SUSSEX- The Essex Trojans came in as favorites clashing against Sussex Central on the road to kick-off the season. Coach Todd Jones has the Trojans featuring their most talented group since the last time the school was playing for a Class 1 title. Early it looked as if the Tigers were going to test if Essex was as advertised.
The Tigers struck first when Anthony Cropper got behind the secondary of the Trojans for a 35-yard touchdown reception from Edward Birchette to make it 6-0 with 8:07 in the first. Sussex Central's defense looked good and looked like they were going to control the quarter but a fumble would energize the Trojan faithful and they would not slow down for the rest of the half.
The UVA commit Kam Robinson would get things going powering into the endzone on an 11-yard touchdown reception to tie things up 6-6 with 4:06 to play. After a stalled Tiger drive, quarterback Michael Brimmer would find Mekhi Allen for a 64-yard reception to make it 14-6 after the conversion to end the 1st quarter.
Jordan Howard would get things going to put space between the two teams catching a 28-yard touchdown from Brimmer. Zaccheus Ware booted in the extra point to make it 21-6 Trojans.
Sussex Central was not given up and had the speed to keep the Trojans on their toes. A screen pass to Cropper from their own 18 yard line was quickly turned into an 82-yard touchdown outracing the entire Trojan defense. However, an unneeded block in the back would take away the Tigers chance to get back into the contest and the drive would end with Dorian Harris intercepting a pass and bringing back to the 35 of Sussex.
Harris would get the opportunity to cash in by racing to the corner of the endzone from 5 yards out making it 28-6. He would score again on the same play minutes later to end the half to give the Trojans a 35-6 lead at the half.
The scoring would end with the Tigers looking to get an interception to only have Allen dart in front of a defender tipping the ball to himself while running and would corral the ball safely in the endzone for his 2nd score of the night for the 42-yard reception.
Essex(1-0) will have their home opener next Friday when they host Class 4 Jamestown (0-1) who were shutout by Nottoway. Curtis Jefferson and the Sussex Central Tigers (0-1) will start the first of a 5 game road trip as they face Lancaster (0-1) Thursday night.
ESSEX- 14 21 7 0 - 42
SUSSEX- 6 0 0 0 - 6
SC- Cropper 35 yard pass reception from Birchette (run failed)
E- Robinson 11 yard pass from Brimmer (kick blocked)
E- Allen 64 yard pass from Brimmer (Garner-Rich pass from Brimmer)
E- Howard 28 yard pass from Brimmer (Ware kick)
E- Harris 5 yard run (Ware kick)
E- Harris 5 yard run (Ware kick)
E- Allen 42 yard pass from Brimmer (Ware kick)
The Tigers struck first when Anthony Cropper got behind the secondary of the Trojans for a 35-yard touchdown reception from Edward Birchette to make it 6-0 with 8:07 in the first. Sussex Central's defense looked good and looked like they were going to control the quarter but a fumble would energize the Trojan faithful and they would not slow down for the rest of the half.
The UVA commit Kam Robinson would get things going powering into the endzone on an 11-yard touchdown reception to tie things up 6-6 with 4:06 to play. After a stalled Tiger drive, quarterback Michael Brimmer would find Mekhi Allen for a 64-yard reception to make it 14-6 after the conversion to end the 1st quarter.
Jordan Howard would get things going to put space between the two teams catching a 28-yard touchdown from Brimmer. Zaccheus Ware booted in the extra point to make it 21-6 Trojans.
Sussex Central was not given up and had the speed to keep the Trojans on their toes. A screen pass to Cropper from their own 18 yard line was quickly turned into an 82-yard touchdown outracing the entire Trojan defense. However, an unneeded block in the back would take away the Tigers chance to get back into the contest and the drive would end with Dorian Harris intercepting a pass and bringing back to the 35 of Sussex.
Harris would get the opportunity to cash in by racing to the corner of the endzone from 5 yards out making it 28-6. He would score again on the same play minutes later to end the half to give the Trojans a 35-6 lead at the half.
The scoring would end with the Tigers looking to get an interception to only have Allen dart in front of a defender tipping the ball to himself while running and would corral the ball safely in the endzone for his 2nd score of the night for the 42-yard reception.
Essex(1-0) will have their home opener next Friday when they host Class 4 Jamestown (0-1) who were shutout by Nottoway. Curtis Jefferson and the Sussex Central Tigers (0-1) will start the first of a 5 game road trip as they face Lancaster (0-1) Thursday night.
ESSEX- 14 21 7 0 - 42
SUSSEX- 6 0 0 0 - 6
SC- Cropper 35 yard pass reception from Birchette (run failed)
E- Robinson 11 yard pass from Brimmer (kick blocked)
E- Allen 64 yard pass from Brimmer (Garner-Rich pass from Brimmer)
E- Howard 28 yard pass from Brimmer (Ware kick)
E- Harris 5 yard run (Ware kick)
E- Harris 5 yard run (Ware kick)
E- Allen 42 yard pass from Brimmer (Ware kick)
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