Locals go 0-for-4 after taking four victories in season’s first matchups.

As bad as Grenada’s punting was, its front four on defense and its quarterback, Oliver Hughes, were that good.

The Chargers’ defense held Warren Central to only eight total yards in offense in the second half the Vikings 16-10, and spoiling the home opener at Viking Field on Friday night.

Besides stuffing the Viking offense, Grenada’s stout defensive line caused three fumbles, putting its potent offense on a short field. The Chargers (2-0) cashed in all three opportunities, including 10 points in the third quarter to erased a 10-6 WC halftime lead.

&#8220At some point you have to make first downs because you can’t let your defense stay out on the field,” WC coach Curtis Brewer said. &#8220You also can’t put an offense as explosive as Grenada on a short field, especially with the speed they have with their skilled athletes.”

WC (1-1) still had a shot at the win with 2 minutes, 22 seconds to go after Grenada shanked its third punt of the night, a seven-yarder that died at the Charger 36.

The Vikings, however, went no where. First-year quarterback Jakoby Johnson got lost amid a sea of white Charger jersies. Two scrambles gained nothing as he was swallowed up by the rush.

On third down, Keaton Sanders was brought in to run a pass play, but it fell way short. Johnson was brought back on fourth down and again was surrounded, losing two yards and ending any last shot with 1:09 left.

&#8220Our guys upfront have been together for three years and they can get after it,” Grenada coach John McCrory said. &#8220I agree, they were the difference. They pressured the quarterback.”

Conversely, Hughes had plenty of time to operate the Chargers’ shotgun attack. He missed on just one out of nine pass attempts in the second half for a total of 97 yards. He finished the game 15 of 21 for 144 yards passing while adding another 58 rushing and both Charger touchdowns.

The second of Hughes’ two scores came after the Vikings’ lost a fumble on their first play of the second half at their own 25. A holding penalty backed the Chargers to the 36, but Hughes hit Aubrey Shelton for a 23-yard gain to the WC 13. An 11-yard run by Chris Frison set up Hughes’ two-yard TD plunge with 9:36 left in the third quarter. Julio Martinez made the PAT kick for a 13-10 lead.

WC’s third possession of the half ended with its third lost fumble of the game. Grenada’s Willie DeLoach recovered at the Viking 29. A 23-yard completion by Hughes had the Chargers in striking distance. They got down to the one before the Viking defense made a strong stand, forcing the Chargers to settle for a 21-yard field goal by Martinez. The kick made it 16-10 with 2:13 to go in the quarter.

The Vikings next three possessions, all ended in three-and-outs, allowing Grenada to work the clock.

&#8220Offense was suppose to be our strong suit,” Brewer said. &#8220Our quarterback looked pretty uncomfortable back there.”

Grenada’s first shanked punt of the game, an 11-yarder, put the Vikings on the Charger 36. A 16-yard run by Vic Tyrone, the Vikings’ longest rush of the game, set up a 31-yard field goal by Eric Richards for a 3-0 lead.

WC’s first lost fumble late in the first quarter, helped put Grenada on the board when Hughes scored on a 13-yard draw. The kick was blocked.

WC took the lead at 10-6 with 1:28 before halftime when Johnson hit Quinton Truly for a 65-yard touchdown pass. Truly outjumped his defender, who then fell, allowing Truly an easy 40-yard sprint to the goal.