Poquoson's defense rises to the occasion to hold the Cavalier offense in check.
CENTRAL GARAGE- The defending champion King William Cavaliers came into the Class 2 Region A championship having ousted the opponent for 2 consecutive years. To achieve the 3rd one would it be a charm or was the opponent going to flip the script? Poquoson was determined to make sure it wasn't going to be a third.
King William had won the toss and put their explosive offense on the field. The Bull Islanders forced a 3 and out early and had the chance to get on top themselves. Sophomore quarterback Eli Tyndall would find tight end Ryan Burke putting the ball into Cavalier territory. On the next 3rd down, Poquoson felt comfortable to go to the air again from the Cavs 35 yard line but Tre Robinson would get the interception killing thoughts of points.
The defenses would run the 1st quarter but a shanked punt late in the 1st helped get the Cavaliers a short field. Kaleb Shelton would find daylight and tried to power in for the score. The ball would come loose prior to the goal line and the runner's momentum pushed the fumbled ball out of bounds.....on the other side of the pylon. This would result in a touchback and the ball awarded to the Bull Islanders.
After the teams traded several 3 and outs, Poquoson having theirs decided to punt with about 2:00 minutes remaining before the half. The snap would sail over the reach of the punter Josh Mitchell and the ball would be corralled at the Poquoson 14 with 1:51 remaining in the half. King William would not be denied this time as Shelton would go in from 3 yards out and Cameron LeBaron nailed the point after to make it 7-0 King WIlliam with 40 seconds remaining and that would be the score at the half.
King William would be glad to be up 7-0 but the points missed out they would later yearn for. With the ball first, Poquoson came out like their offensive woes never existed. The Bull Islanders would move the ball down the field and the ball would go into the hands of Chase Bullard who would go in from 9 yards out. Ethan Little nodded things up 7-7 with 8:47 left in the 3rd.
The Cavaliers were feeling the pressure to answer back despite the defense of the Bull Islanders stepping up. Fake punt with Monta Roane would convert a 4th and long. The drive would later stall and Poquoson would get it back. They would run the option and Tyndall's pitch would go astray and King William would recover. The drive would lead to a field goal attempt that would hit the left upright.
Poquoson ran much different after halftime.
Going into the 4th, Poquoson would go 3 and out and King William was having a promising drive getting into Bull Islanders territory. However, on 3rd down Shelton would be surrounded in the backfield and the ball would be fumbled to Poquoson. A few plays later and Tyndall would find Ryen Ellis at the goal line for the touchdown pass with only 5:53 left to play.
King William would have to punt but the defense would give the ball at their own 35 with 2:36 left. Shelton would have his pass intercepted by a one handed grab by Khaleo Smith with 2:19 left to play. King William would not give up.
It was appearing that King William was going to have the ball one more time and with about 1:24 left to play. Facing a 4th and 4, Poquoson would go play action and would hit Bullard in the middle of the field to ice the game.
Chase Bullard's big time catch punched the ticket to the state semi-finals for the Bull Islanders.
Poquoson (9-4) will face Central Woodstock(11-2) who won 34-7 over Strasburg.That state semi-final will be next Saturday.
POQUOSON 0 0 7 7 - 14
KING WILLIAM 0 7 0 0 - 7
KW-Shelton 3 yard run (LeBaron kick)
P- Bullard 9 yard (Little kick)
P- Ellis 21 yard pass from Tyndall (LeBaron Kick)
