Oct. 24, 2003 – The Charlotte Amalie Chickenhawks proved Friday that they are indeed contenders for the championship crown. With a narrow 8-0 victory at Lionel Roberts Stadium, CAHS did not blow the Ivanna Eudora Kean contingent out of the water — but a resolute defense held the Devil Rays at bay.
The game began with an ugly kickoff by the Chickenhawks that traveled but five yards. Despite the weak kick, the CAHS defense pounded the Devil Rays on their first possession, forcing a punt. The Chickenhawks were unable to follow up on offense and quickly went three-and-out.
For all of the first quarter and the majority of the second, the two teams traded the ball back and forth, neither able to push hard enough to score. But the Chickenhawk defense kept the Devil Rays at the other end of the field long enough. Charlotte Amalie quarterback Darren Jenson found Malachi Hennis on a touchdown pass halfway through the quarter, and the Chickenhawks converted for two.
From then on, the Devil Rays were forced to play a game of catch-up as they frantically tried to score a touchdown. The second half saw Kyla Lamotta, the Devil Rays' quarterback, scrambling in the backfield for every inch he could gain. Unfortunately for Kean, it was too little too late, and the Chickenhawks held their ground for the victory.
When asked what had changed with the Chickenhawks, CAHS head coach Robert Massey said: "We were embarrassed, and we wanted our pride back."
Massey had said before the game, "If we don't do it tonight, we're finished." Something in his words must have sunk in.
The Arawaks lie on the horizon, and since they have yet to give up even a touchdown, they are the ones to beat. Will the underdog Chickenhawks come back to win after their previous 44-0 defeat, or will they fail to scratch the spotless Arawaks? Will the Devil Rays take their defeat lying down? Or will they to rise to the challenge of the Arawaks?
In a few weeks, we will know the answers.
Editor's note: Antilles High School senior Marcus Jackson is a member of the Arawaks football team.
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