Malik Martin gets around the edge for an impressive gain in the 47-14 victory over Rappahannock.
WARSAW- Rappahannock was celebrating their senior night and they looked to try to pull off the upset of the night versus their rival Essex. Having 15 seniors playing their last regular season game was inspiring enough for the Raiders to give Essex a challenge that has invisible for much of the Northern Neck district competition. The game didn’t start as if Rappahannock had much of a shot.
Nate Jones got things going for the Trojans as he scooped up a fumble and returned it 55 yards for the touchdown to give Essex a 7-0 lead with nearly 2 minutes elapsed in the game.
After a few dominating stands by Essex defense, the offense would still be on neutral. Malik Martin would close out the scoring in the first quarter with a 4-yard run to give the Trojans a 13-0 lead.
Senior Ben Shepherd's huge plays were instrumental in the offensive surge by Rappahannock.
Rappahannock would continue to struggle on offense but a key moment would energize the Raiders. Essex had appeared to had thrown a backwards pass in which Jovan Gillis had apparently scooped up. The refs didn’t see it that way but the Raider defense made sure Essex wouldn’t score. Stopping the Trojans 7 times inside their own 10.
Energized from the goal line stand, Coach William West and the Raiders would find a weakness in the Trojan defense. Quarterback Brock Belfield would find targets open but none bigger than senior tight end Ben Shepherd who would make a great catch and run. Soon after Belfield would throw a perfect pass to Romeo Jackson from 23 yards out to cut the lead to 12-7 with 52 seconds remaining before halftime. 52 seconds too long.
There were several moments in the up until 9 minutes in the 3rd where the Raiders thought upset.
Quarterback Tesahn Nelson would move the Trojans down the field quickly set up by a pass on the home sideline to Rasaun Monroe. Then Nelson would go to the other side for a 34 yard touchdown pass to Martin. Martin would run in the conversion to give Rappahannock a 21-7 halftime lead.
Rasaun Monroe turned it on in the 2nd half to make sure the game went as planned.
The second half started with Rappahannock surprising Essex with an onside kick recovery. On a 4th and 10 the Raider’s Belfield would find Leroy Farmer for the conversion and kept the fans believing. Later Belfield would hit Shepherd on a 29 yard touchdown pass to make it 21 to 14 Essex on top with 9:30 left in the 3rd. This would be as close as the Raiders would come.
Monroe would answer with a 51-yard touchdown pass caught to extend the lead to 27 to 14. Coach John Fulks group would never look back from that point on. Martin was so excited to prove they were ready that he hurdled a defender on his way to a big gain that would leave many scouts impressed but in high school that was a 15 yard penalty.
Sophomore Terrell Hundley makes a perfect grab over the shorter Tre'monie Brown of the Raiders.
Nelson would next hit Terrell Hundley for a 29-yard touchdown with only 1:18 left in the 3rd. Kevin Dameron and Monroe would add a touchdown run a piece in the 4th would give the Trojans (9-1) a convincing 47-14 and will give them an extra week to prepare for the winner of Middlesex-Luray for November 20th.
ESSEX 13 8 12 14 - 47
RAPPAHANNOCK 0 7 7 0 - 14
E- Jones 55 yard fumble return (Leo Ayala kick)
E- Martin 4 yard run (pass failed)
R- Jackson 23 yard pass from Belfield (Jarrett Gordon kick)
E- Martin 34 yard pass from Nelson (Martin run)
R- Shepherd 29 yard pass from Belfield (Gordon kick)
E- Monroe 51 yard pass from Nelson (kick blocked)
E- Hundley 29 yard pass from Nelson (pass failed)
E- Dameron 8 yard run (muffed no good)
E- Monroe 9 yard run (Dameron run)
SUSSEX CENTRAL 52 SURRY COUNTY 12
Sussex Central cruised to victory over their rebuilding rival Surry as they cruised to victory. Malik Delk was 6 of 8 for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns on the night. An’ Tae Motton added 3 touchdowns. The Tigers will earn themselves a bye for the first round and should have a Thanksgiving weekend clash with #1 Riverheads if they both advance.
SUSSEX CENTRAL 16 22 14 0 - 52
SURRY COUNTY 0 0 0 12 - 12
SXC- Motton 7 yard run (Trevon Hatch run)
SXC- Motton 1 yard run (Hatch run)
SXC- Tyrese Rose 65 yard pass from Delk (run failed)
SXC- Motton 15 yard run (Clyde Edmond pass from Delk)
SXC- Hatch 18 yard run [Amari Hill run)
SXC- Hill 5 yard run (run failed)
SXC- Edmond 40 yard pass from Delk (Motton run)
SYC- Andre Savage 56 yard run (run failed)
SYC- Savage 2 yard run (no attempt)
WASHINGTON & LEE 28 COLONIAL BEACH 22
The Drifters have improved tremendously but it wasn’t enough to upset Washington & Lee. The Eagles got back Cullen Bell who passed for 233 yards and 3 scores. Jarret Sumiel caught the first 2 touchdown passes and ran one as the Eagles trailed 22-21. Sumiel would catch a 21-yard pass to win. Colonial Beach is expected to meet William Campbell Friday. The Eagles should host East Rockingham.
COLONIAL BEACH 8 8 0 6 - 22
WASHINGTON & LEE 15 0 6 7 - 28
WL- Sumiel 30 yard pass from Bell (Jaquan Ball run)
CB- Alonzo Turner 61 yard run (Lucas pass from Turner)
WL- Sumiel 60 yard pass from Bell (Squires kick)
CB- Lucas 8 yard run (Lucas run)
WL- Sumiel 8 yard run (run failed)
CB- Lucas 5 yard run (run failed)
WL- Sumiel 21 yard pass from Bell (Squires kick)
FRANKLIN 26 SOUTHAMPTON 6
Franklin overcame 14 penalties for 128 yards to man handle their rival Southampton to clinch a bye into the playoffs. The Broncos rushed for 381 yards on the night while the defense stuffed the Indians running attack to only 5 yards on 30 attempts. Franklin should be on a collision course for a desired match up with #2 Essex Thanksgiving weekend if both teams advance following their bye.
SOUTHAMPTON 0 6 0 0 - 6
FRANKLIN 6 14 0 6 - 26
F- Darrien Duck 9 yard run (run failed)
F- Javonte Baker 4 yard run (run failed)
S- Rakwuan Riggs 58 yard pass from Andrew Blunt (pass failed)
F- Duck 3 yard fumble return (Quayshaun Jefferson run)
F- Jack Sykes 2 yard run (run failed)
OTHER REGION A SCORES
Arcadia 62 Northampton 20
Charles City 50 West Point 0
Greensville County 26 Brunswick 6
King William over King & Queen (forfeit)
Northumberland 28 Lancaster 16
Park View (SH) 55 Windsor 8
UNOFFICIAL REGION A PLAYOFF MATCH- UPS FRIDAY
2A EAST
12 Stuarts Draft at 5 King William
9 Greensville County at 8 Brunswick
11 East Rockingham at 6 Washington & Lee
*Arcadia will depend on Bruton/Warhill which was postponed to Saturday
1A EAST
12 Colonial Beach at 5 William Campbell
11 Lancaster at 6 Central Lunenburg
10 Altavista at 7 Rappahannock
9 Middlesex at 8 Luray
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