Essex wideout Delontae Norman makes a perfect catch in the pouring rain for a big gain.
FRANKLIN- Essex offense may have stalled on their first drive but that would be one of very few missed opportunities to score on the rainy night in Franklin.
The powerhouse Trojans looked to have sent Franklin 3 and out in their first drive but the Broncos had took good note of how hard Essex comes after punts and caught them unaware on a fake. Logan Pearson-Hines would hit LaSean Nichols-Porter down the home sideline 84-yards for the touchdown to give Franklin a 6-0 with 8:17 left in the 1st quarter.
Todd Jones would have his offense respond immediately as the work horse KJ Dameron would cap off a quick drive with a 12-yard touchdown run to make it 6-6 at the 7:06 minute mark.
Sophomore Ashton Ashlock was solid in his first start for the Trojans.
Playing for an injured Tamaje Jones, sophomore Ashton Ashlock would hook up with Region A’s top wide receiver Terrell Hundley who made a fantastic catch for a 32-yard touchdown. The Trojans would cash in the 2-point conversion to make it 14-6 with 4:28 left in the 1st.
Speedster Tim Johnson would take over from this point on. At the 10:24 mark of the 2nd quarter Johnson would go untouched for an 8-yard td run. Essex was in control 22-6.
Essex Tim Johnson provided the speed the Trojans needed to succeed.
Franklin had a chance to respond on their best offensive play that wasn’t meant to be. Pearson-Hines would roll to his right and would fine Drelyn Ford crossing deep and he appeared to had gotten near the goal line but a whistle was accidently blown while the Broncos qb was throwing. The big play 57-yards wouldn’t count because it was blown dead and so were the chances for the Broncos.
Johnson would score again with 3:31 left before the half on a 12-yard run. Essex would go into the half with a 30-6 lead. The very few Franklin fans that showed up had to debate coming back out or staying dry in their cars.
In the 2nd half Essex defense continued to get penetration and the Broncos struggled with snaps. Johnson would destroy the little hope Franklin had when he ran in from 18-yards out to give the Trojans a 36-6 lead with 8:07 left in the 3rd.
The statement game for the #7 Essex Trojans (1-1) would end with Dameron running over 3 Broncos on his way to a 30-yard run making it 42-6. Dameron with finish with 110 yards and 2 scores.
KJ Dameron was devastating with stiff arms and dragging opponents for a 30-yard td run.
Coach Jones and the Trojans return home as they face rival King William (0-2) next week.
Franklin (0-1) will take the trip up north to Colonial Beach (0-1).
ESSEX 14 16 6 6 - 42
FRANKLIN 6 0 0 0 - 6
F- Nichols-Porter 84 yard pass from Pearson-Hines (run failed)
E- Dameron 12-yard run (run failed)
E- Hundley 32-yard pass from Ashlock (Ricardo Henson run)
E- Johnson 8-yard run (Henson run)
E- Johnson 12-yard run (Henson run)
E- Johnson 18-yard run (run failed)
E- Dameron 30-yard run (kick failed)
BRUTON 28 KING WILLIAM 14
Bruton gets its 2nd win in 3 years. Both have been against the Cavaliers. King William was up 6-0 at the end of the first when less than 3 minutes before halftime they would give up 14 points off touchdown passes. The game was sealed with an 87-yard pick six return in the 4th.
PARK VIEW (SH) 33 BLUESTONE 26 (Thursday Night)
The Dragons fought off a late comeback by their rivals to move to 2-0. Park View will host Colonial Heights on Friday.
OTHER REGION A SCORES (Week 2)
Charles City 0 Southampton 0 2nd (continued next week)
Greensville Co. 12 Nottoway 8
Middlesex 32 Rappahannock 28
Nandua 43 Windsor 12
Washington & Lee 61 Mathews 6
Many teams postponed.... (Will update once known)
Lancaster at Sussex Central (Tuesday night)
