Youth Scene: Gold Chargers’ rally falls short

The Huntington Beach Gold Chargers couldn’t make up for an early deficit in their 2013 Pop Warner Football season opener and a late rally fell short in a 12-8 home loss Saturday to the Chino Hills Cowboys in Junior Pee Wee Division action.

Chino Hills held a 12-0 halftime lead. Huntington’s Tanner Ciok returned a first-quarter interception that set the Gold Chargers up inside the Cowboys’ 10-yard line, but the Gold Chargers were unable to score.

Huntington got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when quarterback Braeden Boyles ran in for a touchdown on a sneak. Jackson Walters kicked the two-point conversion to bring the score to 12-8.

The Gold Chargers put together a late drive in the quarter, but could not move in for a score.

Key defensive tackles were made by Gold Chargers Riley O’Dell, Jeremy Alcorn and Dillon Blake. Cameron Moradian also had a sack in the fourth quarter.

The Gold Chargers are home Saturday (Sept. 7) for an 11 a.m. game against the Norwalk Raiders.

— Reader submission

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In other games involving Huntington Beach Pop Warner Football teams:

Jr. Mighty Might Division

Yorba Linda 25, Green Chargers 24: Huntington couldn’t overcome an early lead by the Rattlers and suffered a one-point, season-opening defeat Saturday.

The Green Chargers travel to Brea Saturday for a 5 p.m. game against the Wildcats.

— Reader submission