COURTLAND- They call it the “Backyard Brawl” and it lived up to the name. Two teams going in totally different directions were giving their fans a classic battle. One squad counting on a getting a top seed and playing for Thanksgiving weekend while the other is preparing to put the equipment in the shed until August.
Southampton had severely under achieved this season along with a few of their district mates. This game meant a lot to give them a great feeling and bragging rights all offseason. They would have to do it without Seniors Shamon Reid-Wilkerson and Jaylin Freeman who were out due to injury. Stepping up would be Demartin Miles and Vakari Jarrett.
The game started with the Broncos running it down the Indians throat as Lasean Nichols-Porter who would go in officially from 6-yards out to make it 6-0 Broncos at the 5:09 mark of the 1st quarter.
It would be a battle of defensive stands the rest of the way and the Indians were thankful to still be within one score. In the 3rd, Franklin would get a big score late from Nichols-Porter but they would make the extra point to make it 13-0 Broncos.
Southampton fans demanding their team step up and they did. Strong running by Miles, Jimmie Reed, and Jarrett cut the deficit to 13-6 early in the 4th. And then the defense of the Indians rallied and stopped Franklin at the Southampton 10 yard line with 4:09 remaining in the game.
Jarrett broke loose immediately after for a 60 yard run that got everyone excited for the Indians. They would bang their way earning every yard until it came down to 4th and goal from the one with 19 seconds left. Southampton would toss it out to Miles and would get in to make it 13-12 with 4 seconds left.
Southampton talked about what they wanted to do and after Franklin called a timeout to see the look the Indians came with the option. Jarrett appeared to be looking to pitch but it never happened as the defender prevented it from happening.
And just like that Franklin family and friends can talk smack to their Southampton neighbors for another 12 months.
Southampton finishes the season 3-7 while Franklin moves to 9-1. The Broncos will need help from Essex to surely capture the top seed. Essex will be playing smashmouth football versus Rappahannock Saturday at 4pm. Rappahannock’s only loss came from West Point who attacked very similar to what fans will see giving Franklin hope.
FRANKLIN 6 0 7 0 - 13
SOUTHAMPTON 0 0 0 12 - 12
F-Nichols-Porter 6 yard run (kick failed)
F- Nichols-Porter 10 yard run (Leon Otto kick)
S- Jessie Reed 4 yard run (run failed)
S- Miles 1 yard run (run failed)
SURRY CO. 26 SUSSEX CENTRAL 22
Sussex Central came out looking great and running the offense better than they had most of the season versus their rivals from Surry. Tyree Rose scored from 9 yards and got the conversion. After Sussex Central would fail to score on two possessions in Cougar territory, Surry running the option pitched 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage looked to be doomed but Kahorie Batten made the defenders miss and then went 76 yards for the touchdown. Tigers held a 14-6 lead at the half. Surry would throw a touchdown from the Maryland-I to make it 14-12. The Tigers would extend their lead 22-12 with a strong run by Malik Chambliss. Batten would score 2 touchdowns to give Surry a 26-22 lead with 1:23 in the 4th. The Tigers would advance the ball into scoring position at the Surry 19 with less than 30 seconds and got 3 plays ran but couldn’t get an attempt into the endzone.
COLONIAL BEACH 47 WASHINGTON & LEE 34
The Drifters and the Eagles now have an intense rivalry as well. Both squads have had a few struggles late but none of the mattered in this one. Colonial Beach known for their rushing attack passed for 170 yards and 3 touchdowns between running back Corvion Davis and quarterback Seth Jewell. Trey Allison was the big runner for the Drifters going for 158 yards including a 55-yard explosion in the 3rd quarter. With the score being 41-34 and the Eagles looking for some late game magic when Eric Brown would scoop up a fumble and return it 25 yards for the touchdown. W&L qb Chase Scott threw for 237 yards on night. Both teams will be in the post season.
KING WILLIAM 67 KING & QUEEN 0
The Cavaliers got a tune up for the playoffs facing the Royal Tigers of King & Queen. Lance Alfonso threw 3 touchdowns in the 1st quarter one each to Kolby Anderson, Winston Jackson, and Kyle Lynch. Kolbe Jorgenson and Marc Gresham added touchdowns as the Tidewater District champions jumped out to a 33-0 lead after one. Jorgenson led all rushers with 195 yards on 13 carries yielding 2 touchdowns. Coach Dylan DeHart’s group are expected to host the Greensville County Eagles on Friday. King & Queen did much better than previous seasons and should be a playoff team in 2019.
ESSEX 34 RAPPAHANNOCK 20
Essex earned a share of the Northern Neck district title along with Rappahannock and Northumberland with their regular season finale. The Trojans now will jump into the top 4 and play at home. Essex was able to tighten up their defense late in the second half to secure the victory. Rappahannock will is projected to face West Point who gave them their first lost of the season.
OTHER SCORES:
Greensville 32 Brunswick 0
Mathews 12 Middlesex 10
Northampton 31 Arcadia 25
Northumberland 43 Lancaster 16
Park View 41 Windsor 12
Playoff Breakdown for 3A, 2A, and 1A coming soon!
