The Chargers were intent on keeping their perfect division mark in place and the Warriors were just as intent on extending their three-game winning streak and keeping their title hopes alive.

But on that chilly November night, Leland was hot. The Chargers (7-1, 4-0) battled their way to a hard-fought 22-10 victory over Westmont (3-5, 2-2).

The Chargers knew they were in for a tough night right from the beginning. "Westmont played very hard," said Leland coach Kelly Edwards. "They came out with a lot more emotion than us right from the start."

The Warriors took the opening kick-off at their own 20-yard line and began to steadily march down the field. However, 12 plays later the Charger defense stiffened and the drive stalled when an attempted field goal fell short.

Leland's offense couldn't get things clicking in the first quarter. The Chargers had the ball twice, going three and out on one series and losing a fumble at their own 2-yard line on the other. The Warriors capitalized after the fumble and took the ball into the endzone for a 7-0 lead.

Leland knew the Warriors were serious about doing what it would take to get a victory when they inserted tackle Tyler Porras at fullback and watched him blast in for the touchdown.

The Chargers decided to give Westmont some of their own medicine as they took the ensuing kick-off and began to run right at the heart of the Warrior defense. Mike Day was the workhorse as he pounded out 38 yards on nine carries in the 15-play, 69-yard drive. Joe Hurley fired a 7-yard bullet to Logan Foos for the touchdown. Sean Connors split the uprights for the PAT and the score was tied 7-7.

The remainder of the first half continued to be a defensive battle. Both teams had a couple of offensive opportunities but the defenses were too tough. Leland's Blake Thomas, Kirk Andre, Jake Garrett and Alex Bynum led the way in shutting down the Westmont offense.

The Chargers came out in the second half with renewed spirits and more enthusiasm. Arthur King set the pace when he fielded the second half kick-off at his 1-yard line and returned it 32 yards, giving Leland good field position to crank up their offense.

Hurley hit King for 29 yards and it looked like the Chargers were in business. However, things bogged down a few plays later as they faced a fourth and seven at the Westmont 35-yard line. The Chargers opened their bag of tricks, though, as Connors lined up in punt formation and caught the Warriors off guard when he faked the punt and floated a pass to Kyle McDaniel in the flat for 14 yards and a first down. After pass interference in the endzone on Westmont, Day blasted in from the 7 for the touchdown. Connors' kick gave Leland a 14-7 lead and the momentum.

Strong defensive play continued to be prominent for the Chargers and thwarted potential Westmont threats on three occasions in the third quarter. On one drive, Scott Glicksberg knocked the ball loose with a jarring hit and Jeff Bowler fell on the loose ball for Leland.

McDaniel was outstanding in the defensive secondary as he grabbed an interception deep in Leland territory to stop another Warrior threat. He also knocked away a pass at the goalline to prevent a Warrior score and then did the same thing again, denying Westmont a first down deep in Charger territory. It forced the Warriors to settle for a field goal, bringing them close at 14-10 early in the fourth quarter.

Leland would add two points when the Warriors were called for a holding penalty in their own endzone. King took the free kick after the safety and scampered 18 yards to the Westmont 42-yard line. Hurley handed it to Day eight straight times and Westmont could not stop him. He blasted in from the 1-yard line for the score with 3:13 left in the game.

Day led Leland's ground attack with 130 yards on 34 carries and two touchdowns for the night.

"Westmont played us really tough and shut us down in the first half," said Day. "Our defense played a great game and kept us in it until our offense could adjust and open up in the second half."

Hurley was under pressure most of the night when attempting to throw, but he managed to complete 8 or 19 passes for 89 yards and the one touchdown. Connors grabbed three tosses for 16 yards, King snagged two for 30 yards, Bynum caught one for 14 and Kyle Jones added one for 22.

Leland will host Prospect on Nov. 8, with the kick-off set for 1:15 p.m. It's homecoming for the Chargers.