KJ Dameron carried his squad into the state playoffs as Essex moves on to face Riverheads.
TAPPAHANNOCK- The clear two best teams in Region A went head-to-head for their highly anticipated rematch and it lived up to the expectation with defense being the deciding factor again. Essex had won the toss but wanted to have their defense on the field first to set the tone. Surprisingly, their defense would be on their heels early.
Sussex Central steadily move the ball down the field from their own 20. Quarterback Clyde Edmond was very effective with the option early and running backs Amari Hill and Trevon Hatch took what the defense gave them. The big play of the drive would come off play action as Edmond would throw a perfect seam pass to Lorenzo Stirrup that got Tigers rolling. Quickly Essex found their backs against the wall inside the 5 and Edmond would do the honors and score giving Sussex Central an 8-0 lead at the 9:09 mark of the first.
Amari Hill found rare space to roam the outside for a solid gain.
Essex offense knew they had to respond positive immediately or it was going to be a long afternoon. Coach Todd Jones would break the ice early with sophomore quarterback Ashton Ashlock. Ashlock would complete several lasers. The most dependable on the drive would be Delontae Norman who played his role to perfection. Once Essex was in scoring position KJ Dameron would power his was in from 12 yards out and get the conversion to make it 8-8 with 7:08 left in the first.
The Tigers would go away from what was working in the first drive and would go on a scoring drought. This would comeback on them later in the game. Essex however, would continue to feed Dameron with carries. Unlike the meeting in August, Dameron appeared unstoppable at times. The Trojans would pound the Tigers down the field and the drive would in with a 2-yard run to make it 15-8 after Guadalupe Villeda would hit the extra point.
Following another stall possession by the Tigers, Essex would look for the big score to go up by two touchdowns. It would never happen though. The Trojans would fumble at the Tiger 34 with 4:44 before the half. And then the Tigers would look like Sussex Central again moving the football. Edmond would carry defenders as he would power across the goal line to give the Tigers a 16-15 lead as the 2-point conversion would be good with 0:34 before the half.
Clyde Edmond was able to help get the Tigers drive before the half to retake the lead.
The Tigers would kick-off deep and Tim Johnson would make his presence felt on special teams would big return into Sussex Central territory. Villeda would get a chance to hit a field goal for 41-yards out and it would sail wide left as the Tigers led by 1 at half.
Coach Todd Jones decision to go for two paid off big time for Essex.
The Trojans came out in the 2nd half like Sussex Central did to start the game. The line cleared out defenders and the backs would get 10 yards a carry. The drive would end with a 15-yard race to the corner of the endzone by Dameron to give Essex a 21-16 lead. Little did anyone know the game changing play would occur on the extra point with Villeda lining up. Sussex Central would jump into the neutral zone moving the attempt closer for the conversion. Coach Jones would turn to Dameron to get the biggest conversion of the season and he got in with no trouble. Essex led 23-16 at the 10:27 mark of the 3rd.
Dameron's conversion run was the key to the victory Saturday afternoon.
The offense for the Tigers couldn’t find their rhythm and Essex had a chance to move the ball again but Coach Curtis Jefferson made big adjustments that would prevent Essex from scoring again. Ashlock would throw a pick on the next possession and Edmond would come and throw it right back. Sussex Central did have a chance at 6 points when Edmond through a perfect pass over the defenders shoulders right to the chest of Hill who couldn’t make the grab as the quarter would soon end.
Now in the 4th and trying to move the ball near midfield, Ashlock would scramble and forget to slide. He would take a big hit that caused him to cough up the ball. This one would be costly as the Tigers drove down the field steadily. Essex would get fooled by a middle screen to Pha’Shard Harris for an 8-yard touchdown pass to make it 23-22 with 7:04 remaining in the game.
Harris catch and score got Sussex Central pumped but the miss conversion was big.
The Tigers would line up in an overloaded wildcat look to the right side with Edmond. They believed the powerful athlete could get in as he had done all game long. This time as Edmond would try to stretch his 6’ 3” frame and reach for the goal line, the ball would be knocked loose and Essex still led 23-22.
Dameron avoids being tripped while looking for a cut back lane.
Draining the clock would be the main objective from this point one. Coach Jones would stick with their wildcat look allowing Dameron to muscle his way down the field. Things seemed to risky to have the ball in anyone else’s hands beside Dameron to close it out. The snaps would appear to be getting low as the long drive continued. Essex would lose big yards on a few snaps and would get stuffed on 4th down giving Sussex Central one last chance to continue their season with 2:29 to play.
The last minutes of the contest created a roar from all the Essex supporters that helped.
The Tigers would see passes dropped and would hear a roar from the Essex crowd like never before to urge them on. After Jovontae Mason could not make a key catch on a post, the Tigers would call timeout trying to convert the first down to keep their hopes alive. Facing a 4th down and 10 the Tigers with a 5-wide set, Edmond would maneuver to his right and then set up in the pocket to escape pressure. Before he could move to his left he would be dropped by Keyshan Holmes from behind and that would end the game crowning Essex the 2017 Region A Champions of Class 1.
Stirrup had an interception for Sussex Central while Jalen Augcomfar had 2 fumble recoveries. For Essex, their lone force turnover was an interception by Kevonta Harris.
Dameron finished the game with 19 carries for 110 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns for the Trojans.
Edmond led all the Tiger runners with 20 carries for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns. He completed 6 of 14 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown and an interception.
Ashlock was 6 of 9 for 58 yards and an interception on the day.
Essex (12-1) will host Riverheads (11-2) next Saturday at a location likely to be known early next week. The Gladiators are the defending 1A state champions and are in a reloading period but they can still light up the scoreboard.
SUSSEX CENTRAL 8 8 0 6 - 22
ESSEX 8 7 8 0 - 23
SC- Edmond 1-yard run (Edmond run)
E- Dameron 12-yard run (Dameron run)
E- Dameron 2 –yard run (Villeda kick)
SC- Edmond 2-yard run (Edmond run)
E- Dameron 15-yard run (Dameron run)
SC- Harris 8-yard pass from Edmond (run failed)
Trojan fans were all smiles to get past their biggest obstacle thus far.
Last edited:
