the ball in Steelers territory, the stage was set for a come back. However it was not meant to be as Northern was stripped of the ball on a failed reverse. It seemed the entire Steelers defense was involved in the tackle and they stood him up and forced the ball loose. It was questionable if his forward progress was stopped before the ball came out, but the call stood, Steelers ball. Again it was up to the defense to get the ball back with the season hanging in the balance. After using their last two time-outs, the defense failed to stop a key 3rd down conversion and the Steelers had the win and a spot in next week's championship game. The Chargers who lacked that killer instinct all season failed to put away a team they should have had no problem beating. Although beating the Steelers 3 straight times, the Chargers needed to bring their A games to defeat this veteran team in this situation. The scored clearly indicates that, if the team plays like they should no team can beat them. The Steelers played as hard as they could and only managed to hang on to a 3 - point victory. Not taking any credit away from the Steelers for a well played game, but the Chargers lack of focus and execution especially on offense gave them the game. The talent mismatch was clearly to the Chargers advantage but that doesn't matter when you don't work. All in all it was a good season with the Chargers going 7-1 in the regular season and making the semi-finals for the 4th year in a row. Over the last 4 seasons the Chargers have a regular season record of 26-8 and a playoff record of 5-3 with one Championship. Please come out and support the Del-Val 2003 Championship Game next Sunday, site TBD with the Conshohocken Steelers vs. Northwest Giants, in a rematch of the 2001 title game. Stay tuned to this site for upcoming events and Chargers team news. Any players interested in playing in the 2004 for season, contact us at the information listed in the mission section of the website. Thanks for all of your support and we'll be back next year to re-claim our title!
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