Avante Banks of Essex finds a hole to exploit versus the Broncos pursuit.
FRANKLIN- This was supposed to be the big game that many Essex supporters looked forward to as the Trojans would look to avenge last years home lost to the Broncos. Essex would not just get them back they would showcase they just might be a better squad than they were last season and the rumors of them having a rebuilding year just may have been put to rest. The Trojans are contending once again.
The Trojans wasted no time getting on the board as they would only need 23 seconds before Avante Banks would score on a 15 yard run and Tahraun Hammond would kick the extra point to make it 7-0 Trojans. Franklin would try to answer by running between the tackles and they would make some progress until their drive folded once they got into Trojan territory. The Broncos would turnover on downs.
Tahraun Hammond was able to slice through Franklin's defense all evening.
Essex would waste no time as Takeyo Day would cap on a drive with a 5 yard run to make it 13-0 and the extra point would be blocked with 2:32 left in the quarter. Essex would close out the the 1st quarter with Hammond getting in from a yard out to make it 19-0 all Essex. Franklin would turnover the ball on the ensuing kick-off return and give Essex the ball inside the Bronco 30 but the Trojans would not turn it into points. Coach Todd Jones was not happy about his squad unable to cash in.
Essex would however cash in midway through the 2nd quarter with Hammond slashing in from 11 yards out. Quarterback Ashton Ashlock would hook up with Ah-kaliq Martin for the conversion to make it 27-0 Essex with 6:35 left to play before the half. The Broncos would wake up in a big way as Myroen Barrett will find Kendall Hines-Eley for a 47 yard touchdown strike to make it 27-6 Essex with 5:30 in the 2nd.
Trojan's Ashton Ashlock was able to get yards on the ground whenever no one was open.
Game changing moment with happen with Essex driving for a score when Ashlock's pass would be intercepted by Tyvon Carr at the Bronco 20. Franklin would go back up top to Hines-Eley again for a 64 yard pass to the Trojan 1 yard line. Barrett would go in soon after to make it 27 12 Franklin with 0:29 left before the half. Franklin would then face the biggest decision of the game. The Broncos would get the ball to start the second half and had taken the momentum. No do they kick it short and allow Essex a chance of scoring before halftime, go deep allowing Day or Banks to return, or kick it out of bounds and let the defense handle it. Franklin chose to kick it deep.
A decision they would love to get back because Day would make them pay. Fielding the ball at his 18 yard line, Day would find a seam to his left and it was off to the races down the Bronco sideline deflating the Armory with an 82 yard return with 16 seconds remaining before the half. Martin would catch another conversion to make it 35-12 Essex at the half.
On the first play to start the 2nd half, Banks would get an interception and would end the drive on a 1 yard run making it 41-12 Essex with 9:51 to play in the 3rd. Day would go in from 9 yards out with 6:21 in the 3rd. Kamren Robinson would end the scoring with a pick six as the Trojans rolled all over the Broncos for the 54-12 win.
Both squads will be on the road next week as Essex (3-1) travels to Charles City and Franklin (0-3) will look to get their first victory of the season in South Hill versus the Dragons of Park View.
ESSEX 19 16 19 0 - 54
FRANKLIN 0 12 0 0 - 12
E- Banks 15 yard run (Hammond kick)
E- Day 5 yard run (kick blocked)
E- Hammond 1 yard run (run failed)
E- Hammond 11 yard run (Martin pass from Ashlock)
F- Hines-Eley 47 yard pass from Barrett (run failed)
F- Barrett 1 yard run (pass failed)
E- Day 82 yard kick return (Martin pass from Ashlock)
E- Banks 1 yard run (kick failed)
E- Day 6 yard run (Hammond kick)
E- Robinson 32 yard interception return (run failed)
WASHINGTON & LEE 53 RAPPAHANNOCK 26
The Eagles last year knocked off top seed Franklin in Region A playoffs and it was only fitting that they knocked off the Region A preseason favorite in similar fashion. Washington & Lee would rush for 358 yards on the night including a monster of a game from LJ Kelly Jr who had 14 carries for 177 yards and 5 touchdowns on the night. Coach Joe Taylor's bunch jumped out to a 40-0 lead before the Raiders responded.
RAPPAHANNOCK 0 0 13 13 - 26
WASHINGTON & LEE 14 19 13 7 - 53
WL- Kelly 2 yard run (Santiago kick)
WL- Kelly 9 yard run (Santiago kick)
WL- Kelly 64 yard run (kick failed)
WL- Kelly 35 yard run (Santiago kick)
WL- Mountjoy 10 yard run (kick failed)
WL- Smith 21 yard run (Santiago kick)
R- Gaines 8 yard run (run failed)
R- Brown 59 yard fumble return (Hillman kick)
WL- Kelly 4 yard run (kick failed)
R- Hillman 34 yard field goal
WL- Reynolds 3 yard run (Santiago kick)
R- Hillman 36 yard field goal
R- Gaines 11 yard run (Hillman kick)
KING WILLIAM 48 CAROLINE 35
The Cavaliers got pushed to their limits for the first time this season versus Caroline. King William would hold on to get the victory. Desmond Claiborne showed what he could do on the big stage carrying a season high 20 touches for 283 yards and 6 touchdowns! Lance Alfonso was efficient as usual as the Cavaliers keep on rolling toward the top seed. The Cavs host Washington & Lee on Friday.
CAROLINE 7 14 7 7 - 35
KING WILLIAM 16 8 8 16 - 48
KW- Claiborne 18 yard run (Claiborne run)
KW- Claiborne 14 yard run (J. Robinson run)
C- Pleasants 46 yard run (Shire kick)
KW- Claiborne 34 yard run (K. Roane pass from J. Robinson)
C- Pleasants 28 yard pass from Mauck (Shire kick)
C- Simms 48 yard pass from Pleasants (Shire kick)
KW- Claiborne 16 yard run (J. Robinson run)
C- Washington 34 yard pass from Mauck (Shire kick)
KW- Claiborne 67 yard run (Claiborne run)
C- Pleasants 65 yard pass from Mauck (Shire kick)
KW- Claiborne 29 yard run ( Claiborne run)
KING & QUEEN 46 CHINCOTEAGUE 0
Malik Holmes had another solid night throwing for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns as King & Queen moves to 4-0 setting up an undefeated showdown in Middlesex Friday night! DeAndre Hill had 7 grabs for 140 yards and a touchdown. The Royal Tigers are off to their best start since 1990.
KING & QUEEN 7 18 21 0 - 46
CHINCOTEAGUE 0 0 0 0 - 0
KQ - K. Berry 20 yard run (Carcamo kick)
KQ - D. Berry 2 yard pass from Holmes (run failed)
KQ - Graham 37 yard pass from Holmes (run failed)
KQ - Hill 17 yard pass from Holmes (kick failed)
KQ - Holmes 12 yard run (Carcamo kick)
KQ - K. Berry 28 yard pass from Holmes (Carcamo kick)
KQ - Mills 22 yard run (Carcamo kick)
COASTAL PLAIN PLUS SCORES
Arcadia 41 Snow Hill (MD) 12
Booker T Washington 66 Armstrong 0
Buckingham Co. 35 Central Lunenburg 6
King & Queen 46 Chincoteague 0
King William 48 Caroline 35
Lord Botetourt 49 William Campbell 0
Middlesex 35 Lancaster 0
Northumberland 64 Mathews 12
Southampton 44 Colonial Heights 20
Sussex Central 44 Colonial Beach 43
Thomas Jefferson (RIC) 67 Greensville Co. 14
West Point 39 Bruton 0
Windsor 44 Northampton 28
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