Spotswood capitalizes on Dayton miscues as Chargers continue playoff push with 34-7 victory in first game on brand-new turf

The sun was shining on a gorgeous fall day, glistening off the field just in time for the Chargers’ first game on their brand-new turf.

Saturday afternoon didn’t start well for Spotswood, which went all the way down the field on its opening drive of the game, only to fumble on the one-yard line.

But most of the rest of the way? It all went their way in a 34-7 home victory in their first game on their brand-new turf field.

Dayton took the lead briefly in the game. After Gavin Periera booted a 34-yard field goal to put the Chargers up 3-0 with 30 seconds to go in the first quarter, J.J. DeSarno found Adrian Bernknopf for an eight-yard touchdown pass, putting the Bulldogs up 7-3 in the second quarter.

And that’s when the Charger offense came alive. First, quarterback Se’mir Tolbert-Brimage ran in a 12-yard score at 6:14 of the second to give Spotswood the lead back at 10-7 with the PAT.

On the next possession, the Chargers forced Dayton into a punt, then blocked it, with Jayson Tejada returning it for six, making it 17-7.

Another Dayton turnover on their next possession boosted Spotswood yet again, as Julian Sanchez recovered a fumble, and Seb Saracino capitalized with a three-yard TD run to make it 24-7 with 47 seconds to go before the half.

And they still weren’t done. Spostwood recovered a pooch kick on the ensuing kickoff, and with timeouts in hand, got down to the ten before Tolbert-Brimage hit Vinny Young for a touchdown pass 12 seconds before halftime to make it 31-7 going into the break.

Periera added a 35-yard field goal late in the third quarter.

Spotswood improves to 6-1 as it continues to push toward the playoffs. Despite one loss, they entered the week at No. 17 in the South Group 2 supersection, but unofficially pulled into 15th before the Dayton game based on results from Thursday and Friday night.

Gridiron New Jersey typically releases updated official NJSIAA UPR standings as early as Sunday during the season.

The Chargers will face South Hunterdon (3-3) Friday night at home. Dayton will host Dunellen (0-7) Friday night.

Click below for postgame reaction from Marcus Borden with the Spotswood Chargers, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen: