COURTLAND
The Southampton Indians registered their first win of the 2015 campaign on Friday night, defeating the visiting Charles City Panthers, 20-8. The teams played on even terms for the final three quarters of the contest, but a 20-point first quarter outburst from the Indians put the game out of reach early.

Southampton running back Harrison Ehrenzeller set the tone on the first carry of the game, gashing the Charles City defense for 47 yards up the middle. Two plays later, he punched the ball in from 22 yards out to give the Indians their first lead of the season.

After exchanging possessions on unsuccessful fourth down conversion attempts, Southampton’s Kavonta Johnson stripped the ball from Charles City running back Cecil Tyler and the Indians recovered deep in Panthers territory. On the subsequent play, Southampton quarterback Andrew “A.J.” Blunt scrambled along the visitor’s sideline to give the home team a 12-0 lead.

After a Charles City punt pinned Southampton at its 18-yard-line, Blunt again scrambled from the pocket. This time, however, the first-year starter hit receiver Rakuan Briggs in stride for an 82-yard quick strike score to extend the lead to 20.

Charles City cut the deficit to 12 shortly before intermission when quarterback Troy Crawley converted on fourth-and-goal from the 7-yard-line. From there, the game was an offensive stalemate as Southampton’s infamous Power I formation controlled the clock.

After two-consecutive home games to open the schedule, Southampton will have one week off before traveling to Colonial Heights. Kickoff of the contest between the Indians and Colonials will be at 7 p.m.