Chargers to take on Surry Panthers in away action
Chargers to take on Surry Panthers in away action (Editor’s note: This is the second of four Middlesex High School [MHS] fall sports preview packages. Watch future editions of the Sentinel for previews of MHS golf and cross country, which also start new seasons this month.)
The Middlesex High School (MHS) Charger football team will open its regular season today, Thursday, Aug. 28, against the Surry High School Panthers at Surry. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Chargers are coming off a much improved season as MHS finished the 2024-2025 season with a 6-3 win-loss record. Middlesex had struggled in the 2023-2024 season with a 1-8 record.
The Chargers lost just three players to graduation and are returning 10 starters from the 2024 team. MHS lost to graduation JaQuan Griffin, one of the top running backs in Charger football history. J. Griffin rushed for more than 3,000 career yards and scored 37 touchdowns, including seven TDs in a single game.
MHS Head Football Coach Mark Bowen said that JaQuan has some big shoes to fill but he is hopeful JaQuan’s brother Davonte Griffin will be able to take up some of that slack. “Davonte had a great 2024 year as a receiver,” he said. “He scored double digit touchdowns and wants to chase his brother’s (MHS) touchdown record.”
This year’s starting Chargers quarterback will be Clinton “Cash” Steel (6’3”, 175 pounds). Last year Steel was backup to Shane Glenn, who was lost to graduation. Glenn is playing football this season for Bridgewater College as a kicker. Fullback Jakub Bowen (5’ 11”, 195) is back. Bowen contributed 35 rushing and 49 receiving yards per game last year.
Junior receivers JaMar Hammond, Tristan Steel and Bryson Bulgin are returning and freshman Blake Robins (6’, 190 pounds) will be starting at tight end.
The Chargers will run an offensive “Power I” formation with Jakub Bowen at fullback and junior Dereon Cooke at running back. “Dereon is a physical runner with breakaway speed,” said Coach Bowen.
The offensive line is experienced with four returning starters: Zach Dean at guard, Andrew Harrow at center, Dominic Madison at tackle and Payton Calhoun at guard.
The Chargers defense is returning 10 starters from last year’s team. The defense will be paced by senior Travis Archer at defensive end, Dean at defensive tackle, Madison at defensive tackle, and Jakub Bowen at middle linebacker.
“We’ve got a group of young men who believe in putting in the work,” Bowen said. “They’re coachable, disciplined and focused on getting better every day.”
The program has a strong foundation of parent and community support, which has helped fuel the Chargers momentum, said Coach Bowen. “Our parents have been phenomenal,” Bowen added. “Their involvement and encouragement are making a real impact — not just for this season, but for the future of Middlesex football.”
With a core of returning starters, rising young talent, and a community rallying behind them, the Chargers enter 2025 ready to build on last year’s success — and possibly make history once again, said Bowen.
