Elijah Dunlap enjoyed great protection from his superb offensive line.
GREENVILLE- Riverheads is always prepared for their opponents best shot and so far no one in the playoffs hasn't been able to land a shot on the score sheet in the first half versus starters yet. Essex and their high powered offense planned to do so with their assortment of weapons. The Trojans would try to slow down the Gladiator offense and to make it a battle for a trip to Salem. Things wouldn't go as planned.
Things looked good to start off for the Trojans who were able to connect on quick short hitches let and would let the speed of their receivers do the rest. With the crowd pumped up for the visitors and wanting to jump up early, Ashton Ashlock would go deep to Avante Banks for a huge game but Elijah Dunlap had different plans and would make a big interception at their own 10 yard line killing the momentum and gave the Gladiators a chance to capitalize.
The very next play Riverheads would go to Zach Smiley up the middle who would find immediate daylight and outraced the Trojan defense for a 90 yard touchdown run. Peyton Skillman would boot in the extra point to make it 7-0 at the 9:14 mark of the 1st quarter. Essex drive would stall and Riverheads would respond quickly as Noah Smiley would burst up the middle for a big gain. Not long after he would turn things into a race that he would win. Noah's 39 yard touchdown run put the Gladiators up 14-0 with 5:21 to play in the 1st.
Noah Smiley explodes into the endzone putting the Gladiators up 14.
After a key defensive stop later in the quarter, Essex looked to get settled down and get some points. A pass on a quick hitch would sail to high and Cy Cox would be there to haul in a pick six for 37 yards out to give Riverheads a 21-0 lead with 0:08 remaining in the opening quarter.
Cy Cox takes his first of two interceptions on the day for six points.
Essex would finally put a solid drive together getting them into scoring territory. Riverheads looked like they would hold up and deny the Trojans a promising opportunity when on 4th and goal from the 4 yard line Tahraun Hammond would hit Ah-kaliq Martin for the 4 yard pass. Kweli Fields would make an excellent grab for the conversion to make it 21-8 with 5:46 left before halftime.
Braeson Fulton's touchdown catch before halftime took Essex momentum away.
The Trojan defense would hold and Essex appeared to be moving the ball well and was seeking to cut the lead to one score before the half. Their drive would unfortunately stall and Riverheads would have the ball at their own 44 yard line with 0:21 seconds remaining before the half. Not enough time for the grinding offense of the Gladiators right? Following a good run by Cox, Dunlap would find Braeson Fulton one on one and would connect on a 44 yard touchdown pass to make it 28-8 at the half.
Zach Smiley powers through the clutches of Jayson Kelly into the endzone.
Riverheads would have a drive end with a blocked field goal but would comeback quickly driving down the field in 4 plays ending with a Zach Smiley 4 yard run making it 35-8 with 1:01 left in the 3rd quarter. Moments later, Cox would get his 2nd interception with 0:40 left in the 3rd. To start the 4th Fulton would go in on a 12 yard touchdown run to make it 42-8 with 10:22 to play in the game.
Takeyo Day picked up good yardage throughout the day to keep the Trojans alive.
Cole Burton would break a 19 yard touchdown run to give the Gladiators a 49-8 lead with 9:54 remaining in the game. Essex would look like themselves for a moment when Ashlock would connect with Takeyo Day for a 28 yard touchdown pass. Hammond would kick the extra point making it 49-15 with 7:59 to play.
Bennett Dunlap would end the game scoring with a 1 yard run to make the final 56-15. Riverheads has been sensational in the playoffs just as they have been all season long. Red Pride rushed for nearly 400 yards including 138 yards from Zac Smiley and 97 from Cox.
Riverheads will play in the state championship for the 5th straight year.
The Trojans were led by Day's 82 yards receiving and Banks 70 yards while the team mustered only 36 yards rushing that mostly came from Ashlock. Essex finishes the season 12-2 and should graduate 12 players from the squad. Coach Todd Jones group was able to get back to the state semi-finals and can be expected to do the same in 2020.
The sirens and lights flashed more than expected in the state semi-final.
Riverheads (14-0) will be playing in their 5th straight state championship game looking to capture their 4th state title in a row when they face off with Galax (12-1). The Maroon Tide beat Riverheads 7-6 in the 2015 title game. Coach Robert Casto will not let his guys overlook Galax in Salem.
ESSEX 0 8 0 7 - 15
RIVERHEADS 21 7 7 21 - 56
R- Z. Smiley 90 yard run (Skillman kick)
R- N. Smiley 39 yard run (Skillman kick)
R- Cox 37 yard int return (Skillman kick)
E- Martin 4 yard pass from Hammond (Fields pass from Hammond)
R- Fulton 44 yard pass from E. Dunlap (Skillman kick)
R- Z. Smiley 4 yard run (Skillman kick)
R- Fulton 12 yard run (Skillman kick)
R- Burton 19 yard run (Skillman kick)
E- Day 28 yard pass from Ashlock (Hammond kick)
R- B. Dunlap 1 yard run (Skillman kick)
