VIRGINIA BEACH—Isle of Wight Academy started the 2007 football season with a target on its back.

The two-time defending Virginia Independent Schools champions are on the minds of every opponent this year, but the Chargers dominated the first half of Saturday’s opener against Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School and left the steamy afternoon with a 24-7 win.

The Chargers took their opening possession and methodically moved the ball down the field until quarterback Rusty Brake ran a one-yard quarterback sneak for the touchdown.

Isle of Wight recovered a fumble on the first play of Bishop Sullivan’s subsequent possession and Brake later found Kevin King on an 11-yard touchdown pass.

Lance Moore caught a Brake pass for a 31-yard touchdown score in the second quarter, and placekicker Cody Dowdy, who converted all three point-after kicks, drilled a 32-yard field goal later in the second quarter to give the Chargers a 24-0 lead going into halftime.

Bishop Sullivan put a touchdown on the board in the third quarter but never really threatened the Chargers’ lead.

Isle of Wight has the week off before hosting Hampton Christian High School at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 7. The home field is located behind the school on U.S. 258.