The 2022 Chattooga Indian football season began on Friday night at The Little Big Horn Stadium in Summerville. The Indians welcomed the Lafayette Ramblers to town from neighboring Walker County. After a slow and sloppy start by both teams the ramblers seem to find more footing as they got their running game going. 377 of Lafayette’s 403 total yards were on the ground. The Ramblers Sophomore Sensation Khalas Finley amassed 257 yards on 19 Carries and 5 Touchdowns. The Rambler Line of scrimmage performance coupled with Finley’s big game spelt doom for the Indians. After Chattooga took an early 6-0 lead into the second quarter the Ramblers took control and the Final was Lafayette 42 Chattooga 12.

First Quarter

The Indians opened the game on offense after one run by #3 Zaden Perry for a first down. The Indians fumbled on an inadvertent snap that was recovered by the ramblers at the Indian 24 yard line. Just a few plays later the Rambler quarterback attempted to connect with a receiver in the back of the end zone but it was intercepted by Chattooga’s Sophomore DB #11 Quarry Gibson. Chattooga would go on a 11 play scoring drive that was capped off by a 28 yard Touchdown pass from #5 Brady Groce to #1 Billy Settlemoir. At the end of the first quarter the Indians led 6-0.

Second Quarter

The next quarter would start with a few turnovers by both teams. The Ramblers would start their next drive on the Indians 3 yard line. Two plays later Khalas Finley would take it into the endzone for one of his 5 rushing touchdowns. The very next play for the Indians was the 3rd fumble of the night. This time the Ramblers would take over on the Indians 17 yard line. Yet again the Indian defense would make a play this time on an Interception by Sophomore #12 Dan Meyer.  Unfortunately after a 3 and out and a short Indian punt the Ramblers #7 Austin Tucker gets in on the action with a rushing Touchdown of his own. After another Khalas Finley Touchdown the Indians would find themselves down 21-6 with just under a minute to go in the first half.  Chattooga would throw a tunnel screen and a few broken tackles later Chattooga Sophomore receiver #12 Dan Meyer found himself crossing the goal line from 60 Yards out. After a failed 2 point conversion the score went to Lafayette 21 Chattooga 12 at the half.

Click Image Below for Complete Highlights of the Game.

                   Chloe Peek (Chattooga Indian Football)

Third Quarter

Both teams started the next quarter with a failed possessions. The Ramblers second possession would only last 9 seconds. Just enough time for Khalas Finley to scamper 50 yards for the 1 play touchdown drive. That would push the score to 28-12 and would be the only scoring in the third quarter by either team.

Fourth Quarter

The Chattooga defense came up with another big stop on fourth and inches. The very first play on offense for Chattooga was a long pass caught one handed by #12 Dan Mayer. After a targeting penalty was assed on the Ramblers the Indians were all the way down inside the 20 of Lafayette.  The drive would stall and Lafayette would take over on their own 24 yard line. The ramblers would go on a drive that would be finished off on a 54 yard touchdown run by Khalas Finley. That would make the score 35-12 with just under 7 minutes left in the game. Chattooga would turn the ball over on downs and the ramblers would take over at the Indians 29 yard line. Lafayette would add the final points onto the board with the 5th Touchdown run by #4 Khalas Finley. That would make the Final Lafayette 42 Chattooga 12.

Next Week

The Lafayette Ramblers move to 1-0(0-0) and will play host to the Trion Bulldogs 1-0(0-0) next Friday 8/26. The Indians fall to 0-1(0-0) and will be off next Friday. Chattooga will be back in action the following Friday as they will host the Temple Tigers 1-0(0-0) on Friday 9/2.