Antwain Greene was the most consistent runner in the mud to move the Trojans forward.
HEATHSVILLE- The 1A Region A championship game was wet but that didn't keep the fans away from this anticipated rematch that would give the winner a trip to play the defending 1A champion Riverheads. With the rain many thought it would instantly favor the powerful rushing style of KJ Dameron and the Trojans. Things would not appear that way early though.
Essex would have trouble early as a punt would go astray giving the Indians great position to score. Northumberland would not be able to capitalize on the turnover as the Trojans held. Later in the quarter Essex wouldn't be so lucky as Northumberland ventured the muddiest part of the field to go up 6-0 as Delvin Palmer would go in from 2 yards out.
Delvin Palmer got Northumberland on the board first.
Coach Todd Jones would later find a sweet spot in the mud that made cuts nearly impossible. Quarterback Antwain Greene and Takeyo Day would start to slither through the Indian front as their line drove the defenders back. Greene would go in from 2 yards out to tie the game up. The 2-point conversion attempt would fall short of the goal line. The squads would be deadlock 6-6 going into halftime.
Takeyo Day hits the hole for positive yards on their drive.
In the second half Essex drives would get longer but penalties would shorten their effectiveness until late in the third. The Trojans would pick up some momentum as Northumberland could not find a way to be effective. Greene, Day, and Dameron would be successful diving forward for yardage. The first play of the 4th would be a 4 yard run by Greene to put Essex up 12-6. Dameron would add a comforting 2-point conversion to make it 14-6 with 11:55 to play.
The Indians would try and try to get Devin Palmer some room but he could escape the grasp of the Trojan defense time and time again. Coach Aaron Lewis couldn't come up with the right formula to get the Indians scoring again. With 2:56 remaining in the game, they would turn to Keon Redmond to grind it out.
Keon Redmond churns for extra yardage early but would get many more until late.
Redmond would become the most consistent offense the Indians had seen since the first quarter. As the rain poured harder and the Indians were entering the redzone, Redmond would get hit low on his diving run squirting the ball out. Essex would recover at their own 15 and Northumberland saw their dream season slip away with 1:43 remaining to play.
Essex would force Northumberland to burn their last timeout and would begin to celebrate as they took a timeout with 15 seconds remaining as they would just seek to punt and end the game. Riverheads awaits and the fans were particularly vocal in their cheers of joy.
Not so fast my friend. On the punt was a low snap and the punter had to bend down and while doing do his knee would hit the ground. He would be marked down at the 8 yard line. Northumberland had to wipe away the tears and try to capitalize on their last opportunity. Coach Lewis would turn to Palmer as they lined up. Palmer would take the direct snap and would try to get to the home sideline but it was easily shutdown.
Essex captures the Region A crown and move onto the state playoffs.
Now it was official as the time ticked away before Northumberland could think about getting another play off. Essex would play slip and slide in the mud for a celebration as they set up the anticipated rematch with the Gladiators of Riverheads. The Gladiators feature 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Blake Smith who made the Trojans pay in several key moments of last years game.
Northumberland finished with an 11-2 record and had a great run. It will be interesting to see what the Indians will do next season among other teams who look to be contenders in 2019.
ESSEX 0 6 0 8 - 14
NORTHUMBERLAND 6 0 0 0 - 6
N- Palmer 2 yard run (run failed)
E- Greene 2 yard run (run failed)
E- Greene 4 yard run (Dameron run)
