ISLE OF WIGHT–After a poor first half and being down 20-12 , the Isle of Wight Academy Chargers came alive in the second half to turn back the visiting Portsmouth Christian Patriots 42-28 Friday night.

“It was hard, but we but we did it,” said Dale Chapman, Chargers coach. “We needed this win for our momentum to be able to move on for the season.”

The Patriots opened the scoring in the first quarter with two touchdowns to go up 14-0.

The home team produced its first touchdown on a 19-yard pass from QB Brandon Saxby to Gage Rogers. The point after failed, making the score 14-6.

The Patriots Kenneth Byrum crossed the goal line early in the second quarter to up their lead to 20-6.

The Chargers final score of the first half came while on defense as Aaron Fronfelter picked off a Patriots pass and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. Missing the extra point made the score 20-12 at the end of the first half.

The Chargers stopped the Patriots on their opening drive in the second half, forcing them to punt. On the punt a bad snap allowed the Chargers to get the ball deep in the Patriots territory. The Chargers had to settle for a field goal from Josh Wehi to push the score to 20-15.

On its next offensive possession, Charger QB Saxby connected on a 48-yard pass again to Gage Rogers. Wehi added the extra point and the Chargers took the lead 22-20 with 6:29 remaining in the third quarter.

With 2:13 remaining in the third quarter, Saxby went to the air again for another touchdown pass to Rogers. After missing the point after, the Chargers led 28-20.

The Patriots struck back early in the fourth quarter following a touchdown run by Byrum. The point after failed, tying it at 28 all with 9:59 remaining in the game.

From that point the Chargers cranked it into high gear and Christian Pittman pulled in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Saxby. After the kick, the score was 35-28 with 5:05 remaining.

With 3:03 remaining in the game, the Patriots gambled on converting a fourth down and failed, turning the ball over to the Chargers deep in their own territory. From the 37 yard line, Wehi put the icing on the cake as he reached pay dirt on a touchdown run. The extra point was added and the final score was 42-28 Chargers.