Sussex Central's Tyree Rose lays the big hit on an Eagle receiver to prevent a first down.
SUSSEX- A trip to the 1A Region A championship was on the line as Sussex Central played host to Washington & Lee on a cold and frosty night. Both teams were filled with confidence heading into this one but only one could advance. The Eagles made a goal line stance early in the 1st quarter as they were pumped to show they were a different squad now.
Washington & Lee’s offense would struggle early and Sussex Central would take advantage at the 4:41 mark when Amari Hill would break loose for a 33-yard touchdown run. Sussex Central took an 8-0 lead.
The Tigers Lorenzo Stirrup blazes down the field uncontested for the touchdown.
After a quick 3 and out and punt by the Eagles, the Tigers would take advantage of Washington & Lee focusing solely on the run. Lorenzo Stirrup would get behind the defense and quarterback Clyde Edmonds would hit him for a 65-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers were up 16-0 with 3:25 left in the 1st quarter.
Carson Bell, who had committed to James Madison this week would answer back. Bell will throw and perfect deep ball having just enough time in the pocket for a 56-yard pass to Brian Campbell. The score was 16-6 with 3:17 left in the opening quarter.
Sussex Central would march right down the field again as Edmond would powered in from a yard out and get the conversion to make it 24-6. The Tigers would steadily make another drive with following great defensive play with Edmond finishing another drive making it 32-6with 5:14 to play before halftime.
Imir Clark finds daylight to help move the Tigers down the field.
With the defense allowing no answers for the Eagles’ offense to execute, the Tigers special teams would allow them the chance. The Tiger returner would try to pick up a ball off a punt that he should not. The frost on the ground made it extremely slick to coral the ball as it squirted out 5 times before an Eagle would recover it at the Sussex Central 12. Carson Bell would soon get in on a few plays later to make it 32-12 giving the Westmoreland fans reason to urge their team on.
Senior qb Carson Bell stayed calm and delivered with the crowd least expected it.
The screams of the crowd saying “Don’t give up!” were heard loud and clear. Having a good drive in the second half, the Eagles would connect with their top wide receiver Shane McNeil for a beautiful 30-yard touchdown pass and they would convert the conversion to make it 32-20 with 4:01 left. The Eagles had the momentum and called on their defense.
The napping Tigers woke up as Hill would bust loose for a 27-yard run to make it 38-20 with 11:52 remaining in the contest. Bell would try to answer but the pressure would force an interception and the Tigers would add another score with Malik Lankford going in from a yard out.
Hill led all rushers with 161 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. Edmond had 115 yards and
Coach Curtis Jefferson and the Tigers will be making the trip to Tappahannock for a Saturday, 1pm kick-off. Sussex Central’s last road loss at another school hasn’t been since 2015 when their season ended to Essex at that time.
The Eagles were proud of their effort and should have been with a great season.
Coach Joe Taylor and the Eagles finished 8-4 as there were no tears as the team gave great effort throughout and fought throughout the contest. Washington & Lee expects to be in the mix for the top spot in the region in 2018.
WASHINGTON & LEE 6 6 8 0 - 20
SUSSEX CENTRAL 16 16 0 12 - 44
SC- Hill 33-yard run (Hatch run)
SC- Stirrup 65-yard pass from Edmond (Edmond run)
WL- Campbell 56-yard pass from Bell (kick failed)
SC- Edmond 1-yard run (Edmond run)
SC- Edmond 5-yard run (Imir Clark run)
WL- Bell 1-yard run(run failed)
WL- McNeil 30 yard pass from Bell (McNeil pass from Bell)
SC- Hill 27-yard run (run failed)
SC- Lankford 1-yard run (run failed)
Coach Curtis Jefferson got his team to stay focus and on, unlike the flash on this shot.
POQUOSON 49 GREENSVILLE COUNTY 0
The Eagles failed to produce the performance that got them to 9-2 as turnovers, poor tackling, and missed assignments led to a blowout loss on the Peninsula. The Islanders rushed for 304 yards pounded the Eagles. Poquoson will now travel to Region B's top team, Goochland for a chance to go to the state championship.
ESSEX 56 NORTHUMBERLAND 12
The mighty Trojans had no trouble with their rematch with Northumberland as they easily advanced. Northumberland was plagued by mistakes early and could not recover. The big stage is now set as Essex looks to avenge their only loss of the season for the chance to venture into the state playoffs in what is expected to be a full beyond capacity crowd.
1A REGION A CHAMPIONSHIP
Sussex Central (10-2)
at Essex (11-1) Saturday, 1pm kick-off.
