Ashton Ashlock was able to find daylight thanks to great blocking all night for the Trojans.
Essex experience, size, and speed dominated their big match up with Sussex Central as the Tigers are loading up for the future. The game didn't look like the mismatch it would become early as a big opening kick-off by Malik Lankford. KJ Dameron would make a tone setting touchdown saving tackle as the Tigers would take over in Trojan territory.
Unable to move the ball, the Tigers would surrender their possession to the Trojans who would go to work early. Ashton Ashlock would scramble for good yardage into Tiger territory. Sussex Central would tighten up their defense as Dameron would be kept in check for the most part until it was 4th and 18 and Coach Todd Jones would talk them over. From the Sussex Central 26 yard line Coach Jones trusted Ashlock to make the delivery and he did. KJ Dameron would be wide open to get the first and then power his way for 6. He would get the conversion making it 8-0.
Sussex Central would make a big mistake after stopping the Trojans from scoring as they could never get the ball from the snap to punt. The Trojans would start from the Tiger 6 yard line and Dameron would do the honors to make it 16-0 in the 2nd. 26 became the magic number as Ashlock would throw another touchdown from the 26 yard line as Antwain Greene would haul in the pass for the score. Guadelupe Villeda would make the kick and Essex led 23-0 with 5:08 left in the 2nd.
Ah-Kaliq Martin would score on a fumble recover in the endzone that made it 29-0 for his first varsity touchdown. Avante Banks would add an 11-yard touchdown to make it 35-0 at the half.
Jamion Hardy would cap off the scoring with a 3-yard power run to make it 41-0 Essex.
Dameron rushed 12 times for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Tyree Rose added 82 yards rushing off 10 carries for the Tigers.
The shutout lost was the 2nd time the Tigers have lost an opener at home by that big of a margin. The last time was 10 years ago to William Campbell by the same score. Sussex Central (0-1) will look to rebound on the road versus Lancaster.
Essex (1-0) will return home to host the Franklin Broncos.
ESSEX 8 27 6 0 - 41
SUSSEX CENTRAL 0 0 0 0 - 0
E- Dameron 26-yard pass from Ashlock (Dameron Run)
E- Dameron 5-yard run (Banks run)
E- Greene 26-yard pass from Ashlock (Villeda kick)
E- Martin fumble recover in the endzone (kick failed)
E- Banks 11-yard run (kick failed)
E- Hardy 3-yard run (kick failed)
OTHER GAMES
KING WILLIAM 72 PRINCE EDWARD 6
King William showed their are as advertised as the Cavaliers opened the season with an impressive blowout win over Prince Edward. Lance Alfonso went 11 of 16 on the night for 256 yards and 3 touchdown passes along with a rushing score. Marc Gresham caught 2 of those touchdown passes and had a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown. Jalen Young added a 65-yard punt return for a score in the 3rd. King William travels to Williamsburg to face Bruton in their 5 game schedule season opener.
WINDSOR 33 CHINCOTEAGUE 12
Windsor finds themselves among the top of the Tri-Rivers getting their first victory since 2015! The Dukes won in dominating fashion as running back Malik Lee rushed for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns on the night. Windsor will look to move to 2-0 Friday night as they go on the road to the Eastern Shore to face Nandua.
OTHER SCORES ACROSS COASTAL PLAIN REGION A
Amelia 36 Park View 20
First Flight (NC) 47 Arcadia 20
Franklin 48 Cumberland 12
Greensville County 28 Weldon (NC) 12
Gretna 60 Brunswick 0
Northampton 28 Mathews 6
Poquoson 56 Southampton 20
Rappahannock 50 Nandua 7
Roanoke Catholic 69 King & Queen 20
Washington & Lee 41 Middlesex 7
